Local guide to Hong Kong
Who better to ask? Here’s a local guide to Hong Kong from five people who know the city better than most.
Olivier Moies-Delval
Manager, Novotel Hong Kong Nathan Road, Kowloon
OLIVIER Moies-Delval is from Belgium, married to a Dutch woman and has two sons. He has been working at the Novotel Nathan Road for nine months. That makes him perfect to provide ideas for the local guide to Hong Kong.
Moies-Delval says the hotel is perfectly located and the larger room size gives it a point of difference from nearby competitors.
He says the hotel was renovated a few years ago and all rooms have been redesigned to provide guests with a comfortable stay.
Where do you take visitors to show them the real Hong Kong?
If you want to show them the REAL Hong Kong . . . Sham Shui Po at Kowloon. Very authentic. You have to search well to find a Westerner there. Great fabric markets and electronics.
Where is your favourite place to escape in this busy city?
It is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin in the New Territories. There are monkeys and a nice temple complex. It’s quiet and there are beautiful surroundings. Or I go to Sai Kung, a small fishermen’s village, nice waterfront boulevard, where the fishermen try to sell the treasures of the ocean. Locals will walk the boulevard, showing their dog in the latest outfits. It’s a real fashion show for dogs over the weekend.
What is your favourite cheap-and-cheerful place to eat?
I would say the Peking Garden in Tai Koo Shing on Hong Kong Island. Not expensive. $HK350 ($A44) for the best Peking duck ever.
Where do you take people to eat if you want to impress them?
Wooloomooloo, on Nathan Rd, 29th floor. Go about 6pm to enjoy the sunset with a drink, great view and fantastic food. Not at all Asian, though. For just a drink, take them to the highest bar on Earth Ozone at the Ritz Carlton, not far from the Novotel.
Where can men get a good suit made?
I met an old Chinese man in Tsim Sha Tsui (about 20 minutes’ walk from the Novotel). We had a long chat regarding “his business” and after certain consideration, I have decided to order a blazer with him.
He has refused to bargain, which was, in a way, one of the reasons why I have decided to pass my order with him (honestly, the price was already three times cheaper than a shop in a mall). I was very happy with the result and the quality he delivered. It was the Royal Regency Ltd, Cashmere Silk & Fur Fashion, in the Mirror Tower, Ground Floor 61 Mody Rd in TST.
What are the must-sees within walking distance of the hotel?
The ladies market and night market are a one-minute walk from the Novotel, or just a stroll down on Nathan Rd to TST, where the ferries are.
What is your favourite district and why?
Kowloon. It’s not as busy as the business area in HK Island, and a nice mix of China/Hong Kong. If you are looking for something totally different, go to Stanley on the south side of Hong Kong Island. It is an old English fishermen’s village that has been turned into a Western boulevard.
Where do you go on a Friday night after a tough week at work?
To the escalators in Mid-levels (HK Island) fantastic atmosphere, great little bars and restaurants on the side of an open-air escalator. After that, move on to Wan Chai (totally crazy after midnight) or Lan Kwai Fong. Or try SEVVA in Central. Great view, wonderful cocktails. Want something more special? Try RED Bar + Restaurant in the IFC Mall.[hr]
J.R. Robertson
El Grande Holdings Ltd
J.R. ROBERTSON came to Hong Kong from San Francisco in 1974 to start a consumer finance company for BankAmerica.
In 1990, Robertson opened his first restaurant Grappa’s in Pacific Place and founded El Grande Holdings.
Today the company operates 15 restaurants and pubs in greater HK, including Domani, which is one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants. He is the perfect person to provide ideas for the local guide to Hong Kong.
Where do you take visitors to show them the real Hong Kong?
I tell them to ride Star Ferry and Peak Tram. The Luk Yu Tea House on Stanley St in Central, top floor, is where I dine every Friday lunch. I take them to Stanley (Hong Kong Island) and dine or have a drink at Spiaggia; or I take them to Shek O and have a beer at Ben’s Back Beach Bar. There’s always my bar in Causeway Bay called Inn Side Out at Sunning Plaza.
What is your favourite place to escape in this busy city?
Stanley Main St, Shek O, or hill-walking on Hong Kong Island or in the New Territories.
What is the biggest difference between Hong Kong and the US?
I’m from the San Francisco Bay Area, originally, and I love SF the restaurants, the bay, skiing in the Sierras but I love HK for its diversity, the fast tempo, the restaurants, the business and the people I meet, and the travel to China. And the security. You feel relatively safe on the streets of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has a reputation as a dining paradise. What is your favourite cheap-and-cheerful place to eat?
The 3-6-9 Restaurant, Shanghai-style cuisine on O’Brien Rd in Wan Chai.
Where do you take people to eat if you want to impress them?
Well, obviously, my own restaurants or Shek O Club or Luk Yu Tea House.
Most people who come here want to shop. Where do you recommend they start?
The markets off Johnston Rd (Wan Chai) or Stanley market. The malls are all the same.
Where can men get a good suit made?
I send everyone to Sam the Tailor . . . on Nathan Rd (Kowloon), near the Pearl Mine, near the Mira Hotel.
What is your favourite district?
Happy Valley and Stanley. Both are like a village you get to know people and vendors on the street. Maybe not by name but by smile.
Where do you go on a Friday night after a tough week at work?
Ah, well if I’m in town, I meet a few mates at 18.30 at Domani Bar.[hr]
Susan Field
Chief executive officer, Cohn & Wolfe-impactasia
Q. Where do you take visitors to show them the real Hong Kong?
To a country park they are amazed to see so much greenery and the wonderful reservoirs. Also to Sheung Wan and Western District on Hong Kong Island to sample Old Hong Kong shops run by families for generations. It’s a community feeling with exotic smells and interesting faces.
What is your favourite cheap-and-cheerful place to eat?
I love the Vietnamese pho from Nha Trang restaurant in Wellington St, Central. There are always queues to get in so I get takeaway and enjoy it at my desk wonderful!
Where do you take people to eat if you want to impress them?
One of my newly opened favourites is Blue Butcher on Hollywood Rd (Central and Western District) great food and amazing cocktails, busy and buzzy. My favourite restaurant that I always trust for great food and service is Domani. I also love Nanhai No.1 at iSquare in Tsim Sha Tsui it has some fantastic views, and amazing Chinese seafood.
Most people want to shop. Where do you recommend they start?
I don’t actually rate the shopping in HK much it’s all (the same) designer brands. I like Johnston Rd (Wan Chai) sample markets for a bit of fun (and joy when you find a great bargain). If I go to a mall it is always IFC in Central.
Do they need to head to mainland China to get the big bargains or can they still be found in Hong Kong?
Going across the border to Shenzhen is fun for all kinds of things homewares, fashion, toys etc. As I said, Johnston Rd is good if you get lucky.
Do you have any advice for women looking for fake handbags? Where should they go?
Shenzhen.
What is your favourite district, and why?
Hollywood Rd, where my office is, for its lively and colourful shops, galleries and restaurants, and Pokfulam, where I live, on the west coast of HK. It has its own micro-climate and is not as polluted as Central.
Where do you go on a Friday night after a tough week at work?
I usually start off at DiVino, the wine bar a few doors from my office, where they do snacks on the bar as their interpretation of happy hour. Sometimes pizza comes out, too, if the kitchen has time.
Then I head to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, where I am a member, and spend some time in the Main Bar (it’s always busy on Fridays). After a few drinks, we may go downstairs for dinner because there is normally a great jazz band on Friday night. Alternatively, I may go to MO bar at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental (Central) for the absolutely BEST cocktails in town![hr]
Sally De Souza
Mandarin Oriental
SALLY De Souza came to Hong Kong for six months and has stayed for more than 20 years. De Souza has spent the past 12 years working for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where she is responsible for promoting the brand and the 45 properties in its Asia-Pacific portfolio.
She lives on Lantau Island, with views of the water, and so has the best of both worlds the fast-paced city and a more relaxed island lifestyle at weekends. She is perfect to provide ideas for the local guide to Hong Kong.
What is the one thing visitors to Hong Kong should do?
I still think a trip on the Star Ferry is one of Hong Kong’s best things to do, particularly at night. Not only is it great value but it allows you to view both sides of the city from the water. After more than 20 years in HK, I still get a thrill from the ride.
What is your favourite cheap-and-cheerful place to eat?
There are several. I love the Crystal Jade chain of restaurants for the best Shanghai dumplings in town; Tasty Noodle and Congee in the unlikely confines of the glitzy IFC Mall does great and very reasonable wonton mee, as does Maks in Stanley St in Central.
Where do you take people to eat if you want to impress them?
It depends what I’m trying to impress them with. For the best Cantonese dining in town, it would have to be Man Wah, our Michelin-starred restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. The restaurant has been open since 1963, and we have faithfully re-created the decor of the ’60s interior. It also has great views of the harbour and Central and the wok-fried sole with black bean sauce is a personal favourite.
For the best dim sum experience, it has to be City Hall, where they still wheel the dim sum trollies. Just watching the speed of service is incredible. For views of the nightly laser light show and fantastic cocktails, Aqua Bar and Hutong restaurant over in Canton Rd, Kowloon, is hard to beat.
I’d also have to recommend Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, which has two Michelin stars and is on the San Pellegrino listing of the world’s 50 best restaurants.
The weekend wine lunch menu is one of the best deals in town, and a great place to relax with visitors.
Most people who come here want to shop. Where do you recommend they start?
The Lanes in Central are a good place to explore all that is cheap and cheerful about Hong Kong. It’s great for gift ideas. G.O.D in various locations is also a fun Hong Kong store where you can buy traditional Chinese items, all with a contemporary twist.
What is your favourite district, and why?
I like to show visitors the Western district of Hong Kong because you can still see some of the old streets and shops selling spices and dried foods and visit one of Hong Kong’s most accessible temples, Man Mo Temple, and explore Cat St for trinkets.
When you are walking back towards Central, you will find cute bars and restaurants along Gough St and Soho, plus art and antique galleries along Hollywood Rd.
Where do locals go on a Sunday to take in the real Hong Kong?
We love to get out on the water with friends. Hiring a junk and sailing to one of the many islands or bays is the perfect way to relax at the weekend, and a chance to see a different side of Hong Kong. In winter, there are also many interesting hikes.
Hong Kong has a great number of country parks to explore. I would recommend walking the Dragon’s Back trail, or taking a trip out to the Hong Kong Global GeoPark.
The best book that showcases the amazing scenery of Hong Kong is The Natural Beauty of Hong Kong, which shows a very different side of this amazing city.[hr]
Mael Vastine
Ibis Hotels, Hong Kong
MAEL Vastine started at the Ibis in January. Vastine says “this Ibis property is one of Asia’s flagship hotels that sets a new direction for our revamped Ibis brand”.
“I’m very proud of being here and work with an energetic team to promote this hotel and create market buzzes.” He is perfect to provide ideas for the local guide to Hong Kong.
When people come to visit, where do you take them?
I will first bring them to Hollywood Rd (Central and Western District) because it is well known for antiques, then take them to dinner in a cafe or restaurant in Soho, Central, followed by after-dinner drinks at Lan Kwai Fong in the adjacent area. For the next day, I will take them to the Peak in the morning and Stanley Market in the afternoon.
What is your favourite place to escape in this busy city?
I go to Tai Long Bay (or Big Wave Bay) in Sai Kung for sunbathing and leisure reading.
What is your favourite cheap-and-cheerful place to eat?
I prefer hanging out in Sheung Wan district, such as the history-long Lin Heung Kui, a Chinese dim sum restaurant just next to our hotel.
Where do you take people to eat if you want to impress them?
I’d go to a rooftop restaurant and bar in Wan Chai, overlooking the stunning panoramic Victoria Harbour view and Hong Kong Island city vista.
Where can men get a good suit made?
I usually go to Causeway Bay to look for shirts and Nathan Rd in Tsim Sha Tsui for custom-made suits.
What is Central District where the Ibis is famous for?
The hotel I work for, Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan, is next to the central business and shopping hub. It is a well-known commercial and financial centre with plenty of entertainment and shopping options, including The Peak, where you can capture most of the Hong Kong cityscape by day and night.
What is your favourite district, and why?
Sheung Wan district, the same area where our hotel is. Here you find the uniqueness with a blend of old heritage traced from the trams and the Dried Seafood Street (Des Voeux Rd West), alongside modern style cafes and stores.
Hope you enjoyed the local guide to Hong Kong. Don’t miss other city guides on the Chronicles of Brian