WHETHER IT’S BUSINESS or pleasure that brings you to Hong Kong, making the most of your stay there is a must. These desination must-do’s will ensure that the daylong errors-and-omissions discussions or late-night document discoveries won’t prevent you from having a trip to remember.
> The Stay: The Peninsula Hotel The territory’s oldest luxury hotel (pictured above) hasn’t slumped in its 90 years. Book even the lowest category of room and you can expect touches from the lighted mirror that rises out of the desk, to the Nespresso machine tastefully hidden in a drawer near the bed, to the ability to control everything from lights to curtains to TV set from the tablet at your bedside. Pop up to the sky-high Felix restaurant for delicious meals or a drink with a view of the Hong Kong harbour. Don’t feel like making your way to the hotel through Hong Kong traffic? Fly in. It is the only one in Hong Kong with its own helicopter service. www.hongkong.peninsula.com
> The Dine: Shang Palace, Kowloon Shangri-La A two-Michelin-star Cantonese fine dining experience, Shang Palace places as much attention on its presentation as on its authentic cuisine. Don’t miss the pan-fried spotted garoupa fish in egg white sauce or the braised seasonal greens with conpoy (dried scallops). www.shangri-la.com/paris/shangrila/dining/restaurants/shang-palace
> The Tailor: Sam’s Tailor The 24-hour suit is a Hong Kong staple. But don’t be distracted by the legions of tailors on the streets tempting you into their shops. If you’re after quality and timeliness, the choice is the same as it has been for the past 60 years. Sam’s Tailor is a family-owned business that has recently suited notables from Jon Hamm to Meghan Markle. www.samstailor.com
> The Insider Tour: Heritage of Mei Ho House In 1954, Hong Kong built public housing for thousands displaced by a recent fire. Today, one of those concrete blocks houses a museum showcasing the housing estate’s history. At the edge of the Sham Shui Po area of Kowloon, it is also a reminder that roughly a third of Hong Kongers live in public housing. www.discoverhongkong.com
Heather Greenwood Davis is a lawyer, a contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler, and a columnist for The Globe and Mail. Reach her at [email protected].