2 weeks Ago By John Yan
A glitteringly contemporary city with a rich history, Hong Kong beckons travelers with memorable sights and sounds—from the panoramas atop The Peak to its bustling Victoria Harbour and colorful traditional markets. For discerning travelers, there are the pleasures of world-class accommodations, Michelin-starred restaurants, and elegant shopping, making Hong Kong the ideal destination to indulge in a luxury weekend. Here are some ideas to fill your dream itinerary.
Start your Friday by checking into one of the city’s many spectacular hotels. Consider the Rosewood Hong Kong , which boasts 413 spacious rooms and suites in a stunning 11-story tower overlooking Victoria Harbour. Or there’s the 117-room Upper House, designed by Hong Kong–born architect André Fu, floating above the city in the buzzing Admiralty neighborhood, not far from the botanical gardens and hiking trails.
In the heart of the West Kowloon Cultural District, at the M+ museum, you can marvel at Asian design, architecture, and moving images as well as one of the world’s largest collections of contemporary Chinese art. It’s not far from there to Victoria Dockside, where K11 Musea is home to fine boutiques like Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen, and Gucci, along with the MoMA Design Store and other shops with local and contemporary art. If you want to get a bird’s-eye view of this great city before venturing further on land, sign up for The Peninsula Fly and Dine program for an exclusive 18-minute flightseeing tour (for up to six passengers), followed by a meal catered by one of The Peninsula Hotel’s notable restaurants.
Or reserve dinner at The Chairman restaurant (one Michelin star), where chefs Danny Yip and Kwok Keung Tung take an innovative approach to traditional Cantonese cuisine. Saturday morning is the perfect time marvel at the iconic vistas of skyscrapers backed by forested mountains from the vantage point of Victoria Peak . To get there, ride the historic funicular railway, the Peak Tram, for a scenic 10-minute journey.
At the top, an easy 3.5-kilometer Peak Circle Walk offers additional panoramas interspersed with glimpses of local flora and fauna. Afterward, reward your efforts—and soothe your mind and body—with a sumptuous rejuvenating treatment at The Peninsula Spa , whose interior decor of warm-toned marble, weathered wood, and woven textiles accentuates the relaxing atmosphere.
And if the spa therapy has left you feeling as though time itself has been suspended, an antidote may be found in the extraordinary collection of watches at Richard Mille , one of the luxe boutiques at Pacific Place . For dinner, the intimate MONO restaurant (one Michelin star) offers tasting menus featuring the South American cuisine of Venezuela-born chef Ricardo Chaneton, served at a 22-seat chef’s counter. Sunday is an ideal day to see Hong Kong from the water.
Board the Aqua Luna , a traditional wooden junk boat and sail past the skyline of high rises and towers while enjoying dim sum, afternoon tea, or sunset cocktails. To cruise further afield, Simpson Yacht Charter has a fleet of beautiful yachts and catamarans made for seagoing adventures. If you prefer to stay ashore, the former red-light district of Wan Chai hugs the northern edge of Hong Kong Island, and the neighborhood has now been transformed into a trendy enclave of cafés, elegant bars, chic boutiques, and cultural venues like the Hong Kong Arts Centre , which hosts exhibits, performances, and screenings.
When you’re ready for a leisurely lunch or afternoon tea, The Drawing Room at The St. Regis Hong Kong provides an elegant setting and delicious Mediterranean fare or a trolley of savories and sweets. Not far from Wan Chai, the LANDMARK complex of shops and restaurants in the Central District encompasses four buildings linked by covered walkways.
Here you’ll find Chanel, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, and Hermès, among other international brands. Also close by is Tai Kwun , a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s become a high-end cultural hub. Here you’ll find exhibitions of contemporary art, galleries, a performance space that welcomes international orchestras and other musical groups, historic shops, and a range of eateries.
When your shopping is done, the Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental hotel, Hong Kong, offers soothing therapies and signature treatments such as the Intelligent Movement Treatment, involving trigger-point release work and deep-muscle manipulation. As for dinner, Caprice , the signature three-Michelin-starred restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, showcases a classic and imaginative French menu by Chef Guillaume Galliot, accompanied by a superlative wine list. Clearly a weekend is too short to sample all the luxe delights of Hong Kong.
Stay through Monday and explore the island of Cheung Chau . Fishing boats still tie up along the waterfront, and a short walk leads from there to a crescent-shaped beach. The isle’s maritime heritage is honored at the Pak Tai Temple, dedicated to the Taoist god of the sea.
This is also the site of the annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival, held each May, but, happily, the iconic “lucky buns” are sold year-round in the island’s lively cafés. Cap off the day with the tasting menu at one-Michelin-starred Andō . Dinner here is an extraordinary epicurean journey, incorporating influences from Chef Agustin Balbi’s early life in Argentina, the flavors of Spain, and his formal culinary training in Japan.
End your extended weekend with a nightcap at Whisky & Words , a library-themed speakeasy with a selection of more than 400 globally sourced whiskeys to toast your extraordinary sojourn here. This itinerary is just the beginning. By blending its Asian traditions with the vitality and global outlook of the 21st century, Hong Kong has created a unique destination for the luxury traveler—a place like no other in the world.
.
