HONG KONG -- Almost 50,000 hotel rooms are expected to be available
here by the end of this year.
But what about those hotels? The following are some helpful
tips:
• Hotel room prices are expensive, especially compared with
other Asian cities.
• Because hotels are often crowded -- thanks to business
travelers -- the Hong Kong Tourist Association recommends booking
two months in advance of arrival.
• The biggest hotel crunch comes twice a year, from January to
February for Chinese New Year and again from October to early
December, when the weather is at its best.
• Even moderately priced hotels often have hair dryers, room
safes, cable television and in-room pay movies.
• Most hotels have at least one restaurant.
• The most expensive hotels are those with a view of Victoria
Harbor on the higher floors.
The best-known hotel here is the Peninsula, built in 1928 and
exuding elegance. Its afternoon tea is among the city's great
rituals.
Near the Peninsula is the Regent, the flagship hotel of the
Regal International chain. Modern in feel, it is a favorite among
business travelers. Its outdoor swimming pool affords outstanding
views.
The Ritz-Carlton in the Central District also gets high
marks.
An up-and-coming hotel in the Kowloon District is the Great
Eagle Hotel, formerly the Hong Kong Renaissance. It calls itself an
"intelligent hotel" with sophisticated bedroom control panels that
enable guests to operate lights, adjust air conditioning, select a
television or radio program, call up messages and switch on "do not
disturb" lights, which automatically disconnect the door chime.
The Great Eagle's Bostonian restaurant has become an "in" place
for westerners seeking American-style seafood.