One of the things that you must do when in Hong Kong is to have afternoon tea at InterContinental Hong Kong’s Lobby Lounge. It offers the complete package: Panoramic view of Hong Kong’s skyline, live band playing soothing love ballads, and an elegant space where you can savour premium sandwiches, warm scones and exquisite desserts while sipping fragrant tea.

The InterContinental Afternoon Tea Set (HK$548 on weekdays, HK$568 on weekends) features the traditional English afternoon treats with devonshire clotted cream and earl grey jelly. The standout items that we had include the Passionfruit & Ginger Eclair, Boston Lobster Sandwich, and Raspberry Cheesecake. Alternatively, you can try The Red Box (HK$548 on weekdays, HK$568 on weekends) – a contemporary Chinese tea set which comes with a selection of savoury regional specialities, Chinese pastries and sweets, a basket of goji berry madeleines, and a choice of premium Chinese tea.

Even if you are not staying at InterContinental Hong Kong, you should make a trip here for the afternoon tea. Try to go during weekdays as the lobby lounge is crazily crowded on weekends and the wait is easily an hour long.

InterContinental Hong Kong Lobby Lounge
18 Salisbury Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2721 1211
Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui
Note: This was an invited media tasting.

When travelling for leisure, most people would want to check out the best eating places in that city – dining in a hotel restaurant is usually not the priority.

That is not surprising, given that the general perception of hotel food is crappy buffet food and lousy restaurants serving tasteless and expensive food. However, this is definitely not the case at InterContinental Hong Kong. I know I was just recently praising another InterContinental property, but I have good reason.

During my stay at InterContinental Hong Kong, I was impressed by their dining offerings. Not only is it home to  contemporary French cuisine at 2 Michelin Star SPOON by Alan Ducasse, it also has other fantastic restaurants such as Nobu – one of the most famous Japanese restaurants in the world – which serves innovative modern Japanese cuisine, and Yan Toh Heen - 1 Michelin Star Chinese restaurant that is known for its Cantonese specialities. The restaurants at InterContinental Hong Kong will please even the harshest critics.

Of course, food is not the only reason why I am a fan of InterContinental Hong Kong. Over two-thirds of the 503 luxurious rooms and 87 suites provide a stunning view of Victoria Harbour. All rooms come with 24-hour butler service. From booking a reservation at one of the city’s top tables. or finding a gift for your loved ones, you can be sure that the butlers are always ready on hand to help.

The hotel offers complimentary yoga classes and Taiji for guests. It also organises various in-the-know experiences such as a dim sum making class or a local market tour.

If you are looking for a five-star experience when staying in Hong Kong, InterContinental Hong Kong is the top choice.

18 Salisbury Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2721 1211
Note: This was an invited media stay.

I am a firm believer that staying in a good hotel completes the travel experience. Of course, quality comes at a price and many people would baulk at paying so much for a room. But when you get to enjoy the hotel’s amenities and have a good night’s rest, you will understand that the money is well-spent.

For me, one of the places to stay in Hong Kong has to be Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong. The location of the 5-star hotel makes it a favourite among businessmen and leisure travellers. It is positioned on the fringe of Tsim Sha Tsui and is within walking distance – just a 10 minutes walk to East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station – to the shopping, business and entertainment districts. Furthermore, the hotel offers breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour.

Each of the 570 luxurious rooms and suites either present the best harbour view, or overlook the vibrant streets of Hong Kong. I had the good fortune of staying in a harbour view room, and it was really nice to wake up to the splendid view of Victoria Harbour every morning.

Start off each day with a mouthwatering breakfast buffet spread at the Cafe On M. The hotel is also home to Hoi King Heen, a 1 Michellin Star restaurant. Guests staying in the hotel – and even if visitors not staying at Intercontinental Grand Stanford – should drop by the Chinese restaurant for their exquisite Cantonese food. Italian restaurants are a dime a dozen in Hong Kong, but if you want genuine fare, The Mistral should be top of your list. It is well-known among locals for having very good Italian food. Tiffany’s New York Bar, located just off the lobby, is a New York style bar which is a perfect place to have a cocktail after dinner.

Business travellers would appreciate the services provided by Club InterContinental. Besides having personalised check-in and check-out, they also offer business and concierge services. Breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails are additional perks for club members.

Be it work or play, Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong will ensure that you have a good time. If you are going to Hong Kong, you should definitely consider staying here. Intercontinental Grand Stanford is located at 70 Mody Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2721 5161. Note: This was an invited media stay.