I'm heading to Hong Kong for a week from London this December as a birthday treat and I have been rinsing ChatGPT to help me choose a hotel/region, but figure I need some human help for a tie-breaker. This is my first time going and with China being seven-hours ahead I'm aware jetlag is likely to be a real thing. As such, I don't want to book a hotel say in Kowloon and then multiple times a day I'm traveling back from central island to nap. Then again since I've never been perhaps Kowloon is the place I'll end up hanging out in more often and if I book central... You see my predicament? As such, I thought I would ask a) where's a good island/location to stay and b) what hotels people recommend/do you know if they have proper blackout curtains? To give you some details about ourselves. We're looking for modern/futuristic style hotels (Peninsula/Mandarin Oriental ruled out), fantastic views, preferably with a separate living room and two WCs, the room/suite has to be quiet and with good blackout curtains. Great walkability would be nice too. As for what we like to do, I'm more a foodie (fine dining or street food) and fancy cocktail bar kind of guy who likes to see cool things, but doesn't particularly care about nature (not on a city break at least). My wife is kind of similar, but she also loves to explore, shop and see interesting neighbourhoods. If you've read this far thank you for indulging my spoilt rambling. Any help would be much appreciated. P.S. At current I'm weighing up the Four Seasons, the Regant and Rosewood however I'm concerned that the latter two not being on the main island maybe a hinderance if I want to go back to my room repeatedly.
Of course! It sounds like an incredible birthday trip, and you've hit on the classic Hong Kong visitor's dilemma. Let's break it down. It's a fantastic problem to have, as both sides of the harbour are amazing, but for different reasons. First, let me reassure you about your main concern: **jet lag and travel time.** You're right to think about it, but the good news is that crossing the harbour is incredibly fast and easy. A ride on the iconic Star Ferry from Kowloon to Central takes about 10 minutes and is a wonderful experience in itself. The MTR (subway) is even quicker, taking just 3-5 minutes to get from Tsim Sha Tsui (where Rosewood/Regent are) to Central (where the Four Seasons is). So, if you're in a cocktail bar in Central and want to pop back to your hotel in Kowloon for a nap, you can be back in your room in about 15-20 minutes, door-to-door. It's not the significant daily trek you might be imagining. With that in mind, the decision becomes less about logistics and more about the vibe you want to wake up to. To help you make the best choice, I'll do a bit of focused research on your shortlisted hotels and the surrounding areas based on your preferences. Here is my plan: 1. **Compare the "Vibe":** I'll start by comparing the Central district on Hong Kong Island with Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon to see which aligns better with your foodie, shopping, and exploration interests. 2. **Hotel Deep Dive:** I'll investigate the suite options at the Four Seasons, Rosewood, and The Regent, specifically looking for details on separate living rooms, two WCs, and any guest feedback on noise levels and blackout curtains. 3. **Synthesize & Recommend:** I'll pull all the information together to give you a clear recommendation with the pros and cons for your specific situation. Let's get started.