The Times | November 2009

City Style: Hong Kong

Shop, sleep and party in the city where West meets East. By Laura Ivill

The Upper House

Elegant, minimal and tranquil, this hotel offers the largest rooms in Hong Kong as standard, and is understated cool at its most elegant. Wood, limestone, leather and marble fittings in a restrained palette run all the way up to the restaurant on the 49th floor.

Pacific Place, 88 Queensway (00 852 3968 1111; upperhouse.com).

Chinese Arts & Crafts

Although Hong Kong is known for its imitation goods, you can still get genuine, high-end oriental design at this store, at a price to suit every budget. Whether it’s jade jewellery costing thousands, eggshell porcelain for hundreds or a handmade lacquer bowl for £40, the craftwork is exceptional.

Asia Standard Tower, 59 Queen’s Road, Central (crcretail.com).

Victoria Harbour

This vast deep-water harbour is one of the world’s most impressive sights. From a jungle of high-rises, you can watch the ships, ferries and modern-day junks criss-cross the shimmering expanse of blue. Take a harbour tour, visit the nearby sandy beaches or enjoy dim sum with the locals on Lamma Island.

Central Pier (starferry.com.hk).

Lane Crawford

Hong Kong’s leading design store goes all-out with its window displays, featuring the world’s top brands of clothing, shoes, accessories, jewellery and homewares. Shopping is a national pastime and Lane Crawford has five high-end outlets here. Homewares are bold and bright with a twist; think Heal’s, but with a somewhat heftier price tag.

Podium 3, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central (00 852 2118 3388;lanecrawford.com).

Hong Kong Park

Weaving through the eight hectares of this landscaped urban park, you’ll feel refreshed as you leave behind the hubbub of the streets. Pause on the elevated walkways of the aviary and you’ll see more than 600 birds covering 90 species, including the black-capped lory, pictured.

19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central (lcsd.gov.hk/parks).

Tivo

One of a number of intimate, funky bars and caf?s along Wyndham Street, Tivo is dark, moody and designer. Hong Kongers love to eat out, so join the party in the evening or for weekend brunch. Stay for a DJ set or head to Dragon-i at No 60 and dance until dawn with the glitterati.

Yu Yuet Lai Building, 43-55 Wyndham Street, Central (00 852 2116 8055; aqua.com.hk).

City Style is edited by Laura Lovett

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