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\nI was faced with a dilemma of global proportions: Plan a business trip to Hong Kong while not totally botching everything. Thankfully, I had some help. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
With just 72 hours to take in one of the world\u2019s most intriguing cities, manage jet lag and (of course) work, I had to find a place to stay. My all\u00ad-too\u00ad-ambitious To\u00ad-Do list required it to be centrally located, more comfortable than my bedroom at home (hopefully), and steeped in everything life in Hong Kong has to offer. Let the internet sleuthing begin.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nHere\u2019s the deal: Hong Kong is popular. You have hundreds of hotels to choose from, each claiming the best, most unique out-\u00adof-\u00adtowner Hong Kong experience in the heart of the city. With hundreds of high\u00ad-rated luxury options, you can\u2019t go wrong. But somehow, I went really right.<\/p>\n
Call it intuition or three gin\u00ad-and\u00ad-tonic-\u00addeep jetlag, but I landed on a place I knew I could trust \u2013 the revered InterContinental Hong Kong<\/a>. Built in 1980 and taking in the sun on the Kowloon waterfront, the InterContinental features stunning views of Victoria Harbor and the Hong Kong skyline. (Two\u00ad-thirds of the property is actually built on stilts, so you really can\u2019t get much closer to the waterfront.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\nIt was also just minutes away from most of my scheduled meeting venues, so that worked out.<\/span><\/p>\n
Central location? Check. Swanky vibe? Oh ya.<\/p>\n
Maybe it was the five-\u00adstar rating from Forbes Travel Guide or the three Michelin-\u00adstarred restaurants (like Nobu<\/a>, one of my stateside favorites). Or it could\u00a0have been the unapologetically handsome interiors inspired by the Chinese principals\u00a0of Feng Shui \u2013 there was just something about this place that made me want to dress\u00a0in black tie and order something shaken. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\nSeeing as it was well past my Californian bedtime, in\u00ad-room tea was more fitting. I\u2019d read about the InterContinental\u2019s famous, extravagant traditional afternoon tea \u2026 sort of a holdover from the British colonial days. (High Tea in Hong Kong is a really big deal.) <\/span><\/p>\n
My entire stay at the InterContinental, though short-\u00adlived, was unforgettable: Every associate I came into contact with made me feel like the celebrity my mom and wife keep telling me I am. It\u2019s tough being away from family (and my six, read \u2018em, six kids), but having a soft place to fall at the end of the day with hotel employees who seem to have a real passion for their guests made it feel just like home. Plus the sheets were nearly ten times softer than mine. Not sure how they do that.<\/p>\n
And that was just the beginning. Here are a few more highlights from my InterContinental Hong Kong experience:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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1. In-Room Check-in With Welcome Tea:<\/b><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]After more than 15 hours on a plane, I avoided eye contact with nearly everyone and walked straight up to my well\u00ad-appointed room, where my mood quickly changed at the sight of hot tea and fresh fruit. You had me at green tea, InterContinental.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][image_with_animation image_url=”3452″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
2. [Multi]continental Breakfast:<\/b><\/h2>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]After my 16-\u00adhour time change hibernation, I was ready to eat everything in eyeline. Naturally, the buffet at the Harbourside restaurant quickly became my morning go\u00ad-to. Tucked right inside the InterContinental, the Harbourside was a full flight of steps up from your average feast, with dining options ranging from traditional Japanese and Chinese breakfasts to rice porridge and pancakes. At one point, my plate was stacked with such sundry items as dim sum, fried rice, samplings of cheeses I\u2019ve never even heard of and a bit of fresh fruit thrown in for good measure.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][image_with_animation image_url=”3453″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
3. The Only Charcoal Grill in All of Hong Kong:<\/b><\/h2>\n
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I was excited to hear that Steak House Winebar + Grill<\/a>, also located inside the hotel, featured Hong Kong\u2019s only charcoal grill. Eating here took me back to the days of family barbecues in the backyard (minus the wine bar, perfectly prepared food, and the overwhelming sexiness of the interiors, of course). I recommend asking for the lemon-\u00adcitrus butter sauce with your favorite cut\u037e mine was the U.S. Bone\u00ad-In Porterhouse Steak. #America<\/span><\/p>\n
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4. The Redefined \u201cLobby\u201d:<\/b><\/h2>\n
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My favorite way to take it down a few notches after a long day of meetings was stopping by the Lobby Lounge<\/a> before heading back to my room. Nursing one of their nine signature \u201cV-\u00adSip\u201d cocktails (you have to try \u201cSmoke and Mirrors\u201d) was the perfect nightcap while watching the city lights dance on the water of Victoria Harbour.<\/span><\/p>\n
G\u0101n b\u0113i, Hong Kong and InterContinental. I\u2019ll see you again soon.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][image_with_animation image_url=”3456″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”20″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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