What I did on My Family Trip to Hong Kong | Traveler with 1,000 Reasons Why

One of the few times I had flown first-class was on a Cathay Pacific flight to meet my family in Hong Kong before eventually heading to Seoul, South Korea. I had a bunch of miles saved up and booked a red eye flight out of LAX. The experience was absolutely amazing. I didn’t sleep a wink the entire flight because I wanted to appreciate every moment; from the extra legroom, the delicious meals, and unlimited milk tea. In fact, I was constantly stocking up on their wonderful Cathay Pacific milk tea blend as the attendants rolled by each time. Delicious! It was probably one of the best experiences in first class I have ever taken. If you’re able to splurge on a first-class ticket to Hong Kong, I would highly recommend doing so through Hong Kong’s flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific.

When I landed in Hong Kong and met up with the rest of my family, we took a taxi to our hotel at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers. Located beside the famous Peninsula Hotel, the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers boasts amenities including a health club, spa and sauna, and a rooftop swimming pool. Additionally, we really enjoyed the delicious breakfast and spacious rooms, which include floor-to-ceiling windows and modern furnishings. This hotel sits in the Tsim Sha Tsui district, conveniently nearby many shops and restaurants, as well.

Hong Kong itself is a cool and lively place. As with any major, metropolitan city, many Hong Kongers are a bit coarse and may come off as rude. I’d compare their communication style and interactions similar to engaging with a native New Yorker. This contradicted my initial assumptions, and must say it was a bit of a culture shock. Also, this is likely not representative of the entire people of Hong Kong, but be mindful to understand the cultural differences to avoid any misunderstandings.

During our four-day visit, we explored several sites that Patricia recommended as a must-see.

Our first stop of the day was Victoria Peak, the tallest hill in Hong Kong, with an elevation of 552 m (1,811 ft). In order to get there, we took a ferry from Victoria Harbour across Kowloon Bay as our hotel was right across the river. Patricia recommends the top deck of the Star Ferry to see beautiful views of the harbor itself. Though more expensive, I definitely think the views of the city were worth the additional cost than sitting at the lower level. Once we arrived on the other side of the bay, we climbed aboard the Peak Tram rail, which took us to the summit of Victoria Peak, stopping at the Peak Tower. This was quite an enjoyable ride for me, and I was captivated by the stunning views of the city. However, if you’re short on time but still want to experience great views of the Hong Kong skyline, I’d recommend the ferry ride over Victoria Peak.

If you’re looking to get a custom suit made, Hong Kong is one of the go-to places to get a beautiful, made-to-measure garment. My father and I visited Sam's Tailor (Burlington Arcade, 90-94c Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong), one of Hong Kong’s oldest bespoke tailors since 1957. When you arrive, check out their wall of fame of celebrity customers that have stopped by to get a suit from them, including Bill Clinton, Naomi Campbell, and Bruno Mars.

I wanted to get a custom suit for my father as an early Christmas gift to him. It was also a perfect excuse to get a suit for myself as well. You can pick out the style and materials of your suit. Sam’s Tailor had lots of high-end fabrics to choose from. Apparently, the fabric decided on for my suit was the same material Tom Ford uses in their suits (but obviously at a fraction of the price)! They also store your measurements and purchases for future orders.

As with any custom garment, multiple fittings are required before you pick up the final piece. Because of this, I recommend going there as soon as you arrive to get yourself measured out and schedule the additional fittings. During our four days in Hong Kong, we visited Sam’s Tailor about two or three more times. Additionally, they offer complimentary delivery of your suit to your hotel if you don’t have time to pick it up from them (we chose this option). You can also opt to have the suit shipped worldwide for a fee. When we received the final product, it fit like a glove. I was so impressed at the quality, craftsmanship, and value that I will definitely return to visit Sam’s Tailor (as well as a few more Hong Kong tailor shops on Patricia’s list)!

Before we headed to South Korea for the last leg of our family trip, my family took a day trip to Macau. Formerly a Portuguese colony, visitors are greeted with both Chinese and Portuguese influences in their culture and architecture in this “Las Vegas of the East.” Personally, I think Macau is much bigger than Vegas, which makes the hotels in the city more spread apart than its Western counterpart. This also makes the city less pedestrian friendly, as we had to take shuttles each time we wanted to get between hotels. Some hotel shuttles had limited routes, so it did become tedious and challenging maneuvering through the different hotels to get to our hotel.

Even though it’s called the Las Vegas of the East, don't expect it to be the same experience. In Vegas, in addition to gambling, it's also about great food and buffets, top-notch entertainment, luxury shopping, and nightclubs. In Macau, I felt the main draw to the city was to gamble. And if you wanted to gamble, the minimum bets are extremely high, as high as a minimum bet at a High Limits table in Vegas!

Finally, the one thing I enjoyed the most in Hong Kong and Macau were the luxury fashion sales! Gucci, Saint Laurent, Burberry or any other high-end fashion brands rarely have sales at their US shops, but that’s not what happens in Hong Kong and Macau. Especially during the holiday season, these stores are discounting their goods. So, if you’re looking to score a great deal on a new designer handbag or leather good, then pack light. If I had more room in my carry-on, I would have filled my luggage!