hong kong - citibank singapore · 2016. 3. 2. · world-renowned pedicure lands in hong kong, with...

Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Fab vs. Drab LUXE ItinerariesP1 / LUXE HONG KONG

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Hong Kong

THE COLORFUL, CACOPHONOUS HUB OF THE ORIENT, HONG KONG IS A DELIGHTFULLY FRENETIC COLLISION OF OLD AND NEW, EAST AND WEST, AND ARGUABLY ASIA’S PREMIER SHOPPING, DINING AND STYLE DESTINATION.

While Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) and Kowloon

across the harbor have their attractions,

Hong Kong Island is the place to be, with

up-and-coming Wan Chai and happening

Causeway Bay to the east, and vibrant

Sheung Wan to the west of the city’s

Central district. With her bright lights,

weird and wonderful smells, excellent

dining high-end to low, lush green

national parklands, and round-the-clock

buzzing energy, this is one China doll

that certainly packs a punch.

The cult pocket city guides and mobile

apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler

www.luxecityguides.comCITI PRESENTS LUXE CITY GUIDES


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• Nov-Mar is blissfully spring-like, it’s

wretchedly humid at all other times

including typhoon season Jul-Oct.

• The Airport Express train is fast,

efficient, AND you can check-in your

luggage in town (except US flights).

• Events… Chinese New Year: Jan/

Feb, big fireworks and closed

restaurants; Rugby Sevens: Mar,

intoxicated expats; ART HK: May,

the world’s finest galleries under

one big roof; Dragon Boat Festival:

Sep, vile mooncakes and pretty

lanterns; Macau Grand Prix: Nov,

fast and furious.

• Limited English is spoken in taxis,

small shops and venues; have your

concierges number on speed dial.

Blah blah• Taxis are cheap (if not always

cheerful) and plentiful, simply

round up fares and give

drivers small notes.

• Full-on traditional Cantonese

food can be an acquired taste; you

may wish to avoid the pork intestine

casserole. And be warned, some

lower-end restaurants here will

deep-fry your handbag as soon

as look at you.

• Most high-end restaurants offer

terrific value lunch sets.

• Pegged exchange rate:

HK$7.80 ~ US$1.00.

• Banks open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm,

Sat 9am-12.30pm.

• Shops generally open daily

10am-7pm.

• Over-attentive ‘velcro’ shop

assistants are a way of life in

this city of retail worship.

• Smoking is banned indoors in

restaurants and bars.

• The country code for Hong Kong is

+852, local calls and faxes are FREE

(about the only thing in HK that is).

Call 999 for emergencies and

1081 for directory.


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Claire Hsu is co-founder and Executive

Director of Asia Art Archive (AAA),

an independent, non-profit

documentation, research, and ideas

platform for contemporary art founded

in 2000. Based in Hong Kong, with

research posts throughout the region,

AAA houses one of the most valuable

collections of material on contemporary

Asian art in the world and is accessible

to the public free of charge.

www.aaa.org.hk/home.aspx

LUXE INSIDER

Claire Hsu


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1) WHAT NEIGHBORHOOD OR GALLERY MUST AN ART-LOVER GO TO IN YOUR CITY?

Over the last couple of years a

number of neighborhoods are

attracting artists and galleries. But

if I had to choose one, it would have

to be Sheung Wan, a vertical and

horizontal layering of traditional

Chinese shops, art galleries, antique

shops, quirky design stores, coffin

shops and temples dotted around

its meandering streets. Stop by

Asia Art Archive to not only read

up on the latest contemporary art

developments, but also view the

district from its 11th floor premise.

2) WHAT’S THE BEST DAY TRIP TO TAKE FROM YOUR CITY, AND WHY?

In addition to the main Island and

Kowloon peninsula, Hong Kong

comprises 263 islands, some

inhabited, others uninhabitable.

While Hong Kong’s harbor may no

longer be described as fragrant (Hong

Kong literally translates as Fragrant

Harbor), escape the hustle and bustle

of the city by renting a boat, head to

Tai Long Wan, and enjoy the white

sand between your toes.

Yes, you really are in Hong Kong.

www.sophiesarttour.com

3) WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL DESIGNERS IN YOUR CITY? WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THEM?

Niin makes well-crafted, eco-conscious

and extremely desirable costume

jewelry and clutches from recycled

natural material. Another favorite is

Hong Kong based jewelry designer

Youmna whose exquisite pieces

draw on art, architecture and

fashion for inspiration.

www.niinstyle.com/shop

www.youmnafinejewelry.com

4) WHAT’S THE BEST LOCAL DELICACY IN YOUR CITY, AND WHY AND WHERE IS IT WORTH TRYING?

There’s nothing like a bowl of soup

noodles, and while the choices are

endless in the city I often go to Mak’s

Noodles at 77 Wellington Street in

Central, because it’s close to where

I work, quick, consistent and doesn’t

leave me with an MSG hangover.

5) WHAT’S THE ONE THING EVERY VISITOR TO YOUR CITY MUST DO AND WHY?

Go back in time and experience

Hong Kong horizontally from a tram,

marvel at Hong Kong’s skyline from

the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui or

scale Hong Kong vertically with the

Peak Tram. The thrill of the city lies

not in its museums or institutions

but on the street, in between the

buildings and in what its natural

environment has to offer you,

despite being one of the most

densely populated cities in the world.

www.starferry.com.hk

www.thepeak.com.hk/en

LUXE INSIDER

Claire Hsu


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LUXE Loves

THE UPPER HOUSE Hotel

This elegant and serene Andrew

Fu-designed haven of blonde wood

and tranquil hues exudes quiet

sophistication. The spacious, wired-up

rooms, with wow bathrooms and tubs

have fantastic cosmopolitan views,

while the happening bar and dapper

Café Gray Deluxe restaurant attracts

a fittingly beautiful crowd.

Pacific Place / 88 Queensway /

Admiralty / +852 2918 1838

www.upperhouse.com

CITY HALL MAXIM’S PALACEDining

This ever-popular Hong Kong

institution doesn’t take bookings, so

you’d do well to arrive early (before

10.30am) on its busiest day, Sunday.

Take a number and wait in line, but

be rewarded with a real dim sum

experience – old-fashioned trolleys,

enormous chandeliered dining room

and feeding-time frenzy included.

2/F / Low Block / City Hall / Central /

+852 2521 1303 / opens 11am daily

and 9am Sun

www.maxims.com.hk/tc/index.asp

81/2 OTTO E MEZZO BOMBANADining

The town’s top Italian table, and now

proud recipient of a third Michelin star,

Umberto’s sublime and perfectly executed

menu features specialties like homemade

tagliatelle and Wagyu beef tenderloin.

Try your luck securing a coveted booking,

but if all else fails a lucky few can be

accommodated at the no-reservation

bar, so arrive early for a cocktail and

cross your fingers.

2/F / Alexandra House / 18 Chater Road /

Central / +852 2537 8859

www.ottoemezzobombana.com


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LUXE Loves

BUTLERBar

Hong Kong’s fledgling cocktail culture

is slowly but surely gaining ground on

its international counterparts. Butler

is without question leading the charge,

with its artisanal spirits precision

blended to perfection by white dinner

jacket-clad Japanese mixology

masters. It’s seriously meticulous,

seriously hip, and well worth crossing

the harbor for.

5/F / Mody House / 30 Mody Road /

TST / +852 2724 3828

SIN SINShopping

Both the brand and the woman behind

it are earthy and unique, not to

mention versatile. The doyenne of

Hong Kong design, Sin Sin’s wares

now span jewelry, fashion, accessories,

fabrics and fine art mediums, all

located in two shop-houses opposite

each other in happening urban

enclave Sheung Wan.

52 Sai Street / Sheung Wan /

+852 2521 0308

www.sinsin.com.hk

THE ARMOURYShopping

Renowned for their excellent quality and

artisanal craftsmanship, this multicultural

team is truly passionate about its work,

and it shows in the elegant finished

product. With bespoke jackets, suits,

shoes, ties, socks, braces, and even

umbrellas – plus ready-to-wear pieces

available off the rack – it’s the sharpest

Hong Kong gentleman’s secret.

3/F / Pedder Building / 12 Pedder Street /

Central / +852 2804 6991 www.thearmoury.com

YARDBIRDDining

Redefining Hong Kong’s independent

restaurant scene with its buzzing

atmosphere, chicken-focused menu,

slick shop-house interior, gorgeous

staff, and above all else, excellent

service. This modern izakaya works

on every level, and has already

garnered a large and discerning

following to prove it.

33-35 Bridges St / Sheung Wan /

+852 2547 92738

www.yardbirdrestaurant.com

THE CHAIRMANDining

Tired of over-processed, mass-

produced, clichéd Chinese fare? So

are we, and so were they, which is

why all Chairman ingredients are

locally sourced, ultra-fresh and

seasonal. The intimate pristine white

and chandeliered surrounds are the

backdrop to the tastiest steamed crab

and slow-cooked spare ribs you’re

likely to find anywhere.

18 Kau U Fong / Central /

+852 2555 2202

www.thechairmangroup.com

CHICHABar

Securing a booking is the hard part

at this new Peruvian hotspot, but

from there it’s as easy on the eye as it

is on the palate, with zesty red walls,

palm trees, and pale wood décor, a

delicious menu featuring ceviches,

causas, grilled meats, tacos, and share

plates, plus an extensive Pisco-based

cocktail list. Caliente.

26 Peel St / Central / +852 2561 3336

www.conceptcreations.hk


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LUXE LovesOSAGEArt

Seeking cutting-edge contemporary

East and Southeast Asian visual arts?

Look no further than Osage’s huge

exhibition space in Kwun Tong, or their

smaller outlet in Soho for the pick of

the local bunch, including represented

artists Adrian Wong, Donna Ong, Lee

Kit, and Wilson Shieh.

5/F / Kian Dai Industrial Building /

73-75 Hung To Roadd / Kwun Tong /

+852 2793 4817 / plus LG/F / 45 Caine

Road / enter Old Bailey Street /

+852 2537 0688

www.osagegallery.com

THE STRANDSpa

Spread over five floors, this one-

stop shop for men and women’s spa

treatments is conveniently located

smack bang in the center of town.

With hair, nail, massage, face, body

and waxing services available, the

magic-handed staff will have you

polished-up and ready to face the

world in no time.

18 Cochrane Street / Central /

+852 2850 7686

www.thestrandhk.com

PEDI:MANI:CURE STUDIO BY BASTIEN GONZALEZ

Spa

Metatarsal maestro Bastien Gonzalez’s

world-renowned pedicure lands in Hong

Kong, with the opening of his studio in

the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Spa.

Lauded as the definitive nail pampering,

the science-meets-luxury treatment is

certainly the most decadent, with a black

diamond scrub and diamond-tipped drill

both part of the signature process.

Landmark Mandarin Oriental /

15 Queen’s Road / Central /

+852 2132 0188

www.mandarinoriental.com

STAR FERRY

Activities

More than just a cheap and cheerful

means of harbor crossing, the iconic

vessels are beloved by Hong Kongers,

and offer a wonderful vantage point from

which to see the city’s famous skyline.

Symphony of Lights harbor cruises run

nightly aboard the double-decker ‘Shining

Star’, a beautiful recreation of the Hong

Kong ferries of the 1920s.

HK Island-side at Central Piers 7&8 /

Kowloon-side next to Ocean Terminal /

+852 2118 6120

www.starferry.com.hk

GRACE WU BRUCEShopping

With 25 years experience under

her belt, Grace is the go-to girl for

exquisite antique Chinese hardwood

furniture, tabletop wares, carved

wooden artifacts and statues of the

late Ming and early Qing eras.

701 Universal Trade Centre / 3 Arbuthnot

Road / Central / +852 2537 1288

www.grace-wu-bruce.com


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LUXE LoathesNATHAN ROADS

Busy, smelly, touristy and full of junk

you don’t want or need.

CRAZY TAXI DRIVERS WITH A DEATH WISH

A common problem in most big cities,

but the narrow, winding Hong Kong

roads make the journey all the

more terrifying.

POLLUTION

The demise of air and water quality really

is an injustice to this beautiful city.

LIMITED ALFRESCO DINING OPTIONS

Silly government regulations make

enjoying the tropical climate with a

meal outdoors a rare luxury.


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Fab vs. Drab

LIGHT SHOW

Jostling for pole position on Tsim Sha

Tsui’s crowded waterfront promenade to

watch the nightly Symphony of Lights

show can be distinctly uncomfortable and

humid, but you get a grandstand view of

the spectacle from the InterContinental

Hotel Lobby or Aqua Spirit bar with

a glass of bubbles in hand.

www.ichotelsgroup.com

www.aqua.com.hk

COUNTRYSIDE

Exploring the concrete jungle of Hong

Kong Island is great fun, if a little

polluted, but with over 60 percent

of Hong Kong Island and the New

Territories being country parkland there

are a host of fabulous green hiking

trails to discover too.

www.hkoutdoors.com

ISLAND HOPPING

Exploring the outlying islands using

public ferries is all very well, but you

could do it in style with the luxury of your

own private, fully-catered and crewed

traditional junk boat with Asia Yachting.

www.asiayachting.net/html/ay.html

CUSTOM TAILOR

Shopping off the peg for the usual

ubiquitous labels can be done in any city,

but having your clothes designed bespoke

by one of Hong Kong’s best tailors, Y

William Yu is a very affordable luxury.

www.ywilliamyu.com

FOOD FINDS

Trying to get the best of local cuisine

when your Cantonese isn’t up to scratch

is well nigh impossible, but hiring a local

lingo-speaking food tour guide from

Little Adventures means they do all

the talking for you.

www.realtravelhongkong.com


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Your primary focus might be work, but

even with the busiest of schedules you

can still make the most of what’s on offer,

starting with a chic and central spot to

drop your bags. The Mandarin Oriental

can’t be faulted for its prime location,

spacious rooms and elegant, clubby

Mandarin Grill restaurant, perfect for

that important power breakfast. If you

are straight off a long flight with a face

more CEOww than CEOhh, you needn’t

go far to freshen-up, with the fifth-floor

Oriental Spa being the epitome of urban

spa excellence. Gentlemen can indulge

in a close-as they-come wet shave at

the second-floor Mandarin Barber, plus

there’s a John Lobb shoe-shine chair in

LUXE ITINERARY

Business

the lobby (or if you’re in a pinch, there are

shoe-shiners in Central’s Theatre Lane

too). Take an informal meeting at IFC mall

coffee-house Fuel, then pick up gifts for

the family while you have time. Within the

mall there is something for everyone and

labels aplenty at glamorous department

store Lane Crawford, or cross to nearby

Prince’s Building for Tayma Fine Jewelry’s

knockout statement jewelry pieces, before

lunch at 1930s Shanghai throwback diner

China Club. Sir David Tang’s expansive

collection of contemporary Chinese art

is housed here, and is sure to impress

even the most somber of clients. After

lunch get sartorial at razor sharp bespoke

outfitter The Armoury (see LUXE Loves)

just a short stroll away. Hit the right

note at dinner with the perfect mix of

succulence and swagger at 81/2 Otto E

Mezzo Bombana (see LUXE Loves), but

bear in mind you’ll need to book well

ahead to secure a coveted table. Post-

prandial tipples in the bar are some of the

city’s best, so be sure to schedule a late

breakfast meeting for the next day.


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LUXE ITINERARY

Style

As in most major cities you can find

labels galore in Hong Kong, but to really

experience the best of local style, you’d

do well to eschew the names in favor of

bespoke. The Upper House (see LUXE

Loves) is the perfect choice for the

urban trendsetter and a great bolthole

during your busy retail day. Beginning

mid-morning hail a cab to Duddell Street,

Central, where you’ll launch your retail

assault. Start with glamorous matte

and white gold jewelry from Youmna

then carry on down Queen’s Road

(past Landmark on your right) and up

Wyndham Street for exquisite hand-

painted silk wallpaper and fabrics from

Anthony Chao, plus the cream of the

local crop at Grotto Fine Art. Climb up

the stairs to Arbuthnot Road for antique

dealer Grace Wu Bruce (see LUXE

Loves), then retrace back to Anthony

Chao and cross down Wellington Street

to Kei Poon, specializing in custom

bags made from exotic skins including

crocodile, python, ostrich and shagreen.

By now you will have worked up an

appetite, so double back to Landmark

for delicious sandwiches at Le Jardin

de Joel Robuchon, and a world-class

treatment at PEDI:MANI:CURE Studio by

Bastien Gonzalez (see LUXE Loves) in

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Spa.

Cross the harbor via taxi or ferry and take

in sky-high afternoon tea at the 102nd

floor Ritz-Carlton Lounge, followed by an

equally heavenly visit to the promised

land, aka the Lane Crawford Shoe Library

on Canton Road. Cross back to Hong Kong

Island to take in a dazzling harbor-side

sunset on SEVVA’s stunning wraparound

deck, then it’s straight on to dinner at

the hippest independent diner in town,

chicken-focused Yardbird (see LUXE

Loves). They don’t accept bookings so

take a number and get acquainted with

their cocktail list while you wait, and top it

all off with a night of post-dinner dancing

at members-only club KEE.


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LUXE ITINERARY

Foodie

Hong Kong is a mecca for foodies.

From the highest-end fine diners to the

traditional back alley hawker stall Dai

Pai Dongs, there is a wealth of mouth-

watering fare to be discovered. Start

your day in Central as many of the locals

do, with a bowl of hot rice porridge or

rice noodles from Wai Kee Congee Shop,

followed by a stroll through one of the

few remaining open-air wet markets in

the city. The Gage and Graham Street

markets are home to flower, fruit and

vegetable, live seafood and meat vendors,

making for a colorful and fragrant

sensory experience. Stop past Tai Cheong

on Lyndhurst Terrace for one of their

famed egg tarts, then head down towards

the Four Seasons for your pre-booked

dim sum lunch at triple Michelin-starred,

contemporary Cantonese blockbuster

Lung King Heen. Take a taxi east to Hong

Kong Park where you’ll find delightful

LockCha Teahouse, the perfect spot

for some post-meal digestion. Take in

a traditional tea class or simply have a

seat and choose from the more than one

hundred teas available to sample. Drift

back towards Sheung Wan, stopping for

a relaxing rub at reflexology spa Ten

Feet Tall, then swish straight in to your

pre-booked table at Kau U Fong locavore

hotspot The Chairman (see LUXE Loves),

being sure to order the delectable

steamed crab with aged ShaoXing wine.

After savouring your supper, cross the

harbor via cab or ferry for some post-

dinner drinks at Japanese-influenced

precision cocktail lounge Butler (see LUXE

Loves). Still hungry? Wander through

Mong Kok, sampling local street food

along the way (including braised squid

from Fei Jie, and sao bing (Chinese bread)

with pork filling from Man Ka), then back

to your suite at the InterContinental Hotel

for nightcaps with a harbor view.


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LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials

• Mandarin Oriental

5 Connaught Rd / Central /

+852 2522 0111

www.mandarinoriental.com

• Fuel

3/F / IFC Mall / 8 Finance St / Central /

+852 2295 3815

www.fuelespresso.com

• Lane Crawford

3/F / IFC Mall / 8 Finance St / Central /

+852 2118 3388

www.lanecrawford.com

• Tayma Fine Jewelry

Shop 225 / 2/F / Prince’s Bldg / 10

Chater Rd / Central / +852 2525 5280

www.taymajewelry.com

• China Club

13/F / Old Bank of China Bldg / Bank St

/ Central / +852 2521 8888 / a good

concierge will get you in / book ahead

• The Armoury (see LUXE Loves)

• 81/2 Otto E Mezzo Bombana

(see LUXE Loves)

• Ritz-Carlton Lounge

102/F / Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong / ICC / 1

Austin Rd West / Kowloon /

+852 2263 2263

www.ritzcarlton.com

• Lane Crawford Shoe Library / 3 Canton

Rd / TST / +852 2118 3428

www.lanecrawford.com

• SEVVA

25/F / Prince’s Building / 10 Chater Rd /

Central / +852 2537 1388

www.sevva.hk

• Yardbird (See LUXE Loves)

• KEE

6/F / 32 Wellington St / Central / +852

2810 9000 / a good concierge will get

you in

www.keeclub.com

• The Upper House (See LUXE Loves)

• Youmna

8/F / Baskerville House / 22 Ice House

St / Central / +852 2104 7778

www.youmna.com.hk

• Anthony Chao

2/F / Sea Bird House / 22-28 Wyndham

St / Central / +852 2971 0338

www.anthonychao.com

• Grotto Fine Art

2/F / 31C-D Wyndham St /

+852 2121 2270

www.grottofineart.com

• Grace Wu Bruce (See LUXE Loves)

• Kei Poon

68 Wellington St / Central /

+852 2730 4600

• Le Jardin de Joel Robuchon

3/F / The Landmark / 15 Queen’s Rd /

Central / +852 2166 9000

www.robuchon.hk

• PEDI:MANI:CURE Studio by Bastien

Gonzalez (see LUXE Loves)

BUSINESS ITINERARY STYLISH ITINERARY


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• Wai Kee Congee Shop

8 Stanley Street / Central /

+852 2551 5564

• Tai Cheong

35 Lyndhurst Terrace / Central /

+852 2544 3475

• Lung King Heen

4/F / Four Seasons / 8 Finance Street /

Central / +852 3196 8888

www.fourseasons.com

FOODIE ITINERARY

• LockCha Teahouse

G/F / KS Lo Gallery / Hong Kong Park /

10 Cotton Tree Drive / Admiralty /

+852 2801 7177

www.lockcha.com

• Ten Feet Tall

21/F / L Place / 139 Queen’s Road

Central / Central /

+852 2971 1010

www.tenfeettall.com.hk

• The Chairman (see LUXE Loves)

• Butler (see LUXE Loves)

• Fei Jie Street Snacks

4A / 55 Dundas Street /

Mong Kok / Kowloon

• Man Ka

S9 / 43 Dundas Street /

Mong Kok / Kowloon /

+852 2332 5833

• InterContinental Hotel

18 Salisbury Road / TST / Kowloon /

+852 2721 1211

www.ichotelsgroup.com

LUXE ITINERARY

The Essentials


Citi PrestigeSM

Your LUXE notes

hong kong - citibank singapore · 2016. 3. 2. · world-renowned pedicure lands in hong kong, with...

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