Took a long weekend trip to Beijing. We met up late Thursday night in Hong Kong, where I was coming from Manila, Somchai from Bangkok, and stayed briefly at the Island Shangri-La before catching an early morning Dragonair flight to Beijing. The Island Shang is where I always stay in Hong Kong, although the Peninsula is considered the best hotel. The Peninsula is the only Grand Dame in Hong Kong, but it's in Kowloon across the harbor so not convenient. The Mandarin Oriental is also popular and located in the central business district. I've stayed there a few times, but it's very fusty and really needs a makeover (which in fact it just had, and I haven't been back yet to check it out). Which leaves the Island Shang, very conveniently located, excellent service and very soulless, basically a big office tower on top of a shopping mall. But that's basically what Hong Kong is anyway, office towers and shopping malls, so for Hong Kong this is actually an authentic place to stay. (Room-6, Facilities-7, Service-8, Wow-2, great harbor views, but only from some of the rooms. But the other rooms have interesting city views as well). By the way, if you're ever in the same situation, this is a stupid plan, since it's an hour each way into the city from the airport, so for the few hours we were actually in Hong Kong, it makes much more sense to stay at the (admittedly not very pleasant) airport hotel. Dragonair is one of about a half dozen Chinese airlines, and definitely the best.
The boring room and office tower photo is of the Island Shangri-La, the other photos are of Hong Kong's dazzling skyline at night, which surrounds you if you stay here.
