Hong Kong?

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Hong Kong?

Postby TonyH on Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:13 pm

I'm off to Hong Kong in mid to late december.

Can anyone give information as to a good hotel to stay at in Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui region).

I'm looking with a hotel view specifically for night time exposures, preferably from the comfort of a hotel balcony. :lol:

Seriously though, it's our first trip over there, we're only there for 3 days any would like to maximise the experience (photographically).


Regards

Tony
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Postby bloop on Thu Nov 10, 2005 4:27 pm

Park Hotel is in a great location (in the middle of all the shops) and is just a stroll from Victoria Harbour, it's priced reasonably well too.

I don't think there are any photo ops from the actual hotel though, it's not a very tall building, but it's close to Vic Harb so you can get your night shots of HK Island.

HK has a great night life, I don't think you'll be wanting to stay inside your hotel taking photos the whole time.
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Postby Onyx on Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:58 pm

First choice should be the Peninsular of course. ;)

There's a 'festival of lights' or some other thing that happens everynight down at the harbour. HK is very photo friendly so be sure to appreciate that they can tell the difference between a photographer and a terrorist... unlike here.
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Postby moggy on Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:37 pm

It all comes down to your financial situation, hotels that front Nathon Road can be a bit pricey but you may be able to get a deal. Check with the airline you're flying with , also the tourist bureau. :wink:

8) Bob.

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Postby TonyH on Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:57 pm

Onyx,

had a look at the cost of the Peninsular....... geez........ only want ot use the room not buy the hotel.....

It looks like a really nice hotel and thanks for the advice, but 2 nights there is over half of the cost of a D200 from Birdy and I know what I'd prefer..... :lol:

All advice is taken on board......

Thank you
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Postby DionM on Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:46 pm

I would just walk down there. You're not going to get anything "cheap" with harbour views :lol:

HK is very safe and great fun at night. Shops are still open, people are about. It's great. 8)

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Postby Poon on Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:41 am

May be I can help.
Hotel price varies from time to time.
From US$100-200.
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Postby TonyH on Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:47 am

Hi Dion,

I'm not looking for cheap..... more looking for reasonable. The peninsular is over $800 per night.


Poon,

Thank you for the info. $200US per night I would consider to be reasonable.


Regards


Tony
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Postby birddog114 on Fri Nov 11, 2005 7:51 am

TonyH wrote:Hi Dion,

I'm not looking for cheap..... more looking for reasonable. The peninsular is over $800 per night.



TonyH,
That's cheap and it's part of the business expenses, pls. re-consider it :wink: otherwise you have to pay for the Taxman and they will spend your money to buy toys or funding to their stupidily ventures.
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Postby TonyH on Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:20 am

Birddog,

I know what you mean, however, I can write off Photographic equipment on my business tax, but I can't claim overseas accommodation and travel as a tax deduction.


Tony
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Postby leek on Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:25 am

TonyH wrote:I know what you mean, however, I can write off Photographic equipment on my business tax, but I can't claim overseas accommodation and travel as a tax deduction.


Why ever not???
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Postby mitedo on Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:40 am

Tony just two stops up you have the Langham Place Hotel in mongkok we have stayed here a few times very nice have a look on there website for deals http://www.langhamhotels.com

View from one side

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Postby TonyH on Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:42 am

Leek,

it's just not justifiable for a printing business. We've been through it with our accountant previously. We could claim it but if we were to be audited by the tax department it would be rejected. Not worth the risk and embarrassment down the track.

Regards

Tony
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Postby ozczecho on Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:51 am

Tony

Last time I went I stayed in Hyatt Regency Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui)
which is 67 Nathan Road. The hotel is literally about 200m from Victoria Harbour. A great base for your photographic excursions. Kowloon Park is about a 5min walk from the hotel so you can mix with the locals.

Unfortunately u r not going to get Harbour views from this hotel. Cost was about 120 pounds (my bro booked the hotel) per night.

HTH

Mike
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Postby birddog114 on Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:51 am

TonyH,
It's time to look for another "Bean Counter" :wink:
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Postby TonyH on Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:22 am

Birddog,

you are possibly correct.


Tony
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Postby TonyH on Fri Nov 11, 2005 11:46 am

Has anyone stayed at the Niko Hotel in Kowloon.

Their Harbour View Rooms appear quite good.


Tony
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Postby olrac on Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:54 pm

My wife and I are going in feb and we have booked the Ramada for 115 au a night.....

Dont konw about habour views though.
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Postby glamy on Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:40 pm

Tony,
I thought Mr Poon was saying he could help you get up to $200 discount.
Cheers,
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Postby TonyH on Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:08 pm

Gerard,

I thought Mr Poon was telling me what a realistic price would be for accommodation.

I'm not sure now that you mention it that way.


Tony
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Postby NewbieD70 on Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:15 pm

Hi Tony, just got back from HK last week. The Harbour Plaza is nice if you have the quids. The pool is well placed as well.

http://www.harbour-plaza.com/en/index.aspx

Have a good one.
Thanks, Trevor
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honk kong

Postby rookie2 on Fri Nov 11, 2005 10:24 pm

its on our list for travel next year so look forward to the wise advice you receive...
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Postby TonyH on Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:13 pm

Have got a good deal for the Sheraton with Harbour View.

Will post some pics from there when I get the chance for the people who will be going to Hong Kong next year.

Thanks for all of the input.

Regards

Tony
Last edited by TonyH on Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby poiter86 on Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:06 pm

Hi Tony,

Also just return from HK last week. We stayed at BP international hotel. Average hotel, small rooms, but good views all round depending which end/side of the hotel you get a room in. However there are no balconies to get out onto.

Cheers,

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Postby TonyH on Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:53 pm

Hi Pete,

did you get a chance to see the light show?

if so did you get any shots?


Regards

Tony
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Postby poiter86 on Thu Nov 24, 2005 11:28 am

Hi Tony,

No, I was not able to make time for the light show. In between shopping for camera gear :D , keeping the other half shopping satisfied, disneyland, lantau island, visit to shenzhen ... 5 days& nights was quite packed with tourist fun (& tourist photos)! :lol:

The other thing i encountered that made it quite difficult to get nice clear panoramas was the thick haze or polluted skies while we were there. I took a number of shots from Victoria peak, but even with a CPL the clarity of the skyline was crappy.

I'll be making a visit there again next year, so I'll definitely make it a priorty then to get some more of HK's more well known scenics - weather & skies permitting.

Cheers,

Pete
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Postby MCWB on Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:40 pm

poiter86 wrote:The other thing i encountered that made it quite difficult to get nice clear panoramas was the thick haze or polluted skies while we were there. I took a number of shots from Victoria peak, but even with a CPL the clarity of the skyline was crappy.

Yep, it's almost always like this unfortunately. :( Photoshop is the only cure I'm afraid!
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Postby team piggy on Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:28 pm

Tony, I am doing my 5th trip to HK in a month too.

You will find the light show great viewing from the waterfront near the "clocktower", but be warned, get there early for a seat!
The show actually spreads over a huge area of HK island across the water, and I am not really sure if you will get it into frame, but the individual components and lasers etc are great in individual shots.

I usually stay at the Mirimar on Nathan Road, but it was booked out this trip, so have decided to go with the YMCA Salisbury (Situated right behind the peninsular and overlooking it !).
A harbour view room is about $120 AUD and has a good view of the HK island, but no balconies. Not many hotels in HK do have balconies.
Its all about space over there, the rooms are somewhat smaller than you will expect, yet comfortable.


As for smog & mist/fog, its a shocker! But disappears some days like magic.
One trip we couldnt see anything from the Peak, the next day, you could basically see as far as the horizon into the new territories.

Have a great trip.
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Postby TonyH on Tue Dec 06, 2005 7:32 am

Team Piggy,

Hopefully the smog etc will have gone for our trip.

Thanks for the tip about the clocktower.

Enjoy your trip!

And finally, welcome to the forum......


Regards

Tony
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