Hong Kong - High Tea at Intercontinental Hong Kong

One of the thing that I always wanted to try in Hong Kong is their high tea. Especially the much acclaimed High Tea at Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong where it's famed to be patronised by the Hong Kong Celebrities.

However, after reading reviews and recommendation on it's magnificent views, we decided on High Tea at Intercontinental Hong Kong.

Don't be fooled by the exterior of the hotel. When I first arrived, I was honestly, pretty disappointed. I expected a five-star hotel with a grand and nice-looking exterior. However, this is what I was greeted. The browish exterior looks old and dirty-looking.

However, when we stepped into it, we feel a sense of difference. It's five-star. No less.

The High Tea is served in both the Lobby Lounge and Harbourside. Usually guests would choose to have the High Tea at the Lobby Lounge as it gives a full length spectacular view facing Hong Kong Island.

However, that day, the sky was unclear and the weather was pretty misty. It was going to rain and we couldn't really enjoy the spectacular views.

There are three of us, but reading from the reviews, set of 2 is more than enough. True enough, we are already stuffing our face till we are just so afraid of the sweetie cakes.

The set for two includes selection of mini-sandwiches, sweet pastries and mini-cakes served with selection of jelly, jam and cream, and 4 scones. Not forgetting, choice of tea or coffee for two is also included.  

We were served with warm towels to begin our high-tea session. Truely five-star service.

Tea was next served. As the High Tea set comes with two servings of coffee/ tea, Ms Sumo added another tea.

Top - is my Fuji Yama Tea - Green tea from Mt Fuji.

Below - Ms Sumo's Calenbula Beauty - which is Marigold flowers with Jasmine Tea leaves.

Both tea are nice with a good aroma and sweet aftertaste.

Served together with the mini-sandwiches and mini-cakes are three kinds of toppings.

From the right, Raspberry Jam, Devonshire Clotted Cream and Earl Grey tea jelly. The sinful me prefers the cream most.

It's only right to taste the savory mini-sandwiches first.

From top left clockwise - Smoked Salmon and Prawn Bagal, Raspsberry Cream Sandwich, Ham & Peach Sandwich, Egg Mayonnaise Foccasia. All in mini-sizes. Don't be fooled by the photos.

Sweet Tooth? We were actually pretty full when we finished the savoury items. Not much room left for the sweety cakes.

Clock-wise from Top Left - Chocolate Raspberry Cake , Lemon Cheese Cake,  Coconut Brulee with Poached Raspberry, Pear Tart and Macaroon Chocolate Cream Sandwich.

Not forgetting, there's also 4 freshly baked scones. Eaten warm, they are really Yummy! There's a selection - with raisins, orange peel or cranberries. Nice, especially with the devonshire clotted cream :)

As we thought that our feast is over, we were served with a surprise dessert - Lychee & Rose Panecotta.

By the time we finished, it was 6pm. We had a good 3hrs of high tea. There are three of us and we could barely finish the set of two. I really wonder how the lady next table, could finish a single high tea set all by herself. She was reading a book and slowly enjoying the high tea. Would you do this?

Damage: Approximately HKD550, equvilent to S$90. Per Person about S$30.

Given the view, service and amount of food, the high tea is totally worth it to try it.

I believe enjoying Happy Hour at the Lobby Lounge, would be great too! Picture this, sip a glass of Martini while enjoying sunset or beautiful night view skyline of Hong Kong Island. In addition, there's also a band playing in the lounge.

Snew's Rating: 4.2 / 5

Intercontinental Hong Kong

Lobby Lounge

18 Salisbury Road,

Kowloon,

Hong Kong SAR

Tel: +852 2721 1211

Nearest MTR: Tsim Tsa Tsui or East Tsim Tsa Tsui Station

Continue On:

Dim Sum @ Lin Heung Tea House 莲香楼, Tao Heung 稻香 and others

Breakfast @ Australia Diary Co 澳洲牛奶公司

Breakfast @ Ocean Empire 海皇 & Others

Snacks - Fish Ball, Egg Tarts & Traditional Bakery

Lamma Island 南丫島 & Rainbow Seafood

Tai O & Citygates Outlet

Hong Kong - Shopping & Snacks

Macau - Galaxy Macau

Macau - Taipa Village & Senado Square

Macau - House of Dancing Waters

Hong Kong! 买东西，吃东西, 买东西，吃东西...

Waking up at 5+am to catch a flight isn't easy nowadays. The joke between my travel companions - Ms Sumo and Ms Tiny Gal that the budget airline would probably be delayed. So, we should just not arrive too early.

Luckily, we didn't arrive late. Unlike our previous trip, Tiger Airways depart on time this time.

Low Cost Carrier has definitely made travel cheaper. The beauty is, we could buy a separate one-way ticket, with the flexibility of choosing the schedule and price. Our return airticket cost us about $300 including taxes. It's almost 40% savings from my first trip to Hong Kong, some 8 years ago, where my return CX tickets cost me $500+.

The only downside is there's no aero-bridge and one has to climb up the stairs to the plane. Probably not suitable for my old folks.

Catching a different view of the sky.

6Days 5 Night Hong Kong/ Macau Itinerary

Day 1: Morning  Arrival.  Afternoon - High Tea at Intercontinental Hong Kong. Night - Shopping around Mong Kok.

Day 2: Morning - Breakfast & Ferry to Macau. Upon arrival, Check-In to Galaxy. Explore Galaxy Macau Hotels & Resort. Evening - Explore Taipa Village & Dinner.  

Day 3:  Morning / Afternoon: Explore Senado Square (San Ma Lo). Late Afternoon - House of Dancing Waters & Check-Out & Back to Hong Kong

Day 4:  Morning - Yum Cha at Lin Heung Tea House. Walk around Central. Late Afternoon - Depart for Lamma Island for seafood.

Day 5:  Morning - Breaksfast & start journey to Tai O. Evening - Explore Citygate. Night - Temple Street.

Day 6:  Morning - Yum Cha & Shopping at Fa Yuen Street. 

Novotel Hong Kong, Nathan Road

A modern looking 4-star hotel located just minutes away from the Jordan MTR Station. It's conveniently located within walking distance (just opposite Temple Street Night Market).

The bedroom was a bit of a disappointment, as it was too small to fit the three of us. We have arranged for triple-sharing, although the hotel doesn't have this policy. It just make no sense for one of us to get another room.

Housekeeping has to remove the sofa to make-way for the additional bed. Well, Hong Kong hotels are known for it's small size. Couldn't really complain.

Something strange that I wonder. From the window of our hotel room, I saw this messy view from the opposite old building. There's obviously someone still using the roof top to dry their linen. Why didn't they just clear up the roof top to make it less eye-soar? What makes me wonder is why the old sofa would end up on the ledge of the rooftop? Could it be typhoon that has made the sofa landed it there? It's just so close to dropping down. What if there's another typhoon and hmm... accidents do happen. I shall not think about it.

Other than the size, the hotel is nice. Service is also prompt whenever we ask for something.

Snew's Rating: 3.9 / 5

Novotel Hong Kong Nathan Road Kowloon

348 Nathan Road

Kowloon, Hong Kong

Tel (+852)39658888
Fax (+852)39658833

Nearest MTR: Jordan Station

Continue On for Snew's Adventure in Hong Kong & Macau

1. High Tea @ Intercontinental Hong Kong

2. Dim Sum @ Lin Heung Tea House  莲香楼, Tao Heung 稻香 and others

3. Breakfast @ Australia Diary Co 澳洲牛奶公司

 

4. Breakfast @ Ocean Empire 海皇 & Others 

5. Snacks - Fish Ball, Egg Tarts & Traditional Bakery

6. Lamma Island

7. Tai O & Citygates Outlet

8.  Hong Kong - Shopping & Snacks

9. Macau - Galaxy Macau

10. Macau - Taipa Village & Senado Square

11. Macau - House of Dancing Waters

Where would I be going in 2012?

Although I have been so looking forward to this sabbatical break, but somehow, planning for a holiday seems not too easy. The world is an endless place to travel. But with limited resources (aka $$$) and differing priorities of my travel companions.

February - Hong Kong / Macau
This is for the coming week. For the wanderlust in me, I'm really excited about this trip. It's probably my 5th or 6th trip to Hong Kong. But well, it's Hong Kong! It's a Shopping & Food Paradise! I can go 100 times and still not get bored of the place.

This trip would be slightly different from the previous. I would be visiting the outlaying islands. I have never ventured beyond Kowloon & Hong Kong Island. So, this trip, the plan is to visit Lamma Island & Tai O, in Lantau.

Honestly, I've never been to the Big Buddha in Lantau island. It's strange. This should be one of the main sights people visit. I do have plan initially to take the Ngong Ping Cable Car. But with the recent incident, the cable car is closed for 2 months. Hopefully, I'll get to visit Big Buddha and take the Ngong Ping Cable Car on my next trip. There's so much acclaimed reviews of both the attractions.

It's also not my first trip to Macau. But I've done some research on the nice eateries in Macau. The main highlight of the trip is watching the HK$2billion production - House of Dancing Waters. I shall see if this is better, if not, as good as "O" by Cirque that I watched in Vegas. O is really mind-blowing. I hope House of Dancing Waters can match up to my expectation.

March - 6 Nights Cruise on Royal Carribean
This is my first, actuallly my second time on a cruise ship. The first was, probably 20years ago, during school days. Royal Carribean, is renowed International Cruiseliner. Unlike Star Cruises, whose main selling point is its buffet and casino, Royal Carribean caters more to season cruise passengers. Staterooms are bigger, and twin sharing is not too expensive.

There are also a lot of activities onboard. Otherwise, can just laze on the pool deck and suntan. My only worry is I would be sea-sick.


April???
Papa Snew wants to go Maldives. Maldives is really magical. However, with the political situation. I'm not sure if it's still a wise choice to go for the moment. So where should we go instead?

Mauritius? But this seems to be the second best choice to Maldives. Should we go for 2nd best?

Seoul? I've been to seoul a few times, but it's for work. Other than Myeongdong, I've yet to discover other parts of Korea.

 

Penang? My parents are returning to revisit their old homes. Of course I've been there umpteen times. Should we join them? The only motivation is spending some quality time with my folks, and Papa Snew has never been. Also, the FOODie... Penang Char Kway Teow, Hokkien Mee and Chendol...

Let me have your views? Where should I go?