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Friday, March 29, 2024

Gateway To Hong Kong

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It’s been almost seven years since my last trip to Hong Kong and that was just a transit stop en route to Macau. So when the opportunity to visit the city came along, I grabbed it right away by confirming my attendance in a seminar conducted by Hong Kong Polytechnic University, one of the better Tourism and Hotel Management schools in Asia.

The last time I stayed in Hong Kong was a little over 15 years ago. Being a “stranger” to the city, I had to ask my dear friend, Michele Mitschiener-Hoeflich, who is now a Hong Kong resident, for help in choosing the ideal accommodation for me and, most importantly, I asked her to help plan my evening activities.  

“Mimi” and I used to do the party scene here in Manila every night, as in every single night, when we were still much younger, “young and foolish” party animals that we were. She was still single and was with Hyatt Regency Manila and I was still with Northwest Airlines. Simply put, she knew how we used to party, so I wanted the same thing during my short visit to Hong Kong. “Mimi” is now happily married to Christoph Hoeflich, hotel manager for the Marco Polo Hotels.  They have two good-looking sons, Raphael who is 14, and Alexander who is 12.

Hong Kong’s attractive skyline at night, as seen from the Ocean Terminal

Mimi booked my accommodations at the Gateway Hong Kong. It was the first time I heard of the hotel, and I got excited when I was told that it is a Marco Polo property. 

Gateway Hong Kong is right in the middle of Canton Road which is Hong Kong’s version of New York’s Fifth Avenue, where all the luxury brand stores are. The area is the shopping and entertainment center of Tsim Sha Tsui. What gives the hotel a distinct advantage is its being a part of Harbour City, the biggest shopping center in Hong Kong, which is right next to scenic Victoria Harbour.  

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Spread over two million square feet of prime real estate, the shopping center is a major tourist attraction in itself, with over 450 brand name shops, 50 food and beverage outlets, two cinemas, and a luxurious private club. What I found most convenient, aside from easy access to these shops, is that the Ocean Terminal and the Star Ferry are just a leisurely 5-minute walk from the hotel, inside the air-conditioned comfort of the humongous mall.

Some of the luxury brands right at the hotel’s doorstep

The 16-floor Gateway Hong Kong has 400 luxurious and chic rooms. I stayed in one of the 51 suites which I enjoyed very much because it had a 40-inch flat screen TV in the living room and another one in the bedroom. I had my fill of many worldwide channels and in-house movies. The walk-in closet was most convenient and the other de luxe amenities, like the complimentary Wi-Fi and the complimentary mini-bar which was replenished daily, pleased me no end.  

Of course, what I liked best was the handy smartphone which came free with the room. It meant I had my own easy access to local phone numbers and could easily be reached by friends in the city. It also allowed me unlimited international calls to any of the five designated countries (China, Philippines, Japan, US and the United Kingdom), and all calls, whether local or international, are complimentary for guests of the hotel using the smartphone! What’s more, the phone also offered unlimited 3G mobile internet, Wi-Fi hotspot and tethering, dining and city guide and exclusive ticket bargains. Wow! What an amenity!

My suite also gave me access to The Continental Club, the hotel’s executive lounge on its top floor, offering complimentary daily breakfast, afternoon snacks and evening cocktails.  

My suite’s living room, with a personalized welcome message on the TV screen

And for guests who want to spend time keeping fit and healthy, there is the outdoor swimming pool on the 6th floor of the adjacent Marco Polo Hong Kong, and the fully equipped gym on the 4th floor of the adjacent Prince Hotel, both easily accessible through a covered walkway. Unfortunately, my hectic schedule did not allow me the luxury of time to indulge in these wellness activities.

For dining, I was pleased to see the ultra-extensive buffet at the hotel’s Three On Canton, the ultimate gourmet destination which offers the world’s most popular cuisine. Right next to it is Be On Canton, a stylish al fresco dining terrace which I wanted to try out one evening, but the weather didn’t cooperate so I decided to just stay indoors. 

Gateway Hong Kong introduced a brand new 360-degree redesign for all its guestrooms and suites, winning the Global Excellence Award for Best Hotel given by The International Interior Design Association. The celebrated renovation also included The Continental Club Lounge, lobby and restaurants.

Me and Michele having a fun lunch at Three On Canton with my newfound friends Sonny Ang, Samantha Poon and James Ong 

No wonder the hotel has become the favorite of top Filipino personalities.  My Hong Kong-based friends told me that they’ve seen quite a few of our government officials, business leaders, society icons and movie/TV idols staying at the hotel, enjoying its easy access to the best shopping in the city.  In fact, the day after I left, John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo were expected to check-in to the hotel as part of their roadshow tour to promote their latest starrer.  

I’m glad I discovered Gateway Hong Kong. It didn’t just open doors to shopping, fun and entertainment, it is also led me to new friends, kindred spirits who are just as fun-loving as I am, a most amiable set of hotel officers who made me feel like we’ve been friends for a lifetime – general manager James Ong, head of Sales and Marketing Sonny Ang who’s Filipino, and director of Communications Samantha Poon. 

That’s me and the Hoeflichs – Raphael, Michele, Alexander and Christoph

After this most enjoyable stay, I wouldn’t be surprised if, anytime soon, the Hong Kong Tourism Board proclaims the hotel as the official GATEWAY to the city. Meantime, why don’t you make it yours?

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE:

A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her very first football game. They had great seats behind their team’s bench. After the game, he asked if she enjoyed it. “Oh I really liked it,” she replied, especially the tight pants and all the big muscles, but I just couldn’t understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents!” Dumbfounded, the boyfriend asked, ‘’What do you mean?’’ ‘’Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was, “GET THE QUARTERBACK!” I’m like, “Hellooo! It’s only 25 cents!”

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

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