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MANDARIN ORIENTAL SPA
All of this sightseeing and attending classes made me tired. Fortunately, a friend of mine arranged spa treatments at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which isn't far from Hong Kong Park. The Mandarin Oriental is one of Hong Kong's best hotels and the world's who's who stay here. Even if you aren't lucky enough to score a room, at least arrange for a appointment on their 24th-floor spa. It's brand new and decorated with dark woods. Guests are presented with signature ginger tea upon arrival and given slippers and a fancy amenity kit. I was escorted into the men's locker room that had fresh fruit, tea, a hot tub, cold plunge pool and one of the coolest steam rooms around. In the middle of it was a top secret blend of Chinese herbs. Sitting in the dark, hot, fragrant room (my nose detected cinnamon and orange), I couldn't but help notice the steam went on full blast and a bright green light shined on the herbs and it spun out of control; it was like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie. I didn't know if I should just relax and savor the experience or run for my life. A few minutes later, a beautiful Russian therapist fetched me for my hour treatment and I followed by her side like a lost puppy dog. My vocabulary isn't advanced enough to describe how incredible the experience was so my best advice is to sign up and experience it for yourself. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2820 4202.

TAI PAN REFLEXOLOGY
If you don't want to spend the big dollars at the Mandarin Oriental Spa or any of the other fine hotels, Hong Kong is filled with a ton of legitimate massage parlours. You'll find one on practically every block and in fact, one of my spa therapists at a fine hotel and a PR person, confessed they go all the time. An American ex-pat recommended Tai Pan Reflexology, which is off Nathan Road and a bit difficult to find at 10 o'clock at night. When Natalie and I went down the dark stairs, we both thought that the place looked kind of shady but once the door opened and we walked along a clear floorboards, covering a fish tank, our minds were put at ease. The place looked clean and there must have been 20 couches. There was no one in there but the clerk (who made us pay in advance), scrambled to get two workers to massage us; they looked like they had just woken up from a nap. We put our belongings in a locker and sat straight up in the most uncomfortable massage chairs to soak our feet in a tub without a plastic liner. Now, that's a little dicey. After the therapist washed our feet, they walked us over to one of the couches and we lay down. The couches were comfortable and after they put heat cushions around our necks and blankets over us, we were out cold. Before I fell into dreamland, I remember the therapist going to town on my feet (50 minutes of reflexology cost HK$238, [$30 USD]; a regular foot massage is HK$198). For all I know, the therapists could have taken a break or played cards, then come back at the very end. I woke up to some man beating my legs, then stretching me. I thought I was dreaming and that it was a bargain until we left and Natalie complained of itchy bug bites. They turned out to be bed bugs. YIKES! FYI: I didn't get any so I would go back.



DID YOU KNOW? In Hong Kong they use bamboo as scaffolding for skyscrapers that are under construction, even on buildings that are 100 stories high!

ZUMA
An excellent new restaurant located on the fifth floor of the Landmark Mall and attached to one of the Mandarin Oriental hotels is Zuma. Inside is a huge space with lots of tables and a sushi bar but on a clear night, sit outside (if you don't mind people smoking around you). The food and service was top-notch and Natalie and I started off with fried edamame with chili sauce, veggie tempura, sweet potato teriyaki and finished with spicy beef tenderloin. The restaurant was filled mostly with ex-pats and the workers were mainly from Japan. Zuma, The Landmark, Queen's Road, Central, Tel. (+852) 3657 6388.

NOBU
Another popular Japanese restaurant is Nobu. It was recently named one of the world's "Hot Tables" by Condé Nast Traveler and is located on the second floor in the InterContinental Hotel. Like all the Nobus around the world, it features the modern Japanese cuisine of world-famous chef Nobu Matsuhisa. What separates this place from the others is the view: it's outstanding. We had lunch there and sampled some of his signature dishes like sushi, Fresh Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno, Black Cod Saikyo Yaki, Toro Tartar with Caviar, Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing and Rock Shrimp Tempura with Creamy Spicy Sauce. FYI: Along with Nobu, the InterContinental Hong Kong has another celebrity restaurant: SPOON by Alain Ducasse.

INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG
Speaking of the InterContinental Hong Kong, it's located on the Kowloon side and has an even better view of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline than the Peninsula Hotel. That's because it's right on the harbor (no streets to cross) and I seriously could have just stayed in my room all day and night staring outside as it's one of the world's best harbor views ever -- it rivals Sydney). The 495-room hotel was a pleasant surprise as their service and facilities were all top-notch. The contemporary guest rooms feature LCD TVs, Bose DVD/CD home entertainment sound systems with iPod docking stations and high-speed Internet access. Business travelers who plan on eating breakfast, having late afternoon snacks (including tea) and spirits should think about upgrading to Club InterContinental for HK$900 ($115 USD). It's on the second floor and like Nobu, the lobby has stunning views. In addition, you get complimentary local phone calls and high speed Internet.

INTERCONTI OBSERVATIONS
The room was cozy. I slept well even though the bed was a bit firm for my liking and despite the fact that the king-sized bed might have been two mattresses pushed together. I loved the remote control blinds but didn't like hearing the maids in the hallway and the shower pressure wasn't that strong. The bathroom was made of Italian marble and had a large sunken tub, separate showers and Elemis toiletries. The service at the front desk is a little slow but the bellmen are quick. In fact, they are so good that when a bellman sees you coming, they ring the elevator button for you. No wonder this place made Condé Nast Traveler's list of Top Hotels in Asia and Travel + Leisure's list of the World's Best 500 Hotels. InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2721 1211.

SHOPPING TOUR
Hong Kong gets 21 million visitors a year but like many of them, I wasn't there to shop. I seriously have never seen a place with more malls featuring all the top designers. I bet Luis Vuitton, Prada and Gucci each have at least five stores each in this city. For those really interested in shopping, check out the InterContinental "Born to Shop" tours of Hong Kong and Hanoi with author Suzy Gershman. The fifth annual tour takes place November 11-18, 2008. For more information, download this PDF.

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Note: This trip was sponsored in part by Hong Kong Tourism, Hotel Jen, Pearl on the Peak, Shangri-La Kowloon, InterContinental Hong Kong, and the Mandarin Oriental.

Copyright 2008 JohnnyJet, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.