After that we were exhausted and went to bed, only to wake up at 4AM. Getting an early start on the

We took the Airport Express from the airport to Kowloon, which took about 20 minutes. I always enjoy a ride on the Airport Express, since it is quick, efficient, and modern. Upon arrival we hopped on the free Airport Express shuttle bus which goes to the various hotels, which is the exact opposite of the Airport Express: old, run down, and slow.
We made it to the InterContinental Grand Stanford by around 7:45AM. As some of you may remember, my last stay at this hotel was less than stellar  (this report also has lots of pictures of the property, if you re interested), so the hotel manager promised me free club access during my next stay. I emailed him a couple of weeks before our stay, although I didn t receive a response. I wasn t worried since I printed out the email from him. My upgrade was confirmed in advance to a city view suite, although when I checked the morning of our stay from the arrivals lounge, the upgrade only showed as being to a harbor view room. By the way, the rate we paid was $1,100HKD, which is about $140USD, plus tax. Unbeatable for Hong Kong!
Anyway, fast forward to check-in. The agent was happy to check us in, although only for a harbor view room. When I asked about club access (as the GM promised me) and showed her the confirmation which showed us as being confirmed in a suite, she was surprised. She asked if she could make a copy of the documents, which I agreed to.
After about ten minutes she came back and agreed I should get club access. She said we were only getting a harbor view room because I was recently downgraded car rental in atlanta georgia from Royal Ambassador (which is true). I was fine with that, since the view from the harbor view rooms can be spectacular. Still, it shows the we re not giving any more than we absolutely have to attitude that the Grand Stanford car rental in atlanta georgia continues to have.
Shortly after checking in we checked out the club lounge, which is located on the first floor. InterContinental keeps promoting this club lounge as boasting panoramic and breathtaking views. While the view is nice, it s anything but panoramic, unless car rental in atlanta georgia the views they re referring to are of the freeway.
The breakfast spread in the lounge was fantastic. They had all kinds of meats, cheeses, car rental in atlanta georgia pastries, cereals, fruits, etc. They also had a menu from which you can order. The service in the lounge is efficient although not particularly friendly. It s as if they re in the lounge primarily for our safety, or something.
When we got back to our room the welcome gift was on the table, which consisted of some fruit, a bottle of water, and some chocolates. When I was here last August the box of chocolates was much bigger.
After settling in and talking to a few people on Skype (gotta love free internet for club guests!), we headed over to 26 Garden Road, where the US consulate is located. I needed car rental in atlanta georgia to get some pages added to my passport, and this seemed like a convenient place to do so.
We made it to the US Consulate a few minutes early, and were out of there in no time. I wrote about my experience there as well , including the rather matronly United flight attendant that was there. We walked around beautiful Hong Kong for a couple of hours, and by 2PM were back at the hotel.
Nice touch! We decided to go to the concierge and see if he had any suggestions for things to do. I ve been to Hong Kong about five times now, and have seen most of the touristy stuff. I explained to him that I had been to The Peak, The Ladies Market, Stanley Market, etc. I ve heard complaints about the Grand Stanford concierge in the past, but I didn t expect him to be that bad. In a city as dynamic car rental in atlanta georgia as Hong Kong, how can you not make one solid suggestion? All he could recommend was The Peak and similar touristy thing. So much for the insider car rental in atlanta georgia concierges that InterContinental loves to tout.
Since we had a long two days, including arriving in Hong Kong before 4AM, we decided to take a nap. While I m usually opposed to naps when traveling, we needed it. I m used to arriving in Asia from the US in the late evening, which works great for getting over jetlag. Unfortunately there s no such luck with a 4AM arrival.
At around 6PM we went to the club lounge, where their evening cocktail service was starting. The evening options weren t as impressive as the morning buffet spread, but were still fine. At around 7:30PM car rental in atlanta georgia we walked the Avenue of the Stars towards the other InterContinental, which affords an incredible view of the skyline. Every night at 8PM is the Symphony of Lights, which is the most amazing light show in the world. For about 15 minutes dozens of buildings in the Hong Kong skyline light up, combined with lasers and music. It never gets old!
After that we were exhausted car rental in atlanta georgia and went to bed, only to wake up at 4AM. Getting an early start on the morning was nice, as I could catch up on emails and other essentials. We had breakfast in the morning, walked around Kowloon for a while, and at around noon headed to the airport for our 4:40PM flight, since we wanted to check out the Cathay Pacific lounges at the airport.
It s a shame that the service in the Club InterContinental was not friendlier. I ve been to executive lounges of the Conrad Hong Kong and the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and the service was warm and friendly.
Thanks! Yes, I ve received *fantastic* service in the club lounge at the Conrad HK as well. I think the IC GS is an overall mismanaged property, which is why most of the employees have a we ll do only what we have to attitude.
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