Earlier this month, I took a quick two-night getaway to Hong Kong after spending time in Bangkok. I flew with Emirates, starting in economy class and upgrading to business class on the return flight—a decision I was happy about for the added comfort!

As for Hong Kong, my overall impression was… mixed. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the city didn’t quite captivate me. Compared to Bangkok, Hong Kong felt a bit anonymous and not as friendly, though that’s very subjective. I stayed at the Ibis Hong Kong Central and Sheung Wan, which, unfortunately, was a bit of a letdown. The room was small, not the cleanest, and in need of maintenance. For £170 for two nights without breakfast, I would look for a different hotel next time.

I did the typical tourist activities, like visiting the Avenue of Stars, taking the ferry across Victoria Bay, and heading up to Victoria Peak. The city’s skyline is undeniably impressive, with skyscrapers framed by lush hills. I also used public transport quite a bit, and I have to say—Hong Kong’s transit system is excellent. I loved the convenience of the Octopus card, and I even hopped on the iconic double-decker tram. While charming, the trams were surprisingly worn out.

Victoria Peak was a highlight, though I opted for the bus ride up to avoid the long queues for the funicular. The bus ride was an adventure in itself, full of twists and turns. I did take the funicular back down, which was an interesting experience as all the passengers sit backwards on the descent. The views from the Peak were fantastic, but I was surprised by how built-up it was at the top. I had expected more wilderness, but the 7-Eleven and a small shopping center were handy, especially for a bathroom break!

One of the more annoying aspects of the trip was dealing with the landing cards for immigration. In this digital age, it felt unnecessarily old-fashioned and a bit pointless.

On my way back to Bangkok, I got to enjoy Emirates’ business class lounge. It was a nice, relaxing space, although not as private as I would have liked. The flight itself was only 3.5 hours, so I didn’t get to experience the full extent of business class luxury. The meal was average, but the drinks and service more than made up for it. I had a lovely chat with Mohamed, my flight attendant, who went above and beyond by surprising me with chocolates and amenities from first class. A true highlight of the journey was the onboard bar on the Airbus A380—a unique perk of flying Emirates business class!

In the end, while I enjoyed parts of my trip, Hong Kong isn’t at the top of my list for a return visit. However, I’m glad I got to experience it, and maybe one day, I’ll give it another go.

Final Thought: If you’re heading to Hong Kong, get ready for stunning city views, but perhaps choose your hotel wisely!