During her six years at LUXE, Jane Michael has fastidiously updated umpteen guides to cities across the globe, but as a longtime resident of Hong Kong, she’s also an expert on the Fragrant Harbour. Jane shares the best places to go with sprogs in tow.
Where are your favourite spots in Hong Kong for kids?
Best retail: Locally I like Petit Bazaar and Zara Kids, but I do a lot of shopping online from Aussie brands like Country Road, Taninaka, Children of the Tribe, Summer & Storm, Yoli & Otis, and Bonds.
Best restaurants: Café Gray yummy plus Hong Kong Park proximity; Maxims City Hall dim sum: crazy, loud, messy and fun – we fit right in! Amalfitana: great pizza and right by the Pulse playground.
Best beach (for kids and pups): Middle Island. The little boat ride over is a treat and the water is reasonably clean by Hong Kong standards. Great views back onto Deepwater and Repulse Bays too.
Best park: We love looking at the fish ponds in Hong Kong Park, and walking through the aviary, although the zoological garden breaks my heart.
Best changing facilities: Prince’s Building, plus loads of kids’ retail on the 3rd floor.
The perfect 24 hours in Hong Kong with family…
Sunday is our family day, and it usually goes a little something like this… After a walk or trail run with our dog Jax, we like to get to Maxims City Hallearly to avoid the rush (before 10am as they open at 9am in Sundays). Kids love the trolleys, buzzy atmosphere and dumplings, and the staff really enjoy the children. Post dim sum feast, we head down through the underpass and up to the Mandarin Oriental where jam donuts and coffee await at Café Causette, then we push on to Prince’s Building to pick up anything baby related that we need for the week. Because we still have very little ones, it’s home for a nap, but for older kids and visitors to Hong Kong this is the perfect time to hop aboard the iconic Star Ferry for a pootle across Victoria Harbour and an ogle at the famed city skyline.
After a rest, and if it’s a nice day, we’ll grab the parasol and beach toys and skip over to Middle Island for a swim with the dog, then we’ll walk around the promenade back to the Pulse at Repulse Bay for a pizza, salad and sundowners at Amalfitana, while the kids go bananas in the playground. Home then to put the babes to bed. If you’re a visitor, the Four Seasons would be my best recommendation for a family stay, and if mum and dad can sneak out there is a barrage of dining and drinking options at your fingertips: Mott32 has excellent high-end Chinese cuisine and a dim-lit, moody ambience, while J.Boroski offers the exclusive, grown-up’s cocktail experience you’ve been fantasising about all day. Or, if you’re totally exhausted, treat yourself to a well-deserved foot massage atTen Feet Tall.
Read more about Jane’s approach to motherhood and travel at NikaKai Travels.
For more insider insights and tips, get your mitts on a LUXE Hong Kong guide…
