Even more helpful when he conceded that I could book which ever I liked and there was little chance of him remembering what the options had been by the time we checked in! Semi-joking I suggested we put it to a poll on the blog but then we realised we had very different ideas of what you as a general readership were likely to say. So, I want your votes - less because I will listen to what you say (I might - but then I might not, but either way it will probably polarise my view one way or another) and more to see which of us wins our bet as to what your collective choice will be!
So, voters, here is your choice:
First this room at HK$1870 pn
Second this Suite at HK$3300 pn
(Converted to UK pounds those prices only have low three digits and do not sound anywhere as near as bad!)
Your criteria to bear in mind is:
1. We are not actually made of money and these are only options at all because (a) we saved up hard for a special trip and want to spend wisely. (Which is not always the same as cheaply) and (b) to get a harbour view at all within range of budget we chose to stay on Kowloon not Hong Kong island
2. It is however a special trip on which we are determined all will be as perfect as pre-planning will make it and on which we are prepared to spend for high levels of comfort. But not unnecessary luxury that will be wasted.
3. By the time we get here we will have been away from home for over 2.5 months and both of us agree that in a trip of that length there are bound to be days when one or both of us does not feel well or does not want to do tourist things but wants to just sit and read or 'have a day off' as we would at home. Lucky though we are to travel like this I know from business that living in hotels can get very wearing. And we fight over the TV controls. (Dennis hates watching my beloved reruns of Friends.)
4. We have a set budget for the trip which we are happy to spend (but not waste) and both rooms place us well within our overall budget ( thank you really good prices in New Zealand and friends/ family with beds in Australia and California!) but then any money saved goes to the next trip. Or shopping.
I am conscious that there is a high possibility that even posting this makes me look like a spoiled princess with no concept that we are living in a recessionary world but (a) I have been thanked before for my honesty in revealing my true character on my blog and (b) this is Dennis' retirement trip after an illness that ended his career and I am determined that he gets what he deserves after all he went through.
So, your votes please for which you think we should go for and shortly I shall reveal what we each thought you would all say and who was right.
21 comments:
I say the suite wins hands down, because 2 and 1/2 months into this trip you may need a little time alone, and in the suite you can be in different rooms at least.
If you have been travelling for 2.5 months by the time you get to Hong Kong you're going to need abit of comfort. If you can afford it and this is the trip of a life time there's no argument - the Suite wins hands down!
best wishes
It depends how long you've flown to get there. If you've had along flight and are exhausted you might want to hole up in the suite. On the other hand Hong Kong says shopping to me, big time and I'd want my budget to go on that and the postage to send stuff home.
You can always have a rest somewhere a little less expensive than Hong Kong (though I have little idea of what the HK currency is worth) My guess is if you book the cheaper room, they'll let you upgrade if you feel you need it.
In that the lower priced room still looks pretty swell and has a harbor view, I would go with the lower priced room. That is because I am in tune with Feather on a Wire and want my extra cash to go for shopping (hellooooo--tailored silk suit, made just for you by a Hong Kong tailor??) and/or wonderful food and wine, and/or luxury limo tour of all the Hong Kong sites. Yes, I know that you will be tired after 2.5 months, but it's HONG KONG! Too much to see and do to spend precious time lolling about a luxury hotel suite!
So that's what I'd do.
And P.S. - Yes, it is a recession and I am hideously jealous of anyone who can afford such a trip in this economic climate, but I do not begrudge you and hope to enjoy it vicariously! Vicarious is far better than nothing.
Definitley the suite. We were in Hong Kong in January and if you want to see all there is to see you'll end up exhausted and to have a suite to come back to would be wonderful. It is a wonderful place and we loved every minute of it.
Di
I'm torn. Being that both suites are in the same hotel and offer the included breakfast and other amenities (free breakfast is a must for me -- the bigger the better), that kind of makes them the same. So, I was going to say take the cheaper one and save a bit of cash. But then you mention the fighting over the TV remote and the 2.5 months into teh trip and I can see teh value of the suite.
So, I think it boils down to how you tend to spend your days. Will you be homebody-ish and spend a lot of time in the hotel? Then the suite. Do you have lots of tours and activities planned? Then take the cheaper room and use the money as Terry suggests, to buy tailored suits (and as a practicing lawyer, that is a business expense, not a frivolous luxury).
So, I guess my vote is for the first room.
As for being spoilt, I don't think so at all. It looks to me as if you two live modestly in general, which has allowed you to save enough money for this once in a lifetime trip. And if you are going to do a once in a lifetime trip, it must be done right! There's no purpose in doing it half way and having regrets later. Of course, take my opinion with a grain of salt, as many think me a spoilt princess as well.
The frugalista in me goes for the first room -- and I liked the lamps especially as good reading/sewing light is very important in any hotel [and it's horribly rare].
But I have traveled quite a lot [and envy you big time!], I know that especially toward the end of a trip having the extra luxury and privacy of a suite can be a great picker-upper -- you're going on from there to California as I remember so you'll have a very long flight ahead of you. After 10 weeks of traveling the extra room will probably be a much needed oasis. And the lights look pretty good there too, just fussier in style.
I'd go for the cheaper room, 'cause when we spend money on a hotel room - we're not sitting on the chairs... but after 2.5 months of travel our priorities might be different. ;)
If money is no object (ie. within the budget) Id go for the suite, because it is nice not to have to sit on the bed to watch telly, and eat room service snacks. and presumably your budget already includes spending money.
With money not being a serious issue, I would take the suite.
My husband and I are both introverts, so spending 24/7 together on vacation requires some "separate" time--and I mean time when we are not just being quiet together. When we stay at a cottage, we plan to take a silent walk together after breakfast and then go our separate ways until lunch. This means we can either GO or we can STAY in separate rooms. Are you introverts? Do you have other accomodations on the trip where you can be away from each other? How long will you be in HongKong? Do you hae interest in separate activities some of the time?
Although you have more 'rooms' in the suite, the overall space seemed larger in the cheaper option as it doesn't have so many walls. I guess it depends on how much separate personal space you want. Mind you, looking out at the view from your bed in the suite..... and wouldn't a suite be higher up?
suite if you're going to be there a while, or are folks who get tired of each others company as there's some "living" space. The room if this is a realtively shor tstop and you don't grate on each other after extended time together as it'd free up some money for the wonderful markets you'll no doubt find in Hong Kong.... :-)
Well Princess, I don't begrudge you the trip, the money or any of it. You deserve this break! Generally I would always go with the less expensive option. I've done the luxury hotel thing and it's never really work the money. However, given the length of the trip I understand the occasional need to BE LEFT ALONE! If I were staying in HK more that a couple of nights I'd go for the extra space.
Just reading the comments so far has been an education in it's self! :-)
As #2 will probably be the most outrageously luxurious suite you are ever likely to stay in... Go for it! If you don't you may wish you did for years to come!
So Helen and Martin... Enjoy!
The room looked wonderful, but how can you even have a question about that suite? The separate bedroom would be the clincher for me ... and two bathrooms? Whoo Hoo!
May you have a wonderful and major hassle-free trip ... some hassles make for the best memories, though.
Go for the suite - you say it is within budget and as others say you may well need a little luxury after all that time on the road, especially if you have been more frugal with some your other accommodation choices. May it be a magical time for you both, and something you will always remember about this once in a lifetime trip.
I'd plump for the big suite personally, to ensure you can get some alone time without having to resort to the hotel lobby! Tricky choice though because I can see the arguments of the people who'd opt for saving the extra cost for the shopping money.
And feel no guilt. Carefully saving up for a special trip is very different from living like a spoilt diva. Looks like everyone wishes you well and wishes you lots of fun and quite right too!
As you can afford it, I'm sure you'll 'plump' for the suite. Personally, I'd go for the room as we'd be out most of the time exploring, otherwise asleep. We're happy in the same space and if we can live on a boat who's length was 37ft,for over 2 years.....
More pennies to spend!!
Go with the suite. You will enjoy the ability to stretch out and enjoy the view. Think of sitting in the chair and stitching.
Me, I'd go with the Suite. You're going to be gone a long time, a bit of luxury might be required by then o:) You work hard, you deserve this trip so absolutely nothing to apologize for or explain. I hope your trip is awesome!!
I know I'm late on this one but I would rather spend the money on Yu Chau street in HK. Best place for beads I have ever seen.
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