What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's Hong Kong

Here are the latest openings, offerings, changes, and events in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board offers downloadable publications for travelers with special needs at its website, www.discoverhongkong.com, including the Leisure Guide for Business Travelers, the Hong Kong Family Fun Guide, Mature Perspective for older travelers, and Barrier-Free Travel for travelers with disabilities.

Also new on the HKTB website is the Hong Kong Movie Odyssey Guide, which showcases 11 noteworthy local films and locations around town where they were filmed.

Virgin Atlantic Airways now offers daily service between Hong Kong and Sydney, a reflection of Hong Kong's growing popularity as a stopover destination on flights between Australia and the United Kingdom. For reservations in Australia, call tel.1300 727 340 or visit its website at www.virgin-atlantic.com.

Where to Stay

The Wharney Hotel, 57-73 Lockhart Rd., Wan Chai (tel. 852/2861 1000), has changed its name to Wharney Guangdong Hotel, along with a new website, www.gdhhotels.com.

Several new hotels have opened in recent months, including what is now Mong Kok's classiest hotel, the 665-room Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai St. (tel. 852/3552 3388; www.langhamhotels.com); and the moderately priced Cosmopolitan Hotel, 387-397 Queen's Rd. E., Wan Chai (tel.852/3552 111; www.cosmopolitanhotel.com.hk).

The biggest buzz in Hong Kong's hotel scene centers on the soon-to-open ultra-deluxe Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance St., Central (tel. 800/819-5053 in the U.S. and Canada; www.fourseasons.com/hongkong), which will up the ante in the best Hong Kong has to offer when its doors open in autumn 2005. Also slated for a fall 2005 opening in Central, which has long been short of accommodations, is the 114-room boutique Landmark Mandarin Oriental, part of the Landmark shopping complex at 15 Queen's Rd. Central (tel. 800/526-6566 in the U.S. and Canada; www.mandarinoriental.com).

Where to Dine

One of several casualties of the Peak Tower makeover , Marché Mövenpick has closed its doors forever.

Exploring Hong Kong

Peak Tower, on Victoria Peak, is undergoing substantial renovation from the end of February 2005 to early 2006. Although the Peak Tram will continue normal operations throughout the renovation, retail shops, restaurants, and attractions located in the Tower will begin closing in March for the duration of the remodel. Among the highlights of the renovation are a larger outdoor viewing area on the roof of the Peak Tower with spectacular 360-degree views, a shopping market designed to resemble Hong Kong's traditional street scenes, and new restaurants and shops.

Hong Kong's Symphony of Lights, a multi-media light and laser show projected from 18 buildings on Hong Kong Island, will become even more spectacular when 15 additional buildings are added to the show at the end of 2005, including the Hong Kong Cultural Center and the Hong Kong Museum of Art.

The much-anticipated opening day of Hong Kong Disneyland (www.hongkongdisneyland.com) has been set at September 12, 2005. To accommodate the expected surge in tourism generated by the mega attraction, two adjoining hotels are also in the works: the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, based on a Victorian theme, and Disney's Hollywood Hotel, with an art-deco motif.

Side Trips from Hong Kong

The new Hong Kong Wetland Park, in Tin Shui Wai in the New Territories (tel. 852/3152 2666; www.afcd.gov.hk/others/wetlandpark), is slated to open at the end of 2005 or beginning of 2006, with a visitor center, trails, and outdoor exhibits. Contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board for more information.

Beginning in February 2006, a 5.7-km (3.5-mile) cable car will connect Tung Chung with Ngong Ping on Lantau, delivering visitors directly to the Giant Buddha in just 17 minutes.

Macau

Macau Tower (tel. 853/933339; www.macautower.com.mo), offering the best views over this fast-growing city, has opened Sky Gallery in its observatory, with aerial photographs depicting Macau's dramatic changes over the past 15 years. Admission to the gallery is included in the observatory's admission price of $70 ptcs (US$9) for adults and $35 ptcs (US$4.55) for children and seniors.

Sands Macau, a Las Vegas-style casino near the ferry terminal and Fisherman's Wharf (tel. 853/883388; www.sands.com.mo) has opened four new restaurants, offering steaks, Macanese specialties, Cantonese fare, and Shanghainese dishes.

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