Tsim Sha Tsui

The Hong Kong location in Tsim Sha Tsui is actually the Peninsula's original location (the building was built back in 1828), and considering the highly British-influenced history of Hong Kong, it's no surprise that high tea here is a big deal. To complete the full-on fancy experience, the hotel brings in a string quartet—lovingly called the Lobby Strings—for daily performances, and serves finger sandwiches, pastries, and champagne alongside its Earl Grey.

The Ritz here is located on the Kowloon side (which is across the way from Hong Kong Island), and its claim to fame is that it houses the world's tallest bar. On a clear night, here, on the 118th floor of the International Commerce Center, you can see all of Hong Kong. If you're visiting for the first time—unless you're heights-adverse—you have to go for the experience (and obligatory Instagram).

Perched on the harbor in Kowloon near the famed Star Ferry Terminal, this Deco-era hotel (not only is it Hong Kong’s oldest, but the location gives the entire hotel group its name) got a tech-y upgrade a few years ago with state-of-the-art TVs and touch-screen in-room lighting systems. Ask for a harbor suite for prime views of brightly lit Hong Kong Island. Bonus: if you book your airport transfer through the hotel, you’ll be picked up in a tricked-out Mini Cooper, Rolls Royce, or if you're lucky, one of the fourteen Rolls Royce Phantoms. While they whisk you into the city, you can pre-order your room service upon arrival—no guarantees it will stave off jet-lag, but the lobster bisque soothes after a long flight. Keep an eye out for the Chinese lions and door gods painted on the doors at the entrance: According to Chinese tradition, they guard against evil spirits.

Service is the name of the game at so many of Hong Kong’s hotels and the Langham is no different. Plus, each of the 498 rooms are light-filled and modern with copper-trimmed furnishings and tufted headboards. Much like its glossy sister property in London, afternoon tea in the Palm Court is not to be missed and includes an almost-too-pretty-to-eat pastry selection.

The Felix, located on the 28th floor of The Peninsula hotel, is the work of iconic French designer Philippe Starck. His touch can be felt throughout the space, from the dramatic dual-spiral staircase to the sleek white chairs that carry black prints of the faces of long-serving Peninsula employees. The views are probably more famous, though, as you get a panorama of Victoria Harbour. Signature dishes from Chef Yoshiharu Kaji include caviar and sea urchin with red tuna tartar, Japanese beef tenderloin with pickled red onions, and green tea mousse. Note: This is not a kid-friendly spot—children under the age of twelve are not permitted.

"Lane Crawford is a beautifully decorated, incredibly well-selected specialty store. It’s the only place in HK where you’ll find varied brands like Acne, Elizabeth and James, Moncler, Vanessa Bruno, etc. It was definitely my favorite find at the IFC with its beautiful displays of contemporary art and huge and equally well-edited homeware department. There are also outposts in Pacific Place, IFC, and Causeway Bay." —GP

This workwear tailor has been around for more than 50 years, making and copying bespoke suits for clients all over the world. If you'd like to commission a suit while visiting, know that they do a great job, and very quickly. William Cheng & Son have an international following and make yearly trips to London and Australia for their customers.

While there are many of these streetwear-inspired shops scattered across Hong Kong Island (Causeway Bay) and Kowloon (multiples in Tsim Sha Tsui), we like the multi-story outpost in Central best: There you’ll find an ever-so-slightly more out-there edit than you’ll ever see in the states, all carefully selected from labels like Stella McCartney, Preen, and Anne-Sofie Beck. (There’s a lot for guys, too.)

This quickly-growing string of shops are like mini-department stores for modern home goods, and as such, they’ve pretty much cornered the market on every big name in design, from Hay to Seletti to Tom Dixon to Artecnica. The spaces are moody and industrial (one of the outposts is actually housed in a string of shipping containers), which makes the experience all the more fun to browse. There are also outposts in Central, Causeway Bay, and Stanley.

While its name might evoke the concept of basic little black dresses, everything in this mini-chainlet of boutiques (up-and-running since 2002) is more exuberant garden party than formal affair. There are labels from Europe (BA&SH, Manoush) and the U.S. (Textile Elizabeth & James), but go for the fun Asian lines like Daydream Nation, Iliann Loeb, and Coohem. There's also a location in Causeway Bay.