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Where: Hong Kong Who: Mr, Mrs Little Miss & Baby boy Wanderlust, & Granny When: April 2017 What: Little Miss' Birthday Celebration with Baby Boy & Granny! *** You may check out our previous guides/blog about HongKong:
***This particular entry focuses more on family & baby friendly things because at this trip, we have our Lil' Miss Wanderlust (8 year old), and the newest addition, 6 month old baby boy***
By Air: Multiple (15+) daily 2 hour flights are available from different commercial airlines. Click this link for more info on the available flight times (Baby Tip): Airlines most likely prioritize family with infants and children at the boarding, so talk to your ground crew about this to lessen the hassle. Getting around: is also easy because of the efficient transport system, from interconnected train/subway (MTR) to huge double deck buses that go around the different districts, and the ever so symbolic 90's box type Toyota Crown Comfort taxi that is fairly easy to find. (Baby Tip): It is advisable to contact the hotel if they have airport pick-up service, because that option, though a bit more expensive, if you are a family with 1 infant and a little kid, with a couple of luggage and a baby stroller, it would save you energy from all the long walk if taking the Airport Express train to MTR. (don't get us wrong, we love HK transport system, but the stairs are making it hard if you have a huge luggage and a baby stroller & not to mention nursing the baby!). In our case though, we tried a little adventure and took the taxi service just outside of the airport.
This time, we were looking for a not so expensive, non-traditional, posh botique accommodation at the center of the busy commercial and shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui that is also near everywhere (you know what we mean!). We were able to find a small gem within the area. Oh, and of course, family & baby friendly. Mr & Mrs Wanderlust's Review Attitude at Granville + Location is perfect because just outside the hotel are the countless shops, malls and restaurants. + Staff are all welcoming and helpful and was able to assist us with all our needs + The hotel has a hip and modern urban design, something new to the eyes + Spacious rooms and was able to fit 5 pax (3 adults, and 2 children) in 2 double beds + Bathroom was clean and has most amenities you may need. + Child friendly as they provide baby cot (crib) free of charge. + Has a complimentary "Touch Phone" that can be used for calls & 4G internet while outside. + Restaurant on the 3rd floor and bar on 4th floor, though we werent able to try + Free WiFi - May be hard to find the first time because it has just a small passage door and its lobby is in 5th flr - Carpet and A/C might be a bit dusty as the children sneezed the first few moments we were there - No free breakfast ***Rating: Price: $$ 5-8,000PHP per night for 5 pax (3 adults 1 child and 1 infant) Service: 5 star - Service & staff were very helpful and nice. Facilities & Amenities: 4.8 star - modern designed rooms, complete in room amenities, but still lacking in some aspects somehow. Restaurant (foods): 3 star -No free breakfast, tried to go on 3rd floor for breakfast but still closed and opens at lunchtime. Food looks good though, too bad we weren't able to try. Bar: 4 - There is a bar on the building's 4th floor, looks nice & good environment, though we weren't able to try, but looks good. ________________________________ Overall: 4.2 /5 Disneyland Hotel The second part is where we stayed at Disneyland Hotel. But since Disneyland Hotel is a classic, standard, benchmark under the Family & Baby friendly Hotel category. Has all the amenities and facilities that a family with children and babies would need. From its restaurants to gift shops. We will skip the rating for Disneyland HK hotel. (Baby Tip:) If choosing between Disneyland Hotel vs Disneyland Hollywood, consider these things: Disneyland Hotel is like the main hotel, a bit more expensive than the latter but the style is the classic, Victorian hotel, while the Hollywood hotel is like a modern, neon-light themed hotel. > When checked in to Disneyland Hotel, you may skip the long lines/queue for Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, etc., at the main theme park, because they will be appearing at the Lobby of Disneyland Hotel (sometimes even the princesses) & also at Enchanted Restaurant for breakfast, ready to pose for a picture for every table. $avings Tip: Our little birthday celebrant wanted to avail for a Princess makeover in Disneyland Hotel where they will choose a Disney Princess, then have their costume and makeover complete with hair and makeup to look like their chosen princess, however the price is HKD $1,900 which is almost the price of their hotel rooms for 1 night. What we did is we just bought a costume of the princess of her choice (Sleeping Beauty's Aurora), plus the crown, which were both bought at the gift shop, then mommy just applied a simple make-up from her own purse. Saved us a lot because only spent less than HKD$500.
1. You guessed it, Disneyland! Enchantment, Magic, adventure and the world’s favourite cast of characters await, from cartoons like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, etc, to the Disney Princesses and a lot more.. Start on a journey with magical adventures for all ages. Yes! Even adults can enjoy and feel like a kid in Disneyland. Classic Disney Theme park where kids will definitely enjoy. Provided you plan your route going there and of course, choosing an off peak time (we chose to go there on a Monday) avoided weekends and holidays. That will assure you of a lot less crowd, and less lines everywhere. Tip: If going to the themepark, whether via MTR or from the Hotel, try to avoid the Disneyland Arc "trap" also same goes for the fountain, which are both long walks from the real park rides. We consider these places a trap because most guests tend to stay very long, taking & posing for photos multiple times, before entering the park, so as a general tip, try to snap maybe one or a couple of family pictures, then head on your way. This will save you time getting to more rides and attractions inside. 2. Hong Kong Science Museum The kids will definitely enjoy this place as it is a giant complex with interactive displays and games from different science topics ranging from electricity, magnets, energy, telecommunications and a lot more. Even as an adult, we learned a lot of new things even from daily things that we use. Really worth a visit especially if you have children with you. 3. Walk & Shop around Tsim Sha Tsui / Mongkok More than just a district, TST is a huge world bazaar where the harbour is met by ocean of stalls, shops, markets and of course, malls. The shops will not disappoint, being the fashion capital of Asia, from the latest fashion trends, botiques, hottest and hard to find apparels, etc. Retail shops all around. In the area of Tsim Sha Tsui, there are a couple of malls, which we can definitely say are family friendly, has breastfeeding stations that are really nice and clean, just like its toilets. One of the biggest is Harbour City (around 800 shops!), iSquare, The One, Mira Mall to mention a few more within the area. Also in another area, Mongkok, is a different feel, especially at night, when you would see lots and lots of neon lights, and signs, busy streets with different businesses, from street performers, to ladies' night market where it is ideal to buy cheap souvenirs, just don't forget to haggle! 4. Victoria Harbour and the "Symphony of Lights" Show 'World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show' according to Guiness World Book of Records. Around 50 skyscrapers beaming different lights, beam, lasers participates in a synchronized spectacular show of lights with music. Starts at 8:00 pm and it could be viewed from many spots in Tsim Sha Tsui, including The Avenue of Stars (undergoing maintenance) & the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. It can also be viewed across the harbour, in Wanchai. In the morning the Harbour View still awes the people as the great view of the HK city skyline together with the cool breeze coming from the river is seen along different areas like Harbour City Mall, Avenue of Stars, and a few more areas in TST. One can even book a ride for a ferry and go around different districts. 5. Enjoy the Food A compact city with lots of business establishments, a lot of which are restaurants. Lots of culinary discoveries can be made just by trying everything that you feel like eating, from stylish, luxurious, michelin starred restaurants, botique dessert bars, to hole in the wall traditional HK restaurant & tea shops, not to forget the new age, posh, and unique restaurants. 6. Visit Hong Kong Cultural Center & Other Museums Located on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui, it serves as the selected venue for a variety of cultural activities which includes world-class music concerts (from traditional, modern, orchestra, opera etc.), theatre, dance & musical productions, film screenings, conventions, conferences and exhibitions. For the ones who an appreciate arts and the like, you can check this venue out to see what’s on when you are in town. There are also a lot of other museums that can entertain you, as well as your children. Trick-eye museums, wax museum, history, arts, etc. Just do some research and you will definitely find something that interests you. There are a lots more attractions that need to be mentioned, such as Victoria Peak, as well as The Big Buddha in Lantau Island, however, due to time constraints and the cable car 360 being under maintenance, we opted to skip the tour for the Big Buddha. We are sure that they are also child friendly attractions, but like our previous experience in Victoria Peak, just avoid the rush of people during weekends, and holidays and you should be fine.
Checklist: Packing list for travelling with a baby 1. Diapers (2 -3 packs of 15 pieces diapers is good for 5 days) 2. Changing pads. (Not all changing tables are clean) 3. Baby Wipes 4. Sling or Front carrier (iAngel is a must have in travelling for you to become hands free) 5. Collapsible Stroller (Make sure to bring rain cover) 6. Lightweight plastic feeding set with utensils, and baby food (cerelac/gerber/formula milk) 7. Small bottles of baby wash, baby lotion, bottle cleanser,powder 8. Clothes, socks, and booties or shoes, hat (1-2 outfit per day is ok for 5 days) 9. Tissues 10. Extra pacifiers 11. Extra bottles (1 -2 is ok for 5 days) 12. Baby's favorite toys (the not so bulky ones) 13. Breastpump 14. First aid kit and medicines needed by baby 15. Lots of love, patience, understanding and care. Few More Tips: Try to begin preparing to pack a couple of days before you travel. Make sure to keep a running list of things to bring, or put items out on a table or dresser as you think of them. Avoid leaks from liquid bottles, etc. by packing them in resealable plastic bags (Ziplocks). Try to prepare baby's favorite video and save it in your mobile phone, just make sure you also have a tripod to get the phone secured to the proper angle where baby can watch properly. You Might Also Like:
3 Comments
travelmomma
6/30/2017 12:22:12
thanks for the tips, they are all helpful and would use them on my next adventure with my kids!
lei wu
7/19/2017 22:54:28
very informative blog post especially if you have little ones who will drive you crazy if you don't know how to handle them. Great tips for parents and guardians! Children are lucky to have good parents like you guys.
bettybetsbats
7/20/2017 00:06:02
Good read, and amazing pics! Hope y'all can post another travel tips soon! Leave a Reply. |
