I need to talk about Hong Kong. I don’t know what I was expecting, but consider my expectations blown away.

I’ve traveled a lot at this point, and I still wasn’t ready for the moment the skyline hit me through the taxi window before I’d even arrived on Hong Kong Island. It’s one of those cities that truly feels like you were dropped into a different universe. No easing in, no gentle introduction. Hong Kong is immediately overwhelming, busy, and eclectic, but in the best way.

I was being hosted by the team at Motto by Hilton Hong Kong SoHo in Sheung Wan. Best base in the city and in the heart of the coolest neighborhood. More on that below.

The Hotel: Motto by Hilton Hong Kong SoHo in Sheung Wan

When I walked into the room, my name was on the TV. The team had left me the sweetest welcome note. And I know that sounds like a small thing, but it’s the kind of detail that turns a check-in into a genuine welcome when you’re far from home.

The room itself is so good. Modern, fresh, clean lines, and this bathroom with glossy tiles that carry all the way into the shower. There’s a vanity light that I will be recreating in my real life at some point. The space is compact but, in an intentional way, like someone thought carefully about every single inch.

I had everything I needed. Hangers, a little fridge, coffee and tea, bottled water, a super cozy bed, a range of lighting options, plenty of outlets, a desk to work at… oh, and there’s laundry on the 3rd floor.

Book Your Stay

I worked from the room a few mornings, and it was such a perfect setup. I’d grab breakfast at one of the many vibey cafes nearby and come back to the hotel and crank out 5-6 hours of work. Some of my favorite morning spots just steps from Motto by Hilton are: Elephant Grounds, The Cupping Room, and Schragels Delicatessen.

I couldn’t have felt more welcome, and I couldn’t have loved the location more. Genuinely.

Sheung Wan: The Place to Be!

If someone tells you to stay in Sheung Wan, believe them (aka believe me as I tell you right now). It sits just west of Central and has this vibe I can only describe as Brooklyn and London being mixed together and plopped onto a tropical Asian island. You’ll find laid-back wine bars next to independent coffee shops. Antique dealers on Upper Lascar Row were selling everything under the sun, and many types of food I couldn’t identify. Temples are tucked into blocks that also have coworking spaces and boutique hotels. Don’t miss Man Mo Temple.

PMQ is right there too, which is a converted historic building now full of local designers and studios, and it’s the kind of place that eats up a whole afternoon without you even noticing.

Sheung Wan is tucked into an incredibly steep topography as it starts to climb up Hong Kong Island. Expect lots (!!!) of stairs, steep streets, and constant incline. Don’t even try to wear cute shoes when exploring this area; just pack your most comfortable sneakers.

Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak

Take the Peak Tram up and see one of the most iconic views in the world. I’ve seen so many photos from that exact spot, but like any travel experience, seeing it in person was a whole different feeling. What I didn’t expect was how much it would reframe the whole trip. From up there, with the harbor on one side and the green hillside on the other, the city suddenly becomes digestible. You understand the scale of it, which is something you can’t do from the ground.

Go at dusk if you can. Watch the city light up. As it continues to get darker, the view somehow gets better.

The Big Buddha on Lantau Island

This one requires a mental commitment and is worth every bit of it. From Sheung Wan, you can take a bus or the metro to Lantau Island. I took the bus because I wanted to see outside during the ride.

Once you arrive on Lantau Island, you can get to the Big Buddha by cable car over the mountains, which is 25 minutes of green hills, fishing villages, and open water, and then the Buddha just appears on the ridge ahead of you. Larger than you expected. Facing outward toward the South China Sea.

Of course, my timing was not great. I was there while the cable car was being repaired, so I had to get on another bus from Lantau Island to the Buddha. It was a very bumpy, windy, and crowded ride, but it did feel like a local experience, which I always love. For the plot! ;)

Then you climb 268 very steep and very humid steps to the top. But when you get there, you’re surrounded by offering figures and wind and a view of the islands that goes further than you can see. It’s stunning, and unlike anywhere I’ve ever been.

There’s a monastery at the base called the Po Lin Monastery. It’s definitely worth checking out. I was able to witness a Buddhist religious ceremony from outside the monastery. I closed my eyes and took it in.

What You Should Know About Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a huge, overstimulating city. That’s the thing I keep coming back to. It’s a city where a street market and a world-class restaurant exist on the same block without either one feeling out of place, where the history, culture, and the impending Chinese rule are impossible to miss. The harbor at night is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. Be sure to take a Junk Boat ride across the harbor!

I’m so glad I got to be here. More coming from this trip soon.

Motto By Hilton Hong Kong SoHo

Thank you to Motto by Hilton Hong Kong SoHo Sheung Wan for hosting me. All opinions, as always, are my own.