When my son Guy was approaching his 18th birthday, I asked him if he could go anywhere in the world where would he choose and his most definite reply was "Hong Kong, staying at the Island Shangri-la - it's the best hotel in the world"

So in January his dream came true and we took a short break to this amazing city. With an 18 year old's eyes Guy was impressed by the shear scale of the buildings and the way everything worked so neatly together. From the 5th Floor of the Shangri-la you can take a lift down to the shopping mall and from there hop on the MTR and on one of the most efficient underground systems in the world get to another part of the city. If you buy an Octopus card as soon as you arrive, you can use it on any transport system including the trams and the ferries. This makes it really easy to get around.

We both loved the way the old and the modern coexisted with each other. High rise buildings, temple, markets and shops selling birds nests, a hundred year eggs and sharks fins are all in close proximity to each other.

Other highlights included, the cable car to Po Lin Monastry, Peak View and eating in the floating restaurants in Aberdeen.

The Island Shangri-la certainly lived up to it's reputation. Guy loved the television in the bathroom, the breakfasts offered so much choice and variety and there is a great ambience in the Lobster Bar. We would recommend that you take a harbour view room for great views across to Kowloon.