HONG KONG IS A PARTICULARLY GOOD INCENTIVE DESTINATION AS LUXURY COMES AS STANDARD, WITH 50 PLUS 5* HOTELS, THREE STAR MICHELIN RESTAURANTS APLENTY AND A CITY ON THE WATER.

All the good points for an incentive destination. However, many cities all over the world offer such luxury, so why HK? Well, the contrasts are probably the most captivating pull. The 5* hotels sit side by side with the budget accommodation on offer, genuine watch shops selling £50k originals sit next to their fake counterparts and “must eat” restaurants are positioned happily alongside the street vendors knocking out something deep fried on a skewer. You can buy a Prada bag for £1000 and exactly (well not quite exactly, but near enough) for £30 within 100 yards. Add this to the blend of old and new architecture, modern shopping malls next to traditional temples, then you have a city that has a great mix for incentive groups, young or old, singles or couples.

I particularly like the two hotels of The Langham group as they offer luxury but with a contrasting feel. Both are set on Kowloon and offer impeccable service throughout. The Langham Hotel is a mix of traditional, comfortable five star luxury, with modern, bright and well appointed rooms, with a few little extras for added value. The bar is small in feel but the bar staff are fab and the dining quality at The Langham is excellent across the board, with the pinnacle being the exceptional 3* Tang Court serving Cantonese food beyond all expectation. If your group has the budget, then an upgrade to the executive Langham Club lounge is well worth it, offering superior all day dining, a giant fridge stocked with beer and soft drinks and Perrier Jouet Champagne on tap – highly recommended.

The sister hotel, Cordis at Langham Place is modern, spacious and boasts a fabulous open air rooftop pool and spa. Just the place to relax after a hard day at the markets! The rooms are similar in design to The Langham itself and a similar quality executive lounge is available as an upgrade. Dining is diverse but Ming Court, the newly crowned 2* restaurant is exceptional and the pancake roll is the best I have ever tasted!

Whilst in HK, there is plenty to occupy a group. A city tour is diverse in its points of interest, including a tour of the very interesting “dried” markets where much of the ingredients for the practise of Chinese medicine are purchased. Agree or disagree with some of the methods used, it is embedded in the culture and is a fascinating insight into the daily lives of the HK people. A Chinese tea experience is fun as is a foot massage, which can be found in many a reputable building on HK Island. However, be careful not to just follow the “massage” signs as you could end up with more than you bargained for! Whilst on the mainland, a group must take a ride up on the ridiculously steep tram to the top of the peak to get some breathtaking views of the metropolis below.

All in all, HK has much to offer. Apart from everything mentioned above, there is plenty to do on the water, including various modes of transport to Lamma Island, where the seafood on offer is as fresh as it gets and the absolute must is a trip on the Star Ferry. It is nothing special but as iconic as jumping in a black cab in London or a yellow cab in New York.

Hong Kong is definitely a groups destination. There is plenty to do, plenty to eat and plenty to buy