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Alain Ducasse’s iconic Rech restaurant, could only be enjoyed in France – until now. A new outpost of the eatery is open inside The Intercontinental Hotel and it is deliciously perfect in every way. As a recent guest of the restaurant, I was instantly pleased and impressed with every detail of Rech. Why? Because everything from the food, service and decor is executed perfectly. Architect Marie Deroudilhe designed the space and Chef Stéphane Gortina leads the kitchen. I was offered a stunning set menu, but the a-la-carté offerings are a viable option. A raw bar with marinated fish, shellfish and more is very tempting. Dishes like rock fish soup with saffron-gold caviar, squid, crustacean and shellfish ravioli, live blue lobster with seasonal vegetables, duck from Challans and more are hard to choose from. Even the dessert menu makes an impact – my favorite being the confit and iced peach with champagne granité. Wow! Rech is undeniably perfect.

If the British left one thing behind when they vacated Hong Kong, it was their love of a high tea experience – and The Peninsula Hotel offers the best. A service only offered to guests, the coveted reservation is a seen-and-be-seen experience – on where guests of the hotel and the city’s well-connected come together to sip on rare Yunnan varieties and nibble on delicious finger food. As a guest of the hotel recently, I was able to indulge in the high tea I’ve heard about for years – and it lived-up to the hype. The well-heeled guests all sat at tables and on sofas, around beautifully dressed tables prepared for the experience. A tea menu was offered and the varieties were endless. I poured over (pun intended) Chinese greens, Japanese senchas, darjeelings and more. I finally settled on a Darjeeling from India and waited in patience for the experience to begin. Soon after, a parade of tarts, sandwiches, scones and clotted cream began to arrive. My favorite was the smoked salmon sandwich paired with the elegant and smooth taste of the Darjeeling tea. But, I can’t deny my love of everything sweet as well. If you can get a reservation here, do it – you’ll love every moment.

Tucked inside the Langham Hotel Hong Kong, T’ang Court is a three Michelin-starred dining experience that beckons for you to come, sit down, relax and allow the masterful kitchen take over. That’s not an easy task for some, as it represents loss of control, but they are experts here. So, in the spirit and name of good food, why not? The decor is luxury, that’s for sure. It’s formal, traditional and European in style. But, of course, you’re in Hong Kong, so Asia does permeate. I came here as a guest, excited to have a meal at the place I had heard about from so many. A set menu was offered that evening, and I asked to receive a smattering of the restaurants most popular dishes. Wow! I was truly blown away. I tried the chilled South African abalone with jellyfish, stewed imperial bird’s nest with minced chicken soup, baked oyster with port wine, roasted suckling pig, drunken prawns, baked stuffed crab and crispy salted chicken. Each dish was, seriously, unbelievable – with flavor so intense that it took a moment or two to process each bite. For dessert, small egg custard tarts finished the evening perfectly. I indulged in a small pot on Chinese Oolong tea after dinner, and watched as other diners’ faces lit up when the delicious cuisine was brought to their table. What more could I ask for? I can’t wait to dine here again.

A striking and mouthwatering dining moment, Man Wah is a celebration of regional and local Chinese cooking. Located on the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, this Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant brings together people who love good food and an elegant dining space with panoramic views of the city. Golden lanterns hang from the ceiling and are juxtaposed against sumptuous fabrics and beautifully dressed tables. Paintings on silk please the eye, and an extensive and well-curated menu pleases the palate. I was able to to begin my meal with a Golden Yunnan tea, although I was welcomed with a glass of champagne first. A gorgeous menu was presented and, soon after, heaven on a plate. A set menu was offered to me, which included dishes like: double boiled sea conch soup, deep fried lobster, wok fried pork cheek and poached seasonal vegetables with fish maw and cordyceps flowers. I am a huge fan of soups, and Man Wah surely knows how to prepare a flavorful soup. The chef was willing to work three of them into my meal. Out of all the dishes, I fell in love with the wok-fried pork cheek, which was glazed with the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. For dessert, the mango pudding was simple, yet so flavorful it redefined my opinion of what mangos can do in cooking. For anyone seeking one of the very best dining experiences in Hong kong, please add Man Wah to your list immediately.

Hutong , a stunning, sky-high restaurant above the harbor is a Michelin-starred juggernaut that churns-out traditional Northern Chinese cuisine that will knock you out both in presentation and flavor. In Northern Chinese food, spice is key – and the restaurant uses it beautifully. I was welcomed to the restaurant with a table that was ideal to peer-out over the lights and skyscrapers of the city. A menu was presented and my meal commenced. Multiple courses were served: white Mandarin fish with sautéed peppers, ground chicken with Chinese green beans, razor clams steeped in Chinese rose wine sauce, tea smoked tofu with carrots and osmanthus glazed beef with chili sauce, were all fantastic. Each dish presented was better than the last, and the presentation was beautiful – yet simple. The food here isn’t overwhelmingly styled, but presented elegantly with a real concentration on flavor. I ended my meal with Chinese green tea from Yunnan and fried sweet dough with bananas and powdered sugar. The entire experience was delightful, and is a must for anyone visiting Hong Kong.

Macau is a short day trip from Hong Kong. A unique and enticing place that is located on mainland China, this city is known now for its Las Vegas-style hotels and flashy gambling facilities. But, for those interested in the quieter side of town, it’s just as amazing. You can get here within 90-minutes from Hong kong and soak-in the splendor of this former Portuguese colony. Macau is very interesting. Arriving here as an American, it isn’t essential for a visa for a day trip – but a passport is required. I arrived via ferry and was instantly struck by the old town and its unbelievable Portuguese flavor. Architecture in Macau is undoubtedly Portuguese and this is felt and seen everywhere. You can meander in and out of stores where they sell both Chinese and Portuguese ceramics, dine at restaurants that fuse cuisine from both countries and even here some members of the older generations conversing in Portuguese. I walked through the streets and admired the desaturated colors, visited the stunning Mandarin House and dined at Restaurante Litoral – a Portuguese/Macanese fusion delight. The small locally-owned shops and museums in Macau kept me busy all afternoon. The streets were live, the authenticity felt deeply and the people hospitable. For anyone looking for the perfect day trip from Hong Kong, choose Macau.

Hong Kong is unique – a city that will hit you like a ton of bricks – as soon as you set foot on one of its bustling boulevards. It’s busy, chaotic, beautiful, dirty and one of the coolest places in Asia. People here come at you at 100 miles per hour, so fast that you can no longer discern or care who they are, what gender they are or what it is they do. They are just a part of the fabric that makes-up the city. Every nook and cranny has the power to grab you, pull you in like a magnet. And, then, there are moments of peace, quiet, solace that can make you feel more still and centered that ever before. Temples. Ornate interiors. And unexpected surprises, like light shows, add comedy and uniqueness to every view you take-in. Hong Kong is magical.

Hong Kong is a city of contrasts and extremes – old and new, rich and poor, spicy and mild – it’s all here. With that in mind, one experience is a must for any visitor – chartering a junk boat . A junk, as it’s commonly called, is an ancient Chinese sailing ship that is still used today. It’s unique sails and shape make it one of the most elegant and graceful sailing boats on the open water. As a visitor in Hong Kong, you can charter an entire junk for a set duration of time – which provides a private and beautiful experience on the harbor. For a less expensive route, you can purchase a seat on a group boat, which is a little less private but still very enjoyable. If you’re visiting Hong Kong, don’t miss this boating adventure. You won’t regret it.

The Conrad Hong Kong is a large, luxurious business-minded hotel that sits in the Central Business District and soars 61-stories above Pacific Place mall. The proximity to Pacific Place, which offers a fantastic array of shopping and dining options – is a definite plus. But, it’s what lies within that makes this hotel sail above the rest. The lobby is large and open, a welcoming place for incoming guests and visitors. I walked-in and checked-in seamlessly, greeted warmly by the front desk staff. The beautiful flowers amazed me and their scent wafted through the space. My room was comfortable with a king-size bed, a writing desk, lounging sofa and views of the city and harbor – which are truly jaw-dropping. The bed was probably one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept-in, like a cloud. Every morning, my room was serviced by the friendly and efficient housekeeping staff, and they delivered fresh fruit daily. In the evenings, before dinner, I would sit in my window with a cup of coffee freshly brewed by my in-room coffee machine, and take-in the views. Every floor of The Conrad offers a mesmerizing snapshot of the city. Service at the hotel is efficient and flows, seamlessly. The Conrad offers six restaurants and lounges, a spa, fitness center, pool, steam room and sauna. My favorite part of the hotel was the massive breakfast offered in the mornings – with numerous options, both Eastern and Western. For anyone looking for a well-located hotel property that will wrap you in comfort, choose The Conrad.

The Langham Hotel Hong Kong is, hands down, one of the city’s top luxury hotels. In Hong Kong, it’s not hard to find a luxury hotel, but to discern between the good and the best, is a completely different story. The Langham Hotel is an East meets West experience, with a nod to both Asian elegance and European timelessness. Walking-in you’re immediately struck by the beauty, calm and peace that peeks through every corner – yet still offering a prime location near the Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, shopping area. I was a recent guest here and experienced the hotel, on every level. With 498 rooms and suites, you’d think this place might feel overwhelming or impersonal, but that’s not the case. It is intimate, personal and felt as if I was staying in someplace familiar to me. The hotel offers club lounge access – which is private and offers everything from continental breakfast to tea time, evening cocktails and champagne. They even offer garment pressing here. Aside from the club lounge, which I enjoyed immensely, guests can enjoy the health club, Chuan Body + Soul spa and swimming pool. The hotel bar is lively in the afternoon and evenings, and cocktails here are superb. Lovers of fine cuisine won’t find a better location than the Langham Hotel. The three michelin-starred restaurant, T’Ang Court, is a monumental and impactful experience that will impress even the most jaded foodie. The Bostonian Seafood Grill offers a smattering of fantastic dishes from the sea, Main Street Deli for something light – like sandwiches, Palm Court off the lobby for afternoon tea and The Food Gallery for international casual dining. Each dining experience offers something unique and delicious, truly. My room was very large with a writing desk, marble mantle and faux fireplace, king-size bed, flatscreen television and ample marble bathroom. The bathroom was my favorite part of the room with a fantastic shower, products, white cotton robes – a very spa-like experience. The white orchids were a fabulous touch. Service at The Langham was top-notch, without one misstep from the staff. I can’t wait to return.

If the British left one thing behind when they vacated Hong Kong, it was their love of a high tea experience – and The Peninsula Hotel offers the best. A service only offered to guests, the coveted reservation is a seen-and-be-seen experience – on where guests of the hotel and the city’s well-connected come together to sip on rare Yunnan varieties and nibble on delicious finger food. As a guest of the hotel recently, I was able to indulge in the high tea I’ve heard about for years – and it lived-up to the hype. The well-heeled guests all sat at tables and on sofas, around beautifully dressed tables prepared for the experience. A tea menu was offered and the varieties were endless. I poured over (pun intended) Chinese greens, Japanese senchas, darjeelings and more. I finally settled on a Darjeeling from India and waited in patience for the experience to begin. Soon after, a parade of tarts, sandwiches, scones and clotted cream began to arrive. My favorite was the smoked salmon sandwich paired with the elegant and smooth taste of the Darjeeling tea. But, I can’t deny my love of everything sweet as well. If you can get a reservation here, do it – you’ll love every moment.

Located within the walls of a house that was built in 1846 and sitting inside Hong Kong Park, visitors of the Flagstaff House and Museum of Teaware can take-in iterations of tea culture, including teapots designed by artists and others who interpret the art of tea in fun and interesting ways. Perusing through the rooms and exhibitions, you can see tea pots old and new – some with ties way back to varying Chinese dynasties. Local artists have designed unique pieces that are both functional and works of art. You can purchase tea pots and cups, or sit in the cafe at the nearby LockCha Teahouse with friends and sip your favorite infusion. LockCha is elegant and offers a detailed and educational look at tea. You won’t find anything boring here, but varieties for aficionados who are interested in Chinese tea. This is probably one of my favorite experiences in the city.