We are the active senior couple who were going to split a week in mid August between Hong Kong and Taipei, but thanks to some good forum advice, will now stay in Hong Kong. We do need some help: what area is mosts convenient for tourists, assuming a mid-priced hotel, how much time to give Macau, and what are the must-do/must-see things in Hong Kong. We know about the shopping, but it is not our greatest interest.
One week in Hong Kong
Hi - good idea to spend the whole time in Hong Kong. Lots to see and do.
Buy an Octopus card (for use on all mass transit and ferries)
Get a very detailed map book
Carry an umbrella at all times
Don't go on tours - if you just go off on your own you'll have loads of fun getting lost, finding where you wanted to go, figuring out the transportation and bumping into a lot of people (literally!)
Visit "Joyce Is Not Here" and say hello to Rob and Joyce for us!
Here's the official tourism website which gives all the things to do.
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/usa/
Here's my travelblog from when we lived there to give you an idea of what it's like there, where to go, how to get there, etc:
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/dancywalden/
Cheap fun:
ride the double decker buses, sit up front on top
ride the trolley from beginning to end
if you like to hike, then hike up to Victoria peak (kind of strenuous but it is paved)
walking tour of Sheung Wan (you'll get lost and mixed up but it gives you an idea of what old HK was like)
eat at the small local Chinese places (not much English spoken but they will try to be helpful with the menu - the best food and cheapest in HK is at the small non-touristy places)
take the bus to Stanley
Take the ferry to Lamma Island and have a seafood dinner
For craziness go to Lan Kwai Fong to watch the drunken fools party
take the ferry to Kowloon (if you are staying on the island) then take a double decker bus up to Mong Kok to the street markets
take the MTR back to the island
take the ferry to Macau for the day and visit the outlying areas too - go gambling if you like (not for me)
take the ferry to Lantau, then bus to the giant buddha and have a vegetarian lunch
Lots of ideas in my blog and for the most part I detailed the bus numbers, times, and all that stuff.
As for where to stay, most stay on the Kowloon side close to the harbor - many to choose from. If you want to stay on the island there are fewer choices. There was a nice hotel down the block from where we lived if you want to immerse yourself in the real daily life of Hong Kong. Many people stay in Wan Chai but it is not a central spot. Better to either choose Kowloon like I said, or Central, or Sheung Wan.
Here is the official gov't website for hotels:
http://www.hadla.gov.hk/english/
Here's the info on the hotel in Sheung Wan:
Name: CENTRAL PARK HOTEL
Address: LG/F(Portion), G/F(Portion), 1/F, 2/F,M/F(Portion),3/F to 12/F,15/F to 23/F, 25/F,263 Hollywood Road, Sheu
District: Central & Western District
Type: Hotel
Room: 148
Tel: 2850 8899
Fax: 3472 8888
Email address: Not supplied by operator
Other helpful links:
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/cust_index.html
http://www.kcrc.com/eng/index.html
http://www.kmb.hk/english.php
Have fun - and let me know if you need any help!
Martha