During our big “Around The World in 80 Days” trip, we were lucky enough to stay at the Peninsula Hong Kong, one of the grande dame hotels of the east. Although I loved everything about the hotel- including the funky Felix bar- what really stood out for me was the technology. The Peninsula is one of the few hotel groups that put an enormous amount of thought about how a guest uses a room. Bedside controls can dim the lights, turn them on and off and control the curtains (how many times have you found yourself fumbling with the lights in a new hotel room?). I also loved the innovative (but completely simple) Valet Box, a locked enclosure between the guest room and the hallway where staff can place newspapers and freshly shined shoes without disturbing guests.

Hong Kong used to be the place where we people travelled to buy cut-rate suits. Although you'd be hard pressed to find a decent suit for under £200 here (if that's what you're looking for, go to Shanghai instead), there are a million and one better reasons to come to Hong Kong than suits. We love the city for its juxtaposition of old alleys next to shiny new skyscrapers, shopping, culture and sleek restaurants””not to mention its frenetic buzz.  Hong Kong is also one of the most elegant metropolises on the planet; when you want to escape the chaos of the city, take the tram to Victoria Peak or do like the ex-pats do, and take a boat to a neighbouring island and chill out on the beach. When it comes to shopping, Hong Kong truly has it all, from upscale designer boutiques to little stores in random office buildings where a little digging will unearth designer bargains. And if you're really serious about shopping in the city, time your trip to visit during Hong Kong's shopping festival, where even more bargains can be found.

It's a hotel.  It's an apartment. It's “home.” If I were to move to Hong Kong tomorrow, I want to move into a suite at the JIA Hotel. A few nights at the JIA actually felt like something between staying at home and staying in a hotel.  The experience, of course, made me feel less like a tourist and more like myself, especially after several long flights and consecutive nights in sterile mega-hotels in Asia. For this, I am most grateful.