5 Unforgettable Nights in Hong Kong: Our Sha Tin Adventure
After more than a months on the road, we finally embarked on our last destination. Our last stop is Hong Kong and making the Marriott Courtyard Sha Tin our home base for five incredible nights. Located in the New Territories, this hotel turned out to be the perfect launching pad for exploring both the bustling urban center and some of Hong Kong’s more peaceful corners.
Day 1: Settling into Sha Tin
After a long flight, the warm welcome at the Marriott Courtyard was exactly what we needed. The hotel’s modern lobby gave way to a spacious room with views of the Shing Mun River. Though tempted to collapse into the plush bedding, we fought the urge by exploring our immediate surroundings.
Sha Tin is a fascinating blend of old and new Hong Kong. We wandered through the New Town Plaza mall (conveniently connected to the MTR station) before finding a local restaurant where we enjoyed our first authentic Hong Kong meal. The Hong Kong iced milk tea, pineapple bun at 8PM and an assortment of dishes was just what we needed. The hotel’s proximity to the MTR made it incredibly easy to navigate—a feature we’d come to appreciate more each day.
Day 2: Hong Kong Island Highlights & Remote Work Balance
Thanks to our Marriott Platinum status, we started the day with a complimentary breakfast at the hotel’s buffet. The spread was impressive—everything from Western favorites to local specialties like congee with all the fixings. Fueling up for free each morning definitely helped our travel budget!
While I explored Central Hong Kong in the morning, Ange set up her remote workspace in our room. The hotel’s reliable WiFi and comfortable desk area made it easy for her to connect with colleagues back home despite the time difference.
By afternoon, Ange wrapped up her work calls, and we headed out together. We spent hours wandering through small bakeries, sampling everything from egg tarts to pineapple buns. Our quest for the perfect baked goods took us through narrow streets filled with enticing aromas, and we returned to the hotel with bags of treats to enjoy later.
Day 3: Family Connections & Local Flavors
Today was special as we visited Ange’s grandparents in their Hong Kong neighborhood. Watching her reconnect with family and hearing stories of how the city has changed over decades added a meaningful dimension to our trip that no tourist experience could match.
Her grandparents insisted on taking us to their favorite local restaurant where we tried mantis pigeon for the first time—a delicious delicacy we’d been eager to taste. The complex preparation and sweet, tender meat lived up to the hype. However, before the meal it is always a scene to watch Ange’s grandma cleaning each bowl and utensil with the hot tea in the big bowl. Something that we do not see everyday and always mesmerizes us when she does it with such ease.
Day 4: Café Hopping & Urban Exploration
While Ange had another morning of remote work, I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and caught up on some reading by the window overlooking the river. Once she finished her meetings, we embarked on our planned café tour.
Hong Kong’s café scene blends influences from traditional tea culture, British colonial history, and modern international trends. We visited four distinctly different cafés throughout the day:
- A minimalist spot specializing in hand-dripped coffee
- A nostalgic cha chaan teng with its famous milk tea and egg sandwiches
- An Instagram-worthy location with elaborate latte art
- A hidden gem recommended by locals where we discovered yuenyeung (coffee-tea mix)
Between café stops, we explored the vibrant neighborhoods of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, hunting for more bakeries to add to our growing list of favorites.
Day 5: Local Flavor and Farewell
for our final day, Ange wrapped up her remote work commitments early, and we decided to explore more of Sha Tin itself. The Heritage Museum provided fascinating insights into Hong Kong’s cultural history, and a stroll along the riverside promenade gave us time to reflect on our journey.
We made one final bakery pilgrimage, revisiting our favorite spots to stock up on treats for the journey home. On our last night, we sat on the outdoor terrace watching the sun set over the river, we toasted to five perfect nights in Hong Kong.
Choosing to stay outside the main tourist areas turned out to be one of our best decisions. The Marriott Courtyard Sha Tin offered:
- Spacious rooms at a better value than downtown hotels
- Easy MTR access to all major attractions
- A peaceful retreat after busy sightseeing days
- Excellent dining options on-site
- Free and substantial breakfast buffet with our Platinum status
- Reliable WiFi and workspace for remote working needs
- Friendly staff with great local recommendations
- Beautiful river views and walking paths
While some might prefer staying on Hong Kong Island to be closer to certain attractions, we found the short MTR ride a small price to pay for the comfort and value the Marriott Courtyard provided.
Hong Kong captured our hearts with its perfect blend of urban energy, family connections, and incredible food culture. Our quest for the city’s best baked goods and cafés gave us a unique lens through which to experience this dynamic destination. Five nights barely scratched the surface of what Hong Kong has to offer, but it was enough to ensure we’ll be back—and when we return, we know exactly where we’ll be staying.
