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Creative Concierge: Edward Ma, The Langham, Hong Kong

Every week we’ll introduce you to a talented concierge from one of our hotel partners to give you their top 10 insider tips.

Every week we’ll introduce you to a talented concierge from one of our hotel partners to give you their top 10 insider tips.

 

This week we meet Mr. Edward Ma, Chief Concierge, The Langham Hong Kong, who is sharing his travel tips to Hong Kong.

What is your favorite thing about your hotel?

One of my favourite things about the hotel is working with my colleagues. They’re dedicated, professional and passionate, which inspires me to perform to the best of my ability.

Now that the hotel has recently unveiled a USD30 million facelift, it’s an additional incentive for my colleagues, including myself, to get excited about and share with our guests.

What do you love most about your job?

One of the things I love is meeting people from all around the world. Learning about where our guests are coming from and going to, allows me to build a rapport and understand them better. I also get to learn about the different cultures and nationalities.

Tell us about your favorite memory!

One of my favorite memories as a concierge was when a guest from Thailand wanted to purchase a limited edition luxury handbag for his wife. I contacted the shop manager, also a friend of mine, to see if it was available, but unfortunately there was a two year waiting list. Three months later, the shop manager called me and said he was able to reserve the handbag but only for the next two days.

I immediately called the guest, who was back in Thailand, to let him know whereby he requested that I book him a room and make his flight arrangements. That day, he came back to The Langham, Hong Kong, purchased the handbag for his wife and personally thanked me.

What question is the one you’re getting asked the most?

I’m most regularly asked how to pronounce my surname, particularly for first time visitors.

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What is the most common thing for people to forget in the hotel?

It’s their cell phone or charger.

What’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?

Once I was asked where to find a local funeral home.

What’s your recommendation to your guests? What should they definitely do while staying in your hotel?

I encourage all our guests to eat at our two-starred Michelin Cantonese restaurant, T’ang Court. It’s a must, and has built a reputation for serving one of the best authentic Chinese cuisines. For outside attractions, I recommend guests to visit the Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery in Lantau Island via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. It has magnificent views of Hong Kong.

Don’t leave without eating or drinking our afternoon tea at Palm Court, the lobby lounge. The venue was part of the USD 30million refurbishment that we just completed. We also acquired a talented Executive Pastry Chef who designed a menu inspired by the Wedgwood chinaware that was exclusive made for The Langham. Our cocktails at the Artesian are also something to experience before departing. It has over 52 different bourbons and 34 varieties of gins, along with a long list of classic cocktails. Hong Kong edible favourites also include the egg tart, Hong Kong style waffles and of course dim sum!

What do you do when you get a day off?

You’ll find me sunbathing at Shek-O beach and practicing Muay Thai boxing.

Do you have any recommendation where to go shopping in Hong Kong?

I recommend that keen shoppers visit the Ladies Market, Horizon Plaza, PMQ Central and Hollywood Road.

What are your travel tips for Hong Kong?