HONG KONG - The large glass door guarding the entrance to the Mandarin Oriental’s posh Landmark Hong Kong Hotel swings open and out pops a man wearing an emoji happy face smile and holding a frosty bottle of water.

HONG KONG - This city takes a physical toll on most visitors. Whether you're climbing the steep streets of Central District to reach the charming colonial neighbourhoods at Mid-Levels, or exploring the bustling markets that fan out from the base of Hong Kong's world famous escalator, or partying to the wee hours in the famed ex-pats playground of Lan Kwai Fong, you usually arrive back at your hotel exhausted.

HONG KONG - This fascinating city is exhausting for the first-time visitor, as my travelling companion and I discovered on a short stay recently.