Hong Kong is skyscrapers right down to the water’s edge, green mountains rising just behind them and a harbour that ferries cross from early morning until late at night. Victoria Harbour splits the city in two, with Hong Kong Island to the south and Kowloon to the north, and the two sides make for two quite different stays.
That’s why your choice of area matters more here than in most big cities. It decides your view, your journey from the airport and, not least, how many square metres you get for your money. Here are my six recommendations for where to stay in Hong Kong, with hotels across several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Hong Kong
- Tsim Sha Tsui - best area for first-time visitors and harbour views
- Central - best area for luxury, restaurants and an easy arrival from the airport
- Sheung Wan - best area for cafés, galleries and quiet evenings close to Central
- Wan Chai - best area for more hotel for your money on Hong Kong Island
- Causeway Bay - best area for shopping and late nights
- Mong Kok & Yau Ma Tei - best area for markets, street food and low prices
Below, I’ll take you through the six areas one by one, with hotels in three price ranges. Two things are worth knowing in advance. The first is that you don’t need to worry about choosing the wrong side of the harbour, because the MTR runs under it and the Star Ferry sails across it all day long. The second is the size of the rooms. In Hong Kong, 15 to 20 m² is perfectly normal at a mid-range hotel, and the cheapest rooms are down at 10 to 12 m². That’s why I’ve noted the room size for each hotel, so you know what you’re booking.
1. Tsim Sha Tsui - best area for first-time visitors and harbour views 🌃
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying at the tip of Kowloon, directly across the water from Central. It’s two stops on the MTR or a short crossing on the Star Ferry.
- 🚇 Transport: The MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui stations, plus the Star Ferry to Central and Wan Chai.
- ✈️ Time from Hong Kong Airport: 22 minutes on the Airport Express to Kowloon Station, followed by a short taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: Everything from hostels and guesthouses on Nathan Road to some of the city’s most expensive hotels by the harbour.
- 👮 Safety: Safe and full of people all day. Keep an eye on your bag and phone in the crowds on Nathan Road and along the promenade.
Tsim Sha Tsui is my first choice for a first trip to Hong Kong. You’ll be staying at the tip of Kowloon, looking across the water to the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island, and that’s exactly the view most people associate with the city. Locals simply call the area TST.
The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade runs along the water, starting at the Clock Tower by the Star Ferry pier and continuing past Tsim Sha Tsui East towards Hung Hom. From here, you can take in the whole skyline at once, and an evening stroll costs nothing. Behind the promenade is Nathan Road, with shops, places to eat and a dense network of side streets.
The transport is just as good as the view. Central is two stops away on the MTR, and the Star Ferry sails from the pier to both Central and Wan Chai for a few Hong Kong dollars. I’d take the ferry at least once a day, because it’s transport and an outing in one, and you can pay with an Octopus card at the entrance.
See hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui here.
From the airport, the Airport Express reaches Kowloon Station in 22 minutes, according to the MTR’s journey time guide. The station is just over a kilometre from Nathan Road as the crow flies, so the last stretch is easiest by taxi. That’s a little more hassle than in Central, where the train stops in the middle of the area.
The price you pay is the crowds. Nathan Road is packed with people for most of the day, and the cheapest rooms are in guesthouses inside large, older buildings where space is very tight. If you’re sensitive to noise and small rooms, I’d pay a little more for a proper hotel. All three suggestions below are within walking distance of an MTR station.
Places to Stay in Tsim Sha Tsui
The Peninsula Hong Kong - classic luxury address facing the harbour
The Peninsula is my suggestion if you want your trip to include one hotel you’ll remember. It’s on Salisbury Road facing the harbour, around 300 metres from the MTR station and a five-minute walk from the Star Ferry. The standard rooms measure 41 m², and that’s a lot in Hong Kong.
There’s an indoor pool with a view, a spa, a gym, a restaurant and a bar. I’d choose it for a special occasion or for the last nights of a longer trip. If you want to see the harbour from your room, you’ll need to pick one of the Harbour View categories. One guest mentions that the lobby can be full of visitors taking photos.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view from the room over Victoria Harbour was spectacular.”
See photos and book The Peninsula Hong Kong here.
Page148, Page Hotels - mid-range hotel with a café on Austin Road
Page148 is on Austin Road at the northern end of Tsim Sha Tsui, around 500 metres from Jordan Station. The standard rooms measure 18 to 23 m², and the hotel has a restaurant and a café.
It suits a couple who want a proper hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui without paying harbourfront prices. The promenade is around a quarter of an hour’s walk away, so this isn’t the place if you want the view right outside the door. A few guests find the rooms small for the price, and neither a pool nor a gym is listed among the hotel’s facilities.
One guest highlights the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were fantastic and very helpful.”
See photos and book Page148, Page Hotels here.
Hop Inn - hostel with private rooms close to two MTR stations
Hop Inn is my budget suggestion in Tsim Sha Tsui, and you should know that it’s a hostel. It’s on the 5th floor of a building on Mody Road, around 300 metres from East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and 400 metres from Tsim Sha Tsui Station, and has both dormitories and private rooms.
The private double rooms are around 11 m², and the twin room has a bunk bed. That’s why it suits you best if you travel light and are out for most of the day. On the plus side, there’s a shared kitchen and a lounge. One guest mentions that the place was hard to find.
Here’s how one guest describes the place on Booking.com: “Good facilities for a hostel, including a common area with seating as well as free water and coffee.”
See photos and book Hop Inn here.
2. Central - best area for luxury, restaurants and an easy arrival from the airport 🏙️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the city’s business district on the north side of Hong Kong Island.
- 🚇 Transport: The MTR from Central Station, trams, the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui and the Peak Tram up to The Peak.
- ✈️ Time from Hong Kong Airport: 24 minutes on the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, which is connected to Central Station.
- 💰 Price range: The most expensive area in the city. There are few hotels below mid-range.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. Weekend nights around Lan Kwai Fong are noisy, so choose a room on a high floor or a street further away.
Central is Hong Kong’s business district and the most expensive place to stay in the city. Here, the banks’ towers stand side by side with luxury hotels and shopping centres, and just behind them the streets climb steeply towards the Mid-Levels. The area suits you if you want restaurants, bars and sights within walking distance and have the budget for it.
The big practical advantage is the journey from the airport. The Airport Express reaches Hong Kong Station in 24 minutes, as the airport’s own overview shows, and the station is connected to Central Station, where you change to the MTR. At Hong Kong Station, you can also drop off your suitcase long before your flight home. The service is called In-town Check-in and only covers selected airlines, so check the list before you count on it.
In the evening, lots of people gather in Lan Kwai Fong and the streets leading up to Hollywood Road, where bars and restaurants are packed close together. It’s fun to have right outside the door, but it gets noisy at weekends, and guests at the nearest hotels mention the music. Ask for a room on a high floor, or stay a couple of streets away, if you’re a light sleeper.
The Peak Tram runs from Garden Road up to The Peak, and the Star Ferry sails from the ferry piers to Tsim Sha Tsui. That means you can reach the city’s two best-known views directly from here. The tram along the island’s north shore stops in Central as well.
The price is the big catch. Even my cheapest suggestion in Central costs more than a good mid-range hotel in Kowloon, and the rooms don’t get any bigger for it. If you want the location without the bill, Sheung Wan and Wan Chai are the obvious alternatives, one or two MTR stops away.
Places to Stay in Central
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong - classic luxury right by Central Station
The Mandarin Oriental is on Connaught Road in the middle of Central, just over 100 metres from Central Station. The rooms measure 40 m² and come with views of the city, Statue Square or the harbour, and the hotel has an indoor pool, a spa and several restaurants.
The hotel is for you if you want to walk to most things in Central and take the MTR to the rest. It’s expensive, even by Hong Kong standards. The pool is small, according to one guest, and another with a harbour view on a low floor was disappointed by what was in front of the window, so ask for a room on a high floor.
One guest says of the rooms on Booking.com: “The rooms are spacious, clean and extremely comfortable.”
See photos and book Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong here.
Hotel Madera Hollywood - large suites on Hollywood Road
Hotel Madera Hollywood is on Hollywood Road in the western part of Central, and every room here is a suite. The smallest measure 54 m² and the largest 70 m², with a seating area and a dining area. That’s rare in a city where an ordinary hotel room is often less than half that size.
It’s my suggestion for a couple or a small family who want space and a base right among the restaurants and bars. There’s a gym, but neither a pool nor a restaurant is listed among the facilities. Sheung Wan Station is just under 600 metres away, and one guest mentions noise from the bars on Friday and Saturday nights.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Comfortable, spacious and well-equipped room.”
See photos and book Hotel Madera Hollywood here.
Butterfly on Wellington - affordable choice in the middle of Central
Butterfly on Wellington is the cheapest of my three suggestions in Central. It’s on Wellington Street, surrounded by restaurants and cafés, and the standard rooms measure 20 to 23 m². There are also family rooms of 35 to 46 m².
You get a clean, simple hotel without much in the way of extras: no restaurant, pool or gym is mentioned among the facilities. Choose it if the location matters more than what the hotel itself offers. It’s around 800 metres to Hong Kong Station and the Airport Express, and guests mention slow lifts and rather thin walls.
One guest writes about the room on Booking.com: “The room was bright and airy and spotlessly clean.”
See photos and book Butterfly on Wellington here.
3. Sheung Wan - best area for cafés, galleries and quiet evenings close to Central ☕
- 📍 Distance from the centre: One MTR stop west of Central, or around 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
- 🚇 Transport: The MTR from Sheung Wan Station, trams, and ferries to Macau from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal.
- ✈️ Time from Hong Kong Airport: 24 minutes on the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, followed by a short taxi ride or one stop on the MTR from Central.
- 💰 Price range: From simple city hotels to expensive apartment suites. The cheapest cost less than in Central.
- 👮 Safety: Safe and quiet in the evening. The streets up towards Hollywood Road are steep and have lots of steps.
Sheung Wan is just west of Central, but the atmosphere is different. The streets are narrower, and small cafés, galleries and shops sit between the offices. I’d choose the area if you want to be able to walk to Central in a quarter of an hour and still come back to a neighbourhood that winds down in the evening.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board refers to Central and Sheung Wan together as Old Town Central and describes it as one of the city’s oldest and liveliest neighbourhoods, where historic temples sit side by side with modern galleries. Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road is one of the sights here, and the streets around it are good for a morning on foot.
See hotels in Sheung Wan here.
It’s easy to get around from here. Sheung Wan Station is one stop from Central, and the tram runs through the area. If you’re heading on to Macau, the ferries leave from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in the Shun Tak Centre down by the harbour. Coming from the airport, it’s the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station and a short taxi ride from there.
The hotels here are generally smaller than in Central, and none of my three suggestions has a pool. On the other hand, you’ll find apartment hotels with kitchens, which is handy on a longer trip or with children. The cheapest hotels also cost less than in Central.
Expect hills. South of Queen’s Road, the streets climb steeply with lots of steps, and you’ll feel it with a suitcase or a pushchair. Stay down around Bonham Strand and Jervois Street if you want a short walk to the MTR. The nightlife is more low-key too, so night owls are better off in Central or Causeway Bay.
Places to Stay in Sheung Wan
The Jervois - large suites with space to live as you would in an apartment
The Jervois is a five-star apartment hotel on Jervois Street, around 250 metres from Sheung Wan Station. The one-bedroom suite measures 65 m², and there’s also a two-bedroom suite of 139 m². Some suites have a kitchenette, and the hotel has a self-service laundry and a gym.
I’d choose it for a family or for a longer stay, where space and being able to cook for yourself matter more than a restaurant and room service. One guest says outright that the place is more apartment than hotel, and another mentions that the furniture is showing a little wear.
One guest describes the suite on Booking.com: “The one-bedroom suite is spacious and feels more like an apartment than a hotel room.”
See photos and book The Jervois here.
Motto by Hilton Hong Kong Soho - chain hotel with rooms that can be connected
Motto by Hilton is also on Jervois Street, just over 200 metres from Sheung Wan Station, and has a restaurant, a bar and a gym. The standard rooms measure 20 m², and several of them can be connected into sets of three or four rooms, so a family or a group of friends can stay door to door.
It’s a good option for a couple who want a chain hotel within walking distance of both Central and the cafés of Sheung Wan. Choose one of the categories with a city or sea view if the view matters to you. One guest recommends skipping the included breakfast and eating out.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was small but nice and clean, and it had a fantastic view and a comfortable bed.”
See photos and book Motto by Hilton Hong Kong Soho here.
iclub Sheung Wan Hotel - simple hotel on Bonham Strand
iclub Sheung Wan is my budget suggestion in the area. It’s on Bonham Strand, around 350 metres from Sheung Wan Station, and the rooms measure 17 to 22 m². There’s a gym that’s open around the clock, a shared lounge and vending machines with snacks and drinks, but no restaurant.
It works best for a short city break where the hotel mainly needs to be a clean place to sleep. Don’t expect much service. One guest had problems with the Wi-Fi and had to ring reception themselves for more toilet paper.
Short and to the point from one guest on Booking.com: “The hotel was clean and close to the MTR.”
See photos and book iclub Sheung Wan Hotel here.
4. Wan Chai - best area for more hotel for your money on Hong Kong Island 🚋
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Two stops east of Central on the MTR.
- 🚇 Transport: The MTR from Wan Chai Station, trams and the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui.
- ✈️ Time from Hong Kong Airport: 24 minutes on the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, followed by two stops on the MTR from Central or a short taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: A wide choice in the mid-range and a couple of large luxury hotels by the water.
- 👮 Safety: Safe, in the evening too. Take care when you cross the tram tracks on the busy main streets.
Wan Chai is two MTR stops east of Central, and it’s my pick if you want to stay on Hong Kong Island without paying Central prices. A five-star hotel here often costs about the same as my cheapest suggestion in Central.
The area has two faces. By the water, you’ll find the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the big hotels, and the Star Ferry sails across to Tsim Sha Tsui from here. Further in, around Hennessy Road and Queen’s Road East, the streets are denser, the hotels smaller and the prices lower.
Running through it all is the tram, which locals call the ding ding. It’s been running since 1904, and according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s guide to the tram, it’s ideal for the ride between Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. You pay with an Octopus card, a credit card or coins, and I’d head for the upper deck.
When you land at the airport, take the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station and continue two stops on the MTR or take a short taxi ride. From Wan Chai, it’s also just one stop further to Causeway Bay, so you can reach both the restaurants of Central and the shops of Causeway Bay without changing.
Wan Chai has neither the view from Tsim Sha Tsui nor the atmosphere of Sheung Wan, and it’s a practical choice more than a romantic one. If you stay right down by the water, it’s also a fair walk to the shops and the MTR, so look at the map before you choose a hotel.
Places to Stay in Wan Chai
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong - large luxury hotel by the harbour with a 50-metre pool
The Grand Hyatt is on Harbour Road down by the water, close to the convention centre. The harbour view rooms measure 40 m², and the hotel has a heated 50-metre outdoor pool, a spa, a tennis court and restaurants serving Cantonese and Italian food, among other cuisines.
This is where it makes sense to pay extra if you want the hotel’s facilities to be part of your holiday. It’s around 450 metres to Exhibition Centre Station. The drawbacks are that the shops are some way off, that the pool closes at sunset according to one guest, and that the harbour view from the lower floors can be blocked by the convention centre.
One guest highlights the breakfast on Booking.com: “The breakfast was excellent.”
See photos and book Grand Hyatt Hong Kong here.
Hopewell Hotel - five stars at a mid-range price
Hopewell Hotel is on Kennedy Road in the southern part of Wan Chai, around 600 metres from Wan Chai Station. The rooms start at 30 m², and the larger ones measure 38 m² with views of the city or the harbour. There’s a seasonal outdoor pool, a gym and restaurants.
It’s the hotel in this guide where I think you get the most for your money: five stars, large rooms and very good reviews at a price on a par with the mid-range. Guests complain most about the lifts, which are slow and involve a change along the way, and one doesn’t think the pool area is anything special.
Here’s what one guest says on Booking.com: “Large room and close to the MTR, shops and restaurants.”
See photos and book Hopewell Hotel here.
Burlington Hotel - affordable hotel on Hennessy Road
Burlington Hotel is on Hennessy Road, around 300 metres from Wan Chai Station, and it’s my budget suggestion in Wan Chai. The rooms are soundproofed, and there’s gym equipment for hotel guests.
Here, you need to check the room size before you book. The smallest double room is 11 m², and one guest calls it too small for two people, so I’d go up one or two categories to 14 to 18 m². The hotel has neither a restaurant nor breakfast, so plan on eating out.
One guest praises the decor on Booking.com: “The rooms are modern, and the bathroom is lovely with a large shower.”
See photos and book Burlington Hotel here.
5. Causeway Bay - best area for shopping and late nights 🛍️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Three stops east of Central on the MTR.
- 🚇 Transport: The MTR from Causeway Bay Station and trams.
- ✈️ Time from Hong Kong Airport: 24 minutes on the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, followed by three stops on the MTR from Central or a taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: Mostly mid-range. The area has none of the city’s most expensive luxury hotels.
- 👮 Safety: Safe, but very crowded at weekends. Keep an eye on your bag and phone in the crowds.
Causeway Bay is the big shopping district on Hong Kong Island, three MTR stops east of Central. Department stores, shopping centres such as Times Square and whole streets of shops are packed close together, and there are people about until late in the evening. It’s the area for you if you want to shop and eat without thinking about transport.
When it all gets too much, Victoria Park is on the eastern edge of the area, with a lawn, football pitches and a tennis centre. The park is a good place to catch your breath between the shops, and it’s where I’d go for a morning walk.
See hotels in Causeway Bay here.
The MTR and the tram both run through the area. From the airport, it’s the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station and then three stops on the MTR from Central. If you’re going to Tsim Sha Tsui, you change at Admiralty. That makes the Kowloon harbourfront a little further away from here than from Central and Wan Chai.
The hotel market is different from the rest of the city. Causeway Bay has none of the really expensive luxury hotels, so the jump from mid-range to the top is smaller here. The cheapest beds, on the other hand, are often in guesthouses on a single floor of a residential block, where a room for two can be 8 m². My three suggestions are all proper hotels.
Be prepared for lots of people. At weekends, the pavements are packed, and the neighbourhood doesn’t quieten down until late. If you want harbour views or quiet streets, Causeway Bay isn’t the place. If, on the other hand, you want as much life as possible right outside the door on Hong Kong Island, this is where to stay.
Places to Stay in Causeway Bay
Lanson Place Causeway Bay - boutique hotel with large rooms
Lanson Place is the hotel I’d choose in Causeway Bay if your budget stretches to it. It’s on Leighton Road, around 350 metres from Causeway Bay Station, and the standard rooms measure 35 to 40 m². There’s a restaurant, a bar and a gym, and the larger categories are studios and one-bedroom suites.
The hotel suits you if you want space and soundproofed rooms and still want to walk to the shops. There’s no pool among the facilities. One guest describes the street right around the hotel as a little dull but praises the short distance to the MTR.
One guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “It feels like an oasis in the middle of Hong Kong.”
See photos and book Lanson Place Causeway Bay here.
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay by IHG - rooftop pool and rooms overlooking the racecourse
The Crowne Plaza is at the other end of Leighton Road, just under 500 metres from Causeway Bay Station. The rooms measure 34 m², some with views of the racecourse, and there’s a seasonal outdoor pool on the roof. The hotel also has a gym and restaurants.
It’s the choice for you if you want a large international hotel with a pool close to the shopping streets. The price is only a little below Lanson Place, because in Causeway Bay the gap between mid-range and the top is small. A few guests are disappointed by the selection at the breakfast buffet.
One guest writes about the pool on Booking.com: “The pool was lovely and had a fantastic view.”
See photos and book Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay by IHG here.
Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Causeway Bay by IHG - simple chain hotel by Times Square with breakfast included
The Holiday Inn Express is on Sharp Street East by Times Square, around 400 metres from Causeway Bay Station. The rooms measure 17 to 21 m², and breakfast is included in the price. There’s a gym but no pool.
It’s my budget suggestion because you get a familiar standard and a very central address. Breakfast is a simple menu with four options, and several guests find it too small, so expect to top it up at a café nearby.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was fantastic, and the reception staff were so helpful and kind.”
See photos and book Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Causeway Bay by IHG here.
6. Mong Kok & Yau Ma Tei - best area for markets, street food and low prices 🏮
- 📍 Distance from the centre: North of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. It’s four stops on the MTR from Yau Ma Tei to Central, and five from Mong Kok.
- 🚇 Transport: The MTR from Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei stations. You can cover the rest on foot along Nathan Road.
- ✈️ Time from Hong Kong Airport: 22 minutes on the Airport Express to Kowloon Station, followed by a taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: The lowest hotel prices of the six areas in this guide.
- 👮 Safety: Safe, but with heavy traffic and crowds until late. Keep an eye on your pockets and bag at the markets.
Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei are north of Tsim Sha Tsui along Nathan Road, and this is Hong Kong at its densest. Signs hang out over the streets, the shops stay open late, and there’s food on every corner. It’s the area for you if you want markets and street food right outside the door and can do without the harbour view.
In Mong Kok, you’ll find the Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street, with clothes, jewellery, toys and souvenirs. Further south, where Yau Ma Tei merges into Jordan, is Temple Street Night Market. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, it comes alive when the sun goes down, with stalls, fortune tellers and local dishes such as claypot rice and fish balls. You can walk between the two markets in around 20 minutes.
See hotels in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei here.
The prices are the other reason to stay here. The area’s five-star hotel often costs roughly the same as my cheapest suggestion in Central. In other words, you get more hotel for your money if you can live with the noise.
It’s quick to get elsewhere on the MTR. From Mong Kok, it’s three stops to Tsim Sha Tsui and five to Central on the same line, and from Yau Ma Tei it’s one stop fewer. From the airport, Kowloon Station is the nearest stop on the Airport Express, 22 minutes from the terminal, and you take a taxi for the last stretch.
The downside is the same intensity that makes the area fun. There are people and traffic everywhere from mid-morning until late in the evening, the rooms are small, and a quiet evening stroll along the water means a ride on the MTR. I’d choose the area for a short trip or a second visit to Hong Kong, and pick Tsim Sha Tsui for the first.
Places to Stay in Mong Kok & Yau Ma Tei
Cordis, Hong Kong - five-star hotel with direct access to the MTR
Cordis is on Shanghai Street in Mong Kok and has direct access to the MTR station. The standard rooms measure 26 to 29 m², and there are family rooms that sleep four as well as a two-bedroom category. There’s a heated outdoor pool on the roof, and the hotel has a spa and several restaurants.
I’d choose it for a family, or if you want the facilities of a luxury hotel at a price far below the harbourfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. You’ll be staying in the thick of the crowds, and you won’t get a harbour view. A few guests think the breakfast is too expensive for the quality.
One guest explains on Booking.com: “The hotel is connected to the MTR, so it’s very convenient, especially when you have large luggage.”
See photos and book Cordis, Hong Kong here.
The Cityview - simple hotel with a restaurant by Yau Ma Tei Station
The Cityview is on Waterloo Road in Yau Ma Tei, around 300 metres from the MTR station. The hotel belongs to the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong and has a restaurant and a café. The smallest rooms measure 14 m², the larger ones 16 to 20 m², and there are 33 m² rooms for four.
It’s a sensible choice for a family or two friends who want an affordable, decent place to stay between Mong Kok and Temple Street. Don’t count on a pool or a gym, and the beds are firm. Bring a water bottle, because according to one guest you don’t get bottled water in the room but can fill up in the lobby.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was perfect, with the MTR station just around the corner.”
See photos and book The Cityview here.
Hotel 108 - small hotel close to the market streets
Hotel 108 is on Soy Street in Mong Kok, around 600 metres from Mong Kok Station and a couple of hundred metres from the Ladies’ Market. The rooms measure 13 to 17 m², and there’s a 27 m² family room with two double beds.
It’s a simple hotel with no restaurant, pool or gym among its facilities, so choose it for the price and the location. I’d book it for a short trip where you eat out and use the room for sleeping. One guest finds the room small for the price but adds that the size is clearly stated when you book.
One guest mentions the location on Booking.com: “The location is convenient, with plenty of places to eat, even late at night.”
See photos and book Hotel 108 here.
Where should you avoid staying in Hong Kong?
I wouldn’t choose a hotel on price alone in Hong Kong. The cheapest rooms in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay are often in guesthouses on a single floor of large, older buildings, and a room for two can be as small as 8 to 10 m². That can work for a couple of nights, but read the room size and the latest reviews before you book.
I wouldn’t stay out by the airport or Disneyland on Lantau either, unless you have an early flight or you’ve only come for the theme park. The Airport Express is fast, but a trip into the city and back every day costs both time and money. The same goes for cheap hotels far from the harbour: always check the distance to the nearest MTR station before you let the price tempt you.
If I had to pick one area for a first trip, it’d be Tsim Sha Tsui for the view and the Star Ferry. Central is the choice if your budget is generous and you want the easiest arrival from the airport. Sheung Wan gives you almost the same location with more peace and quiet around the hotel.
Wan Chai and Causeway Bay are the practical choices on Hong Kong Island: the first for the price, the second for the shops. Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei give you the most city and the most hotel for your money, but also the most noise. In all six areas, remember to look at the square metres before you look at the stars.
The time of year matters too. The Hong Kong Observatory describes November and December as months with pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. May to August, by contrast, are hot and humid, and July to September are the months when tropical cyclones most often hit the city. If you’re travelling then, I’d choose a hotel close to an MTR station, so you can get around without getting wet.
Many travellers combine Hong Kong with another big city in Asia. I’ve written similar guides to where to stay in Singapore and the best areas in Bangkok if you’re heading south. If you’re continuing north-east, you can read about where to stay in Tokyo and where to stay in Seoul.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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