Chapters
“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other places, other lives, other souls.” – Anais Nin
There are plenty of different options when it comes to finding accommodation in Hong Kong. Some are more costly than others, but you should be able to find something that’s right for you. Similarly, a lot of hotels in Hong Kong has been largely unused during the pandemic. While hotels are the most obvious choice for tourists in Hong Kong, they’re not the only one. There are also hostels, Bnbs, and holiday flats. So which should you choose? Which are the best neighbourhoods to stay in? Which are the best places to stay if you’re looking to go out or enjoy shopping? If you've decided to visit Hong Kong or have to travel there for work, there are a few things you should know before you go.
Choosing Accommodation by Neighbourhood
With 7 million inhabitants, Hong Kong is a pretty big place. Similarly, many people visit every year, making tourism an important earner for the destination.
- Central Business District: As the name indicates, this is essentially Hong Kong’s city centre. The good thing about staying here is that you’ll be near to a lot of good bars and restaurants. As it’s so central, it’s very easy to visit other parts of the city, too.
- Tsim Sha Tsui: This area is rather touristy and is part of Hong Kong where you can expect to see prices shoot up. There are boutique hotels, skyscrapers, and Victoria Harbour, where you can enjoy a beautiful light show every evening. It’s also an excellent place to go shopping.
- Wan Chai: This part of Hong Kong feels more authentic. You can find markets and part of Hong Kong that feels more Asian.
- Mong Kok: This part of Hong Kong feels like the real deal. There’s everything from shopping centres to typical little shops and restaurants. It’s a great place to get an authentic experience of Hong Kong.
- You can also look for accommodation in neighbourhoods such as Jordan and Yau Ma Tei if you want to experience local Hong Kong life. You can also enjoy the Temple Street Night Market if you’re looking for local specialities and produce.
- Soho: This is home to a lot of Hong Kong’s best nightlife. That said, it’s also quite lively during the day.
Once you’ve worked out which part of Hong Kong you’d like to stay in, you can start comparing accommodation. Keep in mind that you might want good access to public transport. Find out more about visiting Hong Kong
Choosing Accommodation by Price
With all the different types of accommodation available, there’s something for everyone and every budget. Generally, the cost of living in Hong Kong is cheaper than in London.
Hotels in Hong Kong
Whether you’re looking for a chain hotel, guesthouses, boutique hotels, or luxury hotels, there are hotels for all budgets. More often than not, these hotels will display their nightly rates in the lobby, but you can also look to haggle in certain places. In the low season, prices are far more negotiable. Of course, during popular times, such as Chinese New Year, you may just have to take what you can get. A twin room is known as a shuangrenjian. You can also get single rooms (danrenjian) or double rooms (dachuang). On average, a hotel room will cost around £40 to £50 a night. It isn’t always cheaper than in the UK, but, in many cases, it’ll be worth it.
Guest Houses
If you’re trying to save money on accommodation, guest houses are a good choice. These are almost as common as hotels and you can find accredited ones on Hong Kong’s government website. This type of accommodation is often safe and clean and available for around £30 a night. Again, the prices can vary wildly across the seasons, but they are a good option for those on a budget.
Youth Hostels
Don’t forget about youth hostels. When it comes to travelling on a budget, these are the go-to places for backpackers. Hong Kong has many of them where you can get a bed for around £10 a night.
Holiday Apartments
Seasonal and short-term rents are available in Hong Kong. Whether it’s flats or entire homes, you can find all sorts of holiday rents across Hong Kong from the centre to Kowloon. From our research, the average rates seem to be around £80 a night, but there are so many different types of places that this amount isn’t that representative. That said, this type of accommodation will allow you to see Hong Kong differently.
Activities
Much like when choosing accommodation according to the neighbourhood, you can also choose your accommodation according to what you want to do in Hong Kong. Think carefully about what you want to do when you’re there and whether it’ll be possible with the accommodation you choose. Find Mandarin courses London here on Superprof.
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