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If it’s your first time visiting Hong Kong and you’re not sure where to stay, don’t worry, because we’re here to help. Although Hong Kong is not a big country to visit, the neighborhood you stay in will vastly impact your trip, so it’s important to choose accommodation wisely.
When choosing where to stay in Hong Kong, you need to consider how close you are the the MTR service (Hong Kong’s convenient metro service), how busy your area is, whether there’s decent places to eat nearby, and most importantly, that it’s safe.
To make sure you find the best accommodation in Hong Kong, we’ve prepared an overview of the best neighborhoods for tourists to stay in, plus recommended some options for 3, 4, and 5-star hotels and hostels.
There are literally hundreds of places to stay in Hong Kong, but we hope this is a good start to help you narrow down your options.
The Best Neighborhoods in Hong Kong for Tourists
If you are planning to visit Hong Kong for the first time, you’ll want to stay within Hong Kong Island or Kowloon Peninsula, as this is where most of the attractions are located.
It’s also where you’ll find the most bustling atmosphere, excellent shopping malls, top-notch dining and a few market areas. Plus, the MTR subway system connects these two regions making it east to get around.
The New Territories and Outlying Islands are nice to visit for hiking, but they are quite far from the tourist attractions, and don’t make the best places to stay for first time visitors.
Keep in mind that Hong Kong is short on land mass and everything is built upwards, meaning hotels in Hong Kong can have smaller rooms than you’re used to.
Space is also a premium, so prices are higher in Hong Kong than other Asian cities, especially if you visit in peak season or over a Chinese holiday.
Central
If it’s your first visit to Hong Kong, you can’t go wrong with staying in Central. As the name suggests, it puts you central to most of Hong Kong’s attractions and is easy to access by the Airport Express Train, which stops in Central.
It’s also the place to be for night life. Hong Kong’s nightlife district is in Lang Kwai Fong, or LKF to the locals, which has the best bars and clubs in the city.
Central is also where you can take the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak, for amazing views of Victoria Harbour.
Most hotels in Central are luxury, and the further up the peak you go, the more expensive they become. It’s a premium to live in “Mid-Levels”, a name given to the streets lining the side of the mountain on Victoria Peak.
Although some hotels are located halfway up the mountain, the Mid Level Escalator make it easy to access them without having to hike.
Some of the top hotels in Central are:
Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan
The Ibis Hong Kong Central is the perfect choice for travelers who want to stay close to the nightlife of LKF but far enough away to have a good night’s sleep. It has bright rooms, some with views of the harbour.
It’s also just a 5 minute walk away from the HK-Macau Ferry Terminal, making it perfect for travelers who want to take a day trip to Macau.
It has an onsite restaurant, TASTE, serving international cuisine, and an onsite bar, LE BAR, also offering international food.
Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is a luxury hotel right on the banks of Victoria Harbour and accessible via the IFC Mall, making it a perfect choice for business travelers.
Rooms are bright and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the harbour. It has 4 Michelin star restaurants onsite and an onsite bar.
It’s also within walking distance of Lan Kwai Fong The Central Pier, where you can get the star ferry to the outlying islands, Kowloon, and other parts of Hong Kong.
There’s also an onsite spa and 24-hour fitness centre.
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is halfway between Central and Causeway Bay (coming next) and full disclosure, it isn’t the most exciting neighborhood to stay in.
It doesn’t have much in the way of attractions, and is known for being a business district, so many of the hotels here are taken up with business travelers looking to stay close to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
However, the hotels here are very good. They are usually luxury hotels and have wonderful views overlooking Victoria Harbor and many have a waterfront location.
Some of the hotels here have outdoor swimming pools and fitness centers.
Some of the most popular hotels in Wan Chai are:
Grand Hyatt
The Grand Hyatt is a five star hotel that’s connected to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) by a foot bridge, allowing you to get to the center without needing to cross a street.
From here, you can also reach the Star Ferry Pier, which takes you across the harbour to TST.
It’s a luxurious hotel with a 50-metre heated outdoor swimming pool and an onsite spa. For dining options, it’s within walking distance of Pacific Place Shopping Mall and Hysan Place, and is a short taxi ride to Times Square and Lan Kwai Fong.
Rooms are spacious and decorated with luxury fixtures and fittings. It also has a tennis and racquetball court and gym.
Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental is another luxury hotel in the Central district, within walking distance of LKF and the MTR station.
It has modern, beautifully-appointed rooms that boast to be bigger than any other hotel room in Hong Kong.
It has an onsite spa, a fitness centre, and an indoor heated swimming pool.
The onsite restaurant is well known for its organic meals and incredible views of the HK skyline.
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island is known for its shopping facilities. It’s also where you will find Victoria Park, the largest park in Hong Kong, and the place where many of the city’s top festivals take place.
It’s a bustling area made of skyscrapers and busy crossings. The iconic tram, affectionately known as the Ding Ding, rides through the heart of this area, and the mini buses honk and whizz down the back roads.
It’s the best place to base yourself if you want to stay close to shopping and dining options – with Hysan Place and Times Square shopping malls being two notable malls in this area.
It’s also not too far from Central, so if you want to explore the nightlife but not stay directly in it, this is a good option. It’s also slightly more bustling than Wan Chai, even though it’s further away from Central.
Causeway Bay MTR station also has multiple entrances, allowing you easy access to the subway from the streets and allowing you to get around without bumping into throngs of people.
Some of the top hotels in Causeway Bay are:
Nina Hotel Causeway Bay
Nina Hotel is a four star hotel that’s luxurious but without breaking the bank. It’s location next to Victoria Park make it an ideal choice for families who want to take their kids out to blow off some steam while recovering from jet lag!
A highlight of the hotel is the rooftop pool, which has incredible views of the harbour.
The rooms are spacious and contemporary, with large windows letting in lots of natural light and offering stunning views of either the park or harbour.
The onsite restaurant, Ah Yung, is where you can taste meals created by the hotel’s legendary abalone expert and his team of the finest chefs.
For breakfast, head to Nina Patisserie for cakes and pastries!
Hi Backpacker Hostel
Hostels are few and far between in Hong Kong. Most of them are run down and are used by locals as affordable housing, but not Hi Backpacker in Causeway Bay.
This is a modern, cozy hostel with spacious dorm rooms featuring pod beds with a curtain, reading light, and mirror.
The bathrooms are clean, and there’s a living area where you can meet other travelers.
It’s basic, but it’s an ideal option if you’re on a budget.
Tsim Sha Tsui (TST)
Tsim Sha Tsui, or as the locals call it, TST, is the neighborhood on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour, overlooking Victoria Peak and the high rise buildings of Central.
It typically has better options for budget accommodation, because Hong Kong Island is where the lavish hotels are and has a more upscale vibe.
TST feels more local. Although it’s still bustling and has many shopping malls, neon lights, and a promenade overlooking the harbour, it’s still one of the best options for people to stay in if they want to be well connected but without paying island prices.
Although staying on the island has some allure, I personally prefer TST as it’s on the south side of Victoria Harbour and has views the iconic Hong Kong skyline. Plus, you can take the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong Island for less than $1 from here.
Side note: you will find many hotels and guesthouses in TST are located within Chungking Mansion. This building has a notorious reputation in Hong Kong for having a high crime rate, and although many of these guesthouses are said to be safe, the building itself has a bit of a dodgy vibe. Although there is a police presence around the building, you might want to stay clear of guesthouses located in this building.
Some of the top hotels in TST are:
The Perkin Hotel
The Perkin Hotel is an ideal hotel for those wanting luxurious and comfort, but without paying a high price for it.
It’s within walking distance of Kowloon Park, the perfect place for a morning run, and the vibrant nightlife area of Knutsford Terrace.
The rooms are small but well appointed, with a private bathroom with a shower and a dark, cozy decor.
There’s no pool or gym or fancy restaurant, making it ideal for those wanting something clean and comfortable and in a bustling area.
Holiday Inn Golden Mile
Just around the corner from The Perkin Hotel mentioned above is the Holiday Inn Golden Mile, which is slightly more luxurious than The Perkin and has larger rooms.
It has three onsite restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and a spa with sauna facilities.
TST MTR Station is practically on its doorstep, and it also offers a buffet breakfast onsite every day.
It’s just a short walk to shopping malls K11 and iSquare, perfect for shopping enthusiasts, and the promenade overlooking the harbour is only a 10-minute walk away.
Rooms are basic in decor, with wood furnishings and pastel shades, but they are comfortable and quiet, allowing for a good night’s rest.
The Peninsula
It wouldn’t be right to not mention The Peninsula, Hong Kong’s most prestigious hotel. This is the place where people go to celebrate an anniversary, or for another special occasion.
This historic, 5-star hotel opened its doors in 1928, and is known for its old world charm and lavish Romanesque interiors.
It has a beautiful indoor pool, a spa, and eight onsite award-winning restaurants to choose from.
The luxury extends to the bedrooms, which are kitted out with marble bathrooms with spa bathtubs.
The hotel also has a fleet of Rolls-Royce limousines, MINI Cooper S Clubman or a private helicopters which can take you to and from the airport – talk about lavish!
Mong Kok
Mong Kok, which translates to “busy corner” in Cantonese, is one of the busiest parts of Hong Kong. It’s very local, and is well known for its markets, outlet shopping, and street food.
I recommend you choose to stay between Nathan Road and Ladies Market, the tourist market of Mong Kok. Here you will find the best hotels, which are close to the night markets but not so close that it’s loud.
Nathan Road is a very busy street with lots of honking traffic, so try to stay a few blocks back.
To the south of Mong Kok is Yau Ma Tei, which is where you’ll find Temple Street Night Market. This is also a good place to stay and you will find budget hotels here and lots of local dining options.
Some of the top hotels in Mong Kok are:
Holiday Inn Express Mongkok
The Holiday Inn is a comfortable, 3* hotel with a luxury feel. The decor is kitted out with marble throughout the hotel, and rooms are decorated in simple, neutral colors and soft carpet.
Although the rooms are small, they are quiet and have their own private bathroom with a shower, and if you’re traveling as a family, you can request interconnected rooms.
There is also an onsite restaurant with a Kids-Eat-Free program, making this a number one choice for family travelers.
Breakfast is served daily and included in your booking, and there’s also a vending machines with snacks and drinks if you get peckish in the night!
Cordis, Hong Kong
Escape the hustle and bustle of Mong Kok at the peaceful Cordis, an upscale 5-star hotel near Langham Place Mall.
It has Kowloon’s highest ballroom, making it a popular hotel for events and business travelers.
The rooms are spacious and homey, with luxurious marble bathrooms with a bathtub and rainshower.
There’s also a fitness centre, 2 fitness studios and an outdoor heated pool. For more relaxation, head to the Chuan Spa to choose from over 60 beauty treatments.
It has an onsite Cantonese restaurant, Ming Court, and a European restaurant and bar, Alibi – Wine Dine Be Social.
It also has an onsite bar, The Place, and a food truck for more casual dining.
Before You Go
I hope this post helped you to find the best accommodation and neighborhood to stay in Hong Kong to suit your needs and budget.
If you’re looking for other accommodation in Hong Kong, you can use the map below to compare hotels and short-term rental options.
More Hong Kong & China Travel Tips
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