Good hotel <$130 ish with Brekkie in Hong Kong (HKG)

[Mal]

I am planning on booking the Holiday Inn Express for HK$627.75. Includes breakfast and is cheaper than the Grand Stamford.

It's a pretty average breakfast - it's not a buffet, but rather a set breakfast that comes in one of 4 options IIRC.

I think one option is a type of hamburger, another one is a traditional chinese, another is something with scrambled eggs and I can't remember the other one.

The other disadvantage I think for you is that it's on the Island side, not the mainland side. I'm presuming your clothing wholesalers will be on the mainland side. Will add to the hassle if you have to go through the tunnel every day back to the mainland side as the traffic can be a little bad at times. But that does depend on the location of your wholesalers. Mongkok comes to mind as one possible location for them, but also probably in the "New Territories".

 

[Mal]

If I've done my sums right, the MetroPark Kowloon is about $A107 / night inc breakfast (add $A12/night for breakfast if 2 people are in each room) for that period. This is via their website using their "2 night + rate". ( Hong Kong Hotels: Metropark Hotel Kowloon, Hong Kong Official Site - Metropark Hotel, ???? )

It has very positive reviews on Tripadvisor too Metropark Hotel Kowloon (Hong Kong, China) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor

I have stayed here before (but not had their breakfast, although friends did recommend the brekkie). It's a little out of the way, being about a 10 min walk to the MTR, but you're probably going to be using cabs anyway I'd assume. The rooms are basic, but reasonable. Free internet.

It has access to the airport via the combination of Airport Express+shuttle bus, or you'd probably be cheaper grabbing a cab if there's 3 or more of you.

Also, see the following posts about the hotel:
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...br-accommodation-in-hkg-12351.html#post161058

http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/hkg-hotel-question-17552.html#post237548 (that one is from me!)

 

[NM]

It's a pretty average breakfast - it's not a buffet, but rather a set breakfast that comes in one of 4 options IIRC.

I think one option is a type of hamburger, another one is a traditional chinese, another is something with scrambled eggs and I can't remember the other one.

HI Express Causeway Bay offer a selection of 4 set menus for breakfast. You choose A, B, C, or D. They have two different sets of A, B, C, D menus. On each set, B are Chinese choices, A and D are western choices.

All choices come with Orange Juice, Coffee/Tea and slices of fruit (usually watermelon and honeydew melon).

A is always scrambled eggs and varies between ham and croissant or bacon and toast.

B is always Congee with different additives (chicken etc) and varies with dim sum and steamed bun.

C is always stir fry noodles with various meat/vegies

D is salad with different dressings.

So while basic, it does work ok.

 

[hedge]

Damn I was hoping it was buffet like concorde in KL.

Most factories are in Kowloon or New Territories. I guess if the breakfast at the HI express sucks I can always go outside.

Mal: HI Exp is a bit cheaper at $88 inc additional person (3 in total), so its a fair bit cheaper.

 

[Mal]

HI Express Causeway Bay offer a selection of 4 set menus for breakfast. You choose A, B, C, or D. They have two different sets of A, B, C, D menus. On each set, B are Chinese choices, A and D are western choices.

They have changed the options a little bit since I was there last. There was definitely an American style brekkie - (basically a hamburger of sorts with criss-cross fries), plus the others I mentioned. But the laminated pages with the A/B/C/D options are very familiar.

The food is ok. It is brekkie and gives some sustenance. My caution was more around expectation of something better than a set menu of that sort of food.

 

[hedge]

So I leave tomorrow for HK. How can I get from the airport to the Holiday Inn Express? I have been told to buy the octopus card at the airport, which I will definitely do.

 

[NM]

So I leave tomorrow for HK. How can I get from the airport to the Holiday Inn Express? I have been told to buy the octopus card at the airport, which I will definitely do.

Tomorrow, I will be taking the HK Express Train from the airport at around 6pm after arriving on QF97. I'll be buying a one-way ticket for HK$100 from the ticket office in the arrivals terminal.

The on arrival at Honk Kong station I will be taking a taxi to the Holiday Inn Express in Causeway Bay. At that time of the evening I expect to pay around HK$40 for the taxi.

Perhaps we will bump into each other along the way, or in the restaurant for breakfast.

I have been spending so much time in HK that I should have obtained an octopus card months ago, but never have. I don't use the buses, MTR or ferries much. Mostly walk or taxis. But Octopus does make bus, train, ferry etc fares cheaper. And can be used for purchases at places like Starbucks, 7-11 etc.

 

[hedge]

Tomorrow, I will be taking the HK Express Train from the airport at around 6pm after arriving on QF97. I'll be buying a one-way ticket for HK$100 from the ticket office in the arrivals terminal.

The on arrival at Honk Kong station I will be taking a taxi to the Holiday Inn Express in Causeway Bay. At that time of the evening I expect to pay around HK$40 for the taxi.

Perhaps we will bump into each other along the way, or in the restaurant for breakfast.

I have been spending so much time in HK that I should have obtained an octopus card months ago, but never have. I don't use the buses, MTR or ferries much. Mostly walk or taxis. But Octopus does make bus, train, ferry etc fares cheaper. And can be used for purchases at places like Starbucks, 7-11 etc.

Awesome! I actually reach there on Monday as I am transiting through KL.

I will have 2 other people with me (3 in total). Would taxi be cheaper than the train? As I read the taxi price is about HKD340 to the Holiday Inn Express (from their website). Or do taxis take ages due to traffic? I have no baggage at all to take with me.

 

[NM]

Awesome! I actually reach there on Monday as I am transiting through KL.

I will have 2 other people with me (3 in total). Would taxi be cheaper than the train? As I read the taxi price is about HKD340 to the Holiday Inn Express (from their website). Or do taxis take ages due to traffic? I have no baggage at all to take with me.

The taxi ride from the airport to Hong Kong Island will take a long time. The train will be more comfortable.

The cheapest way is probably a bus. There are several airport buses that service the hotels. But will still be longer travel time.

They have a special deal on the train for 2 x one-way adult fares for HK$160, so three of you can travel for a total of HK$260.

Note a taxi (both from the airport and from the train station) will charge an extra HK$5 for each piece of luggage carried in the boot.

HK$100 is less than A$15, so its not an expensive trip. The train takes 24 mins to Hong Kong and runs every 12 mins, so maximum 36 mins if you have just missed one train.

 

[hedge]

Thanks! Will either take a bus (time is not that important) or the train which sounds good!

 

[docjames]

I'd recommend the train - clean, fast, not too expensive, air-conditioned etc...

I'll be interested to know how the HI Express goes. Please post back if you can about what it was like (considered it for recent trip and considering again for future trips).

 

[NM]

I'd recommend the train - clean, fast, not too expensive, air-conditioned etc...

Totally agree. Much better option than taxi or bus in my opinion.

I'll be interested to know how the HI Express goes. Please post back if you can about what it was like (considered it for recent trip and considering again for future trips).

I have stayed here several times. Its pretty basic. Its a HI Express, after all. Rooms are small, basic but clean. All rooms are the same size (no suites or "upgrades" at this hotel), just vary in bed arrangement (2 x single or 1 x queen). TV is smallish but probably the right size for the size of the room. Plenty of channels available.

Wired internet is free (or should I say included in all the room rates) as is a basic set-menu breakfast.

2 bottles of water provided each day, with a sign in the bathroom reminding you that tap water is not drinkable. Bathroom amenities are basic, with a pump-action dispenser of shampoo/body wash in the shower.

They accept my RACQ membership card as eligible for AAA rate making it reasonable value most of the time. But as already noted, rates vary considerably when there are conventions on in Hong Kong.

If the location is good for you, as it is for me, then go for it. But if you are looking for a 4* or 5* experience, look elsewhere. Its right next to Times Square in Casueway Bay, so not close to the water but handy for shopping/restaurants/MTR etc. I can see the water from my high floor room window.

 

[Mal]

I have stayed here several times. Its pretty basic. Its a HI Express, after all.

I can only agree with your comments. It's not a 5 star hotel, and nor should it be inferred that it is, based on the "Holiday Inn Express" title.... It is a place to stay.

 

[docjames]

Thanks NM.

We wanted more luxury last time (so stayed at IC Grand Stanmford) but if the next trip is a one night stopover, or if i'm travelling on my own, i might use it. The rates certainly are good, location ok, and I was quite impressed with the HIE in Stuttgart, sounds like this is comparable.

 

[NM]

If looking for Priority Club experience on the Island, then consider the new Crowne Plaza. Its just around the corner from the HIX and looks to be much nicer. But its entry level pricing seems to be HK$1500/night. I have not seen it any lower than that. They have an opening special going until early next year, for HK$1650 including internet. Will have better options for room upgrades for PC status members (no options at all at HIX).

 

[docjames]

Yeah, I got stanford non-refundable @ $1100+tax in the "asia on sale" sale. The flex price at the time was aroud $1300.

The new CP looks nice and would be my preferred choice if the prices are close and i wanted to be on the island (although i do prefer kowloon).

 

[hedge]

Ended up booking HI E for 2 nights as parents wanted to scout around for a cheaper hote - big F($*#()$#ng mistake as most are $$$ or booked out.

Rooms are good, but yeh basic. Location is decent for transport and getting around.

Now back to finding another cheap hotel

 

[hedge]

Also stayed at the Regal Oriental on the Kowloon side. Cheap rate around 500-700 HKD and decent rooms, but no free water which was a pain.

Supposedly I get 1000QFF for the stay, but the desk staff were pretty bad so not counting on anything. Concierge guys were great though.