HKG Hotel Question

[docjames]

Looking for opinions/advice on where to stay for 2 nights in HKG come October. Leisure travel with Mrsdoc.

Prefer to keep to <AUD$250 but will push if makes a big difference.

Other thoughts / non-essentials (but desirable)
Early checkin/late checkout helpful (arr midday, leave 4pm), as is ease of transit to/from airport.

Would like to use IHG group or Starwood, but again, will pass if the hotels are significantly better value.

Also tips on where/when to look for good deals?

Thanks in advance. :mrgreen:

 

[2muchplastic]

Any idea which side you want to be? Hong Kong or Kowloon? Anywhere you want to be near?

If you're looking for good links to the airport, then you're probably looking either Kowloon or the north side of HK island, but nowhere is really a problem in terms of transport

 

[docjames]

I'm actually not fussed which side given relatively ok transport from everywhere (can always get ferry cheaply/easily). It's probably better to have a slightly longer airport-hotel trasnit (and vv) then be able to have other things within walking distance if possible.

I was thinking - mrsdoc will want to shop (clothes etc), we like eating out at good (food/value, not necessarily "fine dining") restaurants, was thinking going up to the peak would be a hong kong "must do".

I suspect we'll wander afield on day 2, and stay close-ish to hotel days 1 (arrival) and day 3 (departure). It's a Monday to Wednesday if it makes any difference.

Holiday Inn Express currently quoting about $210AUD/night, but i would have hoped we can do better than that!

Where's Keith and his W recommendation?

 

[2muchplastic]

Oh, he's heeeeeeeerrrrrrrreee!

 

[Keith009]

Where's Keith and his W recommendation?

Well Hello There, docjames,

It's well beyond $250/night but I'd still say what are you waiting for go-fer-it.

If you want similar style hotels on the Island, try JIA Hotel at Causeway Bay which is designed by Phillip Starck, or Hotel Lan Kwai Fong at LKF.

Warm Wishes....

 

[tuapekastar]

The only HKG hotel experience I have is the Metropark Causeway Bay, about 18 months ago, was very nice. Was in a suite under a significantly discounted 'long-stay' package but the Harbour View Rooms look nice, just smaller. I would stay here again.

It's situated on the outer edge of Causeway Bay 3 minutes walk from Tin Hau MTR station (4 stops, 10 minutes from Central) - so not as conveniently located as some, but still pretty close.

Trams and buses nearby also. 10 minutes walk to shopping area of Causeway Bay (though I can't speak for what shopping is available there).

There are 'local' restaurants, a nice enough bar I found, and a small supermarket all very close by.

Cheapest rate offered at the moment from 2 random nights in October is bang on AUD250 at today's exchange rates (incl. breakfast, complimentary in-room broadband). (Suite is 350+)

There are a number of Metroparks in HKG, but at the time this was allegedly the nicest.

I've seen this site recommended on AFF for hotel accommodation, but have not used it. There is obviously a big range of accommodation available.

Happy to answer any specific questions you might have re Metropark...

 

[docjames]

LOL at Keith and 2mp!

Thankyou also tuapekastar - that hotel looks nice, i presume being near Victoria Park and causeway is a good thing - although it looks like a hike to the star ferry (their location says 10 mins by car!)

I still cant quite work out what's where in HK! I havent been to HK since I was twleve, so cant really remember where we stayed but iirc it was near to the ferry terminal on the non-cbd side of things. CAN remember the landing at Kai Tak!

 

[Mal]

The hotels I've stayed in in HKG:

Sheraton (twice)
Holiday Inn Express
Metropark Kowloon ( Hong Kong Hotels: Metropark Hotel Kowloon, Hong Kong Official Site - Metropark Hotel, ???? )

HIX was ok, but very basic. It's in the heart of Times Square area, which is good for high end shopping. Small walk from MTR.

MetroPark Kowloon - I paid $A100 / night here (in March), so wasn't expecting much. The free unlimited broadband was very nice to have. Plumbing is a little questionable (and taps have a "do not drink" sign), perhaps a search on "metropole hong kong ninth floor" may tell you a little more about the hotel and it's history. (BTW, it's also the floor I stayed on!) Hotel is reasonable, but basic. The executive type rooms are nicer. Not really close to MTR, but the Airport Express shuttle bus does stop there, and the hotel has a shuttle bus to the nearest MTR station. Was clean and comfy for my money, but no view and not really close to the MTR.

 

[codash1099]

Try Hotelclub.com.au - they have some good rates for around that time.

Although I don't have personal experience, the Royal Pacific on Canton road looks quite good.

 

[docjames]

Thanks all, great food for thought there, can now look some more and come to a decision when the time/price is right!

 

[Mal]

Thanks all, great food for thought there, can now look some more and come to a decision when the time/price is right!

BTW, the Metropark kowloon does have great Tripadvisor recommendations, so maybe I'm a touch harsh

Also, another high end shop area is above Central station/Hong Kong MTR in the Central area. All the international brand suspects are there.

For clothing (non high end), there is good shopping around the Mongkok area, as well as several markets (eg Ladies Market) in that area.

 

[tuapekastar]

Cheapest rate offered at the moment from 2 random nights in October is bang on AUD250 at today's exchange rates (incl. breakfast, complimentary in-room broadband). (Suite is 350+)

I've seen this site recommended on AFF for hotel accommodation, but have not used it. There is obviously a big range of accommodation available.

Not sure I've ever quoted myself before, but just checked prices on the agoda site that I linked, for the same dates and they are AUD400 per night (reduced from ~AUD670 :shock cf. direct from hotel as per above (AUD250). Pays to shop around!

PS. One rate may be more flexible than the other, I didn't check, but it's a very big difference in any case.

 

[Evan]

Well Hello There, docjames,

It's well beyond $250/night but I'd still say what are you waiting for go-fer-it.

If you want similar style hotels on the Island, try JIA Hotel at Causeway Bay which is designed by Phillip Starck, or Hotel Lan Kwai Fong at LKF.

Warm Wishes....

Another person who loves the W and its also so easy to get to.. expensive, i have managed some cheaper 200 a night rates,. Otherwise being a Plat RA with IC i would also say the IC's make nice hotels... again around the 200 a night rate, all depends how you book and how busy it is when you book.

 

[docjames]

Cheapest W mrgreen room pricing out @ $462/nt :shock:

Might be a bit excessive for a two night stay given we'll spend 80% of the time wandering around HKG - will have to keep looking.

 

[Evan]

Cheapest W mrgreen room pricing out @ $462/nt :shock:

Might be a bit excessive for a two night stay given we'll spend 80% of the time wandering around HKG - will have to keep looking.

Ouch ! that is expensive right now, i would agree with you. But lots of options in HKG but keep a good look out because if one is expensive it usually means others are at that time.

 

[docjames]

Have decided to watch and wait - at least now i have a baseline price (and you would think i've still got plenty of time) - there's offers etc to june/july but not beyond, so can afford to wait a little and monitor, then snap up if i see a good deal.

Langham has rooms c $240/nt currently - looks pretty good!

Also, this site seems quite good, can filter by chain which is handy.

www.wego.com

 

[2muchplastic]

Have decided to watch and wait - at least now i have a baseline price (and you would think i've still got plenty of time) - there's offers etc to june/july but not beyond, so can afford to wait a little and monitor, then snap up if i see a good deal.

Langham has rooms c $240/nt currently - looks pretty good!

Also, this site seems quite good, can filter by chain which is handy.

www.wego.com

Docjames, I have to say that the Langham for $240 to me would be a good buy. I normally have to stay in the 3 MarcoPolo hotels (Hong Kong, Gateway and Prince) in Harbour City, and while they're nice, I'm sure there's better for the price.

My preference is Kowloon, as it just seems a little more central to everywhere I want to go, Nathan Road for cheap and dangerous shopping, Ladies Market for cheap fakes, Harbour City for expensive shopping, short ride back to Lantau Island, and short ferry ride (cheapest possible Hong Kong Harbour cruise!) to HK Island too!

 

[docjames]

Seems to have frozen now, but looks good online, brand that's "trusted" so will probably end up plumping for that if i cant get anything else better in a short space of time.

Thanks 2mp.

Had a bit more of a look, cant find <$320 now, oh well, keep playing.

 

[2muchplastic]

Docjames, www.hotels.com currently has the Langham listed at AU$262 per night for selected dates in October.

 

[Keith009]

Which Langham are you looking at? There are 2. One in Mongkok (nice modern hotel with some cool design but eeeky location) and another in Kowloon (better location but the hotel is one of those old style ones). Personally I'd stay on the Island if it weren;t for the W given that's where all my favourite bars and clubs are not to mention some fab restos, but the W also has a v nice location atop some super shopping (eg the first ever Cutler & Gross boutique in Asia!).

Wherever you stay, make sure you try to get into the Kee Club. Very trendy coughtail bar, very W. It's a members-only place but most concierges worth their salt will be able to get you in.

Cheapest W mrgreen room pricing out @ $462/nt :shock:

Might be a bit excessive for a two night stay given we'll spend 80% of the time wandering around HKG - will have to keep looking.

Which is why I hesitated in recommending it, considering your budget.

They're pricing out at $350/night for our stay in July, so we threw in $25 extra for their Feel the 'Wuv package for a full bottle of Perrier Jouet, the adult version Spin the Bottle game (!), and other bits and bobs.

I'd use Starpoints if it gets more than $400, makes a Cat5 redemption ultra good value at 12 000 pts/night!