Hong Kong Hotels

[cssaus]

My wife and two of her friends are going off to HK in March for some shopping and sightseeing, although I think the emphasis is on the former.

Because there are only 3 of them going there's some concern about getting a suitably sized hotel room. Had there been 4 of them it would have been a lot easier, i.e. two rooms between the 4.

Is anyone familiar enough with hotel accommodation in HK (preferably on the Kowloon side near Nathan Rd) that would be suitable for 3 adults.

At this stage they've got a tentative reservation at the Sheraton for two twin beds and a roll-out. The two other friends going with my wife are sisters so they could at a pinch bunk in together.

 

[Yada Yada]

Is anyone familiar enough with hotel accommodation in HK (preferably on the Kowloon side near Nathan Rd) that would be suitable for 3 adults.

I'm no expert on HK accommodation, but last year stayed at the Shangri-La at Kowloon. I was on my own but my room had two queen size beds in it and was quite large, with a good sized bathroom, so it would have suited 3 or 4 people quite well. It's a nice hotel.

Room rates in HK seem to fluctuate a lot in response to demand so you might want to try a few different online engines to get a quote.

 

[cssaus]

I'm no expert on HK accommodation, but last year stayed at the Shangri-La at Kowloon. I was on my own but my room had two queen size beds in it and was quite large, with a good sized bathroom, so it would have suited 3 or 4 people quite well. It's a nice hotel.

Room rates in HK seem to fluctuate a lot in response to demand so you might want to try a few different online engines to get a quote.

Thanks for that, I'll check it out. Room rates aren't too much of a problem as they'll be splitting the cost three-ways. In this instance, size does matter for the women as they're going to want to be able to spread themselves out.

 

[Maca44]

I went to HKG for a week in March 2005 for the Rugby 7's World Cup, and then walked around the city for a few days looking at shops and things to buy the kids. Now, I know that women will search high and low for a good deal but I suspect they will find that days of cheap shopping in Hong Kong are well gone and I was unable to find any good deals like there used to be. I could have bought golf shoes cheaper in Sydney than in HKG.

I was told that if you travel to the territories for the day you might find some good buys, but I found that even Stanley Markets was not cheap any more. Whatever happens, woman will do what woman do best, and this is to shop so they will have a good time in any event.

 

[QF WP]

Maca44, with due regard to you and the kind of bargains you're looking for - they're female and can spot a bargain at 1000 paces (even with a currency exchange involved). There is always Ladies Markets (I'm a bit rusty as to which side alley they're in) and Stanley Markets (although they were very different when I was last there 18 months ago).

Sorry ccsaus, I'm no use on the hotels, although I have many entry and exit stamps to HKG, I haven't stayed in a hotel in over 10 years - I have friends (mostly couples these days) who live there and I can always find a spare couch.

Going home after a day at work, I always beat the male friend home and had a chance to catch up with all their news (from their wife) before the male arrived home.

Going back to the couple of times that I did use hotels, I used to stay at the Excelsior and then the Sheraton Towers or Conrad.

 

[cssaus]

Thanks everyone for all your tips.

Checked out the suggestion for Shangri-La and it does appear that their room sizes are larger than most.

For the three of them I was able to get thru Qantas Vacations a deluxe harbour view room (with b'fast) for 6 nites, $1176 per person which works out to $A196 per nite which isn't too bad by HK standards.

As stated women certainly can smell a bargain a mile off and will know whether or not they're getting a good deal :roll:

 

[MetroAir]

I think that unless they are in Sheraton Towers rooms they will find them very small.

Nicely decorated, just small.

Cheers

 

[bravoecho1]

There is always Ladies Markets (I'm a bit rusty as to which side alley they're in) and Stanley Markets (although they were very different when I was last there 18 months ago).

Lindsay,

the ladies market you are referring to is in a area called the lanes.

As you leave the Star Ferry go straight ahead to Connaught Road and then turn right. Its about 100m or so on the left. (its scary how easy I remembered that :roll: )

Regarding hotels, if you are looking for hotels in TST, then a couple that not too many people know about is above the Harbour City and Ocean Terminal centres. Close to the shops and right near the Star Ferry, the rooms can be quite big and you can get some good rates.

Some of the hotels include The Marco Polo Gateway, and The Marco Polo Hong Kong

 

[Yada Yada]

Thanks everyone for all your tips.

Checked out the suggestion for Shangri-La and it does appear that their room sizes are larger than most.

For the three of them I was able to get thru Qantas Vacations a deluxe harbour view room (with b'fast) for 6 nites, $1176 per person which works out to $A196 per nite which isn't too bad by HK standards.

That's great! BTW, don't pull on the curtains to look at the view. They are automated. You'll find a remote control panel in the room to open/close them. The harbour view is sensational at night.

For eating, aside from the hotel restaurants and bars there are quite a few options in close proximity.

 

[cssaus]

That's great! BTW, don't pull on the curtains to look at the view. They are automated. You'll find a remote control panel in the room to open/close them. The harbour view is sensational at night.

OMG that's going to be a real problem, my wife can't even work the remote for the TV, and the mobile phone...that's another story! Anyway, I'm sure between the 3 of them they'll be able to figure it out.

You're right about the harbour view at nite, it's spectacular. I always stay over on the Island and I leave the curtains open at nite and fall asleep admiring the view.

 

[ditto]

We travelled to HKG in September on Virgin Atlantic's 2 for 1 offer - my first trip back since 1993!!
On previous trips I always stayed in Kowloon and used to make one trip to travel to HKG island to go to Stanley Markets.

This trip we chose to stay on the island (I am now a reformed shopaholic) as the trip was really to be an inexpensive 5 day weekend.
What a pleasant surprise!!! The hotel - the Metropark - was not expensive $125 per night (room only). The rooms not huge but very comfortable and clean - but larger rooms and suites (with harbour views) were available at reasonable rates. A terrific rooftop pool and gym. A great location in terms of being close enough to the shopping precincts but quiet at night. Transport - tram, bus & MTR - almost at the door. The hotel had free return shuttle bus services to Causeway Bay and to the Convention Centre - near Star Ferry terminal. Causeway Bay shopping precinct was only a 5 minute straight line walk from the hotel. We booked thru www.asiarooms.com

Now for the SHOPPING!!!! If it's not in Causeway Bay/Central - I don't think it exists. Muji to Cartier and everything in between. Time Square in Causeway Bay just has loads of streets running from it - very moderate prices I thought - but I agree that HKG is not the bargain shopper's paradise it used to be. Further down to Central and Financial Centre you will find the more up market stores - Burberry, Chanel - but a lot of the sidestreets in between are markets. The Hollywood Road area is great for curios, chinese artifacts and antiques plus some great cafes. A trip to Cafe Deco (pref at night) at the peak is a must - reasonably priced food and a great view of both the Island and Kowloon. Take the funnicular railway.

We spent a day in Kowloon - predominantly to do afternoon tea at the Peninsula - and I was glad we made the choice to stay on the island. I found most of the shopping centres I used to visit half empty and quite derelect, the general area very dirty and at night we felt quite unsafe. One major difference between the two locations was that there did not seem to be any 'touts' on the island yet in Kowloon we were hounded (and followed) from the time we walked out of the ferry terminal.
We didn't go to the New Territories but other friends have - and it is very cheap apparently - but really only if you have an interest in purchasing fake Louis V/Chanel/Hermes et al.

My tip for Mrs ccsaus is to buy a Lonely Planet or similar and plan from there.

 

[flyer4703]

Hong Kong Hotel

The Park Lane Hotel in Causeway Bay has large rooms by Hong Kong standards and you walk straight out of the lobby into the thick of Causeway Bay Shopping.
I prefer Causeway Bay to Nathan Road no touts trying to sell you fake Rolex watches or tailor made suits.
Agree with earlier post that the Metro Park is excellent value.
Also great ladies markets if you take the MTR to Mongkok

 

[aus_flyer]

If budget is not a problem, the Peninsula is a must.

 

[BlacKnox]

OMG that's going to be a real problem, my wife can't even work the remote for the TV, and the mobile phone...that's another story!

That's funny .

Just an idea that the ladies may still like to rent two rooms - and then they can alternate between using the single one. That way, your wife can stay in room A for two nights alone, then room B with sister1 for two nights, and after in Room B again with sister2. It kind of mixes thing up a little and provides everyone with some privacy for the trip.

Some good hotel recommendations from others in this thread. The only question is money, especially if renting two rooms per the idea above.