Hong Kong - Streetsmart : Accommodation Tips, Super Luxury Hotels

1. Making Reservations

   Booking through the HKTB or a travel agent will almost always be cheaper than just turning up at a hotel. Many websites offer hotel reservation services. The Hong Kong Hotel Association runs information and reservations lines.

2. High Season

   Rates climb during the busy conference months of October and April, and the best hotels (and many of the rest) will be booked solid. Avoid these months if you can, or book long in advance.

3. What’s Included in the Price

   Use of facilities such as gyms and pools are usually included in the room price. Breakfast is seldom included in the price except at top-of-the-range places. Note that a 3 per cent government tax and a 10 per cent service charge will be added to your bill at all but the lowest-priced guesthouses. Local calls are free from public phones in Hong Kong, but strangely not usually from your hotel room.

4. Good Cheap Accommodation

   Don’t be put off by the name, the YMCA in Tsim Sha Tsui is well appointed and offers terrific views and value. Or try the two-star Anne Black Guest House close to the Temple Street area in Kowloon .

5. Late Arrivals

   If you’ve just got off the plane and need a place, try the hotel information and reservations offices in arrivals halls A and B, open from 6am to 1pm or make for Chungking or Mirador Mansions on Nathan Road .

6. Useful Websites

   The websites listed in the directory are easy to use and book through, with plenty of substantial deals and discounts of up to 65 per cent.

7. Single Travellers

   The Anne Black Guest House has plenty of clean, cheap single rooms. Less appealing (but half the price) guesthouses such as in the Chungking Mansions are other good budget options for single travellers.

8. Families

   Most of the better hotels offer babysitting services. The YMCA has a few competitively priced family suites.

9. Long-Stay Deals

   Many hotels and guesthouses will offer excellent discounts for stays of a month or more. For long stays it may be worth renting a serviced apartment. The Wesley in Wan Chai offers very competitive monthly packages.

10. Apartotels

    The Shama Group offers Central serviced apartments. If you want to get away from it all, some small, basic holiday apartments can be rented on leafy, low-rise Lamma Island close to the beaches, bars and restaurants.

Super Luxury Hotels

1. The Peninsula

   Opened in 1928 and still one of Hong Kong’s best-loved hotels, the Neo-Classical Peninsula over-looking Victoria Harbour is famous for restrained luxury and excellent, friendly service .

   • Salisbury Rd, Kowloon

   • 2920 2888

   • www.peninsula.com

2. The Mandarin Oriental HK

   The long-awaited refurbishment of one of Hong Kong’s favourite hotels is a triumph. The bustling public areas are still one of the territory’s most popular meeting places, while the rooms have retained their elegant atmosphere, but now have a fresh, modern design, which incorporates every conceivable high-tech convenience.

   • 5 Connaught Rd, Central

   • 2522 0111

   • www.mandarinoriental.com

3. Hotel Intercontinental Hong Kong

   Popular with the rich and famous, the splendid, modern Intercontinental (formerly the Regent) is consistently voted among Asia’s best hotels. The huge, beautifully appointed rooms offer fantastic harbour views.

   • 18 Salisbury Rd, Kowloon

   • 2721 1211

   • www.ichotelsgroup.com

4. Island Shangri-La

   The lovely airy lobby, huge chandeliers and stunning silk landscape adorning the atrium are a prelude to the elegantly decorated rooms, with terrific Peak or harbour views.

   • Pacific Place, Central

   • 2877 3838

   • www.shangri-la.com

5. The Conrad

   Guests are dwarved by the giant flowers and insects on the high lobby murals in this impressive hotel. Rooms above the 40th floor are large and sumptuous, with excellent harbour or Peak views.

   • Pacific Place, Central

   • 2521 3838

   • www.conradhotels.com

6. The Grand Hyatt

   Next to the Convention Centre and the sole choice for unbridled luxury in Wan Chai, the Grand Hyatt has looked after world-famous guests including former US President Clinton. Rooms have a modern feel, including all high-tech mod-cons.

   • 1 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai

   • 2588 1234

   • www.hongkong.hyatt.com

7. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental

   A stylish conversion of former offices has created some of the largest rooms in Asia, all with circular sunken baths, HD TVs and broadband.

   • 15 Queen’s Rd Central, Central

   • 2132 0188

   • www.mandarinoriental.com

8. The Venetian

   Macau’s most spectacular hotel-casino is a repeat of the Las Vegas dream of Italy, but with sampans among the gondolas. The mega-resort is suites only, and has a themed shopping mall and a 1,800-seat theatre

   • Estrada da Baía de N Senhora da Esperança, Cotai Strip, Macau

   • 2882 8888

   • www.venetianmacau.com

9. Kowloon Shangri-La

   Not quite up to the standards of its Hong Kong Island counterpart, perhaps, but the Kowloon Shangri-La offers luxury at a significant discount to its sister. The Horizon Club tariff includes butler service and club lounge.

   • 64 Mody Rd, Kowloon

   • 2721 2111

   • www.shangri-la.com

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10. The Langham

    Restrained opulence reigns throughout. There’s a good gym, pool and sauna and top-quality restaurants, including the impressive Cantonese T’ang Court, decked out like a Mongolian tent.

    • 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

    • 2375 1133

    • www.langhamhotels.com