Considered by many to be the ‘gateway’ to Asia, Hong Kong is a global cosmopolitan city. Nestled in South-Eastern China, Hong Kong used to be a former British Colony which was returned to China in 1997. This had an immense effect on the seven million people living in the city and makes it a wholly unique place. This ultra-modern city-state is a business hub as well as a major port city with an impressive skyline that is studded with skyscrapers.
Since the population of Hong Kong has sharply increased over the years, space or lack of it is a major concern. Tourists often have to shell out a premium to have access to luxury. But with Hong Kong being such a big city, there is a range of places to stay in Hong Kong for travellers of all budgets and travel styles. And there is much more to learn about Hong Kong neighbourhoods than just Hong King Island and Kowloon – there are tons of sub-sections with their own personalities and things to do and see!
This guide includes a full breakdown of the best areas to stay in Hong Kong 2023 and the best accommodation options in each of the recommended Hong Kong neighbourhoods. It covers where to stay for your first visit to Hong Kong, best place to stay with family in Hong Kong, best area to stay for nightlife, and the best area for foodies. It also offers a range of options that will suit budget backpackers to those with extra cash to splash on luxury accommodation so you can have an amazing trip!
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Need help planning your trip from start to finish? Check out these:
- Cheap flights
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Read more on Hong Kong:
- Top things to do in Harbour City (Hong Kong)
- The Ultimate List of Things to do in Hong Kong – Beyond the Popular Attractions
- Luxurious Hotels in Hong Kong
- Top 3 Cheap Meals in Hong Kong
- Budget travel guide for Hong Kong
- The Ultimate Guide to Macau
- Where to stay in Macau
- Best Day Trips from Hong Kong
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Central Hong Kong – Best Place To Stay in Hong Kong for Tourists
Hong Kong’s Central district is one of the most attractive parts of the city. Located in the vicinity of the most visited spots like Victoria Peak, Lan Kwai Fong, the International Finance Centre, and Man Mo Temple. Downtown Hong Kong is within walking distance from Hong Kong Central and most hotels also offer a free shuttle to the downtown area over Victoria Harbour, or you can travel via an MTR station. It’s one of the best places to stay in Hong Kong if you’ve never visited before as it’s a transport hub and there are lots of accommodation options.
To enjoy the amazing skyline views of Hong Kong, Victoria Peak is the best spot. Lan Kwai Fong is the place where people accumulate in numbers as the area is filled with bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs. Some of the most high-end hotels and boutiques can be found in the Central area for people to indulge. And Hong Kong Disneyland is only a 20-minute drive from Central Hong Kong.
Best places to stay in Central Hong Kong
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Central Hong Kong:
Delta Hotel
KK Hotel
Rainbow Lodge HK
YHA Mei Ho House
Budget Hotels in Central Hong Kong:
Homy Hotel Central
Mingle Place At The Eden
Mid range Hotels in Central Hong Kong:
Ovolo Central
Bishop Lei International House
Butterfly on Wellington
Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong
Family Friendly Hotels in Central Hong Kong:
Citadines Mercer Hong Kong
The Bauhinia Hotel – Central
Hotel Madera Hollywood
The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Central Hong Kong:
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
The Pottinger Hong Kong
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Island Shangri-La Hong Kong
Admiralty & Wan Chai – Coolest Neighbourhoods in Hong Kong
Even though Wan Chai is one of the main commercial areas in Hong Kong, it does not feel too constricted like the Central area. The accommodation options are often cheaper and more affordable. Although being close to the Central area, Wan Chai does have a feel of being slightly more spacious. If weather permits, many people can be seen walking/strolling between Wan Chai and Central Hong Kong quite often. The area comprises the famous Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre which lies in the vicinity of the main government offices.
Admiralty is a slightly upmarket area compared to Wan Chai, however since they lie very close to each other, it can be confusing for a first-timer to differentiate between the two areas. Admiralty has the beautiful and popular Hong Kong Park along with Bauhinia Square where people gather to watch the beautiful Hong Kong sunset. The MTR trains are very connected to the area and allow people to reach places faster and without hassle. The area is ideal for people looking to stay in Hong Kong for up to a week.
Best places to stay in Admiralty & Wan Chai
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Admiralty & Wan Chai:
Check Inn HK
Budget Hotels in Admiralty & Wan Chai:
Mingle by The Park
Walden Hotel
Mingle Place At The Eden
Mid range Hotels in Admiralty & Wan Chai:
Empire Hotel Wan Chai
Kew Green Hotel
AKI Hong Kong – MGallery
The Harbourview Hong Kong
Family Friendly Hotels in Admiralty & Wan Chai:
Two MacDonnell Road
YING’nFLO, Hong Kong, Wan Chai
iclub Wan Chai Hotel
Novotel Century Hong Kong
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Admiralty & Wan Chai:
Conrad Hong Kong
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
The Upper House
JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong
Causeway Bay – Where To Stay in Hong Kong With Family
The traffic in Causeway Bay is considered to be one of the busiest in the world and it’s the heart and soul of Hong Kong Island. It’s bustling with people 24/7 and can be chaotic, and crowded, and is brightly lit with dozens of retail stores. You might be wondering why this is the best place to stay in Hong Kong with family if it’s so busy!
Well, the spacious and tranquil Victoria Park takes over a large chunk of the Causeway Bay neighbourhood. The area is also full of dining options, cafes and bars that stay open until very late at night. If the place overwhelms anyone, a stroll through the nearby Victoria Park is all you’d need. Plus, there are lots of hotels and chain hotels in this area that families might find comfortable and more affordable than in other parts of Hong Kong.
Best places to stay in Causeway Bay
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Causeway Bay:
Comfort Hostel HK
Fuji Hostel
Hi Backpackers
Tong Luo Wan Hostel
Budget Hotels in Causeway Bay:
YesInn
Mini Hotel Causeway Bay Hong Kong
Seasons Hotel – Causeway Bay
Causeway Corner
Mid range Hotels in Causeway Bay:
Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Causeway Bay
Regal Hongkong Hotel
Hotel Pennington by Rhombus
Lanson Place Hotel
Family Friendly Hotels in Causeway Bay:
MUSE X HOTEL
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay
Gloucester Hotel
South Pacific Hotel
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Causeway Bay:
The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel
Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
Tsim Sha Tsui – Where To Stay in Hong Kong on a Budget
The most popular tourist area in Hong Kong is Tsim Sha Tsui which is also known as that is TST. It’s located across Victoria Harbour in Kowloon and has amazing views of the Hong Kong Island Skyline. This is one of the reasons why TST attracts so many tourists. It’s also easy to get across the water to Hong Hong Island via the Star Ferry Pier.
Most parts of TST are full of international visitors. Everyone from backpackers to luxury travellers love the Temple Street Night Market and the cheap but lively restaurants, bars, street food carts, and shopping centres that you can find around Nathan Road. Hong Kong is famous for its cheap shopping centres and you can find most of them in TST.
The nightlife in the area is also quite high-spirited and vibrant that often goes on until the wee hours of the morning. So if you’re wondering where to stay in Hong Kong for nightlife, this might be the perfect area for you. The other popular spots here are the Hong Kong Museum collection (there’s a branch for art, history, science, and more) and the Avenue of Stars which is the Hong Kong equivalent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Advisable for people looking for fun, frolic and activities in the same area.
Best places to stay in Tsim Sha Tsui
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Tsim Sha Tsui:
Delta Deluxe Hostel
Ashoka Hostel
Hop Inn
AMU Dreamhouse
Budget Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui:
Pearl Premium Guest House
Oriental Pearl Budget Hotel
Silka Far East Hotel
Cebu Hotel
Mid range Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui:
The Perkin Hotel
The Luxe Manor
Bay Bridge Hong Kong by Hotel G
L’hotel Nina et Convention Centre
Family Friendly Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui:
Panda Hotel
Dorsett Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
Royal View Hotel
Holiday Inn Golden Mile, an IHG Hotel
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui:
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui
The Kowloon Hotel
Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok – Where To Stay in Hong Kong for Culture
Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok are the more subdued but fascinating areas compared to the shiny and blingy Tsim Sha Tsui. Both areas consist of interesting and colourful markets that deal in items made out of jade, artefacts made out of flowers, traditional clothing/fabric, etc. The area is often regarded as being ‘stuck in time’ because there are lots of traditional buildings and houses which contrast with the shiny skyscrapers in other parts of the city.
That is also to say – there are quite a few accommodation options which are considered quirky and artistic. Photographers, both amateur and professional. can be found here snapping away at the area to get a glimpse into the old days of Hong Kong. This area is recommended for people with an artistic and creative curve.
Where to stay in Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok:
Hang Ho Hostel
Wing Shing Hostel
Budget Hotels in Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok:
King’s Hotel
Bridal Tea House Hotel Yau Ma Tei
Asia Travel House
Micro Hotel
Mid range Hotels in Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok:
Le Prabelle Hotel
Holiday Inn Express, Mongkok
Casa Hotel Hong Kong
Family Friendly Hotels in Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok:
Caritas Bianchi Lodge
Nathan Hotel
Hotel Stage
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok:
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Cordis Hong Kong at Langham Place
The Mira Hong Kong
W Hong Kong
Lan Kwai Fong – Best Place in Hong Kong to Stay for Nightlife
Let’s face it, there isn’t really a bad part of Hong Kong for nightlife. Every neighbourhood has tons of bars and restaurants that stay open until the sun comes up the next day. But if you absolutely love to experience the nightlife of a city when you travel and want to experience the best of the best clubs in Hong Kong, stay in Lan Kwai Fong on Hong Kong Island.
It’s a historic district where you will walk down winding, cobbled streets as you visit different bars. Head down Hollywood Road to have a quintessential Hong Kong nightlife experience. You also need to find the quiet speakeasies in Lan Kwai Fong where you can sip whiskey as the locals do. Staying nearby when you love nightlife is smart because then you don’t have to navigate the transport system when you’re not feeling your most alert. Bear in mind that hotels in this neighbourhood are on the pricer side, but they’re often worth the price tag and have the views to match.
Best places to Stay in Lan Kwai Fong
Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Lan Kwai Fong
The Mahjong
Delta Deluxe Hostel
YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Budget Hotels in Lan Kwai Fong
Mini Central
Garden View Hong Kong
SLEEEP HKG Gough St
iclub Sheung Wan Hotel
Mid range Hotels in Lan Kwai Fong
Bishop Lei International House
Butterfly on LKF
Hotel Madera Hollywood
Lan Kwai Fong Hotel – Kau U Fong
Family Friendly Hotels in Lan Kwai Fong
Ovolo Central
Butterfly on Wellington
AKVO Hotel
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Lan Kwai Fong
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
The Pottinger Hong Kong
The Putman
Shama Central Hong Kong
Sha Tin – Best Area to Live in Hong Kong for Expats
With Hong Kong having so many international offices and foreign language schools, lots of expats live here. And many digital nomads use it as a base for a few months because it’s a great in-between destination for the rest of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. If you’re staying in Hong Kong for a while, you don’t want to be surrounded by tourists everywhere you go, so you might want to stay in a more residential and homelier neighbourhood like Sha Tin.
Sha Tin is in the Northern Kowloon region but is why connected to Hong Kong Island and Downtown Kowloon via train. It straddled the Shing Mun River and is nestled between the Ma On Shan Country Park and the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve plus tons of other parks and areas of natural beauty. It’s much quieter and you could go on a different hike every day for weeks and not go the same one twice. There are also restaurants, shopping centres, museums, and bars so Sha Tin is just like Hong Kong in miniature.
Best places to Stay in Sha Tin
Budget Hotels in Sha Tin
ALVA HOTEL BY ROYAL
Mid range Hotels in Sha Tin
Regal Riverside Hotel
Royal Park Hotel
Family Friendly Hotels in Sha Tin
Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong Sha Tin
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Sha Tin
Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin
Sheung Wan – Where To Stay in Hong Kong for Business Travellers
Sheung Wan is right next to Central Hong Kong on Victoria Harbour. This neighbourhood is where you’ll find the main Hong Kong ferry terminal with boats to Macau and Kowloon. It’s known for its down-to-earth vibe and its mix of old and new Hong Kong. Yes, it’s next door to the city-state’s business district (with many HQs in this neighbourhood too) but it also has lots of casual eateries and street food and craft markets like the Western Markets.
All-in-all, it’s one of the best places to stay in Hong Kong for business travellers and people enjoying a quick stopover. It’s in close proximity to the global businesses in Hong Kong, but it’s also a wonderful area to explore as much as possible between meetings and on lunch breaks. And yes, there are lots of chain hotels in Sheung Wan which also make it a convenient base.
Where to Stay in Sheung Wan
Budget Hotels in Sheung Wan
iclub Sheung Wan Hotel
Sohotel
Lander Grand Hotel
Mid range Hotels in Sheung Wan
Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan
Y Hotel Hong Kong
Family Friendly Hotels in Sheung Wan
CM+ Hotels and Serviced Apartments
The Jervois
iclub AMTD Sheung Wan Hotel
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Sheung Wan
99 Bonham
Tung Chung – Best Neighbourhood Near Hong Kong International Airport
Are you flying into Hong Kong International Airport late, or do you have an early flight in the morning? Hong Kong public transport is quick though private transport can be unpredictable in heavy traffic. If you don’t want the hassle of navigating your way into the city after a sleepless flight or the anxiety of missing your flight out of Hong Kong, stay in the Tung Chung neighbourhood right next door to the airport.
It’s a small neighbourhood but it has plenty of hotels to offer you options. Because it’s small and not as built up as downtown Hong Kong, there’s lots of greenery and you’ll be able to see mountains outside of your hotel window. What a lovely sight as you leave or arrive in Hong Kong!
Best places to Stay in Tung Chung
Budget Hotels in Tung Chung
City Oasis Guesthouse
Mid range Hotels in Tung Chung
Novotel Hong Kong Citygate
Family Friendly Hotels in Tung Chung
The Silveri Hong Kong-MGallery
Affordable Luxury Hotels in Tung Chung
Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel
Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong, Tung Chung
Added Extra: Areas to Avoid in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a relatively safe neighbourhood and there aren’t many areas you should avoid staying in Hong Kong for safety reasons. Use your common sense and don’t walk down unlit streets (difficult in Hong Kong since everywhere is so bright!) and keep your personal possessions safe.
However, you should avoid booking accommodation in the New Territories in the northern part of Kowloon. These areas have fewer tourists and you may find fewer people speak English in these parts. Plus, they are so far away from Hong Kong’s main attractions that even if you get a good deal on accommodation, you’ll blow the rest of your budget on transport to and from downtown! Do yourself a favour and stay central to make the most of your trip.
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