The modern, upscale, 21-room Ovolo Hotel-2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong is, as its name suggests, smack in the middle of the busy Central District, within a few minutes' walk of the Lan Kwai Fong nightlife. The stylish rooms come well-equipped with flat-screen TVs, Apple TV, iPod docks, and Nespresso machines. Rates also include a slew of freebies, such as minibars, high-speed Wi-Fi, breakfast, self-service laundry, and nightly happy hours. But there's no full restaurant, bar, or room service on-site, nor are their upscale features such as a spa or pool. Travelers might want to compare rates with Lkf, a boutique hotel that offers a rooftop restaurant with city views.
The modern, upscale, 21-room Ovolo Hotel-2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong is, as its name suggests, smack in the middle of the busy Central District, within a few minutes' walk of the Lan Kwai Fong nightlife. The stylish rooms come well-equipped with flat-screen TVs, Apple TV, iPod docks, and Nespresso machines. Rates also include a slew of freebies, such as minibars, high-speed Wi-Fi, breakfast, self-service laundry, and nightly happy hours. But there's no full restaurant, bar, or room service on-site, nor are their upscale features such as a spa or pool. Travelers might want to compare rates with Lkf, a boutique hotel that offers a rooftop restaurant with city views.
L'hotel Causeway Bay Harbour View is a 275-room, upscale hotel housed in a 40-story tower in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong island. Although set on a main road in a particularly built-up area, the hotel sits near Victoria Park, which affords a pleasant green expanse, and there's a subway just opposite. Rooms are tastefully decorated and many upper-level rooms have superb harbor views -- though some decor needs a refresh and in-room Wi-Fi requires a fee. A (small) rooftop pool also boasts stunning vistas and live music in the underground bar is a nice touch. All in all, if you don't mind your bed on the firm side, it's a decent choice -- though for free Wi-Fi, take a look at the Butterfly on Victoria.
L'hotel Causeway Bay Harbour View is a 275-room, upscale hotel housed in a 40-story tower in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong island. Although set on a main road in a particularly built-up area, the hotel sits near Victoria Park, which affords a pleasant green expanse, and there's a subway just opposite. Rooms are tastefully decorated and many upper-level rooms have superb harbor views -- though some decor needs a refresh and in-room Wi-Fi requires a fee. A (small) rooftop pool also boasts stunning vistas and live music in the underground bar is a nice touch. All in all, if you don't mind your bed on the firm side, it's a decent choice -- though for free Wi-Fi, take a look at the Butterfly on Victoria.
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East is a contemporary hotel that's a solid four-pearl option for business and leisure travelers who don't mind being outside of the city center. An adjacent MTR station makes for relatively easy trips around the city, but it will take 40 minutes to reach areas like Causeway Bay. The 359 guest rooms are stylish and funky, with minibars and elegant bathrooms. An outdoor pool, a garden spa, a proper gym, and four restaurants -- including a top-floor Italian restaurant with sweeping mountain views -- are all nice-to-have features. Guests might also want to consider the Hotel Novotel Hong Kong Nathan Road Kowloon, which is nearer to sights such as Temple Street Night Market, though has moderately higher rates.
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East is a contemporary hotel that's a solid four-pearl option for business and leisure travelers who don't mind being outside of the city center. An adjacent MTR station makes for relatively easy trips around the city, but it will take 40 minutes to reach areas like Causeway Bay. The 359 guest rooms are stylish and funky, with minibars and elegant bathrooms. An outdoor pool, a garden spa, a proper gym, and four restaurants -- including a top-floor Italian restaurant with sweeping mountain views -- are all nice-to-have features. Guests might also want to consider the Hotel Novotel Hong Kong Nathan Road Kowloon, which is nearer to sights such as Temple Street Night Market, though has moderately higher rates.
For travelers who need only a clean room, easy access to public transit, and a location that's hard to beat, the iclub Fortress Hill Hotel is solid mid-range option. The 338 rooms are classically iclub: compact, efficiently designed, and bright -- and many have excellent city views. Like other iclub properties, features here are minimal, but convenient. Free morning snacks plus all-day coffee, tea, and water are available, there's a lounge and fitness area, as well as a computer station. It's one of the newer iclub properties, and looks a bit fresher than its Sheung Wan counterpart. The Fortress Hill area lacks Sheung Wan's hipster buzz, but it's an easy five-stop MTR trip to Central from the Fortress Hill station that's just a five-minute walk from the hotel.
For travelers who need only a clean room, easy access to public transit, and a location that's hard to beat, the iclub Fortress Hill Hotel is solid mid-range option. The 338 rooms are classically iclub: compact, efficiently designed, and bright -- and many have excellent city views. Like other iclub properties, features here are minimal, but convenient. Free morning snacks plus all-day coffee, tea, and water are available, there's a lounge and fitness area, as well as a computer station. It's one of the newer iclub properties, and looks a bit fresher than its Sheung Wan counterpart. The Fortress Hill area lacks Sheung Wan's hipster buzz, but it's an easy five-stop MTR trip to Central from the Fortress Hill station that's just a five-minute walk from the hotel.
Once located next to the airport, the 494-room Regal Oriental Hotel lost its primary appeal when the Kai Tak Airport closed in 1998. Now a mid-range hotel far from the main attractions, its only advantage is its relatively low rates, which now attract families and business travelers more than tourists. Many of its rooms have been outfitted especially for families with extra beds, and Executive Rooms have additional space plus work desks and Nespresso machines. The standard rooms aren't as small as those of comparable hotels, but the views of the former airport-turned-construction site, leave something to be desired. Travelers could also look at the three-pearl Hotel Benito, which offers a central location and updated decor, although the rates are higher.
Once located next to the airport, the 494-room Regal Oriental Hotel lost its primary appeal when the Kai Tak Airport closed in 1998. Now a mid-range hotel far from the main attractions, its only advantage is its relatively low rates, which now attract families and business travelers more than tourists. Many of its rooms have been outfitted especially for families with extra beds, and Executive Rooms have additional space plus work desks and Nespresso machines. The standard rooms aren't as small as those of comparable hotels, but the views of the former airport-turned-construction site, leave something to be desired. Travelers could also look at the three-pearl Hotel Benito, which offers a central location and updated decor, although the rates are higher.
This 857-room behemoth is a favorite among business travelers, thanks to its location next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It's also near the Wan Chai MTR station, Central neighborhood, and the Star Ferry landing. It boasts gorgeous views from its upscale rooms and wonderful restaurants, and offers great features such as a fitness center (located in the hotel next door), extensive meeting space with natural light, a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, and stylish, contemporary rooms with glass-enclosed bathrooms. However, there are a few downsides to this otherwise great hotel -- namely, fees for Wi-Fi and parking, hard mattresses, and long waits by the elevators.
This 857-room behemoth is a favorite among business travelers, thanks to its location next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It's also near the Wan Chai MTR station, Central neighborhood, and the Star Ferry landing. It boasts gorgeous views from its upscale rooms and wonderful restaurants, and offers great features such as a fitness center (located in the hotel next door), extensive meeting space with natural light, a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, and stylish, contemporary rooms with glass-enclosed bathrooms. However, there are a few downsides to this otherwise great hotel -- namely, fees for Wi-Fi and parking, hard mattresses, and long waits by the elevators.
The 240-room Silka Far East Hotel is a mid-range property located in the heart of Tsuen Wan, near the border of the Kowloon District. The hotel is right next to City Landmark (a popular shopping center) and Tak Wah Park; Tseun Wan MTR station and Sam Tung Uk Museum are under a 10-minute walk away. A free shuttle bus offers guests transportation around town. The rooms here are simple and small with wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and modern bathrooms with walk-in showers. Some rooms don't have windows while others have big windows letting in lots of natural light. Extra amenities in the hotel are limited, but include a daily breakfast buffet (for a fee), computer corner, meeting spaces, and free Wi-Fi. Those who want to be closer to the action should check out the Butterfly on Prat, another good-value hotel, well-located in the bustling tourist and shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui.
The 240-room Silka Far East Hotel is a mid-range property located in the heart of Tsuen Wan, near the border of the Kowloon District. The hotel is right next to City Landmark (a popular shopping center) and Tak Wah Park; Tseun Wan MTR station and Sam Tung Uk Museum are under a 10-minute walk away. A free shuttle bus offers guests transportation around town. The rooms here are simple and small with wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and modern bathrooms with walk-in showers. Some rooms don't have windows while others have big windows letting in lots of natural light. Extra amenities in the hotel are limited, but include a daily breakfast buffet (for a fee), computer corner, meeting spaces, and free Wi-Fi. Those who want to be closer to the action should check out the Butterfly on Prat, another good-value hotel, well-located in the bustling tourist and shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui.
The Gloucester Hotel is a small, quiet boutique hotel in the busy Causeway Bay area of Hong Kong, a 10-minute walk from shopping malls and the Causeway Bay MTR station. The 55 rooms have a contemporary, minimalist look, and come with minibars, Nespresso coffeemakers, iPod docks, and big flat-screen TVs -- all features that make it a standout for this category and location. There is a Japanese restaurant on-site and breakfast is available for a fee. The Gloucester is a notch lower in quality and has fewer facilities than the nearby Excelsior, but prices are a bit less expensive.
The Gloucester Hotel is a small, quiet boutique hotel in the busy Causeway Bay area of Hong Kong, a 10-minute walk from shopping malls and the Causeway Bay MTR station. The 55 rooms have a contemporary, minimalist look, and come with minibars, Nespresso coffeemakers, iPod docks, and big flat-screen TVs -- all features that make it a standout for this category and location. There is a Japanese restaurant on-site and breakfast is available for a fee. The Gloucester is a notch lower in quality and has fewer facilities than the nearby Excelsior, but prices are a bit less expensive.
The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is easily one of Hong Kong's best luxury hotels. It's an original, and we mean that -- this is actually the original Mandarin Oriental, and it takes great strides to embrace its history. The style mixes Old World and contemporary elements, with nearly every surface clad in black marble, gorgeous hardwood, and fine silk. Old doesn't mean staid here, though, as the hotel buzzes with guests and locals hitting up its Michelin-star dining spots, intimate bars, and luxe spa. The 447 rooms are handsome and spacious, with hyper-attentive turndown service, stunning marble bathrooms, and entertainment systems, and many have stunning harbor views. There not much like it in town, but if you're looking for sky-high rooms and a bolder contemporary look, opt for the Ritz-Carlton instead.
The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong is easily one of Hong Kong's best luxury hotels. It's an original, and we mean that -- this is actually the original Mandarin Oriental, and it takes great strides to embrace its history. The style mixes Old World and contemporary elements, with nearly every surface clad in black marble, gorgeous hardwood, and fine silk. Old doesn't mean staid here, though, as the hotel buzzes with guests and locals hitting up its Michelin-star dining spots, intimate bars, and luxe spa. The 447 rooms are handsome and spacious, with hyper-attentive turndown service, stunning marble bathrooms, and entertainment systems, and many have stunning harbor views. There not much like it in town, but if you're looking for sky-high rooms and a bolder contemporary look, opt for the Ritz-Carlton instead.
The W Hong Kong is a fun, modern luxury hotel overlooking Victoria Harbor in Kowloon, a popular tourist area. It has all the hallmarks of the W brand -- trendy decor, a Bliss Spa, and a lobby bar where DJs spin. But this W feels even more special and luxurious than most. The harbor views from many of the 393 rooms, the infinity pool on the 76th floor, Kitchen restaurant, and the phenomenal spa are show-stopping. The location attached to Elements mall and the Kownloon metro station is incredibly convenient, and stylish rooms have beautiful slate bathrooms with rainfall showerheads and separate tubs. Those seeking something a little more conservative might prefer The Ritz-Carlton next door, which is located in the tallest building in Hong Kong.
The W Hong Kong is a fun, modern luxury hotel overlooking Victoria Harbor in Kowloon, a popular tourist area. It has all the hallmarks of the W brand -- trendy decor, a Bliss Spa, and a lobby bar where DJs spin. But this W feels even more special and luxurious than most. The harbor views from many of the 393 rooms, the infinity pool on the 76th floor, Kitchen restaurant, and the phenomenal spa are show-stopping. The location attached to Elements mall and the Kownloon metro station is incredibly convenient, and stylish rooms have beautiful slate bathrooms with rainfall showerheads and separate tubs. Those seeking something a little more conservative might prefer The Ritz-Carlton next door, which is located in the tallest building in Hong Kong.