Block A, 8/F, 34-36 Cameron Road,, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China | (888) 989-6591
In the heart of bustling Tsim Sha Tsui near shopping and dining
Clean, private rooms with flat-screen TVs
Most rooms have private bathrooms
Guest mini-fridge and microwave
Internet corner with printer
Chinese work visa service on-site
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Rooms are small and austere
No communal kitchen
Breakfast not included
Like many hostels and budget lodgings in Hong Kong, the two-pearl Lee Garden Guest House occupies floors in a secure residential building on a busy street. Clean and well-managed by an owner whose services include supplying Chinese work visas, the hostel-like hotel caters to backpackers and budget-conscious travelers of all stripes. The rooms are tiny and basic, but most have their own bathrooms. Those looking for more interesting room decor and more amenities should check rates at boutique hostels Hop Inn or InnSight, on the other side of Nathan Road.
Scene
Simple interiors within a residential building
Tucked between two high-rises on the seventh and eighth floors of a residential building, the Lee Garden Guest House has been run by the same owner since 1985 (who also operates the nearby Star Guest House). Drop ceilings with fluorescent lights, along with green and white walls, give the lobby a clinical vibe. A mix of residential and dormitory decor -- including veneer paneling, beveled doors, plastic stools, and old carpets -- create an overall bland ambience. There is no common lounge or space for guests to mingle. The hotel attracts young backpackers and essentially anyone traveling on a tight budget, including families.
Location
Walking distance to shops, restaurants, and public transportation
Located in the bustling tourist and shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui in the south of the Kowloon Peninsula, the guesthouse is surrounded by restaurants and retail outlets. Knutsford Terrace -- a pedestrianized area full of cafes and alfresco eateries -- is a five-minute walk away, while the hubbub of Nathan Road is also just five minutes away on foot. There are two MTR stations -- Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui -- less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while both the sprawling green space of Kowloon Park and the Hong Kong Museum of Art are within 10 minutes on foot as well. Expect a half-hour drive to Hong Kong International Airport, depending on traffic.
Rooms
Tiny and austere private rooms, all with flat-screen TVs
The 30 air-conditioned rooms do little to mask their budget ethos. They have a cramped and basic layout with industrial gray carpeted floors and simple decor like textured wallpaper and wood veneer quarter-panels. Each gets some natural light from windows of varying sizes, with yellow patterned curtains providing the only color apart from the bed linens. Configurations range from Single Rooms, with a lone twin bed and small desk area, to Family Rooms with a double and a twin or three twins. Free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs come standard, as do lockers. Most units also have their own bathrooms, which are tiled and include toilets and open wet-room showers. Some rooms do share a bathroom, though, so check ahead.
Features
Internet corner, communal fridge and microwave, and work visa service
The Lee Garden Guest House's small lobby has a few amenities, including a fridge, a microwave, and electric kettle, though there is no proper communal kitchen. On the opposite wall there's an Internet corner with a computer and a printer, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. The management provides a number of services, and can arrange tickets and tour bookings and help with securing Chinese work visas.