No.38 Ice House Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong, China | (888) 616-5829
Conveniently located in central Hong Kong
Chic, compact rooms have flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and safes
Some rooms have scenic city views and balconies
Spacious and comfortable lounge in the lobby area
PCs available for guest use
Vending machines selling drinks and snacks
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Rooms are tiny and sparsely furnished, and some lack windows
Noise issues due to thin walls and loud air-conditioning
Some complaints about cleanliness and dampness in the rooms
Wi-Fi connection is unreliable
Only wall-mounted soap is supplied
Balcony doors open to the bathroom
This budget hotel has a great location in the middle of Hong Kong's financial district, within walking distance of the lively Lan Kwai Fong district. But it's situated on a steep street that might pose problems for some. True to its name, the 196 guest rooms are tiny and furnished only with beds, which take up all available floor space. It's worth upgrading to a room with a window, or even better, to one with a balcony and city view. Note that some guests complain of cleanliness issues, poor Wi-Fi, and noise due to thin walls and loud ACs. Features are limited, but there is a comfy communal lounge and a vending machine with drinks and snacks. Travelers seeking larger rooms might want to check out Butterfly on Hollywood, which features stylish movie-themed decor and offers rooms with kitchenettes.
Scene
Budget hotel with a chic vintage vibe
Mini Hotel Central is set in a glass high-rise building wedged between other high-rises in a busy business district. The spacious and pleasant lobby area has large windows that illuminate it with lots of natural light. Done up in a chic vintage style, the space is furnished with several comfy chesterfield sofas, leather armchairs, and communal tables that provide comfortable places to relax or get some work done. A decor highlight is the painted Chinese cabinet, while a piano adds an elegant touch -- as do the framed black-and-white photographs adorning the walls. This hotel is popular with leisure and business travelers alike -- as well as attracting backpackers -- but it may not be ideal for guests with mobility issues because of the staircase leading to the entrance and the steep incline of the street.
Location
In the heart of Hong Kong's financial district
Mini Hotel Central is located right in the heart of Hong Kong's central financial district. Lan Kwai Fong and its many shops, bars, restaurants, and night spots is just a few minutes away on foot. The property is also a five-minute walk to the Central MTR subway station, making any part of the city easily accessible from here. Guests should note that the street the hotel is situated on is on a steep incline and can be a challenge to negotiate with luggage because of the many steps.- Three-minute walk to Lan Kwai Fong nightlife district
Rooms
Compact, stylish guest rooms with tiny bathrooms, some with balconies
Guest rooms at Mini Hotel Central are certainly “mini” -- not much bigger than the size of the bed -- and even closet-like. But decor works to camouflage their limited size: The walls, ceiling, and bed sheets are stark white, with a colorful pillow or two adding a pop of contrast, as well as wooden floors to break the monotony. Coat hooks on the wall replace wardrobes, and there are no tables, work desks, or mini-fridges. The wall directly behind the bed is made of a glass partition that separates the sleeping area from the bathroom. Not surprisingly, the white marble bathrooms are tiny as well, and are fitted with vessel sinks and walk-in showers with wall-mounted shower gel dispensers. All rooms also have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, hairdryers, safes, and free drinking water. Wi-Fi is also free, but the connection can be hit-or-miss.The lower-category rooms are windowless, so it's worth upgrading to the Smart Rooms, which have windows and thus natural light. Some rooms offer views of the Hong Kong skyline, but others overlook less inspiring concrete walls. A perk in the Smarter Plus Rooms is the furnished balcony with city views, though it's located right next to the toilet in the bathroom in some of the spaces. Note that common guest complaints include noisy air-conditioning, poor soundproofing between rooms, dampness, and cleanliness issues.
Features
Limited features include a lounge, rooftop terrace, vending machine, and free Wi-Fi
This budget hotel offers almost no on-site features or services. The most glaring is the absence of a breakfast service, but guests have many eateries and cafes to choose from in the neighborhood. The lounge, located in a communal area just off the lobby, has two PCs available for guest use, and several comfy sofas and armchairs where guests can relax, meet, or get some work done. A rooftop terrace offers views of the city skyline and nearby mountains, but it's not furnished. A few vending machines in the lobby area provide drinks and snacks. Wi-Fi is free and available in all areas of the hotel.