Can’t decide where to stay in Hong Kong? In this article, we share with you our top picks for the best places to stay in Hong Kong for first-time visitors, families, and couples. We will also guide you to the most hip & cool hotels as well as where to stay in Hong Kong for nightlife and shopping!

Where to Stay in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Island versus Kowloon

The burning question that we often get is, “Which side should I stay on – Hong Kong island or Kowloon?” Well, the answer depends largely on what you wish to get out of your stay as well as your budget. We know your time is extremely precious in Hong Kong and hence we recommend staying in a convenient area, based on the places of interest that you will visit.

Hong Kong Island Highlights

Hong Kong Island offers a great base for sightseeing, including cultural sights (e.g. Chinese Medicine and places of worship), historical sites (both Chinese and Colonial), and an amusement park. If you plan on hitting the bars late and wish to get back to your hotel quickly, then stay on Hong Kong Island. In summary, here are some popular tourist attractions on Hong Kong Island:

• Victoria Peak
• Stanley Market
• Repulse Bay
• Aberdeen
• Man Mo Temple
• Central Mid-levels Escalators
• Lan Kwai Fong
• Wan Chai
• Happy Valley Racecourse
• Ocean Park

Kowloon Highlights

Staying in Kowloon is perfect if you are looking to wander around our vibrant street markets and soak up the local atmosphere. Many street markets are located within walking distance from one another. If you intend to go on a shopping spree, it helps to stay near to these markets, so that you can offload your shopping bags easily and be ready for more action! In brief, here are some “must-see” attractions in Kowloon:

• Flower Market
• Goldfish Market
• Bird Garden
• Ladies Market
• Temple Street Night Market
• Wong Tai Sin Sik Sik Yuen Temple
• Chi Lin Nunnery
• Nan Lian Garden
• Museum of History
• Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

If this is your first visit to Hong Kong, our pick is Hong Kong Island. However, hotels on Hong Kong Island often come with a higher price tag. As such, if the price is of concern to you, perhaps you can consider staying in Kowloon instead and pick a hotel near an MTR station – ideally on the Tsuen Wan Line (Red Line). In that way, by simply hopping onto the MTR, you’ll find yourself on Hong Kong island in no time.

Where to Stay on Hong Kong Island

Best Hotel to Stay in Hong Kong for First-Time Visitor: Upper House

If you intend to cover as much ground as possible, Upper House‘s location provides great accessibility that is difficult to beat. A small luxury hotel, Upper House is conveniently located near Admiralty MTR Station, which connects to our Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line and South Island Line. An MTR ride to Causeway Bay – where you’ll find Times Square, Noonday Gun, Victoria Park – takes less than 10 minutes. Similarly, you will arrive at Temple Street Night market or Ocean Park in a flash. Upper House is also situated in the heart of Hong Kong’s business district. It is the best area to stay in Hong Kong for tourists and business travelers. In a city where land commands a premium, Upper House generously offers abundant room space. Bathrooms of over 300 square feet come with walk-in rain showers, dressing area and deep soaking baths. The icing on the cake? Every room has breathtaking harbour or island views!

Photo: Upper House

Best Hip & Cool Hotel to Stay in Hong Kong: Ovolo Southside

Ovolo Southside is Hong Kong’s first and only warehouse conversion hotel to-date. We love their swanky industrial-inspired interior, designed by award-winning local architectural firm K plus K Associates. Ovolo Southside is located in Wong Chuk Hang, a revitalized town on the south side of Hong Kong Island. Once a manufacturing district, the area has been re-birthed as Hong Kong’s equivalent to the Meatpacking District of New York or the East End of London. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the neighbourhood is now an artists’ quarter and home to many studios, galleries and boutiques. You’ll find hidden gems such as local microbreweries Black Kite and Young Master Ales. To top it all, at Ovolo Southside, you’ll enjoy free breakfast, happy hour, in-room mini bar and snacks!

Photo: Ovolo Southside

Where to Stay on Kowloon

Best Hotel in Hong Kong for Family: Royal Plaza Hotel

Based on Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, Royal Plaza Hotel has consistently been one of the Top 10 Hotels for Families. This mid-range hotel offers spacious rooms (from 355 to 828 square feet), with more than 100 pairs of interconnecting rooms. Upon check-in, children can splash around in the children pool. Yuen Po Street Bird Garden and Goldfish Market – a stone’s throw away from Royal Plaza Hotel – seek to impress young children with a showcase of songbirds, goldfish, hamsters and adorable puppies. At the nearby Fa Yuen Street, there are more than 100 shops and stalls selling a variety of inexpensive fashion items, accessories and toys!

Photo: Royal Plaza Hotel

Best Hotel in Hong Kong for Shopping: Cordis

Cordis has a location that’s perfect for shoppers. Mong Kok is the mecca for shopping and this hotel places their guests at the doorstep of everything. For instance, Langham Place – less than a minute’s walk away – is the biggest mall in Mong Kok that focuses largely on youth fashion. Or perhaps, take a stroll to Ladies Market and haggle for bags and watches. Sneakers Street and Sim City are around the corner too. The former focuses on sports wear and shoes, while the latter sells both new and second-hand camera gears. Feel free to shop till you drop, without the fear of getting lost or disconnected. You’ll be delighted to know that Cordis provides hotel guests with a smartphone that allows unlimited local calls and 3G Internet connection. Furthermore, you have access to up-to-the-minute maps of Hong Kong as well as a city guide of the best places to eat, play and explore!

Photo: Cordis

Best Hotel to Stay in Hong Kong for Couples: Hotel ICON

Looking for the perfect hotel to spend your honeymoon? Hotel ICON offers some of the most spacious and stylish rooms in Hong Kong. Offering the ultimate in comfort, you can expect in-room Nespresso machines, pillow menus and sumptuous robes. For a start, wind down by taking a swim in their rooftop open air heated pool. Alternatively, indulge yourselves at Hotel ICON’s Angsana Spa, where professional therapists from the world famous Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts offer a range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments. Thereafter, head to Hotel ICON’s Above and Beyond Chinese restaurant. Located on the top floor of the hotel, it offers panoramic views of Victoria Harbour whilst serving gourmet lovers with the best of Cantonese cuisine!

Photo: Hotel Icon

Looking for more experts’ advice for your trip to Hong Kong? Get in touch with Big Foot Tour – Hong Kong Private Walking Tours today. We’ve got lots of local insights to share and would love to bring you on fun-filled walks to discover the real Hong Kong!