SD › Hong Kong › Best Hotels
Updated: November 29, 2021
By Santorini Dave
Hong Kong Hotels – Best Places to Stay
- Booking.com – the best site for booking Hong Kong hotels.
- Best Luxury Hotels in Hong Kong: The Landmark Mandarin Oriental • The Langham
- Best Boutique Hotel in Hong Kong: The Luxe Manor
- Best Hotels for Families in Hong Kong: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
- Where to Stay in Hong Kong: Tsim Sha Tsui is the best neighborhood to stay for visitors first time visitors to Hong Kong.
On This Page
- Best Luxury Hotels in Hong Kong
- Best Hotels in Central, Admiralty, & SoHo
- Best Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui
- Best Hotels in Wan Chai
- Best Hotels in Causeway Bay
- Best Hotels in Sheung Wan
- Best Hotels in West Kowloon
The 14 Best Hotels in Hong Kong
1. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental – Central
Hotel phone: +852 2132 0188
In a prime Central location, this boutique-sized urban sanctuary rises above the Landmark shopping mall. The 113 rooms are beautifully designed: expect neutral colours, streamlined furniture, king-sized beds and great attention to detail, including thoughtfully-placed reading lights. Perks include Nespresso machines, 48-inch screen TVs, and complimentary edible treats in glass chilled-cabinets. Bathrooms come with deep tubs and rain showers. On-site dining includes Michelin-starred Amber, and the MO Bar; breakfast is served in the MO in the morning, and in the evening it becomes a popular watering hole for guests and locals alike. The hotel is family-friendly, and feels more exclusive than its much larger sister, the Mandarin Oriental, thanks to the personalized service and the discreet entrance leading into the small reception area. For guests who wish to exercise or unwind, there’s a swimming pool, gym and a large, award-winning spa offering numerous treatments, as well as free yoga and Pilates classes. The hotel location is very convenient: the mall beneath the hotel is connected to various points of interest in Central by covered walkways, and the MTR station is directly below.
Nearest transport: Central MTR.
2. The Upper House – Admiralty
Hotel phone: +852 2918 1838
The Upper House, sitting appropriately above Pacific Place mall, offers artsy, modern luxury and phenomenal views. After paperless check-in via iPad in the hotel’s stark lobby, guests are taken up to their temporary home via an escalator that rises through the Torii Tunnel and is designed to resemble Japanese torii gates. From ‘the secret garden’ patio to the striking atrium with its silver sculpture spiraling up the walls, this hotel of glass, limestone and blond wood is a visual stunner, designed by renowned Hong-Kong-born architect André Fu. Works by local and international artists feature throughout. The 117 rooms are among the most spacious in Hong Kong, with king-sized beds, L-shaped sofas, subtle lighting, plasma-screen TVs, free snacks and drinks from the minibar (excluding wine), and terrific views. Bathrooms all come with rain showers and vast bathtubs (also with impressive city and island views). To dine, head up to Salisterra or the Sky Lounge on the 49th floor. Both are impeccably stylish; the latter comes with semi-private booths and both bar and a la carte menus; the former serves refined European cuisine and one of the top hotel breakfasts in the world. The compact gym comes with island views; yoga sessions are also on offer.
Nearest transport: Admiralty MTR.
3. The Peninsula – Tsim Sha Tsui
Hotel phone: +852 2920 2888
Built in 1928 and affectionately known to locals at “The Pen”, the grand dame of Hong Kong’s hotels sits in a splendid waterfront location at the tip of Tsim Sha Tsui. The palm-filled lobby, where guests sip afternoon tea to the sound of the resident string quartet, the green Rolls-Royces lined up outside, and the helipad poised to receive some of the hotel’s more illustrious guests add to the grandeur. The décor throughout carries on the East meets West theme, and while the rooms are decked out with antique furniture, they all come with state-of-the-art touchscreen tablets in 11 different languages that guests can use to control room temperature, room service, in-room entertainment system, and more. Of the 8 dining options, Gaddi’s is elegant French, Spring Moon is Michelin-starred Cantonese in an art deco setting, Imasa is minimalist Japanese, and The Bar is turn of the century opulence serving classic cocktails. A spa, fitness centre with open-air terrace and a beautiful indoor pool are among the pampering facilities. Child-friendly touches include the Very Important Baby package for families with young children.
Nearest transport: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.
4. Four Seasons – Central
Hotel phone: +852 3196 8888
Overlooking the waterfront in Central, the gleaming, modern Four Seasons is right in the thick of things, but somehow manages to feel somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle. The light-filled glass lobby strikes you as soon as you enter; the 399 guest rooms are also bright, and among the largest in the city. The décor is stylish and easy on the eye – neutral creams, browns and charcoals. The bathrooms boast walk-in rain showers and deep tubs. Floor-to-ceiling windows drink in the excellent views of Victoria Harbour or Victoria Peak. Four Seasons has 2 of the best restaurants in the city: Lung King Heen with 3 Michelin stars serves classic Cantonese, while 2-Michelin-star Caprice offers French fine dining. Leisure facilities include a plunge pool, whirlpool, infinity pool with harbour views and underwater music, 24-hour gym, and complimentary tai chi classes. Families are made to feel very welcome with in-room children’s menus and child-sized bathrobes; tailor-made family outings and babysitters can be arranged with prior notice. The staff go the extra mile and are on hand to arrange tours of the city.
Nearest transport: Central MTR.
5. Island Shangri-La – Central
Hotel phone: +852 2877 3838
East meets West is the prevailing theme at this impressive 5-star hotel overlooking Hong Kong Park from its lofty location. The interior is nothing short of striking, boasting plenty of marble, enormous chandeliers, and The Great Motherland of China, a silk painting that hangs over 16 stories within the vast atrium. The spacious rooms have classic European décor with Asian accents, king-sized beds, and panoramic windows. Pink marble bathrooms come with rain showers, tubs, and bidets. Apart from the large outdoor pool and indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, there’s a full array of spa treatments on offer, as well as a 24-hour gym. The Shangri-La has been named by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the world’s best hotels for dining; choices include Michelin-starred Summer Palace (superlative Cantonese), Restaurant Petrus (fine French fare), Nadaman (high-end Japanese), and Café TOO (casual international restaurant with 10 cooking stations). Children are welcome at the Shangri-La, with children’s menus and child-minding services available. Access to the hotel is up through the Pacific Mall from the Admiralty MTR station.
Nearest transport: Central MTR.
6. Ritz-Carlton – Kowloon
Hotel phone: +852 2263 2263
The tallest hotel in the world, the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong affords superior luxury in an unmatched setting. Located on the top 17 floors of the 118-story International Commerce Centre in West Kowloon, it boasts the city’s best views of Victoria Harbour and Central from the floor-to-ceiling windows of every room, with even higher views from the rooftop Ozone bar. From the time you enter the hotel lobby (after an ear-popping elevator ride up from the tony Elements shopping mall below), the opulence is ever-present, from the marble and crystal chandeliers, to the quietly plush corridors, scented with the bespoke Black Orchid fragrance. Sumptuous rooms are decked out in beiges, creams and rich red tones, with high-end fabrics, work stations and plasma-screen TVs. Deep tubs and rain showers are de rigeur in the marble bathrooms; suites have the benefit of whirlpool tubs with stupendous views. Relaxation facilities include indoor infinity pool, an outdoor whirlpool on the 118th floor and spa. Of the six restaurants to choose from, two-Michelin-star Tin Lung Heen specializes in refined Cantonese food, while Tosca is known for innovative Italian fare. Families can enjoy a Ritz-Kids Night Safari, with tents provided for children can camp out in their parents’ room.
Nearest transport: Kowloon MTR.
7. Grand Hyatt – Wan Chai
Hotel phone: +852 2588 1234
This 5-star hotel is indeed grand, with black marble columns and gold detail dominating the décor in shared spaces. Guest rooms are spacious and stylish without being overbearing, with blond wood fixtures, neutral colors and crimson accents, as well as glass-walled bathrooms. Black-and-white photos by Hong Kong-born photographer John Young Zerunge grace the walls and the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows are impressive, particularly if you choose a harbor view room. Families are welcomed with a separate play area for kids and family packages. The relaxation facilities are extensive, from the minimalist Japanese Plateau Spa to a state-of-the-art fitness studio and tennis courts to the large pool with pool bar. Dining-wise, you can choose between excellent Cantonese at One Harbour Road, surf and turf at the Grand Hyatt Steakhouse, sushi at Kaetsu, iconic afternoon tea at Tiffin, or evening drinks at the 1920s-inspired Champagne Bar. Located next door to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, this impressive edifice is a favorite with business travelers, vacationing families and heads of state.
Nearest transport: Wan Chai MTR.
8. The Mira – Tsim Sha Tsui
Hotel phone: +852 2368 1111
Trendy and visually striking, The Mira, a 482-room design hotel that rose from the ashes of the original Miramar hotel, sits just off busy Nathan Rd in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. From its neon-lit dark marble lobby, its maze of dimly-lit corridors, its seemingly undulating walls, and its metal sculptures to its subtly illuminated basement infinity pool and spa, it packs a visual punch. Designed by American lifestyle guru Colin Cowie, the standard rooms are sleek and simple, with wooden floors, unadorned walls, and largely neutral palette livened up with the odd splash of color. The Speciality Suites, individually designed by Manhattan-based interior designer Charles Allem, wow with striking touches, from the glass mosaic wall of the Exclusive Platinum Suite to the dramatic purple-and-silver colour scheme of the Grand Mira Suite. All rooms are tech-heavy, with iPod docking stations, PressReaders (digital newspaper access), and pocket 4G devices for unlimited connectivity on the go. The six dining options include Cuisine Cuisine (superb dim sum) and Whisk (contemporary Western). There’s live music at Vibes outdoor lounge-bar in a secluded courtyard, and the staff are young, hip and friendly. Part of the movie “Snowden” was shot here.
Nearest transport: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.
9. The Langham – Tsim Sha Tsui
Hotel phone: +852 2375 1133
Hong Kong’s grand European hotel sits amidst the skyscrapers and high-end designer boutiques in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. Old World grandeur is apparent in its hand-painted ceiling, massive chandeliers, pink marble walls and signature scent. However, the 471 rooms are anything but old-fashioned. Creams and beiges dominate, with some 1920s-style art deco elements, and rooms come with the hotel’s signature Blissful Beds and Nespresso machines. Apart from the rooftop pool, spa and well-equipped gym, guests can take advantage of on-site tailors – a nod to London’s Saville Row. The excellent dining options include fine Cantonese fare at T’ang Court, steak and lobster at The Bostonian, international dishes at the casual Food Gallery, and Reuben sandwiches, shakes, and burgers at the basement Main St. Deli. The Langham Afternoon Tea is served inside the Palm Court, styled after its namesake in London. Classic cocktails are served at the tony Artesian lounge. The service is attentive and extremely professional, and family packages are available, offering children’s bathrobes and slippers, complimentary cartoon DVDs, and other goodies.
Nearest transport: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.
10. Hotel ICON – Tsim Sha Tsui
Hotel phone: +852 3400 1000
ICON makes a striking impression, from the spiral wood-panelled staircase of its contemporary lobby to the remarkable ‘wall garden’ that stretches from its Green bar to the reception. Owned by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the hotel provides on-the-job training for young, enthusiastic hospitality staff. Local designers and artists were heavily involved in the interior design: the metal gate in the lobby replicates old-style Hong Kong patterns and there are colourful murals on different floors that depict popular Hong Kong locations – from the view from Victoria Peak to Mong Kok street life. The 234 sleek rooms and 26 suites are decked out in neutral shades and come with king-sized beds, plasma-screen TVs, Nespresso makers, rain showers, and deep, Japanese-style bathtubs in spacious bathrooms, and free use of local cell phones. Other amenities include a guest library, Angsana spa, a state-of-the-art gym, and a 24-hour, outdoor swimming pool overlooking the city. There are three dining options to choose from: European-style cuisine and delectable cakes at Green, refined Cantonese cuisine with 28th floor views at Above & Beyond, and The Market, inspired by Hong Kong markets of old and featuring an open kitchen.
Nearest transport: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.
11. InterContinental – Tsim Sha Tsui
Hotel phone: +852 2721 1211
(Hotel closed for renovations till 2022.)
This contemporary 5-star hotel has a lot going for it: an unbeatable waterfront location at the southernmost tip of Tsim Sha Tsui with an unobstructed view of Victoria Harbour, feng-shui-influenced décor, 495 sumptuous rooms, five superb restaurants, and a host of leisure facilities. Room décor is classic and stylish, with subtle splashes of colour; harbour-view rooms are the most sought-after. Sunken tubs in the bathrooms, butler service and handy smartphones are among the perks. Two restaurants are Michelin-starred: Yan Toh Heen (classic Catonese) and The Steak House (wine bar and grill); Rech by Alain Ducasse (French-style seafood), NOBU, and Harbourside (casual international dining) complete the ensemble. The outdoor infinity spa pools are a terrific vantage point for the nightly laser show above the harbour; spa treatments, 24-hour fitness centre and tai chi and yoga classes are also available. Families are greeted with special children’s menus, child-sized bathrobes and free panda puppets. The Star Ferry and the nearest MTR station are nearby.
Nearest transport: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR or Star Ferry.
12. Fwd House 1881 – Tsim Sha Tsui
Hotel phone: +852 3988 0000
Located near the designer boutiques of Canton Road and the neon-lit local eateries of Tsim Sha Tsui’s southern tip, Hullett House stands out in the sea of modernity by invoking the grandeur of Hong Kong’s colonial past. Consisting of just ten suites, the hotel is inside a colonnaded 19th century building – the former Marine Police Headquarters – built on a small hill in 1881. A lift whisks guests up from the tiny ground-floor lobby up into landscaped grounds full of magnificent trees – a favorite backdrop for local weddings. Each of the spacious, individually-styled suites comes with balconies and has a unique character. The Silvermine Suite is entirely white, with Louis XIV-style ornate furnishings and a claw-footed tub, while the Deep Water Bay Suite features bold China pop art, including a tongue-in-check triptych of Mao blowing bubble gum bubbles above the bed. The seven dining options range from the refined Champagne Gallery to the casual Stables Grill to the wonderfully atmospheric Whisky@Stables – a whisky bar inside the former police stables. Guests get free access to fitness facilities at the YMCA next door.
Nearest transport: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.
13. The Luxe Manor – Tsim Sha Tsui
Hotel phone: +852 3763 8888
In a city full of straight-laced, functional business hotels and classic Old World Opulence, this luxury boutique hotel stands out thanks to its brash, quirky décor and a surrealist theme throughout. The lobby of this self-styled “European mansion in an urban forest” exemplifies this theme, with mismatched armchairs and floor mosiac homage to Salvador Dali. Décor is crimson, gold and black, with substantial helpings of gilt, trompe l’oeil picture frames and funky wallpaper. The rooms are reasonably spacious, and come with fake fireplaces, TVs in picture frames, quirky lamps, and compact marble bathrooms with rain showers. There’s a 24-hour gym, free smartphones are available for guests, and childcare can be arranged on request. On-site dining consists of FINDS (authentic Nordic cuisine), while the Dada Bar, inspired by the Dadaism art movement, has an extensive range of wines and spirits, as well as live music on weekends. The location is handy – a five-minute walk from the nearest MTR station and right in the middle of Tsim Sha Tsui’s bustling dining scene, and a couple of minutes away from the shopping mile of Nathan Road.
Nearest transport: Tsim Sha Tsui MTR.
14. TUVE Hotel – Causeway Bay
Hotel phone: +852 3995 8899
The minimalist TUVE Hotel sits in the midst of one of Hong Kong Island’s foodie hotspots. An understated entrance on narrow Tsing Fung Street leads into the dark, spare interior of oxidized metal, black marble, and unadorned concrete. (There’s no sign; the fame of one of Hong Kong’s newest design hotels has spread via word of mouth.) Inside, 66 spartan rooms make great use of raw materials, such as galvanized steel, oak, and concrete; the clean, precise lines and natural aesthetic are a stark contrast to the gaudy neon of the surrounding neighborhood. Of the three room types, wood-paneled ‘comfort’ rooms are the coziest. All rooms are illuminated by gentle, floor-level lighting, and in spite of the deliberate sparsity of decoration, creature comforts are not neglected: rooms come with king-sized beds, plasma screen TVs, and “Wunderboxes” that open up to reveal a desk, chair, the bar, and smartphones with unlimited free internet and international calls. Look closely at the cracks in the concrete walls in the premier and deluxe rooms, and you’ll see gold dust. Bathrooms feature indulgent rain showers and amenities by Fresh. There is no on-site restaurant but the surrounding Tin Hau neighborhood is where in-the-know locals come to dine.
Nearest transport: Tin Hau MTR.
Staying in Central, Admiralty & SoHo
Spread between Victoria Harbour and Victoria Peak, Central is the heart of Hong Kong. Its striking glass and steel skyscrapers represent some of the city’s most innovative architecture and form the core of one of Asia’s most important business and finance centers. This is also where the fishing port of Hong Kong was originally established, and there are traces of Britain’s colonial legacy in the form of several notable 19th century buildings. Double-decker trams clatter along the Des Voeux Rd Central; heading east, they pass by one of Hong Kong’s most attractive green spaces – Hong Kong Park. Adjacent to the park, the Peak Tram terminus is the departure point for visitors wishing to be whisked up to the top of Hong Kong’s most famous mountain. Some of the city’s most exclusive hotels nestle in Admiralty, next to the park; others sit near the Central Piers – the main ferry hub connecting Central to Kowloon and the outlying islands. The dining scene in Central is a mix of traditional Chinese restaurants and creative international offerings that cater largely to the white-collar professional crowds. Innovative ethnic eateries and many of the city’s trendiest bars are clustered along the narrow, steep streets of SoHo (“south of Hollywood Road”) – particularly along Elgin, Staunton and Shelley streets, just above Central – and are reachable by the Mid-Level escalators, the free moving sidewalks that cater to Central’s army of commuters. Central’s frenetic nightlife is concentrated along Lan Kwai Fong, D’Aguilar, Wyndham and other neighboring streets, a block east of SoHo, where backpackers rub shoulders with expat bankers and chuppies (Chinese yuppies).
Best Hotels in Central, Admiralty & SoHo
- The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
Cutting-edge décor, award-winning spa, 5-star luxury, great dining, close to shopping.
Hotel phone: +852 2132 0188 - The Upper House
Striking design hotel, remarkable views, hi-tech room features, near restaurants and malls.
Hotel phone: +852 2918 1838 - Four Seasons
Luxurious, contemporary rooms, striking views, Michelin-starred dining, 5-star amenities.
Hotel phone: +852 3196 8888 - Island Shangri-La
Award-winning design, stellar harbour and mountain views, Old World luxury, close to shopping and dining.
Hotel phone: +852 2877 3838 - Conrad
Elegant, contemporary high-rise hotel, on-site spa and dining, nearby shopping and MTR.
Hotel phone: +852 2521 3838
Best Restaurants in Central, Admiralty & SoHo
- Lung King Heen • $$$$ • Michelin-starred Cantonese cuisine, seasonal ingredients, popular dim sum lunches, smart casual.
- Maxim’s Palace • $$-$$$ • Busy, casual, traditional dim sum, noisy, fun vibe, popular with families.
- Amber • $$$$ • Fine French dining, seasonal menu, great wine list, great lunchtime deals, reservations essential.
- Chilli Fagara • $$-$$$ • Compact Sichuan restaurant, brisk service, popular with professionals, good lunch deals.
- Chôm Chôm • $$-$$$ • Hip Vietnamese street food bar, busy in the evenings, casual, popular with young professionals.
Staying in Tsim Sha Tsui
The most visited part of Hong Kong after Central, Tsim Sha Tsui is the tight grid of skyscraper-studded streets at the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula. It’s densely packed with restaurants, shopping malls and hotels; ranging from the exclusive 5-star hotels along the waterfront to the tiny cheapies within the grandly named warren of Chungking Mansions, where you can get a haircut, eat a curry, get measured up for a suit, and buy a replica designer watch, all without leaving the building. The two main shopping streets are Canton Road, running along the west side of Tsim Sha Tsui, and Nathan Road, the runs through its centre. Canton Road is lined with Prada, Fendi, Armani, and other high-end fashion boutiques, and is also home to Harbour City – Hong Kong’s largest mall. Nathan Road – “the golden mile of shopping” – is where you’ll find electronics, jewelry, and Asian high street fashion, as well as Shanghainese tailors. The waterfront provides a respite from the relentlessness of the busy streets with its appealing promenade – a favorite vantage point for watching the nightly laser show above the bay – and cultural attractions like the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the stellar Hong Kong Museum of Art. Several blocks north from the waterfront along Chatham Rd S is the excellent Hong Kong Museum of History, while Kowloon Park, off Nathan Road, is a welcome green space in the sea of metal and concrete. The iconic Star Ferry connects Tsim Sha Tsui to Central and Wan Chai.
Best Hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui
- The Peninsula
Iconic waterfront hotel, Michelin-starred dining, elegant rooms and suites, near ferry.
Hotel phone: +852 2920 2888 - The Mira
Stylish contemporary design, ultra-modern rooms, award-winning spa, excellent dining.
Hotel phone: +852 2368 1111 - The Langham
Old World grandeur, opulent rooms with mod cons, excellent restaurants, extensive shopping nearby.
Hotel phone: +852 2375 1133 - Hotel ICON
Striking interior design, luxurious rooms, excellent on-site dining, near museums.
Hotel phone: +852 3400 1000 - InterContinental
Luxury waterfront hotel, iconic harbour views, near promenade and art gallery.
Hotel phone: +852 2721 1211
Best Restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui
- T’ang Court • $$$$ • Triple Michelin-starred Cantonese fare, lavish surroundings, seamless service, reservations essential.
- Cuisine Cuisine • $$$$ • Contemporary Cantonese, creative, seasonal dim sum, elegant décor, extensive wine list.
- Gaddi’s • $$$$ • Upscale French cuisine in iconic location, luxurious décor, elegant eveningwear a must.
- The Bostonian • $$$$ • Contemporary American bistro, surf and turf specialties, popular for Sunday brunch, reservations.
- Hutong • $$$$ • Fiery Northern Chinese dishes, striking décor, spectacular skyline views, popular with groups.
Staying in Wan Chai
Stretching east-west from Canal Road to Admiralty’s Arsenal Street, and squeezed between the harbour and the hills, the busy commercial area of Wan Chai has undergone an immense transformation in recent decades. Back in the day it was notorious for the sleazy bars and tattoo parlors of its red light district, frequented by sailors on shore leave during WWII and American servicemen coming ashore for some R&R during the Vietnam War. Today it is known as the city’s arts and culture hub, with the Hong Kong Arts Centre and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts – showcasing musicals, drama, concerts, and dance – sitting on busy Gloucester Road. The glass façade of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre dominates the waterfront, near the Star Ferry dock that links Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui. The nightlife scene is still strong towards the western end of Lockhart Road and a portion of the parallel Jaffe Rd, though the more risqué bars and low-key Cantonese joints are now interspersed with trendy tapas bars, craft beer outlets, and international restaurants. Shopping is one of Wan Chai’s prime attractions, with Wan Chai Computer Centre on Hennessy Road luring techies with its cornucopia of gadgets, hardware, and software. The array of toy shops on Tai Yuen Street cater to ‘kidults’, while locals in the know hit the clothing stalls of Spring Garden Lane for some bargains.
Best Hotels in Wan Chai
- Grand Hyatt
Sleek design, 5-star amenities, luxurious rooms and suites, close to shopping, ferry.
Hotel phone: +852 2588 1234 - Mira Moon
Award-winning boutique hotel, colorful rooms, on-site tapas bar, close to shopping.
Hotel phone: +852 2643 8888 - Gloucester Luk Kwok
Rooms and suites with classic décor, good on-site dining, close to ferry and MTR.
Hotel phone: +852 2866 2166 - Novotel Century
Sleek, contemporary, business-style rooms, busy business district location, near ferry and MTR.
Hotel phone: +852 2598 8888 - V Wan Chai Hotel
Oriental chic design, contemporary rooms, free cocktails, close to MTR.
Hotel phone: +852 3602 2388
Best Restaurants in Wan Chai
- Beef & Liberty • $$-$$$ • Superb gourmet burgers and craft beer, casual, friendly, popular with families.
- Fook Lam Moon • $$$$ • Michelin-starred Cantonese fare, affordable dim sum lunch, business crowd regulars.
- 22 Ships • $$-$$$ • Trendy, buzzy tapas bar, Spanish/International fusion, young, professional crowd, no reservations.
- DiVino Patio • $$-$$$ • Rustic, home-style Italian, casual ambience, alfresco seating, family-friendly.
Staying in Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is one of Hong Kong Island’s busiest shopping districts, located just east of Wan Chai – nestled between the hills and the bay, and bordered to the east and west by Victoria Park and Hwy 5. The neighborhood was once a fishing village sitting on a heavily silted bay, and most of present-day Causeway Bay is built on reclaimed land. Its compact grid of streets, popular with locals, is lined with shopping malls, upscale boutiques, and department stores. Hysan Place (Lee Garden One), Times Square and Fashion Walk are the go-to malls for upmarket fashion, while the maze of shops at the Island Beverley Centre caters to the young and trendy. Jardine’s Crescent hosts a chaotic street market with great bargains on clothing and accessories. Apart from local and international fashions, the crowded streets of Causeway Bay are also a popular place to shop for electronics and home goods. The Cross Harbour Tunnel connects Causeway Bay’s waterfront to East Tsim Sha Tsui across Victoria Harbour. On the waterfront sits the Noonday Gun, a cannon that has been fired every day at noon since the 1860’s, serving as a daily time signal for many generations of Hong Kong residents. Causeway Bay’s dining scene ranges from low-key noodle and dumpling joints to upscale international restaurants, many of the latter found in the food courts of Times Square and Hysan Place malls.
Best Hotels in Causeway Bay
- The Park Lane
Chic, artistic hotel, Victoria Harbour views, close to park, shopping, MTR.
Hotel phone: +852 2293 8888 - TUVE Hotel
Striking design hotel, excellent local dining, MRT station nearby.
Hotel phone: +852 3995 8899 - Lanson Place
Small luxury hotel, contemporary rooms in neutral shades, close to shopping, dining, MTR.
Hotel phone: +852 3477 6888 - Hotel Ease Causeway Bay
Intimate boutique hotel, stylish, contemporary rooms, great views, close to shopping.
Hotel phone: +852 3725 1588
Best Restaurants in Causeway Bay
- Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine • $$-$$$ • Locally popular mini-chain, casual, relaxed, seafood-heavy menu.
- BLT Burger • $$-$$$ • Imaginative burgers and milkshakes, efficient service, casual, busy basement setting.
- Wu Kong Shanghai Restaurant • $$-$$$ • Longstanding Shanghainese restaurant, Peking duck and Shanghai dumplings a specialty, busy, casual.
- Wooloomooloo Prime • $$$$ • Contemporary steak restaurant, great views, extensive wine list, excellent service.
Staying in Sheung Wan
The old neighborhood of Sheung Wan is bordered by Central to the east, the harbour to the north and Sai Ying Pun to the west, with the streets of the Mid-levels District snaking up Victoria Peak to the south. Seamlessly blending history and tradition with contemporary pursuits, Sheung Wan has an eclectic shopping scene: where Des Voeux Rd Central meets Des Voeux Rd West stands the Edwardian Western Market – the oldest surviving market building in the city. Further west, Wing Lok St and Bonham Strand West are lined with pungent shops where locals buy dried abalone, and other ingredients for tonics and soups. Nearby, Koh Shing St is lined with traditional Chinese medicine stores. Tradition also lived on in tiny Man Wah Lane, near the MTR station, where stalls of “chop-makers” specialize in creating unique seals and rubber stamps. This district was one of the earliest areas of Hong Kong to be settled by the British, with tiny Possession St, off Queen’s Rd West, marking the place where the British forces took possession of Hong Kong Island in 1842. Possession St leads up to Hollywood Road, lined with antique shops and galleries, with a particular concentration of Chinese antiques and Mao-related memorabilia along the parallel Upper Lascar Row (Cat St). Up a steep staircase from Cat St, the busy 19th century Man Mo Temple sees worshippers ducking in and out of its clouds of fragrant incense. Tai Ping Shan St, north of Hollywood St, is the home of creative wares and contemporary art. While not as frenetic as SoHo, Sheung Wan has its share of trendy international eateries, bars, and independent coffee shops; scattered along Queen’s St Central, Bridges St, Gough St, and Hollywood Rd.
Best Hotels in Sheung Wan
- Travelodge Central, Hollywood Road
Hip and modern décor, snug, comfortable rooms, near art galleries, antique shops and restaurants.
Hotel phone: +852 2850 8899 - 99 Bonham
Boutique apartment-hotel, stylish suites, superlative city views, good dining and shopping nearby.
Hotel phone: +852 3940 1111 - The Jervois
Ultra-modern one- and two-bedroom suites, great views, excellent dining nearby.
Hotel phone: +852 3994 9000 - The Putman
Light, bright, one-bedroom studios, floor-to-ceiling windows, near nightlife and restaurants.
Hotel phone: +852 2233 2233 - The Sheung Wan
Minimalist business-style accommodation, on-site fitness room, close to nightlife and dining.
Hotel phone: +852 3423 3286
Best Restaurants in Sheung Wan
- Bo Innovation • $$$$ • Michelin-starred imaginative Cantonese, legendary chef, excellent service, expert wine pairing.
- Okra Kitchen • $$-$$$ • Japanese gastrobar, creative, tapas-style dishes, extensive sake list, bar seating, busy on weekends.
- The Chairman • $$$$ • Michelin-starred traditional Cantonese, relaxed, casual ambience, smart décor, stellar service.
- Classified • $$-$$$ • European-style café mini-chain, great any time of day, fun and casual, ideal for families.
- Chachawan • $$-$$$ • Fiery north-eastern Thai food, buzzy, colourful surroundings, popular with families and groups.
Staying in West Kowloon
Built on reclaimed land, this somewhat isolated corner of Kowloon is centered on a vast business, leisure and transport complex that includes the International Commerce Centre super skyscraper. Bordered by Canton Rd to the east, the Victoria Harbour to the south and west and Jordan Rd to the north, West Kowloon is not known for its cultural attractions, though it is second to none when it comes to high-end shopping and dining. The mammoth Elements shopping mall, themed after the five Chinese elements of water, fire, earth, wood and metal, sells a vast array of luxury fashion brands, jewelry and accessories. It’s a dining destination almost as much as a shopping one, with the Elements’ restaurant scene ranging from high-end Thai to casual udon and congee shops. The Ozone Bar, at the top of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, is Hong Kong’s highest and a major attraction in its own right. Transport links to other parts of the city are excellent. The Kowloon MTR station is located right beneath Elements, connecting West Kowloon both to Central and the international airport, while TurboJet hydrofoils to Macau depart just a couple of MTR stops north of Kowloon station.
Best Hotels in West Kowloon
- Ritz-Carlton
Superb skyscraper views, 5-star amenities, excellent dining, family-friendly.
Hotel phone: +852 2263 2263 - W Hong Kong
Trendy 5-star hotel, rooftop pool, excellent on-site entertainment, close to designer stores.
Hotel phone: +852 3717 2222 - The HarbourView Place @ the ICC megalopolis
Luxurious serviced studios and suites, hi-tech amenities, close to high-end shopping and dining.
Hotel phone: +852 3718 8888
Best Restaurants in West Kowloon
- Tin Lung Heen • $$$$ • Michelin-starred Cantonese, traditional dim sum lunches, stellar views, smart casual dress.
- Mango Tree • $$-$$$ • World-wide Thai mini-chain, stylish décor, floor-to-ceiling panoramic views, romantic ambience.
- Tenku RyuGin • $$$$ • High-end, Michelin-starred Japanese, seasonal tasting menus, minimalist décor, reservations essential.
- Kitchen • $$-$$$ • Bright, contemporary international bistro, good for lunch buffet and Sunday brunch, popular with families.
- Joia Ristorante • $$$$ • Contemporary northern Italian fare, outdoor seating available, smart casual dress.
About Santorini Dave