Where to Stay in Hong Kong (7 Best Places & Areas, By a Local)

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I have been living in Hong Kong since 2008 and have explored its many districts, hidden corners, and famous landmarks. So, I’m here to help you navigate this exciting city. 

For first-timers to the city, I’d recommend staying in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, Kowloon. There’s a wealth of attractions in the district, it’s tourist-friendly, and it’s only a short hop on the Star Ferry or MTR to Hong Kong Island. Then, there is the view across Victoria Harbour! 

I suggest staying at the New World Millenium Hotel, slightly away from the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, but right next to the harbour.

Hong Kong has so much packed into its relatively small size that wherever you stay, you will not be too far from the action!

Best Places to Stay in Hong Kong

If you’re short on time, these are my top hotel picks: 

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Hong Kong

Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and the Outlying Islands. Most attractions are in the first two areas with Victoria Harbour bisecting them. 

Staying in either Kowloon or on Hong Kong Island will give you a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, bars and attractions. The cheap and efficient public transport system will allow you to move effortlessly between neighbourhoods. 

Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Tsim Sha Tsui Hotels: New World Millenium Hotel • Regent Hong Kong • Rosewood

Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) will put you right in the thick of things, whether you’re looking for shopping, restaurants, museums or just exploring the area. Unlike Hong Kong Island, walking around is easy, as the streets are flat, so a stroll along Nathan Road or the promenade make for ideal activities. 

Two icons of Hong Kong can also be accessed in TST; the Star Ferry and the Hong Kong Island skyline on the opposite side of the harbour. 

Staying at the New World Millenium Hotel will give you a taste of luxury, but at a reduced price. Try to get a room with a spectacular view overlooking the harbour at my #1 recommended hotel. 

If location is top of mind, the Regent Hong Kong is right on the harbour and within walking distance of tons of popular attractions. Meanwhile, luxury travelers will love the hotel, Rosewood, for its amenities like a spa, fitness center with classes, an outdoor pool, and an on-site restaurant, bar, and coffee shop. 

Pros of Staying in Tsim Sha Tsui Neighborhood:

• Views across the harbour
• Many attractions, restaurants, bars in the area
• Great selection of hotels

Cons of Staying in Tsim Sha Tsui Neighborhood:

• Many other tourists
• Need to cross the harbour to get to Hong Kong Island

Central, Hong Kong Island

👉 Best Area For Couples | ✨ Best Central Hotels: Mandarin Oriental • Four Seasons • Hotel Madera Hollywood

Central is the perfect place in Hong Kong to stroll around the steep streets with a partner. If you don’t fancy walking up, then the Mid Levels Escalator is a great way to climb up towards the restaurants and bars of Soho, and the renovated heritage of Tai Kwun.

Walking towards the harbour will bring you to the iconic Star Ferry, or you may prefer the choice of east or west along the waterfront promenade. 

Couples should stay at the Mandarin Oriental for some luxury pampering – it has one of the best spas in the world. It is located directly opposite the historical State Square and Old Legislative Council Building. 

The Four Seasons Hotel is another utterly luxurious stay, with its abundance of amenities and four on-site restaurants with Michelin awards. 

Pros of Staying in Central Neighborhood:

• Ideal location for the restaurants and bars of Soho
• Mid Levels escalator
• Great transport links to the rest of Hong Kong

Cons of Staying in Central Neighborhood:

• Expensive
• Busy with office workers during the day
• Steep streets

Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island

👉 Best Area For a Trendy & Creative Vibe | ✨ Best Sheung Wan Hotels: The Jervois • The Putman • 99 Bonham

Sheung Wan was recently named one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by some travel magazines. It’s full of quirky stores, murals, interesting streets, and smoky temples. Travelers looking for a trendy, artsy, and vibrant neighborhood should stay here.

This is the most happening neighbourhood in Hong Kong. It’s home to the world’s best bar, Bar Leone, the cultural hub of PMQ, and a host of cafes springing up.

Staying at The Jervois will put you in the heart of Sheung Wan with most attractions just a short (but steep) climb up. You’ll also get to have a HUGE room by Hong Kong standards. 

Pros of Staying in Sheung Wan Neighborhood:

• Wide choice of dining and drinking
• Interesting streets to wander
• Close to Central

Cons of Staying in Sheung Wan Neighborhood:

• Steep streets and steps to climb

Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island

👉 Best Area For Shoppers | ✨ Best Causeway Bay Hotels: The Park Lane • Mira Moon • Little Tai Hang

If you love being in the middle of all the action, then Causeway Bay is the neighbourhood to stay in. Awake and alive for 24 hours a day, this neon-lit district never seems to be quiet.

The main area is awash with stores, multi-floored malls, levels of restaurants in skyscrapers and people rushing about. Walk across the yellow-striped Causeway Bay Crossing outside SOGO as trams trundle by, to experience a mini Shibuya Crossing. 

Slightly further afield, there is the Happy Valley Racecourse, a must-do if you’re in the area on a Wednesday evening, as well as Tin Hau and Tai Hang communities. 

The Park Lane will offer some respite from the action with its quieter location next to Victoria Park, and the Skye Roofbar offers amazing views of the harbour. 

Pros of Staying in Causeway Bay Neighborhood:

• A shopper’s paradise – shops, malls
• Next to Victoria Park
• Near to Tin Hau and Tai Hang neighbourhoods

Cons of Staying in Causeway Bay  Neighborhood:

• Very crowded
• Noisy if you are staying near Hennessy Road

Mongkok, Kowloon

👉 Best Area For Market Lovers | ✨ Best Mongkok Hotels: Cordis • Lodgewood • Eaton HK

At the northern end of Nathan Road, Mongkok has a great selection of local and tourist markets if you fancy practising your haggling skills. 

The main attraction of Mongkok is the array of street markets. Ladies’ Market is the most central and is full of touristy wares. Further south in Yau Ma Tei, Temple Street Night Market is great for local food. And visit the Jade Hawker Bazaar if you’re hunting for semi-precious stones. 

For more of a local market experience, pop along to Fa Yuen Street Market, the Flower Market or the Bird Market. 

The Cordis offers a luxurious sanctuary, high above the streets of Mongkok, connected to the Langham Place Mall. 

Pros of Staying in Mongkok Neighborhood:

• Plenty of markets to wander around
• Good transportation links with the rest of Kowloon
• More of a local atmosphere

Cons of Staying in Mongkok Neighborhood:

• Very crowded
• Slightly more “earthy” than other neighbourhoods

Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island

👉 Best Area For Party Lovers | ✨ Best Wan Chai Hotels: Grand Hyatt • The St. Regis • The Fleming

Wan Chai is one of the two nightlife areas on Hong Kong Island, the other being Lan Kwai Fong/Soho in Central. Restaurants and bars, of varying degrees of reputation, line Lockhart Road and come alive at night. 

There are also the dining hubs of Star Street and the narrow streets between Lee Tung Avenue and Anton Street. Wander the lanes and browse where you feel like eating. 

The Grand Hyatt offers sweeping views of the harbour, is close to the Exhibition Centre and promenade, and is away from the nightlife noise. 

Pros of Staying in Wan Chai Neighborhood:

• The nightlife
• Great choice of restaurants and bars
• Located between Central and Causeway Bay

Cons of Staying in Wan Chai Neighborhood:

• Stays noisy until late
• You may get “propositioned” on the street at night

North Point, Hong Kong Island

👉 Best Area For An Authentic Local Stay | ✨ Best North Point Hotels: Hyatt Centric • Ascott • The Stellar

As its name suggests, North Point is the furthest point north on Hong Kong Island, alongside the Fortress Hill area. This part of the city will offer a more authentic Hong Kong experience if you stay here. 

Make a beeline to Chun Yeung Street Wet Market packed with locals shopping for fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, and meat, and wait for a tram to chug along right through the middle of it all. 

King’s Road has various vantage points on footbridges that give perspective to the high-rise density living, trams, traffic, buses, and pedestrians. 

The Hyatt Centric offers harbour views, a rooftop pool, and proximity to East Coast Boardwalk, a newly completed section of the waterfront promenade.

Pros of Staying in North Point Neighborhood:

• A local and more typical Hong Kong experience
• Good transport links 
• Close to hiking trails

Cons of Staying in North Point Neighborhood:

• Crowded
• Maybe a bit “gritty” for some people

Tips for Staying in Hong Kong

Get an Octopus Card

An Octopus Card is probably the most useful thing you can have in Hong Kong. It can be used to pay for almost anything (under HK$3,000), provided the store accepts Octopus payments. It’s most needed for public transportation, as it saves buying a ticket every time, or getting coins out on the bus. 

Pick one up at the Airport Express counter at the airport or in any MTR station. They cost $50 and then you can top it up at any convenience store. 

Catch a Bus, Not the Peak Tram

Rather than being overcharged and spending an hour lining up for the Peak Tram, take the number 15 bus up to the peak. It’s cheaper, the wait will be shorter, and the view from the top deck will be better. The number 15 bus can be taken from outside the Central Ferry Pier. By the way, the right side has the best views on the way up.

Use Public Transport

Public transport, whether it is the metro (MTR), buses, or trams, is the best way to move around Hong Kong. The MTR is cheap, clean, and punctual. You will usually not have to wait more than 3 or 4 minutes for a train – obviously slightly longer if it’s late at night. The KMB or Citybus apps will give up-to-date information on approaching buses and a search function for bus routes. 

Be Prepared if Visiting in Summer

Summers in Hong Kong are always hot and humid. There can be days of glorious sunshine and clear skies or there could be torrential rain, with the threat of a typhoon hitting the city. 

Be prepared for the heat with a change of clothes or a cloth to mop your brow, plus a light rain poncho for any heavy downpours. 

Tipping is Not Needed

In Hong Kong, as in most of Asia, tipping is not expected. A 10% service charge will be automatically added to your bill if you’re dining in more expensive restaurants or drinking in a bar. 

FAQs about Hong Kong

How many days is enough for Hong Kong?

3 to 4 days will give you enough time to see most of the main sights, plus a day or so to explore some further afield places such as Saikung or Lantau Island. 

What areas of Hong Kong should I avoid staying in? 

None. Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world, so no areas are out of bounds. The only consideration is noise. Some areas like Causeway Bay or Wan Chai are always busy. 

What are the best parts of Hong Kong to stay on a budget? 

Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) or Mongkok are the best parts of Hong Kong to stay on a budget. TST has many cheap guesthouses and hostels in Chungking Mansions or Mirador Mansions on Nathan Road. The rooms will be small but will do the job for a night or two. 

What safety precautions should I take in Hong Kong? 

As already mentioned, Hong Kong is a very safe city, but as with everywhere, take the usual necessary precautions and be aware of your surroundings. The MTR and places like Causeway Bay will be crowded, so pay attention to any valuables or belongings.  

What is the best time of year to visit Hong Kong? 

The dry season, from October to January, is the best time to visit Hong Kong. Warm, sunny, and dry days make for a comfortable visit. From February to April, the weather becomes more humid and damp, although it still can range from cool to warm. The hot and wet season, from May to September, can have very clear and sunny days, but also has a lot of rain in heavy downpours, high humidity, and the threat of typhoons from July to September. 

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Whatever you enjoy doing on a trip, whether it’s trying local food, shopping, outdoor activities, visiting landmarks or staying in luxury hotels, Hong Kong has something for everyone. If you have a question, leave a comment down below and I’ll try to get back to you. Have a great trip to Hong Kong!

Next, read my list of 50+ things to do in Hong Kong.