Originally Posted By Mr X I know this has been discussed before, but I was wondering if I could get some advice for a friend who's heading for Hong Kong in May and wants to know where to stay. His budget is somewhere between $100 - $300 per night, though he'd rather keep it inexpensive if possible. Also, since he's going for five nights (with his girlfriend) he was considering a few nights at a cheap place topped off by a couple nights at a nicer place. I remember SD saying something about the YMCA, are there other options that are equally decent and reasonable? For the twofer idea, could someone recommend a nice budget/luxury combo (preferably around the same location so they wouldn't have to carry luggage too far). He was also considering a one night stay in Macau, but after learning he doesn't care one bit about casinos I suggested that a day trip would probably be more than enough. Does anyone feel that was bad advice (in other words, is there anything besides gambling in Macau compelling enough to warrant two full days there?)?
Originally Posted By Mr X p.s. he's not planning to go to HKDL (doesn't even care that much about TDR), so suggestions of the Disney hotels are probably not necessary. If he were a Disney fan, I'd definitely have suggested that, perhaps for those last couple of days.
Originally Posted By SuperDry The Salisbury YMCA is in a class by itself. Here was the view out of my US$136/night room: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/meanderingmouse/3524843336/sizes/l/in/set-72157617516806447/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/m...6806447/</a> Hotel website: <a href="http://www.ymcahk.org.hk/sales/html/hst001e.htm" target="_blank">http://www.ymcahk.org.hk/sales...001e.htm</a> Can't beat the location, and although it's a basic room and hotel, it's by no means cheap or "budget" even though it's inexpensive. Although they have one floor of dormitory housing, don't let the fact that it's a YMCA fool you: most of the floors are standard hotel accommodations with regular amenities. There are several nicer places nearby, including the Peninsula immediately across the street which from time to time gets rated as the world's best hotel: largest private fleet of Rolls Royces, helipad on the roof, etc. But rooms are under US$500/night, so it's not off the scale. If I may ask, why do they want a nicer place? In Hong Kong, I've stayed everywhere between the YMCA dorm rooms to five-star hotels. There's lots of options, so it really depends on what they're looking for. One nice thing about the YMCA is that since you're literally across a side street from the Peninsula, you have access to their restaurants, spa, can have afternoon high tea in the lobby (a "must do" experience once IMHO) almost as conveniently as if you were staying there. If they were to switch hotels in order to get a more upscale feel for part of their stay, I'd actually recommend changing neighborhoods, perhaps to something on Hong Kong Island rather than just going down the street. Taxis are cheap enough that a door-to-door transfer won't cost a lot, but you could always do the subway as well. I've stayed a couple of times at the Island Shangri-La at Pacific Place, and highly recommend it.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***If I may ask, why do they want a nicer place?*** Well, I think his idea was to stay real cheap someplace so as to splurge later...but that YMCA sounds like an excellent option and with a view like that well, you really can't beat it I think. I'll certainly suggest it to him. Do you need to request a harbor view room or are all the rooms facing that way?
Originally Posted By Mr X Thanks for the advice, by the way! I'll certainly keep the Y in mind on MY next trip to Hong Kong!
Originally Posted By leemac X - I presume they are traveling during Golden Week? A lot of Japanese tourists head to HK during that time and the hotel rates tend to be higher than later in May. Personally I stay at the year-old W on Kowloon. It a spectacular hotel (the rooftop pool has about the best view in the city). I'm a HK Islander usually but the W made me shift to the other side. It is just a truly perfect property. Great location on top of the Elements mall at Kowloon Station too. An alternative to the Shangri-La is the Conrad (there are three hotels at Pacific Place) - it usually comes up cheaper than the Shangri-La but is equal in terms of quality. I lived there during the latter part of the HKDLR construction. There is also a JW Marriott. Great location by Admiralty station and a 15 minute walk to the docks. 5 days is actually a long time to spend in HK. I'd recommend that they pre-book Ngong Ping 360 (the queues at peak time can be over three hours) on Lantau. If they are shopping then they can amply fill that time but otherwise they might want to consider a day at either of the city's theme parks.
Originally Posted By Mr X Yes, you are correct. Golden Week it is. More great advice, all of which will be passed along...many thanks!
Originally Posted By Malin Hey X, my prefered choice of Hotel is the Metropark Hotel in Causeway Bay. Location is a bit off from Causeway Bay, but there is a metro station right across the street, which will get your friend to all the tourist sites in Hong Kong in minutes. The hotel also has a swimming pool on the top with some great views. As for Macau, certainly much more to do than Gambling, the best option is to book a full day tour which will show all the Historic sights, avoiding all the casino's.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Put my vote in for the YMCA as well. It's not the world's fanciest hotel, but it's still far from being plain. The location is outstanding (it's right next to the Penninsula), and you really can't beat the price. There's just something about being able to see the Symphony of Lights from your room (they tell you which radio station to listen to for the music) that simply can't be beat.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Do you need to request a harbor view room or are all the rooms facing that way? >>> Yes, you have to request. The rooms without a harbor view are even cheaper. It's all pretty clearly explained on their website. <<<***If I may ask, why do they want a nicer place?*** Well, I think his idea was to stay real cheap someplace so as to splurge later...but that YMCA sounds like an excellent option and with a view like that well, you really can't beat it I think. >>> What I was getting at was whether there was something specific that they were looking for, or just the general sense of being in a nicer place? The YMCA has excellent views (if you get a habour room) and location, and is well kept, but does not have things like room service or a spa (although it has a full gym for an exercise option as you'd expect at a YMCA) and buffet dining. It's hard to explain to someone that's not been there: you don't feel like it's cheap, but you also aren't mistaking it for a luxury experience.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***What I was getting at was whether there was something specific that they were looking for, or just the general sense of being in a nicer place? The YMCA has excellent views (if you get a habour room) and location, and is well kept, but does not have things like room service or a spa (although it has a full gym for an exercise option as you'd expect at a YMCA) and buffet dining. It's hard to explain to someone that's not been there: you don't feel like it's cheap, but you also aren't mistaking it for a luxury experience.*** I see. I'll ask him when I see him again.
