junkgalore

Hi,
My husband and I have decided on HK for 7 nights during Lunar New Year...but we're a bit undecided with the hotel situation.

Would like to book in the next day or two but am looking for some input from those who are familiar with these hotels:

*Metropark - Causeway Bay (is location too out of the way? hotel very reasonable weeklong rates for harbor view and "club level" rooms. good reviews)

*Langham Place - Mongkok (seems to be included in many CNY packages from the US although we're unsure about the location.)

*Lanson Place - Causeway Bay. Can't seem to pinpoint exactly where this is - as their website does not show a map. Address lists as 133 Leighton Rd. Looks attractive from photos, very reasonable rates.

*JW Marriott - we have points and rooms are available.

Lastly, we've considered splitting our time but is that too much of a hassle for the area? We're pretty flexible and wouldn't mind staying put OR trying out 2 locs.

Again, thanks in advance for any help from the HK experts or those who have stayed in any of the above hotels!

rkkwan

Don't know much about Lanson Place, except it's a highend Boutique Hotel, and it's new. It's very close to all the shops and restaurants, and should be adjacent to the Regal Hong Kong, based on its address.

The Langham Place is a very nice hotel in the middle of Mongkok. It's in a very very busy district where locals dine and shop. A few blocks from the Ladies' Market. It's cheap because it's not in the usual tourist or business area, but it's a close-to-5* hotel. Note that there are lots of little brothels in the area, but you probably won't know if I had mentioned, and safety is NOT an issue.

The Metropark is on the East side of Victoria Park, so it's one MTR stop from Causeway Bay. You can walk there in about 10 minutes, or take the tramway.

One thing about Causeway Bay. The largest flower market prior to Chinese New Year is at Victoria Park, basically every night up to New Year's Eve. The area will be very crowded. Whether want the convenience to the market or want to avoid the crowd is up to you.

j_4tay

I haven't stayed at any hotels you mentioned, but I would like to recommend The Salvation Army Booth Lodge. The staff provides good services, the price is affordable (under $100 USD), free breakfast and Internet if you bring your own laptop, a laundry mat is around the counter if you need to wash your clothes, the best of all is the location. It's two block from the Yau Ma Tei MTR. From the airport, you can take the A21 bus that takes you directly to the hotel. Call (852) 2771 9266 directly to book.

http://boothlodge.salvation.org.hk/ENG/index.htm

The second option is Miramar Hotel. Big room and great location. It's a bit pricey.

You probably do not want to stay in 2 hotels. Besides the pain of packing and moving, you waste half a day.

rkkwan

j_4tay - I think the OP is looking for something more upscale than the Booth Lodge.

But I agree. Hong Kong is small enough. No need to split time between two hotels.

Cicerone

I live in Hong Kong. Of them all, IMO the JW Marriott would be best in terms of location and quality. Save your money and spend it on some of the more expensive great restaurants, a day trip to Macau, etc. Unless you mind for some reason using up points for a free stay, I would choose the JW Marriott. If you get a harbour view room, you should have an excellent view for the fireworks on Feb 19th (otherwise the hotel may make arrangements for guests to view them from the lobby or other areas), and the location is otherwise perfect for walking to the Peak Tram, the great local food markets, shops and restaurant areas along Queens Road and Star Street areas, you can walk or tram to Central and the Star Ferry, and there is currently a huge amusement park set up in the esplanade across the street from the hotel that will run through March. The hotel is on an MTR stop (Admiralty) and a major bus line as well. They have several very good restaurants, including the Fish Bar which is great now as the weather is so good and the place is outdoors.

For a luxury hotel, rooms tend to be on the small side, which is true for most of Hong Kong. They are between 340 and 370 square feet, so ask for the largest room size you can. (That’s about 32 to 35 square meters.) For all the hotels you are considering, you should ask about room size, esp as you will be there for a longer stay than just a night or two. I know that rooms at the Metropark are much smaller, they are 220 square feet (about 20 square meters), unless the club rooms are bigger, you should confirm this, but I don’t think this is the case. That is pretty small for 2 people for a week. IMO, for 2 people you need at least 300 square feet, but even that is a little tight with luggage for a week. (In square meters, at least 28 square meters.)
On the Langham, I don’t like the Kowloon side, just way too many tourists and way too many touts constantly assaulting you with “copy watch?” “copy bag” “have a suit made sir?” The only reason to stay on that side IMO is if you can stay at the Penn or the Intercontinental on the YMCA (worth looking in to the latter although probably booked at this point) for That View. I agree safety is no issue anywhere in Hong Kong, but IMO it would get tiresome negotiating these guys twice or more a day going to and from the hotel. In any event, much of what you want to see is on Hong Kong Island anyway, or on outlying islands as you have so much time. You really won’t spend a whole lot of time in that area. (I HATE the Ladies Market and night market, avoid like the plague, lots of crap; if you want the same stuff go to Stanley which at least is a fun ride, a pretty beach and you can get a decent meal.)

If for some reason you want to pay for a hotel, I think would take the Metropark over any of the others. It gets good reviews on tripadvisor, and I like the location.

rkkwan

There are few gwai los, gwai pors, gwai chai or gwai muis in Mongkok. At least when I walk around there, I never see many. [Granted, I am Chinese, so I never get approached for fake watches either.]

I never walk through Tung Choi Street (Ladies' Market) or buy anything there, but it can still be interesting for a tourist, and you really get a feel of the city there. There are more stuff around Mongkok then just the Ladies' Market.

But both Mong Kok and Causeway Bay are very crowded areas. If you want peace and quiet, go with the JWM or Metropark (which is on a relatively quiet street).

But if it's me paying my own money, I'll take the Langham Place.

Cicerone

I get approached every time I am in Mongkok or any part of the Kowloon tip, even when weariig a business suit and/or walking with Chinese friends, and after 7 years here I feel like saying "do I LOOK like a tourist?" So, its a very different experience for a gwai lo walking around that area....this never happens on the Hong Kong side, people leave you alone.

rhkkmk

i have always liked the salisbury YMCA which is like a holiday inn, but it has one of the best locations in HK...just near to the peninsula...

in the same area, i have stayed at the renaissance where you can also use your marriott points...

we prefer kowloon and you are right in the middle of things in this area

Bisbee

"do I LOOK like a tourist?"

If you are Western, then of course you do. Just because you're wearing a suit or walking with Chinese friends doesn't change that. I do that in HK and I'm not a resident.

ngodeia

<< I know that rooms at the Metropark are much smaller, they are 220 square feet (about 20 square meters), unless the club rooms are bigger, you should confirm this, but I don’t think this is the case. >>

I've stayed at the Metropark several times and was upgraded once to a harbor-view club room. It was much bigger than the standard double. My room was on a higher floor and had a great view. You can probably see the fireworks from there as well.

Cicerone

Good to know that the club level rooms are larger. However, given that the fireworks are launched from the area in front of the Tamar (basically in front of the Marriott), it would be unlikely that there would be a good view of them from the Metropark, it is a bit too far down the harbour. It is possible, but IMO that location is too far away. The Convention Centre is about as far west as you would want to be, possibly in front on the Excelsior hotel, but even then, they are going to be far away.

ngodeia

<< However, given that the fireworks are launched from the area in front of the Tamar (basically in front of the Marriott), it would be unlikely that there would be a good view of them from the Metropark, it is a bit too far down the harbour. It is possible, but IMO that location is too far away. The Convention Centre is about as far west as you would want to be, possibly in front on the Excelsior hotel, but even then, they are going to be far away. >>

Cicerone,

Thanks for the clarification! It's been years since I've seen the Chinese New Year fireworks ... have in fact forgotten where exactly it is. On the other hand, I guess the Metropark will have a perfect view of the Victoria Park flower market.

ngodeia

junkgalore

Thank you everyone for taking your time to answer. It's very much appreciated.

We had it narrowed to Lanson and Metro and we've decided to go the club level at the Metro for view. Lanson's premiere and deluxe rooms seem spacious (410sqft to 520sqft) but the drawback is the lack of water view. Metropark guarantees harbor view from their "parlour/suite" so, that decided for us. The size is appx 440 sq ft.

j4tay and rkkwan, thanks-I will take your advice and stay put in one hotel.

Cicerone, we actually decided to stay in HK for 7 nights after stumbling upon your "rec" post about all the things to do/see in HK. So thanks. We were originally thinking of just "doing HK" in a few days. Your recs have given us plenty of ideas...although to disappoint you, we will likely check out some of the markets. Afterall, we're pretty unashamed of being tourists and would hate to miss out on experiencing the "atmosphere" that is really unlike anything here at home (So Cal).

rhkkmk, unfortunately, the Renaissance Harbor doesn't have any point stays open during the time we're there. And so we decided to save the Marriott points for another trip later this year.

Ngodeia, too bad we won't be able to catch the fireworks from the hotel but I think seeing the flower market will be fun. Besides, we'll probably want to get lost in the crowd for the fireworks. There's something intangibly fun about being in the middle of the "hustle and bustle" of a big show like that. I'm sure we'll get plenty of quiet dining times

Speaking of food, now that we've got air and hotel booked...am off to research dining options.

If anyone has *absolute musts* please, please post or link away!

Again, thanks!!

SophiaMaple

There is more to HK than just skyscrapers and shopping. Take one of two of the walking trails - there are several good ones in Hong Kong island itself. There are many outlying islands in HK and the Sai Kung peninsula is another world - beautiful nature. Do check it out.

junkgalore

Sophiamaple,

"There is more to HK than just skyscrapers and shopping. Take one of two of the walking trails - there are several good ones in Hong Kong island itself. There are many outlying islands in HK and the Sai Kung peninsula is another world - beautiful nature. Do check it out."

I'm not sure how to take this remark, as the OP, I asked about HK hotels. Then dining options. So, not sure where you presumed that we were looking for "shopping and skyscrapers." If your post was only to offer "help" then I apologize for misunderstanding your post.

SophiaMaple

Apologies for the miscommunication. You had asked for 'absolute must' and I think one of the country trails would foot that bill. Too many of us go to HK to shop and see only a tiny portion of the city - the urban cosmopolitan portion.

Elizabeth_S

junkgalore - we're in HKG now and love it. Used Cicerone's guide as well. Will be posting restaurant comments/pix to our blog in a few days - here's a link

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/2007_adventures/

We like off the beaten path places and have had some wonderful meals.

Re hotels - realize you've made your choice but we sure are delighted with the YMCA Salisbury - did you look at a harbour view suite at the Y?

junkgalore

SophiaMaple,
Ahhh, thank you. I'm sorry I misunderstood. I'm a woman with a one track mind...I've been thinking about all those delicious meals we'll have while there so I was wondering about the restaurant musts. But yes, I agree, seeing more than the "tourist driven" appeals to us too. Yes, we will take your advice and incorporate some of the "off the beaten path" trails.

Elizabeth, just replied to your thread about visiting another island and saw that you were in HK now!! Wow, your itinerary looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd love to keep visiting your blog to see your adventures.

As for hotel, we got a parlour room at the Metropark for a very reasonable rate. It seems to get good reviews so I'm sure it'll work out great. My husband is partial to staying on the island side because of a recommendation from a friend. We can't wait to decide for our selves on the "Kowloon vs Isand" debate!

j_4tay

Two restaurants I enjoyed on my last trip (Dec '06) are Satay King and Stonegrill.

Satay King
- 7 different locations
- good food yet inexpensive ($10-15 USD)
- many small dishes
- love the mango fried rice

Stonegrill (soho)
http://thestonegrill.com.hk/stonegrill.html
- fresh meat

*Tip: get to the restaurant before 6:30pm; otherwise, you have to wait 45+ minutes.

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Like it or hate it, I believe it's good to walk through the Ladies' Market and night market at least once. It's part of your HK experience.