Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Family accommodation

In both Hong Kong and Bangkok, I think any hotel would give you a 2-bedroom suite, it is the kitchen that is an issue. But lots of suites come with kitchens. But then with suites you are talking about higher cost, so without a budget it’s hard to guide you.

What you might consider are short-term rentals or a “serviced apartment”, i.e. a furnished flat with kitchen and limited maid/laundry service. For serviced apartments in Bangkok, the only one I know well is the Marriott Executive Apartments. It is in a good location and is new and quite nice. See the Marriott.com website.

For short-term rentals in Hong Kong and Bangkok, you might try vrbo.com. There usually is not too much for Hong Kong, but Bangkok often has a good number. I have had good luck with this site in Europe, Canada and the US.

For serviced apartments in Hong Kong, sort of in descending order of price, on Hong Kong Island, try the Four Seasons Place at http://www.fsphk.com/, the Pacific Place Apartments at Parkside, go to http://www.pacificplace.com.hk/living/live_index.html. I am not sure either will rent for such a short period. I believe that the Parkview apartments, which is a very nice luxury flat complex up on top of the hill above Happy Valley has some serviced apartments which they let on a short-term basis, go to http://www.hongkongparkview.com/. Some of the best walking and hiking in Hong Kong would literally be out the front door, there is a pool, kids play area and grocery store in the complex, and a free shuttle bus to Central. There is also the Convention Plaza in the Grand Hyatt Hotel complex, (go to http://www.conventionplazaapartments.com, again I am not sure they would rent for only a week).

I would certainly try Two MacDonnell Road (at http://www.twomr.com.hk), as they would rent for a week as far as I know. They have a nice location near to Bowen Road, quiet, green (for Hong Kong) and close to a good walking flat walking path, and a grocery store across the street. These would not be at quite the same luxury level as the ones above, but not as pricey either.

There is a chain of serviced apartments with various location on Hong Kong Island, take a look at http://www.thev.hk/. I don't know anything about this group or the quality of the apartments. Most of these are in the Causeway Bay area or Happy Valley, two areas on Hong Kong Island, both convenient for seeing sights and more in the mainstream for tourists. The area of Causeway Bay in which they are located is quite congested (not really more so than Kowloon, however), but very close to Victoria Park and there is some great shopping in the area. The one in Happy Valley is in a bit quieter location, yet pretty convenient to transport. The area has some good restaurants and is a mix of European expats and locals (the French international school is nearby). Although the map does not show it, the street is on a somewhat steep hill.

On the Kowloon side, the only service apartment I know of in the main tourist area is The Gateway, which is at the Star Ferry Pier and would be a nice location, I have never seen the rooms so don't know anything about them. See http://www.gatewayapartments.com.hk/. Again, I don’t know if they would let for only a week. The Langham Place Hotel has serviced apartments, see http://hongkong.langhamplacehotels.com/en/index.html, not sure of your price range; but I believe they may rent for only a week. I would be a little concerned that this area would just be so frenetic for 3 kids for a week, it’s a very densely populated busy area, but overall might be OK. Close to a subway. There are some serviced apartments in Tolo Harbour are called the Horizon Suite Hotel, go to http://www.horizonsuitehotel.com/eng/index.html. I know the area, and there is some great walking nearby (including the beautiful Bride's Pool walk), and you can bike around the Tolo Harbour. The area is quite built-up, but you can get to green areas quickly, and there are lovely water views. This is not in any tourist area, however, so I don’t know what you are looking for. Hong Kong is very safe, so I would not have any concerns with this area with regard to that, but as I don’t know if you want to be close to main tourist sights or not, it is hard to advise.

You could also consider a “holiday chalet” type place on Lamma Island, just a short ferry ride from Hong Kong Island. Lamma is a lovely, green, quiet island with some nice beaches and a really fun laid-back atmosphere. Some good walking, some good local restaurants, esp in Yung Shue Wan. You can ferry into Hong Kong for a day when you want to see some city sights. You can take the wonderful local wooden kaido ferries to Aberdeen and from there go to the south side of Hong Kong Island for its beaches and walking. Take a look at
http://www.lamma.com.hk/ and http://www.lammaresort.com/ for rentals, there are also a few hotels, I don’t know anything about the rooms but take a look at one at http://www.concertoinn.com.hk/main/.

Lantau is another place to consider living, sorry I only have a few links, and most are budget hotels without kitchens. Lantau may even be a better choice than Lamma as it is much larger and there is more public transportation and some wonderful things to do on the island itself, including biking along the coast, walks along the beaches and reservoir, the fishing village of Tai O on stilts and the Big Buddha (and Disney if you consider that wonderful). I did find a link to a house for rent near Pui O, I don’t know anything about it, but see http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/propert...00puio/215.asp. Pui O is a very pretty beach, a few miles from Mui Wo, where you can get the ferry to Hong Kong. It is on a road which is the main bus line as well.
For hotels on Lantau, try the Silvermine Beach Hotel, at http://www.resort.com.hk, the F Mui Wo Inn, Silvermine Bay (no website, tel 852-2984 7225), the Fair View Inn (again no website tel 852- 2980- 2525. Or try Long Coast Water Sports at http://www.longcoast.hk/engpage/. I have eaten at the restaurant at the Fair View Inn and the inn itself looks very tidy, although I have not seen the rooms. I know Long Coast as it is a rental center for water equipment on a very lovely beach, again I have not seen their rooms, I think they are pretty basic.

I believe you can also do short term rentals on Cheung Chau island, but don't have any links for that.