Hong Kong - Hotel Nikko
 

After my 19 day trip to Thailand in December I will be spending 4 nights in Hong Kong, where I will be alone.

I've tentatively booked the Hotel Nikko based primarily on location and cost ($120 a night inclusive of tax). Haven't found much about this place online. What do people think of it?

It should be a nice hotel, but the location sucks. Long walk from MTR, and the Tsimshatsui East area is pretty dead. Well, I guess that's why it's relatively cheap.

Hmmmmm...interesting. I need to do a bit more research into the Tsim... area I guess...

I think they said 10 minutes from MTR and less than that to the ferry. Time to dig deeper here...

Nikko's official site doesn't say 10 minutes to MTR. I don't know where you read that - it's not totally false, but very misleading. The MTR runs along Nathan Road, but a pedestrian tunnel opened last year that goes to Tsimshatsui East area. The Nikko Hotel is at the far end of TST-East, so it still takes almost 10 minutes to get to the new entrance. But the trains themselves is another 5 minutes away. So, you can probably get to the MTR in 15 minutes, but you have to be extremely determined and ignore everything that's around you.

There's a fast ferry that goes from TST-E to Central, and it's a 3-minute walk from the Nikko. However, it's not the Star Ferry, but is run by the Discovery Bay Ferry. The ferry is fine - as I used to live in Discovery Bay myself. But again, it's not the Star Ferry, and last sailing is at 8:20 - 8:30pm. Not very convenient to get back to the hotel in the evening.

Well, not quite as convenient as I had thought. Any suggestions for anywhere else in that general area for around the same money?

Belay that last. Found your other related comments and am now trying to decide between the Nikko and the Hyatt.

Proximity to the MTR is not all that important as I am in no rush on this visit and a 15 minute walk may be quite relaxing. And, there are always taxis. But maybe the Hyatt is more in the center of activity...gosh, one would think this an earthshaking decision!

I have read a lot of negative comments on the condition of the Hyatt Regency. From news report I've read, the HR is to be closed later this year. You may find worn down rooms, etc...

For relatively inexpensive hotels, try the New World Renaissance, the Kowloon, or the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in TST, or the JW Marriott on HK Island. Any of those are in much better locations than the Nikko or other hotels in TST East. (Note that TST East is NOT the same as TST.)

The "ferry" distance of which the hotel speaks is not the fabled Star Ferry, but an enclosed boat that runs from the TST dock (next to the Grand Stamford) to Central. It gets you from one place to the other, but totally without the charm or character of the Star Ferry.