Gpanda

Thanks for all the substantive replies. It gives us a lot to think about. We were considering the Bishop Lei, but somehow moved on. We'll go back and look again.

My sense of Hong Kong is that there is no one location at which a first time tourist should definitely stay. One will take the MTR to lots of places wherever one stays. If I'm wrong on this let me know.

Therefore, I'm looking for a comfortable hotel from which I can walk to a few restaurants. The Langham Hotel seems to fit. While we would love the views, we're probably unwilling to pay the premium price they demand.

twotravel

We stayed at the Langham Hotel Kowloon in 2006, excellent facilities, large rooms, and huge bathrooms, but very firm beds! But it's very close to 1 Peking Road (Aqua and Hutong)We also stayed at the Marco Polo which I preferred, beds were very comfortable. Overall I prefer to stay on HK, much more interesting. We actually didn't use the MTR much at all, but we found the bus or taxi much more interesting, why would I want to be below ground in Hong Kong? Ok we did use it occasionally i.e. going to Lantau was more convenient but otherwise no. The bus was great fun. The Star Ferry is a favourite and you get the view, We may be going late September but I think we arrive 26/27th so will miss you.
Pauline

twotravel

My DH reminds me he thinks the Langham's bathroom wasn't that big! memory and time... Don't forget to have afternoon tea at the Penninsula.

DonTopaz

Marija: thanks!

Gpanda

Naturally, we are reconsidering. Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel with an outdoor pool in Central for about $200 per night?

Anyone like Crowne Plaza Causeway Bay? How about MetroPark Hotel Causeway Bay?

Thanks in advance.

thursdaysd

Fodors lists the Garden View YWCA - it's close to Bishop Lei, but pricier, which is why I'll be at Bishop Lei, but still just within your limit, I think.

rkkwan

Forget outdoor pool in Central. Go to Macau for a couple of nights, and stay at one of the nice resorts there for your pool time. Westin, Wynn, Grand Hyatt, etc all have nice pools, and the Venetian has FOUR pools you can use.

Marija

Have you morphed into mermaid eks?

rhkkmk

we do not stay at kowloon for the view... we stay there for its convenience, its shopping, its 24/7 activities...

mohan

it's not possible to find an outdoor swimming pool in central or anywhere for $200.

Maybe I can clarify a bit here:
Both garden View YWCA and Bishop Lei are situated in a residential neighborhood on 'midlevel' within the central district. What Mid level means in Chinese is 'half the peak' which means the middle point between downtown and the peak. The Manderin hotel, and the Landmark (where you find mass transit and all the expensive shops) are in downtown Central, keyword here downtown. Downtown central and midlevel central are two different stories. No location beats the convenience of downtown central. That said, Hk is small enough and the public transit is so excellent that anywhere you stay will be great.
With 7-8 days, you can consider 4 days in HK and 3 in kowloon. Mid level is pretty nice, but prepare to walk a bit. Taxis are inexpensive but you don't want to rely on them because you might be stuck in traffic for a long time. I visited the Salibury YMCA in Kowloon fifteen years ago and was very impressed; good value and the location is closed to the star ferry. If you do plan to have tea or hightea at the Penn, that Y is practically next door. If you like to shop or people watch, there are several big malls around. Causeway bay makes me clautrophobic but that just me and also depends on where. By the way, I lived in HK in the 80's so I do know hk. Hope this helps.

DonTopaz

I have heard nothing but good re: Crowne Plaza in Causeway Bay. I haven't stayed there, but I'll remedy that in December.

Gpanda

This is great input, keep it coming.

Just trying to get a sense of our options. In a perfect world we would get reservations that we can cancel, but of course, the cheap ones are all non-refundable. When we go to pull the trigger, it will be a question of risk/reward. Hoping very much that there's a good reward.

Giving some thought to Mahan's split time advice. Also, Ray's no cental pool clears things up. Total clarity is an illusion, but our goal nonetheless.

I am a swimmer. I swim across Walden Pond and distance in the ocean. Laps in pools are done for time. The mermaid splashes around, gets wet and avoids doing things. If you tell people that you swam a mile in the morning, they mistakenly believe that you are a a healthy person. I own a wetsuit. She owns goggles. 'Nuff said?

thursdaysd

"it's not possible to find an outdoor swimming pool in central or anywhere for $200."

The Garden View YWCA has an outdoor pool and its cheapest room is $198 at today's exchange rate, although before tax. Bishop Lei has an outdoor pool (open April till November) and is cheaper - much cheaper for a non-view room.

LAleslie

I like rizzoto's split-visit solution. The Langham will not set you back much relative to the services/luxuries. I didn't use it (too cool and rainy in March), but the pool looked good. We used taxis and the ferries a lot. Cheap and, for the latter, fun. But staying in the mid-levels would be fun too, and presumably have great views.
I don't buy the argument that you're never in your room. Yes you are. One needs comfort unless one is a travelling student on the make.
For a bit of colonial nostalgia in a cool/funky old building, try the bar/restaurant The Pawn on HK island. Have an iced tea, fresh watermelon/lemonade drink or a pint, eat fish and chips on the veranda and watch the streetcars go by.

indianapearl

I can't remember the road, but Bishop Lei is on a main thoroughfare. Just walk out the door, wave your hand around in the air, and get either a taxi or cross the street and grab the bus. An Octopus card for a week gives you access to buses, trams, subway, ferries, even the cable car on Lantau Island. You buy them in the Metro station and top them up in 7-11 stores.

We took the bus or the taxi down to the ocean front where we picked up trams, ferries, or the Metro.

Consider a half day trip to Lamma Island, about 30 mins. from HK harbor, for a taste of the sleepy life of a fishing village in HK. There's a great seafood restaurant right down on the waterfront (I can find the name if you're interested). During WWII, the Japanese released poisonous snakes in an attempt (unsuccessful) to destroy the Lamma islanders. There are some interesting cemetaries on the island to give one a feel for the funeral rituals of the Cantonese.

The view from Kowloon is great, but ephemeral due to the haze in HK. I'd stay on HK island myself, much more going on there and it's easy to get around.

justshootme

Can't help regarding a pool but can comment on the Crowne Plaza and Metropark locations. I have not stayed at either property. Both hotels are located at opposite ends of Causeway Bay and are a little walk from the closest MTR stn. Of the two hotels, the Crowne Plaza is closer to the Causeway Bay MTR stn than the Metropark. The Crowne Plaza is very close to Times Sq, a huge indoor shopping mall. The Metropark is closer to Victoria Park and the shops on Hennessy Rd and Yee Woo St. Besides the MTR you'll have alot of transport options, the bus and tram are more interesting than the MTR in the sense that you can actually see things during the ride. The number 10 bus stop is very close to the Crowne Plaza and this bus goes to Central, the tram stop is a mere 2 min walk away from the hotel the drawback is that all the trams from here will go to Happy Valley first. Having said that if you get a good deal here, go for it. Your public transport options are maybe a little better from the Metropark's location, tram wise you are on the main tram line rd, and there is no shortage of buses on Hennessy Rd/Yee Woo St and you are near the bus terminal at Moreton Terrace so you'll have plenty of bus routes to choose from. Sorry, but I don't know what you primary mode of transport will be (taxi/bus/MTR/etc).

I would not stay in two different hotels in HK on such a short stay just to stay in two different areas. You'll waste alot of time transfering from one hotel to the next when you can be sightseeing. If anything warrents an overnight stay elsewhere, it's Macau. A day trip to Macau is possible too depending on what you care to see there. Macau, unlike HK still has many colonial buildings. Another thing you'll find in Macau that you won't in HK is big brash Vegas style casinos.

I'll add that since you are visiting during the rainy season an outdoor pool may not be too important during your visit to HK.

Further to LAleslie's post the Pawn is located on Johnston Rd, and can easily be reached by public transport.

justshootme

as a follow up to my last post, I just want to add the Metropark is probably closer to the Tin Hau MTR stn. Either way, both hotels are just on the edge of Causeway Bay and not right in the heart of the CWB's hussle and bussle. Niether location is bad for a first time visitor.

Gpanda

Good point about the rainy season. Even I may not go swimming in a monsoon. Not too worried about hotel transfer wasting time. It's only a week long trip. Less stuff to bring, less to pack and going between hotels we don't have to be efficient in packing. Beth wants one spot, but I may lobby for two. The Langham and another is my current thought.

marmot

I'm a swimmer too and September/October is great swimming weather in Hong Kong. Of course during a typhoon all bets are off, but that's a whole different experience.

My vote for a two-for experience would be Bishop Lei and Marco Polo Hong Kong hotel. You'd get the sophistication of Mid-levels (it's a great neighborhood!) plus the harbour view and the tourism in media res of Kowloon.

The Hong Kong Hotel is an old work horse that has been through repeated renovations but still managed to survive the re-development of the area. For value it's incomparable. Service is good, several restaurants, smallish outdoor pool, big rooms with stunning views.

I like the concept of the Langham and have stayed there during one of its past incarnations, but find that Kowloon with out the view can get mighty claustrophobic, which is why I prefer the less fashionable (ok, somewhat seedy) Hong Kong Hotel.

Gpanda

Am I correct in the determination that Intercontinental has two hotels on Kowloon that are very close? Orbitz has them listed for a significant price differential.