I'm hoping to visit Hong Kong in July, but every site I visit lists hotel rooms startring around $150-$200/night: prices I wouldn't pay stateside. Is the rest of Hong Kong as expensive as their rooms seem to be? And if I aim for a room equivalent to about $80 USD/night, should I expect a sub-par quality room?<BR>Also, if and when I go, are there particular parts of the city I should avoid, or should definitely visit (aside from the obviously touristy places)?<BR>I'm very eager to visit, I just want to budget appropriately and know what to expect.

i've found biz trips in san francisco and nyc to be pretty expensive, so i don't know what you're benchmarking against. similarly, compared to major european cities, i think hk comes out pretty well.<BR><BR>there are a number of 3- and 4-star hotels in hk which fit in your price range. i'd suggest the ymca salisbury in tsimshatsui, the harbourview international house in wanchai or best western rosedale in causeway bay for starters.<BR><BR>transportation is extremely convenient and relatively inexpensive, ranging from US$0.35 for the star ferry across the harbor to US$2.00 on the subway.<BR><BR>my favorite places include<BR><BR>- victoria peak - go up during the night for a great view of the city lights<BR>- stanley and repulse bay on the south side of hk island.<BR>- temple street night market<BR>- take the ferry to some of the outlying areas and islands. i like lamma island for its beaches. lantau has a huge outdoor buddha<BR><BR>there aren't any 'slums' or bad areas per se. hk is extremely safe. violent crime is very low compared with major us cities. just exercise reasonable caution like you would in any big city, and you'll be fine.<BR>

You might want to look into the YMCA in Kowloon. I was fortunate enough to stay at The Peninsula, but the YMCA is right next door in a nice part of town. <BR><BR>There is a post from several weeks ago which I'll try and top. The basic consensus is that the YMCA is a great deal and has a pretty high standard.

hi there,<BR>it has been a few year since we been there, but we got a solala hotel for about 60 US $. If I remember right it was called "Queens hotel". The YMCA is in the same price, and friends told me it wasnt good. Take a look at the actuell Lonely Planet. And ask You local travel agency, somtimes they have better deals for such thing like You can get. <BR>All other things I would support deej. Food and transportaion is cheap. More places I remember: one of the hourse racing courts on racing days (You will get a good view how those Hong Kong guys spend their time). To the little villages (if they still exists) in the near of the "border" to China. <BR><BR>have fun<BR>Gar

when I was there last summer, my friends were on a budget..so we stayed at Miramar Hotel in Kowloon. We paid like $80 USD/night (thru www.asiahotels.com). Good convnient location (no view of "mar" tho). Upper floors are like boutique hotel and quite nice. You may want to get a rate that includes breakfast. We didn't--ate at the hotel w/o thinking the first morning (cuz the breakfast looked so inviting). Was good, but cost us $20 US per person! After that, we ate our breakfast at a noodle/Internet cafe across the street for $4! http://www.miramarhk.com/

We stayed at the hotel connected to the airport--I don't remember the name exactly but know that Regal was part of it. It was as nice as any other 4 star hotel I have stayed in and cost us $100 a night. The price quoted at the desk was $125 but we checked at the travel agent kiosk on the lower level of the airport and they gave it to us for $100. This was at the last minute too.<BR><BR>Yes, it is away from town but, of course there is bus and train service. We took the train in to town to site see and found it nicer than most in the U.S.<BR><BR>The best part of staying there is you simply walk down a hallway from your hotel and you are in the airport. <BR><BR>It was especially convenient on Sept 11-14 when we were stuck there.

Gar,<BR>I recently stayed at the Salibury YMCA in Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon), and it was very nice. I believe that there is another YMCA in HK (not sure of that); perhaps that was what your friends were referring to when they said it wasn't good. I have nothing but good things to say about the Salisbury Y.

Forget the YMCA if you can get a good deal through asiahotels.net for the Kowloon Hotel. They're practically next to each other, but the Kowloon hotel is owned by the Peninsula hotel group. The rooms are small but it's more upscale and service was very good. We paid only $65 using the web site I mentioned. Do a search for asia hotels to find other sites that have deep discounts on rooms. Book ahead and you'll be able to manage your budget just fine. Food can be a little expensive, and generally not worth the $ (at least in my experience) so enjoy walking the sites and eat on the cheap side. <BR><BR>My top reccomendation for sights is Stanley Market/Respulse Bay. The views on the way up and down are georgous! Take the bus and sit on the upper level at the front on the way back. <BR>

Check out www.wotif.com for good prices and leave it till nearer the time that you want to go. Most hotels in HK are really great and there are some good bargains too. Make sure you check all the areas of centre HK for prices.

I reside in HK and since the economic downturn, every hotel is literally slashing their rates. It depends on whether you want to stat in HK or KLN side. I know quite a few hotels (3-4 star) charges less than $80USD per nite. Of course the only drawback is that its not in the touristy area but who cares as long as its convenient and safe? I dont want to post names as if i were running an ad for them. pls write me if you need any info.

Hong Kong is an expensive city, but no more expensive than most other large, international cities around the world. <BR><BR>Try www.asia-hotels.com for pretty good hotel deals. The Kowloon Hotel is well located and nice for someone on a moderate budget, although the rooms are very small. There are plenty of 2 and 3 star cheaper hotels- but are not always so nice. Be careful. <BR><BR>Hong Kong is a great city. Don't miss the "obviously touristy places" like Victoria Peak, etc. But I liked the Land Between Tour, run by the Hong Kong Tourist Association to see something a little different. <BR><BR>You can also take day trips into Shenzhen and Guangdong if you want to get a taste of China. <BR>

First time visitor to HK the 1st week of April 2002 & stayed at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Kowloon. You're right. It is difficult to find anything under $100USD. As to deej's comments - biz trips are different from personal/ family trips (one thing biz trip are reimbursable not out-of-pocket expenses). For the average U.S. traveler trying to find a nice, safe hotel under $100 is the goal.<BR><BR>Saving tip: My husband's nephew living in HK was shocked how much we were being charged & suggested we book the rest of our stay through a local travel agency. I kept our reservation for the 1st night which was booked in the States (Chicago, IL). Then re-booked the next 3 nights using a local HK travel agency. We saved over $30 USD per night this way for the same room! We plan to return to HK & Mainland China and will definitely use Shoestring Travel. The travel agency is in Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon on Nathan Rd: Shoestring Travel, local phone #2723-2306; fax 2721-2085; e-mail [email protected]. If you e-mail them, mention recommendation by Ricky Bautista.<BR><BR>I was surprised to see the YMCA near the harbor located near the very pricey Peninsula Hotel. Though we didn't book there (it was very difficult finding a hotel that would accommodate 4 people - most had limits of 2-3 per room), I would have reserved there if we were only 2. All postings are excellent on the YMCA by Salisbury Rd, Kowloon.

You guys are so helpful! My budget concern is certainly abating, as well as any safety concerns I had. Any more information on must-see and must-do places is very welcomed!

HK,<BR>There're so many things to do in HK. any travel book/site sld give you loads of info. <BR>It also depends on what you like, (ie sightseeing?shopping? bar/night scenes etc?)<BR>The Peak is a must for every tourist. One advice, Be cautious when you GO SHOPPING IN TSIM SHA TSUI, you will be approached by the locals selling fake watches! Lan Kwan Fong/Soho is another area with all the nite clubs and hip restaurant. There're just too many to list....