Top 10 budget hotels in Hong Kong

Top 10 budget hotels in Hong Kong

Bishop Lei International House

Space is a rare commodity in Hong Kong, especially in the hustle and bustle of Soho. This hotel features small (sometimes very small) rooms, but the magnificent views over Victoria Harbour, the convenience of the location and the outdoor swimming pool (a blessing during the hot Hong Kong summer months) compensate. The hotel is a local institution, run by the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong and pitched at budget business travellers who walk into Central each morning. Book well in advance for good deals, or scour the aggregator websites. 

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Caritas Oswald Cheung International House

An excellent off-the-beaten-track choice, this large hotel with 119 rooms opened for business in 2006 in one of Hong Kong's oldest fishing villages, Tin Wan. Even though the interior may be a little old-fashioned, rooms are rather spacious by Hong Kong standards and offer great views over the South China Sea and Aberdeen. The beaches of the Southern district are within easy reach, as is the Jumbo floating restaurant in Aberdeen. Public transport or taxis can take travellers to Central in about 15 minutes. 

Espace Elastique B&B

Hong Kong isn't big on B&Bs, but it does have one of note in Lantau's Tai O village: two spacious rooms connected to a bistro-style cafe on the top floor of the three-storey building run by Veronica. A perfect place to unwind and explore the other sides of Hong Kong – this ancient fishermen's village is laced with hiking trails and mountain biking tracks, and is an ideal foil for the perpetual motion of the city. Add a few days to your trip. 

Cosmo Hotel Mongkok

A smart choice for those looking to soak up the bustle of crowded Mongkok. With its stylish, high-ceilinged, glass-fronted lobby on Ivy Street, and light, bright rooms, it's a peaceful contrast to the old, jam-packed neighbourhood outside. Mongkok is perfect for exploring, with Sneaker Street (a street dedicated to, yup, shoes) and a variety of markets nearby – including the "Ladies" Market (for women's clothing), Temple Street Market (for men's clothing), and markets dedicated to flowers, fish and birds. Pitstop as often as possible at the numerous dai pai dongs in the area – street kitchens with tables and chairs scattered in front of them. 

YesInn Hostel @Fortress Hill

The queen of the budget options on Hong Kong Island with vibrant warm colours and cosy rooms, the YesInn Hostel @Fortress Hill accommodates the budget traveller who likes to roam around the city and is happy with basic, clean accommodation. It has Wi-Fi and ensuite rooms. Bed linens are included, towels are not – although at under £1 per towel, picking one up won't break the bank. Fortress Hill is very conveniently located, with Central and Soho three MTR stops to the west and the old-meets-new districts of Quarry Bay and Taikoo a couple of stops towards the east. YesInn recently also opened in Causeway Bay, where there is a roof terrace.

Y-Loft

A hidden gem and a relatively new player in the up-and-coming industrial district of Chai Wan, 20 minutes on the MTR from Central, a 20-minute taxi ride from the southern beaches of Hong Kong island, and a great starting point for hiking trails in the nearby Tai Tam Country Park. This affordable and contemporary ho(s)tel at the final stop of the island metro line features spacious rooms with wooden floors and large windows, and guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, fitness facilities and a 180-metre rooftop jogging track.

Hop Inn on Hankow

At the Hop Inn on Hankow, budget bedrooms are designed and illustrated by local artists, making each room a piece of art – Karen Pow's "Boom" room features calming blue walls and a light made of electronic innards, inspired by the industrial history of the city. Outside, the Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) district is always on a roll; ever-buzzing convenience stores, flashy neon lights, restaurants with kitchens from every corner of the world and a good mix of low- and the high-end fashion shops. Despite all that, the Hop Inn enjoys peace and quiet at night. In some rooms it achieves this by not having windows – this is Hong Kong after all – but the inventive decorations should make up for that, and the value for money is unquestionable. There is also a Hop Inn on Carnarvon, also in TST. 

Bridal Tea House Hotels

The first Bridal Tea House opened in Yau Ma Tei in 2003 in a residential building and has grown to become a franchise with 12 different locations across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, offering simple, stylish and (yup) tiny rooms in each of the hotels. The Arthur Street Bridal Tea House is the pick of the bunch, in the traditional residential district of Yau Ma Tei, next to a century-old fruit market and dozens of bakeries and 7-Elevens. 

InnSight

An excellent value for money option – a small hostel with only eight rooms close to TST MTR station, Kowloon Park, and the Star Ferry, which takes travellers to Hong Kong Island in 10 minutes for only a couple of dollars. The rooms are brightly yet tastefully decorated with natural motifs, and all come with air-conditioning, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. The hotel does not have its own website, but booking can easily be done via a variety of travel websites. A popular choice, so book well in advance.

Sohotel

With dimmed lights and a dark interior, Sohotel has rooms varying from 100 to 300 sq ft, and wall-to-wall windows making up for the lack of space. Its Sheung Wan location is full of surprising traces of history – in the middle of nearby Hollywood Road Park, Possession Point, where the British landed and took possession of Hong Kong in 1841, is now a pleasant green where locals practise t'ai chi. Sheung Wan is centrally located, and walking distance from ferry piers for outlying islands.

The 7 Best Hotel-Related Movies of All Time

The 7 Best Hotel-Related Movies of All Time

This Sunday, the Academy Awards will be presented for the 87th time. It looks like Boyhood and Birdman are the films to beat for best picture, but our hearts can’t help but be with Wes Anderson’s quirky ode to friendship, love and impeccable service, The Grand Budapest Hotel.

So win or lose, The Grand Budapest Hotel, we salute your style and heart. And in honor of the film and tomorrow’s Oscars ceremony, we’d like to present our own list of the seven best hotel-related movies of all time.

It turns out hotels are fertile territory for storytelling, so we’ve added a few parameters to help narrow the field. First, it has to be a hotel … no pensiones, hostels, B&Bs, or motels (sorry, Psycho). And, second, naturally they have to be great. And we’re going to just assume that The Grand Budapest Hotel is part of the list, without actually counting it.

Mystery Train (1989)

Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales was a touchstone for indie-film god Jim Jarmusch’s humorous and moody Mystery Train. Set in a fleabag hotel in Memphis, TN, a trio of separate stories unfolds over a single night, with the ghost of Elvis very much in the mix. Jarmusch was a winner at the Cannes Film Festival for his movie, and his amazing cast includes rock’s original wild man Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Clash frontman Joe Strummer, ever-lovable (even when his character isn’t) Steve Buscemi, soul legend Rufus Thomas, and the voice of Tom Waits. Naturally there’s a killer soundtrack, too.

Grand Hotel (1932)

“People come, people go. Nothing ever happens.” Well, that observation made by one of the film’s characters — who’s too drunk to notice otherwise — is only half right. Plenty goes on in this best picture winner, set in Berlin’s most luxurious hotel. Grand Hotel set the template for the Hollywood A-list extravaganza, with a starry lineup that includes Greta Garbo, John and Lionel Barrymore, Joan Crawford, and Wallace Beery. And of course the film also features Garbo’s immortal, melancholy entreaty: “I vant to be alone.” A grand slice of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Lost in Translation (2003)

Not just a great hotel movie, but a great travel movie, vividly depositing viewers right smack into the chaotic surrealism of Tokyo. It’s funny, it’s sad, and Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson are perfect as, respectively, an aging movie-star-turned-whisky-pitchman and the neglected wife of a celebrity photographer. A best picture nominee, the film’s director Sofia Coppola won an Academy Award for best original screenplay. Murray’s karaoke performance of (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding is priceless.

The Night of the Iguana (1964)

This film adaptation of the Tennessee Williams’ play is set in a ramshackle hotel on the Mexican coast. It features Richard Burton’s fevered performance of a defrocked minister — turned tour guide — wrestling his demons and a handful of intriguing women, including Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr, and one of screendom’s all-time nubile temptresses, Sue Lyon. The on-location presence of Burton and his paramour Elizabeth Taylor literally turned the remote fishing village of Puerto Vallarta into an international travel destination.

Key Largo (1948)

Bogie and Bacall are trapped in an isolated Florida hotel with a gang of mobsters (led by the one-and-only Edward G. Robinson), as a hurricane rages outside. Claire Trevor won an Oscar for her portrayal of Robinson’s moll, a washed-up nightclub singer whose heartbreakingly off-key delivery of a song provides one of the film’s most poignant moments. It’s said the actress assumed the song would be dubbed later, but director John Huston had her perform, unrehearsed, in front of the cast and crew, and that was the take used in the film.

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

Don Cheadle is thoroughly compelling in his Academy Award–nominated role as a hotel manager struggling to save the lives of refugees during the Rwandan civil war of the 1990s. Based on a true story, it powerfully depicts a small-but-hopeful triumph of humanity over evil during a conflict that took nearly 1 million lives.

The Shining (1980)

You knew it had to be number one. Stanley Kubrick, Stephen King, Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and one seriously creepy hotel combine for the greatest hotel-themed movie of all time. Basically this is the only film on the list in which the hotel plays the leading role. But please don’t think this film bears any resemblance to reality … our hotels are not haunted. OK, maybe one of them is.

top 10 most luxurious hotel

Top 10 most luxurious hotel


1. Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Costing approximately $3 billion to build, Emirates Palace has 394 rooms and suites, 40 meeting and conference rooms, a white sand beach, a myriad of pools and fountains, a sumptuous spa, marble imported from 13 different countries and over 1,000 crystal chandeliers. It’s like a small pleasure fortress that also boasts the most prestigious marina development in the Middle East. Royalty, or those who want to feel like it, can luxuriate in one of the many palace suites, all with lavish surroundings that would befit a Sultan of old yet with enough modern amenities to please today’s top tycoons.




2. Mardan Palace Hotel, Turkey


Built by Russian Billionaire Telman Ismailov in 2009 to the tune of $1.65 billion, the Mardan Palace Hotel in Antalya, Turkey boasts the largest swimming pool in the Mediterranean (fits 1,000 guests) and is touted as one of the most elite luxury hotels in Europe. Beyond the sinfully sumptuous suites and jaw-dropping interiors of gold leaf, crystal, and Italian marble, there are also ten dining spots, 17 bars, a lavish spa and a sunken aquarium full of exotic fish. 9,000 tons of white sand was flown in from Egypt for the beach alone. 24/7 personal butler service is also included.




3. The Westin Excelsior, Rome


Built in 1906, The Westin Excelsior Rome has an impressive pedigree in the Via Veneto district. Though most rooms are affordable, their piece de resistance is the Villa La Cupola Suite that has recently been “refreshed” with a $7 million renovation. This signature luxury cocoon spans two full floors making it the largest suite in Italy. Furnished in grand old style with modern high tech gadgets, hand-frescoed cathedral style domes, its own private fitness room, sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi, and a formal dining room, it’s a perennial favourite for those who deem money to be no object.




4. Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai


Built to resemble a billowing sail, the stunning architecture of Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai makes it one of the most photographed in the world. All rooms are luxurious suites spanning two floors with state-of-the art everything and incredible views. And beyond the unique over-the-top amenities like the attached heliport and hovering tennis courts, there is a vast array of futuristic dining and nightlife options. Their guest care is also seriously intensive. Upscale extras include in-suite check-in, 24/7 personal on call butlers, and a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce fleet, all catering to an extremely well-heeled VIP clientele that often includes royalty.




5. The Plaza, New York City


Though the Big Apple has many legendary and swanky hotels, The Plaza is often the top choice for visiting VIPs—especially for its Royal Plaza Suite that boasts the best views of Manhattan. The three-bedroom/three-bathroom suite is styled in the most opulent of old world charm with a formal dining room, a library, a gymnasium, a grand piano, full kitchen (for personal chefs), and a butler’s pantry, and is serviced by its own private elevator. Butler service is also included. Built in 1907, the iconic structure was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1969.




6. Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas


Built in tribute to the legendary lost city, Atlantis Paradise Island is a 141-acre facility touted as the premier luxury resort destination in the Bahamas. It's the resort's Royal Towers Bridge Suite on the 23rd floor that really pulls out ALL the swanky stops. It spans ten plush rooms topped by 12-ft. ceilings and full length windows and includes a grand piano, twin entertainment centers, a formal dining room with a 22-karat gold chandelier, whirlpool tubs, and more... Plus a permanent staff of seven to cater to your every whim.




7. Palms, Las Vegas


The Las Vegas Palms is famous for high-roller living, and what better way to really indulge in Sin City than cavorting in one of their luxury rooftop suites like the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa. The suite accommodates up to 250 people for a get-together and boasts a massive rooftop Jacuzzi hanging over The Strip. A private glass elevator, rotating bed, gym, sauna, media room and full bar make these swanky digs the perfect spot to fulfill the fantasy of living in the style the world’s most famous playboy is accustomed to. (Did anyone say bachelor or bachelorette party?)




8. The Boulders, Arizona


The wow-factor is left to Mother Nature at The Boulders, and it's just as well, as no man-made decor could possibly compete with the resort's surreal 12-million-year-old rock formations. Spanning 1,300 acres of the Sonoran Desert, the massive spa compound promises the ultimate in natural rejuvenation treatments, and the two golf courses are world class. There’s also an über private gated Villa Retreat for celebs seeking anonymity. PR rep Deborah Bridges says, “Our clientele is among the wealthiest in the world, but we’re not allowed to talk about who our VIP guests are until they’re dead.” That says it all.




9. CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, Anguilla

Brought to you by the same folks that created the famous food processor, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa was originally built as a tropical playground for its owner, but later expanded to include guests. Luxury guest rooms and Moorish-inspired villas dot the massive grounds cresting Anguilla’s world class beaches. The resort's Venus Spa & Fitness complex has been rejuvenated to the tune of ten million dollars, and they have just acquired a $50 million dollar Greg Norman-designed golf course next door. This luxe hideaway is very popular among celebrities seeking barefoot luxury far from the spotlight.




10. Marquis Los Cabos, Los Cabos

Inspired by a celestial legend of two angels seeking paradise on earth, the spectacular lobby of Marquis Los Cabos opens out onto the wildly restless sea like a temple to its creation. Gorgeous specially-commissioned sculptures, massive waterfalls, spectacular infinity pools, and a lovely serene spa set the stage for vacationing VIPs. (George Clooney’s beach villa is next door.) Luxurious rooms boast balconies where you can often spot migrating whales, and there are also private villas with personal dipping pools.