Best location for Hong Kong Hotel

Kowloon or Hong Kong Island?

It seems most people stay in Kowloon, many staying on the harbor for the views. What are the pros and cons of staying in Kowloon vs. on the island? Aren't most of the tourist sites on Hong Kong Island??

Much thanks for any recommendations!

The only drawback to staying on HK island is both cruise terminals are on the Kowloon side and unless your taking a boat you'll more or less have to go through Kowloon to get to/from the airport with your luggage.

Back in the last century when we did business in HK, my father would almost always book the Excelsior Hotel at Causeway Bay on the island side. Our windows would overlook the "noon day gun".

The last time we were there we stayed at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, the one that's attached to the HK Convention Centre (left bottom of picture).

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The difference is small as you can cross the harbour on the MTR in a matter of 5 minutes. However, most business travellers will stay in Central or Admiralty on Hong Kong side, closer to the banks and offices. Tourists generally stay on the Kowloon side as there is more shopping in the night time there.

There are tourist sites both sides of the harbour, but the harbour isn't a barrier because there are road & MTR tunnels under it. But what a boring way to travel. IMHO the only way to cross is on the Star Ferry (dial up some google images). Hotels on the tip of Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui) are popular because they're handy to the ferry terminal, for ferries to Central or Wan Chai. Almost a shuttle service - as one pulls away the next one is loading.

On the island, most hotels & other high-rise are set back from the waterfront since a lot of the land is reclaimed (both Central & Wan Chai terminals were rebuilt on the new shoreline). IMHO the shoreline on the island is bland & boring - it's all pedestrian-unfriendly roads & elevated walkways from either of the ferry terminals to where it all happens.

As the Shield has posted, Central & adjacent Admiralty districts are predominantly business areas, though it's difficult to be far from shops - lots of malls there. Wan Chai is a much more eclectic & vibrant "Chinese" part of the city, mainly tourist hotels, but it's a 15 min walk from the ferry terminal to those streets.

One other point - Hong Kong's amazing skyline is on the island side.

And it's best appreciated from the other side of the harbour.

JB :)

The best location by far is the Intercontinental in Kowloon. The harbour view rooms have stunning views of Hong Kong Island. However, this hotel's glory days as The Regent are long gone and it no longer ranks among HK's best hotels. However, I'm sure it would be OK for just a few nights as long as you fork out for the premium view rooms.

If you just want a fabulous hotel the Four Seasons (where I stayed recently) is probably the best, though the Peninsula and MO still have their adherents.

The best value is the Salisbury in Kowloon. Steps from the ferry, older cruise terminal, and subway. Across the street from the very expensive Peninsula.

On our recent trip, we stayed at Eaton Hotel, which is at 380 Nathan Road. The hotel is very close to the Temple Street Night markets. The nearest MTR is Jordan.

Here are some videos, if you are interested.

Eaton Hotel. Family Room.

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Temple Street Night Market.

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We stay at the Royal Plaza in Mong Kok its got everything we need MRT, food courts, night markets and great shopping area.

We are going back next year, love it.

Having stayed both sides over the years we now always stay on Kowloon side because the road network/freeways and overhead walkways in Central on HK Island make it very hard to get around as a p;edestrian .

Take the Star Ferry or MTR from Kowloon to HK Island. The major tourist sights are on HK Island, but the best shopping is is in Kowloon .

Our hotel choices on the Kowloon side the Eaton or Panorama by Rhombus .

We were in the same predicament as you in Feb. I obtained advice from a local (HK) and he advised staying at the Intercontinental. Be sure to book a harbor view room - it's worth it. We had lunch at the Four Seasons and it is beautiful, but a different view and more sterile. The view from the harbor at the Intercontinental is quite possibly one of the best in the world. The Peninsula is right across the street and you can enjoy their bar and restaurants. The Intercontinental has Nobu, an award winning French and Chinese restaurant. Stay away from the buffet at the Verandah at the Peninsula. WE spend $300 for the dinner buffet for the 2 of us and it was mediocre at best. It's a great city. Enjoy!

I'm going to go out on a limb and say stay anywhere. I used to work in Hong Kong, spending six to eight weeks a year there, and always in the previously mentioned Excelsior in Causeway Bay because work had a contract there, and it was fine (owned by Mandarin Oriental). When not working I have also stayed in everything from the Intercontinental in Kowloon, the Novotel out near the airport, the regal riverside in Sha Tin, the L'hotel Nina et Convention Centre at Tsuen Wan (very affordable). All have their pluses and minuses. There is ALWAYS something to see and do in Hong Kong no matter where you are. If your budget doesn't stretch to being on the harbour, you can spend the whole day criss crossing it on the wonderful Star Ferries, and be sure to do it at night as well to see the laser show. Sailing out of Victoria Harbour on a cruise ship at night is a special experience too.