Price Categories

No one area in this compact city is really a more convenient location than any other. Public transportation is efficient and easy to use, and the attractions are spread throughout the city. However, most visitors do stay in Tsim Sha Tsui, on the Kowloon side, simply because that's where you'll find the greatest concentration of hotels, as well as shops and restaurants. Business travelers often prefer the Central District, while those who want to avoid the tourist crowds may like the hotels strung along the waterfront of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, situated on the Kowloon Peninsula north of Tsim Sha Tsui, are great places to stay if you want to be surrounded by Chinese stores and locals, with hardly a souvenir shop in sight.

The hotel prices listed in this guide are the rack rates, which you might end up paying if you come during peak season (Chinese New Year, Mar-May, Oct/Nov). Otherwise, you can probably get a room for much, much less. It's imperative, therefore, to shop around and ask about special packages, upgrades, or promotional fares when making reservations, particularly in the off season. Although I've included toll-free numbers for the United States and Canada for many of the listings below, I also recommend contacting the hotels directly to inquire about rates and special deals, and checking websites for deals that might be offered only through the Internet. A check of the Grand Hyatt's website, for example, revealed special summer prices that were half its rack rates.

Generally speaking, the price of a room in Hong Kong depends upon its view and height rather than upon its size. Not surprisingly, the best and most expensive rooms are those with a sweeping view of Victoria Harbour, as well as those on the higher floors. Is a harbor view worth it? Emphatically, yes. Hong Kong's harbor, with watercraft activity ranging from cruise ships and barges to fishing boats and the Star Ferry, is one of the most fascinating in the world; the city's high-rises and mountains are icing on the cake. Waking in the morning and opening your curtains to this famous scene is a thrill. Hotels know it, which is why they charge an arm and a leg for the privilege. There are, however, a few moderately and inexpensively priced accommodations that offer harbor views, though these, too, represent their most expensive rooms.

In any case, don't be shy about asking what price categories are available and what the differences are among them. Keep in mind that the difference in price between a room facing inland and a room facing the harbor can be staggering, with various price categories in between. There are, for example, "partial" or "side" harbor views, which means you can glimpse the harbor looking sideways from your window or between tall buildings. Double rooms that range from HK$2,000 to HK$3,000 (US$260-US$390/£143-£214), for example, may include five different categories, beginning with a "standard" room on a lower floor facing inland and then increasing in cost to those on upper floors facing inland, those with side harbor views, those on lower floors facing the harbor, and, most expensive, "deluxe" rooms on higher floors with full harbor views. To save money, consider requesting the highest room available in the category you choose. If "standard" rooms, for example, run up to the 8th floor and deluxe rooms are on floors 9 to 20, you'll save money by asking for a standard room on floor 8. If you decide to spring for a full harbor view, be sure to ask for it when making your reservation, and request the highest floor available.

For moderately priced or inexpensive lodgings, few of which offer any kind of view at all, rates are usually based on height, decor, and sometimes size, and it's prudent to inquire whether there's a difference in price between twin and double rooms; some hotels charge more for two beds in a room (more sheets to wash, I guess).

In any case, the wide range of prices listed for double/twin rooms in each of the listings reflects the various categories available. In moderately priced and inexpensive lodgings, single rates are also usually available, but more expensive hotels often charge the same for double or single occupancy.

All of Hong Kong's expensive hotels, most of the moderately priced hotels, and a few of the inexpensive hotels are members of the Hong Kong Hotels Association (HKHA; www.hkha.com.hk), though not every hotel we review is is. The advantage of staying at a member hotel is that if you have a complaint, you can lodge it directly with the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Furthermore, the HKHA maintains a counter at Hong Kong International Airport where you can reserve a room at one of its member hotels at no extra charge.

The categories are based on rates for a double room (excluding tax and service) as follows: Very Expensive, HK$3,500 (US$454/£250) and up; Expensive, HK$2,100 to HK$3,500 (US$273-US$454/£150-£250); Moderate, HK$1,200 to HK$2,000 (US$156-US$260/£86-£143); and Inexpensive, less than HK$1,200 (US$156/£86).

Keep in mind that prices given in this guide are for room rates only -- a 10% service charge and 3% government tax will be added to your final bill. Since a 13% increase can really add up, be sure to take it into account when choosing your hotel.

Very Expensive -- Hong Kong's top hotels are among the best in the world, with unparalleled service, state-of-the-art business, health-club, and often spa facilities, guest rooms equipped with just about everything you can imagine, some of the city's best restaurants, and usually views of famous Victoria Harbour. They also offer the convenience of a concierge or guest-relations staff, on hand to help with everything from theater tickets to restaurant and tour reservations. Among other extras are turndown service, 24-hour room service, welcoming tea brought to your room shortly after your arrival, free newspaper delivered to your room, and many in-room conveniences and amenities, including voice mail, high-speed (broadband) or wireless Internet access, and bedside controls that regulate everything from do-not-disturb lights to the opening of the curtains (it's great to wake up in the morning and have the city appear before you with a mere push of a button). Many also offer executive floors, a "hotel-within-a-hotel" concept catering primarily to business executives with such added services as express check-in and checkout; use of a private executive lounge serving complimentary breakfasts, snacks, and drinks; free services that may include complimentary pressing service or free use of the business center; and an executive-floor concierge or attendant who can take care of such details as restaurant reservations or transportation arrangements.

Consider the Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Rd. (tel. 800/526-6566 in the U.S. and Canada, or 852/2522 0111; www.mandarinoriental.com), which reopened in late 2006 after a total top-to-bottom renovation. One of Hong Kong's landmark hotels, it has preserved some of its much-beloved restaurants and bars, but rooms are now larger, starting at HK$3,600 (US$468/£257) for a single or double.

Expensive -- A few hotels in this category offer almost as much as Hong Kong's very expensive hotels, including some of my favorites. Only a handful have great views of Victoria Harbour. In this category, you can expect a guest-relations/concierge desk, 24-hour room service, health clubs, business centers, same-day laundry service, and comfortable rooms with hair dryers, cable or satellite TVs with in-room movies, voice mail, Internet access, and coffee/tea-making facilities. Many also have executive floors for business travelers.

Moderate -- Since tour groups have long been a mainstay of tourism in Hong Kong, you're most likely to encounter them at the moderately (and inexpensively) priced hotels, which account for the majority of hotels in Hong Kong. And with increased tourism from mainland China filling rooms in this category, it's imperative to book early. As for rooms, they tend to be rather small compared to American hotel rooms, with generally unexciting views, but usually have such amenities as hair dryers, minibars or empty refrigerators you can stock yourself, and instant coffee, as well as room service, bellhops, nonsmoking floors, tour desks, and sometimes a swimming pool and/or fitness room. Since harbor views are usually not available, rates are generally based on height/floor number and decor and sometimes on size.

Inexpensive -- Unfortunately, Hong Kong has more expensive hotels than it does budget accommodations. Hotels in this category generally offer small, functional rooms with a bathroom and air-conditioning but usually have few services or facilities. Always inquire whether there's a difference in price between rooms with twin beds and those with double beds. If possible, try to see a room before committing yourself, since some may be better than others in terms of traffic noise, view, condition, and size. For the most part, however, you shouldn't have any problems with the inexpensive hotels recommended here.

Ways to Save on Your Hotel Room

The rack rate is the maximum rate that a hotel charges for a room. Although a few deluxe hotels stick to their published rack rates year-round and most hotels charge rack rates during peak travel times in spring and autumn and during major fairs and conventions, you can probably strike a better bargain.

Book an efficiency. A room with a kitchenette allows you to shop for groceries and cook your own meals. This is a big money saver, especially for families on long stays.

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Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Hong Kong, 9th Edition Author: Beth Reiber Pub Date: February 27, 2007 Price: $16.99				Related Titles: Comrades and Strangers: Behind the Closed Doors of North Korea Frommer's Beijing, 5th Edition Frommer's China, 3rd Edition

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