Travelling to Hong Kong from Malaysia? Here’s everything that you need to know.
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Where to stay in Hong Kong: Best areas and locations for Malaysians
Hong Kong is an iconic destination blending old and new, with colonial influences peeking out among the modern city buzz. It’s heaven for foodies and anyone looking to shop, and also offers child friendly attractions and easy ways to escape the city and find some peace when you need it. So - where's the best place to stay in Hong Kong for your next trip?
Read on to learn more about where to stay in Hong Kong for tourists - whether you’re heading there for the first time, with your family, or on a budget. We’ll also talk about the Wise card, a handy way to avoid hidden fees when spending abroad.
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What types of accommodation are there in Hong Kong?
While the iconic image of Hong Kong is the bay, complete with high rise buildings and dramatic mountains, it’s a very varied place. This means that as well as the premium hotels in prime locations, you can also find an excellent range of other accommodation types in Hong Kong, from hostels and dormitories, through to villas, serviced apartments, flats to rent and beach- and sea-view homes to get away from the hustle and bustle. A quick exploration on an umbrella accommodation site like Booking.com¹ will give you an excellent view of the options which are available to you.
The type of accommodation that works best for you in Hong Kong - and the location you choose to stay in - will depend on the type of trip you’re planning. Being close to key tourist sites may be crucial if you’re looking for where to stay in Hong Kong for the first time - but if you’re travelling with family and want a quiet place, a less central location may work better. This guide covers some of the best places to stay in Hong Kong for different travelers to help you decide.
Is Airbnb legal in Hong Kong?
Airbnb and other hosting services operate in Hong Kong, but providers must comply with local rules. Short term accommodation providers in Hong Kong are subject to regulation and licensing through the Office of the Licensing Authority of the Home Affairs Department².
There are many different types of accommodation available through Airbnb in Hong Kong, such as villas and flats³. You’ll be able to browse your options online or in the app to see if any suit you. Stick with hosts which have plenty of good reviews and an established history of offering out their premises to be confident that you’re booking a legit place for your trip.
Where to stay in Hong Kong for the first time?
Hong Kong is not a huge place, but understanding where to stay can mean you optimize your visit without needing to waste too much time commuting. Tourists in Hong Kong for the first time are often looking to soak up the atmosphere and hit some major sights, making a central location close to transport links a smart choice. You can get around in Hong Kong by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, with the extensive MRT network being a popular way to get from A to B efficiently and with low costs.
We’ve picked out a couple of popular places to stay in Hong Kong if you’re there for the first time - if these options don’t appeal, you may also like to look at Tsim Sha Tsui or Central which we feature later, which also make good picks for Hong Kong newbies.
Causeway Bay
Our first selection for where to stay in Hong Kong for the first time is Causeway Bay, on the northern side of Hong Kong Island. This neighbourhood is in the central business district, where colonial and modern architecture mix, with plenty of places to eat, drink and stay. It’s probably the obvious place to stay if you’re in Hong Kong for a business trip, but the luxury accommodation options here also make it a good choice for people in Hong Kong for leisure looking to enjoy a high end experience.
Mong Kok
Mong Kok is in Kowloon, the northern and more traditional part of the city compared to the central business areas. As with much of the city, it’s very densely developed but with older buildings compared to some other districts.
If you’re in Hong Kong for the first time and want a taste of the hustle and bustle, and easy access to markets, shopping and attractions, Mong Kok may appeal. It’s got the classic Hong Kong vibe with neon signs and continuous crowds, and of course, night markets for shopping addicts. It also has plenty of accommodation options spanning a whole range of price points, and is connected to the airport by a direct bus service.
| 👀 Check out our handy guide on travelling to Hong Kong from Malaysia including visa requirements, restrictions, flights, and more |
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Where to stay in Hong Kong with family?
Where to stay in Hong Kong with family may depend on the age and make up of your group.
Hong Kong is a solid family destination with a good variety of attractions to keep everyone happy. To make it simple with younger kids you may decide to stay in a central location which may mean a longer trip to and from the airport, but simple travel for local sightseeing. Or you might want to focus on finding a premium hotel on a lower budget somewhere like the New Territories, which can offer bigger rooms and a short trip to and from the airport. Here are a couple of suggestions for places to target when you choose your Hong Kong accommodation.
Central
As the name suggests - Central is our pick for a good place to stay with family thanks to its ease of transport links and good location for various sights. There’s one proviso here - the Central area is hilly, with many steps to navigate, which might mean this isn’t optimal if you’re traveling with very young kids and strollers. However if you have a slightly older family and want to be right in the heart of it all, this could be a good pick for you.
There’s a lot of accommodation in this district, including up-scale hotels and cheaper options so you can select one which fits in your budget. As with all of Hong Kong you’ll not struggle to find great places to eat. Need to work up an appetite before the next fantastic meal? Central is also an excellent jumping off point for hitting Victoria Peak if you’re looking for a hike.
Lantau Island
Lantau Island is part of Hong Kong’s New Territories, and home to the airport. This makes it a very convenient place to stay if you're traveling with kids and want easy access in and out for flights. It’s more than just an easy place to rest your head though - with attractions on the island including Hong Kong Disneyland. If your trip to Hong Kong is linked to a visit to Macau as well, this can also be a convenient place to be as the bridge to Macau is close by.
Hotels on Lantau Island are generally higher end - but because it’s not the most central of locations the prices are cheaper than some in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. The hotels also often lay on free bus services to MRT stations, so you’ll find it simple to get to and from the central areas when you need to.
Where to stay in Hong Kong on a budget?
Hong Kong is home to accommodation of all types - including budget hostels and guest houses which can help you keep the costs down during your trip. Many rooms in Hong Kong are small because of overcrowding, so trading space for location may be the obvious choice. Here are a couple of popular places for budget travelers in Hong Kong - you can also take a look on Airbnb for unique places to stay which can include some with relatively low prices.
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) is home to a large number of cheap guest houses and hostels, including some which have a rather dubious reputation. It’s a busy area and in high demand, which means that many hotel and hostel rooms are very small. Don’t be deterred though - it’s an excellent location for Hong Kong budget accommodation as long as you’re careful about selecting a reputable place which has good traveler reviews.
The key reason travelers pick Tsim Sha Tsui is the ease of access from the airport and then on again to other attractions. It’s close to train and bus links including a direct bus from the airport, with local markets all around for street food to help keep your costs down.
Wan Chai
Wan Chai is on Hong Kong Island sandwiched between Causeway Bay and Central, offering an excellent location for tourist sights. Compared to other close-by neighbourhoods, the accommodation options here can be more reasonably priced, making this an accessible option for budget travelers in Hong Kong. There are hotels and hostel style accommodation choices, and you’re on a good MRT line to travel round without incurring taxi costs. As with most places in Hong Kong, you won’t struggle to find excellent food in the local area, including markets and low cost bites.
Save even more on your travels when paying in foreign currency with the Wise card
Check out Wise and the Wise card for a great - low cost - way to spend while you’re away from home. Top up in MYR from your bank or with a card, and manage your money in HKD with the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees.
You can use your Wise card to spend in 150+ countries around the world, in over 40+ currencies. Start spending with your free virtual card, or order a physical Wise card for a one time fee. This grants you some free ATM withdrawals of up to 1,000 MYR each month as you travel, to save time waiting at a money changer.
Choose to convert your MYR to HKD in advance at your desired rate, or leave it to Wise’s auto conversion and spend in MYR directly. All Wise currency exchanges use the rate you see on Google, so you’ll know you’re getting a great deal without the hassle.
Spend in HKD for less as you eat and shop your way around Hong Kong with a Wise card. You’ll get the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees for currency conversion, to spend and withdraw as you go with no foreign transaction fee to worry about.
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