Hong Kong: The Perfect Long Weekend
Should you visit Hong Kong?
Yes, Hong Kong is an amazing city, a world-class city, part Blade Runner set and part quaint Chinese fishing village. It’s big and bold and dense, but also abounds with hiking trails and beaches (but don’t go for the beaches, there are better a short flight away). Hong Kong is a city I was lucky enough to call home for eight years. It came time for me to move on, but I cherish my time there.
There are a few caveats. Hong Kong is not a great destination for budget travel. Hotels are pricey. Food and beverage prices are on par with major western cities. You can definitely find cheap eats, but in general expect to spend.
I lived in Hong Kong from 2015 to 2023, though the protests and through the pandemic. Hong Kong has definitely changed. I suspect that in ten years, Hong Kong will be less like Singapore and more like Shanghai. If someone were contemplating moving to Hong Kong for a job, I would ask them how they feel about living in China. But from a tourism perspective, this is not a problem.
How long should you stay in Hong Kong?
Three-to-four days is the perfect amount of time. You wouldn’t be bored if you stayed longer, but there’s just so much within a four-hour plane ride of Hong Kong that you should also see. If you’re coming from the United States or Europe, I suggest a few days in Hong Kong as part of a longer trip, maybe to a beach destination like the Philippines or Bali.
Where’s the best place to stay in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is a big city and much of what you’ll to see is spread out. However, you’ll probably want to stay in one of three areas: Central, Admiralty/Wan Chai, or TST. My suggestion is to pick based on the hotel you want. These areas are slightly different, but all have shopping, dining and nightlife. And Hong Kong is an easy city to get around.
Central – Located on Hong Kong Island, the name Central says it all. This is the central business district but also home to retail, dining and nightlife.
Admiralty/Wan Chai - Just west of Central lies Admiralty, and Wan Chai is just beyond that. The defining factor of Admiralty is Pacific Place, home to several five-star hotels and an upscale mall. Wan Chai is also home to several boutique hotels worth keeping in mind.
Tsim Tsam Shui - The biggest portion of Hong Kong is located on the Kowloon Peninsula and the very tip of that peninsula is Tsim Tsam Tsui, or TST for short. TST is home to Hong Kong’s oldest, The Peninsula, and newest, Rosewood, grand hotels.
What are the best hotels in Hong Kong?
Hotels aren’t cheap in Hong Kong, but there is variety. Full service, five-star hotels ($) in central locations begin around USD400 per night. Most of the luxury brands you know ($$) will cost between USD500 and USD900. And at the top end ($$$), Hong Kong has some truly great properties, but they’re going to run you four figures a night.
Hong Kong does have some nice boutique options offering desirable locations at competitive prices. However, they tend to have small rooms and fewer amenities.
Here are my Hong Kong hotel recommendations. These are based on a combination of personal experience and reviews and ratings from other sources. I’ve noted the hotels I’ve stayed at with a *.
The high-end ($$$)
Rosewood, TST*
Upper House, Wan Chai
Four Seasons, Central*
The Peninsula, TST
Luxury properties ($$)
Island Shangri-La, Admiralty*
Mandarin Oriental, Central
St. Regis, Wan Chai
Full-service 5-Star ($)
Grand Hyatt, Wan Chai
Kowloon Shangri-La, TST
The Pottinger, Central
Boutique Options
The Hari*
Hotel Madera Hollywood
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental*
How do you get around Hong Kong?
You will most likely enter through Hong Kong International Airport. From there, you can take a taxi to your hotel or catch the Airport Express train, which gets into Central in 24 minutes.
Hong Kong is a relatively easy city in which to move around. Taxis are reasonably priced and easy to find (maybe not during rush hour). There is Uber but availability is limited. Public transportation is top notch. The city’s MTR is fast and clean. For a uniquely Hong Kong experience ride the ferries and the ding dings. There is even an airport express train that gets you in to Central in 24 minutes.
