Hotels in Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong Hotels

Hong Kong is often known as the vertical city, as with limited space on this small, flat island, the only way to go was up. The skyline has become iconic, with towering skyscrapers and incredible examples of modern architecture. This busy, densely packed city is busy 24 hours a day, with business people filling the streets by day, and the skyline lit by neon at night, with exclusive clubs and world class restaurants to try.

Things to see

Those who want to learn about how the city evolved should head to the Hong Kong Museum of History. Here you'll see exhibits dating back to ancient times when it was ruled by dynasties, to the days of British rule, and up to its re-unification with China in 1997. You'll be able to enjoy activities including talks and lectures, as well as fun stuff for kids. A quick way to see the city is in one of the tall, double decker trams, and Hong Kong Tramways allows you to enjoy a trip on an antique, open topped tram as it rattles down the city streets. Dating back to the early 20th century, these adorable older trams are nicknamed 'ding ding' by locals after the sound they make when leaving the station. Hong Kong is well known for its sleek modern architecture, and Pacific Place is an excellent example. The centerpiece is a contemporary mall set over 4 levels, with a bright white, ultra modern interior. There's also a wide selection of restaurants, including international favorites such as casual chains and cafés, plus a state of the art cinema showing movies in Chinese or English. If you need to escape the city for a while, then head to the south of Hong Kong Island to Dragon's Back; a mountainous area with hiking trails and a sandy beach. Here you'll be able to enjoy sweeping views out over the sea, and over traditional villages, with a serene park at the top of the trail.

Hotels in Hong Kong

The type of Hong Kong hotels that you choose will no doubt depend on your style of travel, and all sorts of visitors are catered for. Business travelers love the high rise, international chain hotels close to the city center, offering 5 star accommodation and breathtaking views of the harbor. These hotels have plenty of extras for those who need to get work done on the go, from WiFi and business centers to keep you in touch, to a selection of bars and restaurants for entertaining clients. If you're in the city for leisure, then you might prefer one of the more traditional hotels, with a warm welcome and comfortable rooms. You'll often enjoy free WiFi and breakfast, as well as excellent service from multilingual staff who can help you make your way around the city.

Where to stay

Central is the business district of Hong Kong where you'll see the dramatic high rise skyline that the city is famous for. Wander around the streets and you'll feel dwarfed by the high buildings that are covered in advertising billboards and neon signs in Chinese and English. The streets are always busy by day, with trams rattling down the road and crowded pavements full of locals who always seem to be in a hurry. Happy Valley is a quieter, upmarket area of Hong Kong where wealthy locals and expats live in exclusive residential developments. It's a popular spot with tourists who want to stay somewhere a little quieter, and the tram system still runs up here for easy access to the city. A popular attraction is the Happy Valley Racecourse, which was built to satisfy the British colonists who enjoyed the sport, and it's now the site of many world class races.

How to get to Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport is the easiest arrival point, with flights landing here from around the world. The Airport Express line of Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway takes you from the airport to Hong Kong Station in Central in under 25 minutes, avoiding the traffic at peak times. A taxi takes about half an hour, while one of the many bus services can take an hour to 90 minutes as the journey has many stops. Hong Kong Station is at the heart of Hong Kong's rail network, with local metro stops, and easy connections to other towns.