Hong Kong Hostel

Hong Kong Hostel: Overview

To find a Hong Kong Hostel wasn't an easy task a few years back. Today it's much better. The problem is that most of those on offer are really not good places to stay at! Continue reading to find out which and where are the best Hong Kong Hostels. I'm going to make it very easy for you. Learn from my experience with Hong Kong Hostels. 

At first I wanted to give you a breakdown for each part of the city but then I found that many of these hostels are not worth mentioning. Some 80% of all the hostels in Hong Kong are a complete disaster. You will find nice reviews on several websites and stunning pictures, but it's really not all that nice! I was discussing this with many of my friends and these three came out as winners.

Three Hong Kong hostels worth recommending are described here, but there are other good hostels in Hong Kong and a few new places. In the resource box below I gave you some links where you can start your search if you don't like these. I have been looking for both shared (dorm) and private hostels in Hong Kong. There are many that have big rooms for groups (up to 20). Some of these hostels don't sell shared accommodation to single travelers. The good news is that the price for private rooms in many HK hostels is usually only a few dollars higher than that for dorms in these Hong Kong hostels.

Continue reading to find out all about Hong Kong hostels.

You might be interested in similar accommodation I wrote about here: Cheap Hotels in Hong and Best Value Hotels in Hong Kong. If you are in a hurry, use this hotel and hostel comparison engine.

What to expect

All Hong Kong hostels operate as travel agents and sell tours, packages and various services. Don't feel like you must buy anything right there in the hostel. Take a look around, feel the offers and then decide. This is especially true for Chinese travel visa. Just ask them for directions and do it yourself in Immigration Tower in Admiralty on Hong Kong Island.

Unfortunately most of them offer very slow and barely usable internet connection. You will be better off if you can use your mobile device in bars and restaurants. Net bars tend to be very expensive so prepare what you want to do before you enter and start the timer. Long research online can turn to be expensive here (up to HKD 50 per hour, some hotels will try to charge even more!).

As with all accommodation in Hong Kong the rooms are very small. This can be said for the cheapest and the most expensive places in this city. Don't travel with much luggage. Most of them will offer luggage depository. You can store your bags safely there. This is usually paid extra.

Because of high cost of housing in downtown, many hostels don't have common areas where you can socialize and meet people. You can hang around reception for a while if you are looking to find a companion or make a friend. Washrooms are unbelievably basic and compact in every Hong Kong hostel. Shower is usually placed above the toilet seat. Unlike in China, they usually have western toilets.

From Spring to Fall there is normally no hot water. Most people don't need it anyway. Some Hong Kong hostels don't offer hot water at all, not even in Winter. AC rooms are more expensive. They usually provide fans in summer. The staff in Hong Kong Hostels are infamous for their rude and "not interested" response in many places. I've heard this about many of the hostels. Those that I've met had descent attitude for cheap accommodation. I guess they behave differently when you start complaining.

In popular destinations you will be swarmed by people selling all kinds of things. I was offered anything between smuggled Chinese cigarettes and napkins on bargain to hard drugs and prostitutes. If you are prepared for above, you should have no problem staying in any Hong Kong Hostel. 

Chun King Mansions 

Chung King MansionsChungKing Mansions neighborhood is one of the most culturally diverse locations in Hong Kong. However, I don't dare to recommend Hostels in Kowloon, ChunKing Mansions area. I had some friends staying there and running away in the middle of the night. When I visited some of them it didn't seem that dangerous and scarry at all, but I was told that at night it shows a different face.

To be honest it seems that it's just an overall feeling from the neighborhood, not actual danger. I haven't heard about any serious attacks, muggings or similar from that area. There are drug dealers, scammers, and pushy sales people everywhere. Definitely not a place to visit with a child.

I would think twice if I was traveling alone as well. If you have an adventurous spirit you can still see this place and maybe even spend the night. It's a legendary part of the city. It offers some of the cheapest beds in the city – as low as $7! Note that you get only what you pay for!

Read about it on Wikipedia

Still want to stay there. Look for hotels on Nathan Road 36 – 44 Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon here.

Cheap Hong Kong Hostel

Compare cheap hotels and hostels in Hong Kong – click here

New Garden Hostel – The Cheapest Hong Kong Hostel?

Flat D1, 13/FMirador Mansion, 58-62 Nathan Road, Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 00852
New Garden Hostel Hong KongNew Garden Hostel is a very basic accommodation located on Nathan Road. Nothing more than basic necessities here. It's the cheapest, safe and reasonably clean hostel in Hong Kong.
 
Read these reviews:
 
"Lets be clear, if your looking for luxury this place is not for you…but if your looking for budget, as basic as it comes accomodation in the centre of town and dont mind sharing with 11 other people in the same dorm then stay here. The beds are not great but Im guessing you'll be at sampling the bars and clubs all night so that wont bother you too much!"
 
"I loved how it is so conveniently located! But, for those who do not know where Mirador mansion is or what it looks like, it is a bit hard to find. It is a HUGE building just next to the Tsim Sah Tsui station. The staff was helpful enough to tell me how to get there on the phone when I called. The room mates were very friendly so we liked the stay!"
 
New Garden Hostel is perfect hostel for a single traveler looking for dorm room – $8. Couples looking for private accommodation might want to use its Standard Twin/Double Ensuite $12+/pp. Many more options available. Take a look at it here.

Good Hong Kong Hostel

A-Inn Hong Kong – The Best Hong Kong Hostel?

Room 809, 8/F,Sincere House, 83 Argyle St , Mongkok, Hong Kong
 
A-Inn Hong Kong HostelSet in Mongkok, popular and busy area where you can find numerous attractions and activities in Hong Kong makes A – Inn Hong Kong Hostel a perfect place for your base. Anything you might be interested in while visiting this city is easily reached because of its connection via MTR and countless bus lines. At the same time this is a clean, well established and highly rated guesthouse where you can safely stay without worries and frustration.
 
This comment sums it all up: 
 
"Clean and fuss-free with the basic amenities: hot shower, air-conditioning. Awesome location right at the heart of the shopping district. Felt very at home. Room was small but it's like this everywhere in Hong Kong. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to stay in Mongkok."
 
And a full on review here: 
 
"Liked: Very cosy and comfortable! My friends and I liked it a lot. We were checked into rooms in the same apartment, and what we liked were the little services that they provided. Despite being a hostel, inside the room had air-conditioning (a must-have in HK Summer), a flatscreen TV, wireless internet, soap and shampoo, bathroom slippers, hangers and clothes hooks. Outside the rooms there was a shared kitchen area with a fridge, sink, microwave as well. Towels were provided (although we had to ask for them), which was changed everyday together with the bedsheets. Security-wise it was fine as it was an apartment which meant double-locks for the room and the apartment as well. Location-wise is great, it's just 2 roads away from the Mong Kok MTR station, and right along Nathan Rd which is great for shops and walking around. Right next to the Sincere Building itself is a large shopping centre (hidden gem) which has cheap shopping and ktv which is a better alternative to the street shops in Ladies Market which is hot and dirty. Also,the Mong Kok area is famous for it's late-night activities which means that the street cafes, shops and markets close late, some are even 24hrs so it's great to walk around. Staff were also very helpful with regards to the discounted Ocean Park tickets, and telling us the available discounts for the cable car rides to Lantau Island. Also, when we asked them for food recommendations they helped us with that as well. The check-in area also has 3 computers for internet access.
 
Disliked: Might have been slightly hard to find this place because you have to take the lift up to the 14th floor to check-in, before they give you a room. Also, the lifts up to your apartment take a long time as it is shared with the residents in the building – but we were fine with it because we were not in a rush. Very small room, with no closet, but it's expected for Hong Kong and the price paid. We got an ensuite room, and the toilet is really small with no partition for the shower and toilet bowl/sink, but we didn't really mind. There were minor problems with the toilet flushing but overall it wasn't something that ruined the experience."
 
In A – Inn Hong Kong Hostel you can get a private (4 beds) room from $14. Many more options here as well. They don't offer dorm accommodation though. Check it out here.

The Best Hong Kong Hostel

Hong Kong Budget Hostel

Room703, Flat 7, Sincere House, 83 Argyle Street,, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
 
Hong Kong Budget HostelHong Kong Budget Hostel is ideally located in Mongkok, the busiest shopping, business and entertainment districts of this metropolis. It's in the same building as the recommendation above. Adjacent to Ladies' Market, Aquariums Market and Bird Garden. Other major point of interest such as Jade Market Temple Street's Night Market are also close.
 
You can easily reach the MTR station, KCR-train station (Railway to the border of Mainland China), bus as well as taxi stop. Vistors can access all major destinations by taking these transportaion networks. The airport bus route no. A21 stop is also next to this hostel, it takes about 45 mins to or from HK International Airport.
 
This Hong Kong hostel is certainly one of the natural choices for budget visitors who travel this city. Every room is squeaky clean and is equipped with a free local call private phone, air conditioning as well as TV set. Hot water is supplied in bathrooms for shower.
 
Budget Hostel's staff are stationed in the hostel at 24 hours to safeguard guests' luggage in their room. As a result, the hostel is perfectly safe, guests can feel free to go shopping and have fun outside without worrying about their belongings.
 
Read these brief reviews for this Hong Kong hostel:
 
"The Hostel was exceptionally clean and comfortable. It made our stay much easier. Man, the owner is super friendly and helpful. If you're going to Hong Kong on the cheap, stay here."
 
"Everything was great with this hotel. Especially the price and location! The room was very tiny but it was exceptionally clean (and was cleaned everyday of our four night stay) and the bathroom. The staff were very friendly. All in all a great place in Hong Kong!"
 
"Good clean guest house staff very friendly great location right across from the mtr gets you everywhere you need to get to and has free wifi which i must say is very fast and always working, rooms are compact but that is everyewhere in hong kong. We were only going to book 2 nights but extended our stay for another week."
 
Rates for this property start from $14 – Private (4 beds) Ensuite. Private Double Ensuite is $17 per person and Single Private Ensuite $24. No dorm accommodation in this Hong Kong hostel. You can find it here.
 
As I said before this is not the ultimate list of your options. Look at the resources box below and do your own research. One problem with these three is that they are very popular. It might not be easy to book them if you are booking late. However, I'm sure you will use your best judgement and find the best place for yourself. You got the picture here and know what to expect. 
 
Important note: 
 
Pay attention when booking Hong Kong Hostel online. Most of them are illegal! You could end up in a serious hustle if they were raided while you are staying there. You can imagine the trouble of going through the police protocols in a foreign country. Online booking sites are trying to remove these from their listings but some of them always slip. Reading comments usually helps. You should be confident booking an established and well rated hostel.  

Resources

Compare all cheap hotels and hostels in Hong Kong

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google Buzz
  • Google Bookmarks
  • LinkedIn
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • Netvibes
  • NewsVine
  • FriendFeed
  • Hyves
  • Mixx
  • MySpace
  • Orkut
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
This post was written by...

– who writes for China Hotel Deals.

Will writes to help people, if you appreciate what you just read, consider sharing his article with your friends. And when you get a chance try to help the next person, little things mean the world to the one in need. He hangs out with friends on , find him there. Have a great day.