I can’t believe that just a week ago, almost to the minute, I was sitting in a small shop by the side of a busy road in Mongkok, Hong Kong scooping hot congee into my mouth to warm myself up from the cold outside. Just 1 week. How time flies.
I haven’t had time to process all the scrumptious food photos so you’ll have to make do with a slightly different sort of scrumptiousness – the delicious hotel I stayed at in Hong Kong this time around 🙂 I left off booking a hotel room till it was almost too late but decided to stay somewhere different for once. I usually put up at small joints but this time, I spotted a deal on Agoda and picked the Langham Place Hotel, Hong Kong.
TripAdvisor gave it an almost flawless rating so I wasn’t too worried. I picked it partly for the location (smack in the middle of busy Mongkok and connected to the Langham Place mall and Mongkok MTR station) but who am I kidding? I just really wanted to stay somewhere nice 😛
The Langham Place Hotel is conveniently located in Mongkok which is the centre of shopping and food in the Kowloon area, where shops are open till very late. Its an extremely busy area and it was nice to enter the relative quiet of the hotel lobby after the maddening crowd outside.
Being a pricier joint, you would expect the rooms to be larger than the shoeboxes one gets shoveled into in Hong Kong hotels, and you won’t be far wrong. There is more room in here to swing a cat* but I would still consider it small by comparison. Still, the beds were extremely comfortable with lovely firm mattresses and fluffy comforters. It was lovely coming back after a long day out to a nice room, comfy beds and a nice hot shower!
The air-conditioning was quite powerful and it was quite cool when I was there so once I got under the covers I was quite loathe to get back out. There were the usual amenities – television on the wall and coffee and tea making facilities and a minibar that you would be absolutely raving mad to tuck into, at those prices.
But what fascinated me was the bathroom. Like the Plaza Hotel I stayed in in Seoul, the bathroom had a bathtub cum shower … with a glass wall. I get that glass gives the impression of space but seriously. I don’t need a bathroom with a glass wall opening out into the room. My room window faced the mall and offices so if one were to leave the curtains open, you would pretty much be giving people in the office and mall quite an eyeful.
Fortunately, there is a roller blind to block off the glass. Oh and the bathroom was literally walled with mirrors. It is quite small by the standards of most hotels, but large by Hong Kong standards where space is a premium so I get that the mirrors were there to give the illusion of space. It most certainly made the bathroom look very bright because light was bouncing off everywhere! You have to make sure you turn off the bathroom lights or find it hard to sleep.
Despite the price I paid, I found the walls a bit thin. I could hear noises from rooms next door. Not loud or annoying but it was quite surprising because most of the time, in a pricey hotel they do have better sound proofing. But because I sleep with ear plugs when I travel, I wasn’t woken up or anything.
Very importantly for me, was the fairly decent hair dryer. Amenities were plentiful and complimentary bottles of water were replaced every morning and evening. Saved us from having to buy a lot of water 🙂
All in all, I’d say I had a very comfortable stay at the Langham Place Hotel and if budget permits in the future I would love to return.
Oh and location wise, it couldn’t be more perfect. Its linked to the Mongkok MTR (Exit C) and to the mall by a covered walkway. Go to the ground level and step outside, and a short walk away are food shops and more shopping if you are so inclined. In fact, I found that the easiest way to access the hub of Mongkok shopping district (and the Ladies’ Market) is by using the underground – this way you are protected from the elements and its actually easier to find your way around.
To and from the airport, a cab cost HKD230 each way (about 30 minutes without traffic) or you can take the MTR or the Airport Express train to Kowloon Station and take a cab from there. There is also the Airport Shuttle service that costs HKD140/person (about 1 hour) or if you are not pressed for time at all and have little luggage, walk down to Nathan Road and take the Airport Bus from there – I can’t remember the price but its substantially cheaper.
My room booked through Agoda came with free WiFi which is of course a big consideration where I was concerned. It allowed me to do some last minute research for places I was to go and eat and lets face it. I would be lost without my internet connection 😛
Oh and here’s one of my favourite breakfasts in Hong Kong – “Char Leong”.
Its “yau char kwai” rolled in “chee cheong fun” skin or in English, Fried dough sticks wrapped in rice vermicelli flour skin and served with soy sauce. I can’t seem to get good ones locally or at all. I love it… and portions are HUGE in Hong Kong! I don’t understand how clothes sizes there are still so tiny 😛
Do you have a hotel to recommend in Hong Kong? I don’t plan on busting my whole budget on a hotel room the next time I go, and shall save it for the shopping and food instead 😀
* no cats were harmed. Scouts honour 😛
Paris B
Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong (website) I booked my rooms through Agoda and got complimentary internet and 20% off so a night came up to about US$170.
The last time I was in HK, I was in the dodgiest joint on the face of the earth. Let’s not revisit that. And yay, char leong is my favouritest food too! THink I’ll have that when I go for yum char with Tine tomorrow 🙂 And yes, free wifi is a must for hotels. In this time and age, I find it appalling that it’s not bundled as part of the amenities 😛
I find that the more expensive the hotel is, the less likely they bundle in free internet. I never understand that. Its always the budget/cheaper hotels that do free internet. Silly chain hotels 😛 And yay for char leong! I don’t know why I can’t find any here 🙁
I travel frequently for work and being a member with a hotel group such as Priority Club is really convenient. The hotels under this group includes Inter Continental, Holiday Inn, Crown Plaza and a few more unfamiliar in these regions. What I like about this membership programme is that one can collect points for each stay and with enough points, one can get rooms for free. Also they guarantee the cheapest price on the net, so if you find another website offering cheaper rates than PC, they will match that price and from experience, throw in a lil bit more discount. In HKG, I’ve stayed at the HI Express, HI Hotel and the Inter Cont. The HI Express at Time Square is located right smack in the middle of the shopping area, though minimalist in decor, is great if shopping is the objective of the visit. Spend less on hotel more on shopping. The HI Hotel Golden Mile is right there in TST on Nathan Road – need I say more. The IC is a little bit away from all the excitement, but it is luxurious and quieter if you want to get away from the maddening crowd. Another reason why I like this programme is if you do your homework right, you might snag a deal with the IC at HI prices. I am also a member of the Golden Circle programme, offered by the Shangri la and Traders group of hotels, although not my frequently ‘go to’ hotels as prices tend to be on the higher side, but its there just in case. Another programme that I’ve heard of is the Accor group A Club. I am not a member but I heard the prices under this group is really attractive. I noticed you travel frequently too so it might make economic sense, in the long run to consider the benefits of membership.
Thanks for the suggestions Ishi! I don’t really travel enough to justify joining a hotel group as most of the time I travel for fun and try to keep costs down, but perhaps I could give it some thought because ultimately it only makes sense if you can get a good hotel at a lower rate than normal 😀 Thanks also for your hotel suggestions. I’ll be sure to look them up the next time I plan to go to HK 😀
I don’t like the hotels in HK. Perhaps I never stayed in good ones there before.
If I go for a business trip, it normally is quite lengthy and I would stay in a 1 bedroom service apt at mid levels. It’s quite interesting to explore life along the stairs. 😀
I actually like staying in serviced apartments when I travel, especially if its with family. It makes commercial sense and the larger space is always better. Oh and I love that it makes me feel like I’m “living” in that city. Going to the local grocery stores, and just mingling with the locals. I do like the Mid-Levels area of Hong Kong. Its fun and a little quirky 😀
I was there a week before you and was surprise the room at Park Hotel,Tsimshatsui is quite big! Do try out the hotel next time.
Thanks for the suggestion Cat! I remember seeing Park Hotel too but wasn’t sure how it was. Glad to know that its quite big 😀 The first trip I went to Hong Kong, the hotel room was so small I only had a corner for my luggage, and the bed. I couldn’t even lie the bag down on the floor!
when I was in HK last year, I stayed in Park Hotel. Quite convenient to travel about and there’s boutiques all around. Upstairs I remember it is a mini shopping area with a few levels, I think they sell mostly unique/ handmade items.
Am thinking of going to HK/ BKK for a short trip. Need a recharge. And I must try char leong! Never had it last time!
Great to know that Park Hotel is a good bet 😀 I think HK and BKK are fun places to go for a short holiday. Both will involve you spending a lot of money on shopping though hehe… Char Leong is really yummy! Any little shop in HK will have it 😀
i always stay in budget hostel when i go hongkong.
the room environment will not be like a hotel but good enough (with bed and space for luggage under the bed, singleroom come with toilet with shower too) to rest.. of cox, that’s for me, some might hate the tiny room and hard bed. but the price is really good, so i can save more for shopping and food!
I love mongkok area too.. one hostel that i prefer is mongkok’s Ah Shan Hostel which is very near to longham as well.
anyway i wish to stay in a better hotel on my next hongkong visit, if budget allow.
Thanks for the rec Jean 🙂 Hotels in Hong Kong are so pricey that the rooms alone will take up most of the budget. The Mongkok area is great isn’t it? I like it there because I know I can get all my last minute shopping done even late at night 😀
Never been to HK but love reading your travel posts! I’m an armchair traveller! 🙂
Thanks Milktea – but do visit some day. Its super fun and the food’s awesomely good! 😀
The last time I went to HK I stayed at YMCA in TST. It was just a stone’s throw away from the famed Peninsula but at a fraction of the price. Surprisingly the hotel was very good, walking distance to the harbor and the large shopping mall – Harbour City. The MRT was just beside the hotel. The room rate was about RM420 per night.
I’ll be going to Singapore soon, any good recommendations ?
Ooh Mei Ping, you just reminded me that I’ve stayed at that same YMCA too! 😀 Its a very good hotel and the rate is about there. I was quite lucky because when I checked in, I was offered a free upgrade to a suite. I think they ran out of rooms or something hehe…
As for Singapore, I don’t usually stay in hotels there because I have relatives, but I quite liked staying at the Royal Plaza on Scotts the few times I stayed. They had a free minibar which was fun (because we’d never utilize the minibar right?) and its just off Orchard Rd. which is very convenient if that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time. I appreciated being able to return to the room in the middle of the day to rest and refresh.
I’ve stayed at YMCA Anne Black before and more recently Novotel Nathan Road. Anne Black was old but clean, nearer to Yaumatei – perfect for someone on a budget.
Last Dec, I decided to splurge a bit and stayed at Novotel. Loved the room – it’s considered roomier than the normal shoeboxes. Plus it’s pretty new and clean and the location is great too.
But overall, i’ve always been partial towards Accor group of hotels like Pullman, Novotel, Ibis, Mercure and others.
Thanks for the suggestion Eileen! I may have seen the Novotel while walking along Nathan Road. I shall bear this in mind for the next time I visit. Sometimes, I tend to prefer chain hotels too because you get a measure of consistency in terms of cleanliness and amenities which is more reassuring 🙂
I really like Langham Place (had a free upgrade, haha), but the Ritz takes the cake with the to-die-for view (and price, so sadly I can’t go back there any time soon). That said, Evergreen hotel isn’t too bad, it’s cheap, with old and slightly dingy rooms but it’s clean and with free wifi.
Evergreen Hotel! That was the last one I stayed in – how interesting that you should mention it 😀 I don’t remember the free wifi but I do remember that the rooms were, as you said, clean but a bit old. Location is awesome though – so much delicious food around! I would love to bunk in at the Ritz some day (went there for lunch) but probably not unless its sponsored or I make my 1st million or do not plan to leave the room while I’m there LOL! 😛
I’ve stayed at Novotel too, and yes, location, cleanliness and space-wise it’s not bad. But one thing that surprised me was that they don’t provide toothbrushes! When I go for work trips, the company usually books fairly decent hotels, so I’ve been used to hotels where ALL the amenities are provided, so sometimes I don’t bother to bring my toothbrush anymore (but just as well this time I brought!). I’m not so sure why the company ‘stinged’ on the accomodation expenses this time though.
Ah I never thought to look at Novotel but now I will 🙂 Business travel always lets us stay in nicer places we would otherwise not pay for, don’t they? But the trade off will be working urgh! 😛
Ooh will keep this hotel in mind when I next head to HK. I’ve stayed in a variety of hotels there and at different price points; a budget hotel somewhere in Yau Ma Tei (which I won’t recommend as cleanliness was an issue. We found popcorn kernels on the floor and the toilet was constantly flooded), a boutique hotel in Central (we wondered why the windows were frosted. We found out why when we looked out the window and saw a graveyard) and one of the hotels above Pacific Place (nice but also pretty expensive). Nothing so far I would say ‘yes’ to that I thought was value for money. I don’t think I am being too fussy by asking for a clean room with no graveyard views and which doesn’t hit a 4 figure nightly rate. Not much HK hotel luck, I guess.
I think hotels in HK are very much luck based. The chain hotels are so expensive and the smaller ones can be quite dodgy. You just can’t trust photos online at all 😛 But if you don’t mind paying a little more, I do think the Langham Place Hotel is quite a nice place. Its clean, a little old but comfortable, doesn’t have a graveyard view and doesn’t cost 4 figures a night 🙂 If you book online, you can get free wifi in room too and possibly a discount.
I just pove reading your blog.
Yes… HK is to my heart over and over again. I love the place, love the shopping and crazilyn love the food! And i loose weight even i eat triple the amount I eat in Malaysia.
I have stayed in few different hotels through all my past visits. Here’s my recommendation:
1. cosmos @ mongkok (nearby to Olympic MTR, walking distance is about 8-10minutes), but hey, utilize their free shuttle!!
2. Conrad Hotel @ Admiralty MTR station. I love this hotel the most! This is at least 5times bigger of a shoe box size 😉 i just love love love the convenience, the staffs, the brrakfast, the room amenities, the coffee machine in the room… Let’s call this a luxury – not sure about the price, the hubby booked for me, for a good holiday
3. Traders Hotel @ HK Island. I am a member of Golden Circle, and lots of points to use, so I get my rooms for free, i get free treats, free breakfast and free wifi. This is the good thing about Golden circle hotels, all rooms come with free wifi connection. However though, this place has slightly lesser food to eat and MTR station is further away. Again, utilise their free shuttle! It will drop u off at the ferry point or MTR station. So it solves the problem.
4. Mandarin Oriental, i was there for a conference. It was sponsored. Its located at Queen.s road central. It is nearby to Central MTR and also closeby to walk to the HK airport express. We were also given spa vouchers and its a BLISS. Heavenly to pamper yourself. But i won’t do it, if I had to pay (chepaskate me! Nyehhh! Its worthy if u think u deserve a pamper, but u can get five times better service and do it probably twice or three times in Bali, for e price u pay for once in MOH). But in HK, apart from being here for business, most would be here for food and shopping! Same here!
Next, if anyone has been to cheung chau, pls tell me your experience….. I would love to go for. My next trip. Till then.. Take care. 🙂
Sorry abt my fat fingers. It was meant to be… LOVE not Pove.