Where To Stay In Hong Kong: 5 Best Areas & Neighborhoods

Hong Kong hits you all at once. The sheer density of the place is wild, with thousands of glass skyscrapers packed tightly between steep green mountains and Victoria Harbour. Fun fact: the name Hong Kong actually translates to “fragrant harbor,” though these days you are much more likely to smell roasting duck and egg tarts. The city actually spans over 200 islands, but most first-time visitors stick to the main action.

Picking where to drop your bags is a huge part of the trip. Do you want to step outside into a blaze of retro neon and endless night markets? Or would you rather ride the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator up to a cozy hillside bar? Maybe you just want a quiet ocean view before hopping on a dirt-cheap, historic wooden ferry.

The subway system here is ridiculously fast and easy, so you can’t really go wrong. Still, every neighborhood has its own specific flavor and rhythm. Figuring out your personal style makes all the difference when deciding where to base yourself in this crazy, wonderful city.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best areas to stay in Hong Kong and what each one is actually like.

In this travel guide:

Central

Best area for: nightlife, shopping, central stay

As the name implies, Central is the area that is in Downtown Hong Kong. Staying here will keep you right in the center of the city and in the heart of the action. For any first-time visitor or someone who wants a fast-paced trip, Central is the place to stay.

Glass towers, old stone streets, packed sidewalks, luxury malls, tiny restaurants and steep hills all collide here. It is the city’s main business district, so weekdays can feel very corporate. By evening, though, the area shifts gears. Bars fill up, restaurants get busy, and SoHo and Lan Kwai Fong take over the nightlife.

We usually start around Queen’s Road Central and make our way toward the older streets. This part of Hong Kong has a surprisingly long history. Central was one of the first areas developed after Hong Kong opened as a port, and you can still spot plenty of reminders of that past.

Tai Kwun is one of our favorite stops. The former Central Police Station and Victoria Prison have been turned into a heritage and arts complex. PMQ is another good one. It occupies the old Police Married Quarters and now houses local designers, small shops and creative studios.

Then there is the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator. It stretches about 800 meters uphill and is actually used by locals to get around. It is also one of the easiest ways to explore the streets around SoHo.

For lunch, we’d stop at Tai Kwun and grab something there. For coffee, PMQ is a fun choice. It gives us an excuse to browse the design shops too.

Best place to stay in Central

The Murray Hotel. Address: 22 Cotton Tree Dr, Central, Hong Kong.

Cheaper alternative:

Hotel One96. Address: 196 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Tsim Sha Tsui

Best area for: shopping, food, tourists

Tsim Sha Tsui (locally known as TST) is right at the southern tip of Kowloon. Back in the day, it started as a quiet village trading incense trees. The name literally means “sharp sand spit” in Cantonese.

Now it is a bustling mix of heavy tourism and commercial madness. You will find fancy hotels, massive malls, and old residential towers packed closely together.

Our favorite thing to do is walk along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade at dusk. The views across Victoria Harbour toward the Hong Kong Island skyline are unmatched. You can also catch the historic Star Ferry from the pier, which has been shuttling people across the water since 1888. The area is also packed with heavy hitters like the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Museum of Art.

When hunger hits, we duck into the basement of Chungking Mansions for authentic, cheap Indian curry. But for a solid lunch, we always head to Rest Coffee Gin. It sits right by the waterfront inside West Kowloon Art Park nearby. They serve incredible matcha lattes and pour-over coffees during the day, then switch to specialty gin cocktails when evening hits. It is the best spot to rest your feet after braving the crowds on Nathan Road.

Best place to stay in Tsim Sha Tsui

Hyatt Regency Hotel Tsim Sha Tsui. Address: 18 Hanoi Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

Causeway Bay

Best area for: shopping, food

If you want to spend some real money, Causeway Bay is the place to be. This is because Causeway Bay is the fashion capital of Asia and has every luxury brand you can think of. Hong Kong’s own version of Time Square is right here. With the big LED screens and lines of shops, this area is a must-visit for everyone.

The streets are packed, the malls seem to climb forever, and there is always another restaurant, store, or tiny side street to check out. We stayed here for a few days and quickly realized that this is not the neighborhood for a quiet Hong Kong escape. It is busy, commercial, and very much alive.

The area was once a shallow bay and fishing area. Much of it disappeared through land reclamation in the 1950s, when the shoreline was pushed farther north and Victoria Park was created. You can still spot traces of the old neighborhood in names like Jardine’s Bazaar and Jardine’s Crescent. They date back to the area’s early commercial history.

Causeway Bay is best known for shopping. Times Square is the big landmark, while SOGO, Hysan Place, and the smaller streets around them keep the retail action going. But there is more to the area than shopping bags. Victoria Park gives us a welcome patch of green, and the Jardine Noonday Gun fires every day at noon near the typhoon shelter. Yes, an actual cannon. It has been part of the neighborhood’s story since the 19th century.

For food, we would make time for Ho Hung Kee. It has been serving noodles and congee since 1946, and its Michelin-starred bowls are perfect when you need a break from the crowds.

Stay here if you want to be right in the middle of Hong Kong’s action.

Best place to stay in Causeway Bay

Tuve Hotel. Address: 16 Tsing Fung St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Mong Kok

Best area for: shopping, nightlife, budget-friendly

As you move through the city, you may desire a more authentic experience. This can partially be found in Mong Kok. This is one of the busiest areas in the entire city and has a lot more locals running about than in some of the other neighborhoods.

Back in the mid-1800s, this area was just a quiet Hakka farming village where locals grew watercress. Its name actually translates to “prosperous corner” in Chinese, and it definitely lives up to that reputation today. Guinness World Records even labeled it the most densely populated spot on Earth.

Towering apartment blocks sit directly above stacked neon storefronts and chaotic street markets. We always check out the famous Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street, where hundreds of crammed stalls sell cheap clothes, electronics, and souvenirs. Goldfish Market and Sneaker Street are right around the corner, each dedicated entirely to their specific namesake.

The sheer volume of people and flickering signs will make your head spin after a few hours. When our feet give out, we rush over to Mui Kee Congee on the top floor of the Fa Yuen Street Market. They cook up silky, comforting bowls of fish belly rice porridge in traditional copper pots over intense flames. The smoky flavor hits the spot every single time.

Best place to stay in Mong Kok

Hotel The BEACON. Address: 88 Sai Yee Street, Yau Tsim Mong District, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Sha Tin

Best area for: history, nature

Sha Tin feels like a different side of Hong Kong. It’s in the New Territories, away from the packed streets of Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. We found it much more residential, with huge housing estates, shopping malls, schools, and plenty of everyday local life. Tourists do come here, but they’re not exactly everywhere. That’s part of the appeal.

The area has an interesting backstory. Sha Tin was once a collection of Hakka villages where people farmed and fished. Then, in the 1970s, it was transformed into one of Hong Kong’s first new towns. Today, more than half a million people live in the wider district.

There’s still plenty to see. We started with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, then walked along the Shing Mun River and through Sha Tin Park. The park is surprisingly green, with gardens, a waterfall, and more than 400 plant species.

The real attraction here is the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. Getting there means climbing a steep path lined with golden Buddha statues. There are more than 12,000 statues around the complex. The views over Sha Tin make the climb worthwhile.

We’d also make time for Che Kung Temple and Tsang Tai Uk, a remarkably well-preserved Hakka walled village dating back to 1847.

For food, Sha Tin is a great place to skip the fancy tourist spots. We’d grab roast pigeon or noodles at one of the local favorites. For something easier, Bakehouse at New Town Plaza is a solid pick for brunch or a coffee break.

Best place to stay in Sha Tin

Alva Hotel By Royal. Address: 1 Yuen Hong Street, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Where travel critics stay in Hong Kong

Want to know where travel critics from publishers like The New York Times, Frommer’s, Fodor’s and Lonely Planet stay in Hong Kong? Check out our overview of all recommended hotels, hostels and B&Bs in Hong Kong.

Budget

Hostel Campus.

“Fabulous hostel for university students that also entertains backpackers whenever rooms are available, but especially during the summer months. The 48 rooms with four beds each feature nifty communal and study spaces, kitchenette and shower.” — Lonely Planet.

Address: 123 Castle Peak Rd (Ting Kau), Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong.

Mid-range

Hotel Indigo.

”Conveniently located in Wan Chai, the 138-room Hotel Indigo has a bright, locally inspired décor—goldfish pillows, Chinese lanterns–along with a glass-bottom, rooftop pool cantilevered over the bustling sidewalks 29 floors below.” — New York Times.

Address: No. 246, Queen’s Rd E, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Luxury

The Peninsula Hotel.

“This is Hong Kong’s legendary grand dame, built in 1928 to accommodate overland train passengers traveling through China and disembarking at nearby Kowloon Station. Yet the hotel is also stunningly up to date, with room renovations completed in 2013 that make it one of the most high-tech accommodations in the world.” — Frommer’s.

Address: Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.

FAQ: Hong Kong hotel tips

Looking for the best budget, boutique, or luxury hotel in Hong Kong? Or maybe you’re a backpacker looking for an excellent hostel? Want to know which Hong Kong hotel serves a great breakfast? Here are the answers to all those and other questions about where to stay in Hong Kong.

Best time to visit Hong Kong

The best time to visit Hong Kong is between October and December when the weather is absolutely delightful – sunny, cool, and comfortable. During these months, the city experiences an average temperature of 20-24°C (68-75°F), making it the perfect time to explore its breathtaking attractions without breaking a sweat.

Not only will you be able to indulge in outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing, but you’ll also be able to partake in the city’s exciting festivals and events. Get ready to immerse yourself in Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage and witness firsthand its lively atmosphere during this prime time!

October to December is also the most pleasant period in terms of climate, avoiding the scorching heat of summer and the typhoon season that usually occurs between May and September.

You can comfortably stroll through the bustling streets of Hong Kong, visiting iconic landmarks like Victoria Peak, the Avenue of Stars, and the Tian Tan Buddha without worrying about the weather playing spoilsport.

Furthermore, with the lower humidity levels during these months, you’ll have the opportunity to capture amazing panoramic views of the cityscape that will leave you in awe.

Best things to do in Hong Kong

There are plenty of things to do in Hong Kong and surrounding areas, including day trips, attractions, museums, sightseeing tours and many other activities. Here’s our list of 3 things you should definitely do when you’re in Hong Kong:

Hong Kong: Evening Cruise Tour in Chinese Junk Boat with Wine

Relax on a lounge bed, sip on a refreshing drink and soak up the sights and sounds of Hong Kong’s harbor and stunning skyline on the 45-minute harbor cruise. Price: $30. More info.

Lantau Island and Giant Buddha Day Trip from Hong Kong

Pay a visit to the Giant Buddha, visit Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery and explore the island of Lantau on this incredible tour, complete with a professional and friendly guide. Price: $153. More info.

Hong Kong Island Half-Day Tour including Peak Tram

Get to know the ins and outs of Hong Kong island during this comprehensive half-day tour that touches on all the highlights. Price: $40. More info.

More things to do in Hong Kong

Deciding where to stay in Hong Kong

As a closing note, let’s summarize this travel guide. We covered the best areas of Hong Kong so you can decide which part of town you want to stay in.

Top 5 areas to stay in Hong Kong

• Sha Tin
• Tsim Sha Tsui
• Central
• Causeway Bay
• Mong Kok

As you have seen in this article, there are plenty of things to explore, and deciding where to stay in Hong Kong is important. Whether you stay in Shatin, Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Causeway Bay or Mong Kok, all those neighborhoods are in good locations.

The atmosphere of the area, whether you travel for leisure or business, whether you travel with your family or friends, and proximity to the attractions you prefer to visit should probably be the deciding factors. Whatever your preference is, you’ll have a great stay in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong overview

More Hong Kong recommendations

See our other guides about the best places to stay in Hong Kong:

Hotels in Hong Kong

Hostels in Hong Kong

Boutique hotels in Hong Kong

Luxury hotels in Hong Kong

Cheap hotels in Hong Kong

Eco-friendly hotels in Hong Kong