Hong Kong and Macau - Week long stay - Which hotel?

Hi All,
Have a week long trip coming up in October to HK. I'm headed over with some friends for a week but since they have family there they'll be some days where I meet up with them and other days where I'm exploring on my own. I'm currently Gold in both SPG (I know, not worth much) and MR (worth slightly more).

I was going to cash in points to use at the W but now I'm instead considering saving the points for a later date and just paying for a room at the JW Marriott or another hotel.

I found a good rate I can use at the JW Marriot to bring the 7 nights total cost to USD $2854 a/i.

I also looked at TripAdvisor ratings/reviews and found the Langham Place possibly interesting for saving a good bit at 'only' $2267. Considered Mira at $2668 but would rather spend the ~$170 more to get points and stay credits at JW with slight chance of free upgrade.

Other benefit of not using SPG points is that I'll get MR points + stay credit for Marriott (I'm on verge of re-qualifying). Downside is $$$out of pocket for what was going to be a 'free' trips (used AA miles for CX First flights and was going to use SPG for hotel stay).

This will be my first time to Hong Kong although I've been plenty of places on my own. I do plan to go out and explore/do things on my onw on the days that I'm not with my friends experiencing more of the local side of things. Is location better for any of the three hotels? Service much different? I would consider some other hotels but from looking at TripAdvisor most of the well rated hotels are in the same ballpark as the JW.

Are there any really good options in the sub-$200/$250 per night rates for a nice hotel in a good location for sight-seeing and exploring around?

The W is a nice enough place, but it's not really in the middle of things. I wouldn't recommend it for a 1st-time visitor.

The Holiday In Express in Causeway Bay is a modest place to stay, but it's clean, has a great location, and is a very good value (probably less than US$200/night). Otherwise there are also a bunch of good, but non-chain, hotels in that price range.

Depending when in October you plan to travel, you might find it extremely difficult to find hotel space due to trade shows.

Deleted

My family's favourite when visiting HK is the YMCA Salisbury in Tsim Sha Tsui. The location is excellent - across the street from the Peninsula & waterfront promenade (perfect vantage point for watching the 8pm light shows) and two blocks from the Tsim Sha Tsui star ferry pier. It's also probably one of the better deals in the area at about US $150 per night. Occasionally we've also received a slight (~10% IIRC) discount for week-long stays by calling ahead and asking. Views of Victoria Harbour and HK Island from the harbourview rooms are amazing, although if you opt for a less pricey non-waterfront room, the views are of the neighbouring hotels.

The hotel is affiliated with a functioning YMCA and I think hotel guests get free access to the pool, although the gym facilities are extra.

The Holiday In Express in Causeway Bay is a modest place to stay, but it's clean, has a great location, and is a very good value (probably less than US$200/night). Otherwise there are also a bunch of good, but non-chain, hotels in that price range.

Depending when in October you plan to travel, you might find it extremely difficult to find hotel space due to trade shows.

My family's favourite when visiting HK is the YMCA Salisbury in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Well, I thought a friend of mine had locked up a great deal at the JW Marriott for me but apparently they only put it on hold and then they didn't confirm before it cancelled. And, of course, now the rate is gone. Oh well :)

I received some other recommendations for the HI Causeway Bay but it and the YMCA Salisbury are both booked during my dates.

I'm worried I may be a bit too close to my desired dates to find any 'preferred' hotels. Off to do some exploring on TripAdvisor for some options there.

Where can one find info about trade shows? Going in October for a few days and have flexibility to avoid particularly busy dates.

TIA.

We stayed at L'hotel Causeway Bay this past June and I loved it.

http://www.lhotelcausewaybayhv.com/

The pool is tiny (I'm a swimmer), the food (breakfast, anyways) mediocre and there is no wifi. That said:

The hotel itself is very nice and the location is unbeatable. We had a suite, which was very generously sized (the website says 52 sm). Unfortunately, I can't comment on the pricing as my wife made the arrangements but I am under the impression that it is pretty reasonable.

The hotel is just across the street from Tin Hau Station so MTR access is right out the door. And there are many cheap, casual food choices located in the adjacent blocks (all walking), from cafes to bakeries to bbq street food.

Also within walking distance is Victoria Park for your morning exercise.

Finally, there is a phone store across the street so you can get your local simcard / wifi access there.

If its out of pockets and you have MR, what about the Courtyard Marriott?

If its out of pockets and you have MR, what about the Courtyard Marriott?

Looked in to that but no points availability on my dates.

Currently considering Nathan Road Novotel and the Courtyard Marriott. I still have a SPG stay at the W held but now that I'm just going solo it seems like a waste of points (even though they were booked at 12k/night instead of the current 16k/night).

All in all, I'm also slightly considering just canceling and re-scheduling the trip. Was planning on heading over with some friends and now that seems to have fallen back a bit. Add that to the higher that expected hotel costs for a week and there comes the cancellation options. Guess I'm cheap :) Flights were on AA awards so I can cancel those without fee. Can cancel W without fee too, so really not much downside to canceling. Can always head over next year with more advance planning and being sure to get commitment from all involved :)