Hong Kong and Macau - Hotel suggestions/Area

Hi there,
Planning on going to HK for 4 nights to 5 nights. Got an idea of what to do/expect but I'm still stuck on hotel choices. I have it narrowed down to W Hotel, Hotel Icon, or Upper House. What are pro's/con's of staying on Kowloon side or Island Side, and which do you recommend.

Thanks in advance, and if this is a repeat, then I haven't seen something posted similar after a thorough search so would be happy if you point me in the right direction!

Hotel Icon isn't in the same league as the W or Upper House so I would rule it out.

W is above the Elements a major shopping centre in Kowloon West.

Upper house is above Pacific Place another large shopping centre.

Personally I would probably go with the Upper house

mdevans: Thanks for the tip. Is it true that Kowloon is more active than Island? I've Kowloon is bustling all the time while Island dies done around pacific place in the evenings.

mdevans: Thanks for the tip. Is it true that Kowloon is more active than Island? I've Kowloon is bustling all the time while Island dies done around pacific place in the evenings.

Yes, but where the W is even more dead than Pacific Place at night. You have to take a taxi back to the center-part of the Kowloon Peninsula; which you can get to by MTR from the Pacific Place in the same time. (Until the MTR closes at around 1am).

I would recommend the Sheraton Towers in Kowloon.
Great Harbor views, in the middle of the action. Stay in the "Towers" rooms, they have a great lounge with one of the best evening drinks and food I have ever seen anywhere. The staff is great and makes you feel at home.
Shopping is everywhere, some great bars and clubs near by, and the MTR station is just across the street.

Yes, but where the W is even more dead than Pacific Place at night. You have to take a taxi back to the center-part of the Kowloon Peninsula; which you can get to by MTR from the Pacific Place in the same time. (Until the MTR closes at around 1am).

Thanks, so I guess my choice is down to the Upper House. It doesn't seem like a long way from Kowloon. Are Taxi prices on par with other cities (ie. London and NYC) or are they as exuberent as Tokyo!

I would recommend the Sheraton Towers in Kowloon.
Great Harbor views, in the middle of the action. Stay in the "Towers" rooms, they have a great lounge with one of the best evening drinks and food I have ever seen anywhere. The staff is great and makes you feel at home.
Shopping is everywhere, some great bars and clubs near by, and the MTR station is just across the street.

Thanks for the suggestion I took a look at it while searching and I'm more of a "new" hotel with contemporary/modern rooms kind of guy. Many people recommended the Island Shangri-la to me, but their's something about that historic/dated look that doesn't do it for me. I'm weird that way. But it is a fantastich location, much appreciated.

One last question, according to google maps, HKIA is 45mins away from Pacific place, is that a realistic journey time for someone travelling around 9pm to go to the airport? or does it take longer than that?

Thanks, so I guess my choice is down to the Upper House. It doesn't seem like a long way from Kowloon. Are Taxi prices on par with other cities (ie. London and NYC) or are they as exuberent as Tokyo!

One last question, according to google maps, HKIA is 45mins away from Pacific place, is that a realistic journey time for someone travelling around 9pm to go to the airport? or does it take longer than that?

Taxis are cheap in HK, compared to any of those cities. But traffic can be bad at times, and when it rains, you may not be able to find one. And taking a taxi cross harbor has the toll plus an extra fee tagged on. From Pacific Place, it's just 4 minutes and one stop on the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui.

45 minutes is realistic time from HKG to Pacific Place at that time. Should take a bit less, in fact.

Taxis are cheap in HK, compared to any of those cities. But traffic can be bad at times, and when it rains, you may not be able to find one. And taking a taxi cross harbor has the toll plus an extra fee tagged on. From Pacific Place, it's just 4 minutes and one stop on the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui.

45 minutes is realistic time from HKG to Pacific Place at that time. Should take a bit less, in fact.

Thanks for that. Seems I'll head out to the airport at 9:45pm-10pm to catch the EK flight departing 00:30.

Hi there,
Planning on going to HK for 4 nights to 5 nights. Got an idea of what to do/expect but I'm still stuck on hotel choices. I have it narrowed down to W Hotel, Hotel Icon, or Upper House. What are pro's/con's of staying on Kowloon side or Island Side, and which do you recommend.

Thanks in advance, and if this is a repeat, then I haven't seen something posted similar after a thorough search so would be happy if you point me in the right direction!

I like you was inbetween the three hotels, as well as the Island Shangri-La. In the end I booked the Upper House at it seems the best. A search on here shows that people thought the Icon was great value when it was still new and cheap. We disregarded the Island SL as it looked rather stait compared to the Upper House despite the latters significant premium. Also managed to secure an upgrade to a Harbour room, but I can't tell you much as I am only going next week.

I like you was inbetween the three hotels, as well as the Island Shangri-La. In the end I booked the Upper House at it seems the best. A search on here shows that people thought the Icon was great value when it was still new and cheap. We disregarded the Island SL as it looked rather stait compared to the Upper House despite the latters significant premium. Also managed to secure an upgrade to a Harbour room, but I can't tell you much as I am only going next week.

Thanks looking forward to an update when you go. I'm booked already but still have time to change if needed.

Thanks looking forward to an update when you go. I'm booked already but still have time to change if needed.

I thought the Upper House was probably one of the best hotels I've stayed in so far. The service was impeccable and the design is very well done. Nothing was too much of a bother and they came up with some great restaurant recommendations when we needed them. If you want a spa etc... then you are out of luck (and as a user of those services when on holiday) I did not find this to be an issue. Our upgrade to a Harbour view was honoured (recommended) with amazing views of the Harbour and the Kowloon side. I am not sure where you are staying but we did swing by the Island SL which to me was not to my taste.

Although pricey compared to most of the other hotels, they can count me as a guest when I return. (FWIW - friends of mine who live there other friends also stay at the UH - neither they seem to find any faults with the place), and we were quite happy in the end we elected not to stay at the RC.

I thought the Upper House was probably one of the best hotels I've stayed in so far. The service was impeccable and the design is very well done. Nothing was too much of a bother and they came up with some great restaurant recommendations when we needed them. If you want a spa etc... then you are out of luck (and as a user of those services when on holiday) I did not find this to be an issue. Our upgrade to a Harbour view was honoured (recommended) with amazing views of the Harbour and the Kowloon side. I am not sure where you are staying but we did swing by the Island SL which to me was not to my taste.

Although pricey compared to most of the other hotels, they can count me as a guest when I return. (FWIW - friends of mine who live there other friends also stay at the UH - neither they seem to find any faults with the place), and we were quite happy in the end we elected not to stay at the RC.

Great, thanks for coming back, seems like I will stick to UH.