Based in Shenzhen for much less?
 

Staying across the border in Shenzhen seems to cost only 1/3 that of HK hotels this month! I guess the only constraint is to apply for entry visa (heard this can be done at Lo Wu checkpoint). Any suggestion on decent (reasonably cheap 4*) hotels within walking distance from Lo Wu station? Also, any other catch apart from visa requirement? Even "cheap" 3* HK hotels are asking HKD1500 these days :mad: I guess its makes good sense to save something like USD120 per night simply by taking a train?

If you're a US citizen, then you definitely cannot get a visa at the border. Must have visa already. And usually, you can only get a one- or two-entry visa, as a tourist.

Hotel prices in Hong Kong fluctuate by circa 2x based upon what trade show happens to be in town that day. Changing your dates could cut your hotel cost in half. Staying in Shenzen and commuting to Hong Kong is a crazy strategy for lots of reasons. You certainly cannot get this kind of multi-entry visa at the border, and as pointed out some nationalities, including US, cannot get any visas issued on the spot at the border crossing but must apply in advance.

The Shangri La in Lo Wu is a very nice and reasonably priced hotel. My HKG office gets me there for $125 USD, but you'll probably need a Mandarin speaker to get that. One thing to note about the Shangri La--if you are a sensitve sleeper, go somewhere else. The taxis by the train station do nothing but honk their horns from 7am to 10pm. Another nice and reasonably priced hotel is the Pavillion (rates around $90 USD I think), but that's a taxi ride from Lo Wu.

You want to cross the busiest land border crossing in China each day and night? Depending on you passport, you want to pay HK$400 up for an instant visa at checkpoint?

you better do some reseach from here: www.info.gov.hk

check out immigration

Don't do it.

Shezhen is where all the toliet flushings from HKG go. It's not a nice place to stay. Priceline something in HKG, or stay in the Cyberport Area to save a buck. Forget staying in Shenzhen.

I go back and forth between HK and Shenzhen all the time and my advice would be not to do it. It's a really bad idea. It will take you 2 hours from Tsim Sha Tsui to Lo Wu since you are using a passport and there is always a line for passport holder. And it will also cost you about HK$100 each way including cab fares and train tickets. Better to stay in a cheaper hotel in HK and spend your time sight-seeing than on a train packed with people.

You can save a lot of money and stay in a decent hotel if you look for something in Yaumatei, just North of Jordan MTR station. Look at www.asiatravel.com for details.

I see there are a couple of inexpensive places listed that are (generally) in the Causeway Bay area, Hong Kong side. This is a nice area, too, with Victoria Park close by.

Just for cost calibration, I see that even dirt cheap Noble Hostel is now HK$200 and HK$300. At the 4* level, you will definitely both pay and probably be disappointed.

I would have to echo other posters here, no!
Get a hotel for couple hundred HKD is not difficult.
Some other crazy ideas are 1, Macao which is 55mins high-speed boat ride away 2, use one of those casino ships that departs HK everynight and returns in the morning. It even includes dinner, breakfast and some entertainments. or 3, Hostels

Stayed in Shenzhen for 5 days last month. Unless you want to spend a great deal of time in the hotel or at the Knock-off market at LoWu, would opt for Hong Kong.

Stayed at the Shangri-la and paid $120-member of their Golden Circle club and booked through their web site. Nice hote, good American style bar.

I would take the Ferry to the Shenzhen airport rather than fight the LoWu train station. Keep your hand on your wallet while going througn

Another vote for no to commuting from Shenzhen to HK.

I'd consider priceline or contact a local travel agent. there's also plenty of sites like asiahotels.com
I'm doing Conrad this month for 2400 and goldcoast for 850. so there's should be lower priced 3* around. Especially ones that are away from MTR lines and places further out.

I'd only recommend staying in Shenzhen if you have to do things there, as it's a bit of a hassle if you have to cross the border all the time, as others have pointed out.

There are some reasonable lodging alternatives as others have mentioned, that are reasonably convenient to public transport.

I think Shenzhen is quit OK if you have multiple entry visa and you are using the ferry to cross the border. I found that not to troublesome.

I agree. As a native HKer who still maintains residency in the SAR, most of my ventures across the border have been by plane to much better destinations such as SHA. Really other than trying your luck on pirated DVDs, there really isn't much to do or see in Shenzhen.

Be prepared to fend for yourself as there is minimal signage in English and unless you run into another tourist, no one speaks English. Very tough to explore unless you're a Mandarin speaker.