Best areas to stay in Hong Kong

Central is so much more than just a financial district. Sure, there's a bunch of high-end shops and luxury hotels, but you can also find some of the best nightlife in the city here. Or take it easy at a contemporary art gallery, followed up by a world-class dinner.

EAT

Mott 32

Descend a staircase towards the basement of the Standard Chartered Building to arrive at this stylish restaurant. Though sufficiently lit, the walls and fittings in the dining room are all dark, with stark Chinese decorations throughout the venue, like the giant abacus which hangs above a long table and the wall of Chinese calligraphy pens in a private dining room. The design is striking but the food, such as the excellent siu mai and Iberico char siu, is just as sure to impress.

DRINK

The Old Man

Launched by a trio of Hong Kong’s finest local talent, The Old Man is a bar that’s prepared to do things its own way rather than rely on imported ideas or talent, no matter how trendy. Tucked away down an alley on Aberdeen Street, the bar is routinely packed as it mixes innovative drinks with appreciably attentive service. 

DO

Party in LKF

Party hard with tourists, expats and locals alike in the city’s ground zero for debauchery. Lan Kwai Fong – or as locals like to call it, LKF – is Hong Kong’s most popular nightlife spot and the steep street is just as vital as Victoria Harbour. It comes alive every evening, packed with after-work drinkers and general revellers. With more than 90 restaurants and bars to pick from, check out our list of the best happy hour deals to ensure the best time.

STAY

Four Seasons Hotel

Elevating timeless luxury to a whole new level, the Four Seasons is a home away from home for those who appreciate the best of the best. Dedicated to providing the perfect travel experience for all guests, the Four Seasons offers an impeccable list of services and amenities ranging from Michelin-starred dining, a 24-hour fitness centre, a vitality lounge at the spa, two outdoor pools and a 24-hour business centre. Oh, and it's also home to one of the best views in the city, too.

If you do just one thing…

Take a ride up the Central to Mid-Levels escalator – the longest covered escalator system in the world.

Located on the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the busiest and best places to stay if you want to experience the full spectrum of Hong Kong. Shopaholics can spend hours in TST’s many malls, or go browsing for cool, cheap accessories along Granville Road. Food-wise, you’ll find everything from Michelin-starred eateries to fuss-free noodle shops.

EAT

Spring Deer

Don’t expect incredible service or fancy interior design at this Hong Kong institution, but do expect incredibly well-executed Beijing cuisine. The roasted Peking duck is a must – sliced tableside and ready to be rolled into a pancake with crunchy cucumbers and sweet sauce. A word to the wise – this restaurant is incredibly popular so book weeks in advance to get a table. You’ve been warned.

DRINK

Butler

Established by master mixologist Masayuki Uchida, Butler is the best place for quality cocktails in all Kowloon. Uchida has the techniques down perfectly and the spot-lit bar is filled with more than 200 different spirits for all manner of concoctions. The fruit cocktails, in particular, are exceptional, made from fresh produce that’s sliced and juiced on the spot. Note to all the Whisky aficionados out there – Butler stocks a wide selection of premium single malts behind the bar. 

DO

Go museum-hopping

Expand your knowledge by exploring the museums in Tsim Sha Tsui. Start at the Museum of History, bursting with exhibits on prehistoric Hong Kong, the Opium Wars, the Japanese occupation and local folk culture. Then travel to the outer limits of the galaxy at the Space Museum, or enjoy some of the many fun and educational interactive exhibitions at the Science Museum.

STAY

The Peninsula

Known as the ‘Grande Dame of the Far East’, The Peninsula prides itself on being Hong Kong’s oldest hotel with nearly a century of excellence and elegance. Accentuating the beauty of coexisting eastern and western influences while preserving its heritage, the hotel offers 300 luxurious rooms with interactive entertainment and cutting-edge, built-in technology. The luxe amenities start at the fleet of Rolls-Royces and span to the hotel’s own helipad on the roof. Looking for the definition of luxury? You’ve found it.

If you do just one thing…

Take the iconic Star Ferry across the harbour. Not only is it one of the cheapest and most pleasant modes of transportation, it’s also one of the best ways to enjoy the view of Hong Kong’s incredible skyline.

Wan Chai is the perfect district to experience Hong Kong’s unique heritage. As one of the earliest British settlements in Hong Kong, Wan Chai still has vestiges of the Colonial era showing through its architecturem as well as through the sheer amount of gastropubs that line Lockhart Road. At the same time, you’ll also find traditional buildings, shops and restaurants that reflect the local way of living.

EAT

Bo Innovation

The dishes at three Michelin starred Bo Innovation are intelligent, playful and thoroughly thought out. Helmed by ‘demon chef’ Alvin Leung, the chefs here masterfully marry traditional and contemporary Chinese cuisine. The minimalist décor allows the food to shine and diners choose from either the Red Menu or Blue Menu for dinner. Red features dishes like the Classic Upgrade – wild black cod, Iberico ham, shimeji mushroom, dried mandarin peel and yuzu. The Blue sports fare like green eggs and magnolia ham – century egg, magnolia ham, pickled ginger and chocolate.

DRINK

Wooloomooloo

Serving Australian and USDA beef, Wooloomooloo cooks up a mean steak. What really keeps patrons coming back to Wooloomooloo’s Wan Chai branch, however, are the jaw-dropping views from the bar on the 31st floor, which take in all of the local neighbourhood, the harbour and Happy Valley, including the race course. While you're up there, rifle through the impressive wine list: the choice is vast and worldly.

DO

Wan Chai Heritage Trail

Take a step back in time with this self-guided walking tour of Wan Chai’s historical landmarks. The whole trail takes about two hours to complete and covers 15 architectural and cultural sites. Highlights from the trail include the Hung Shing Temple – which was built before 1847 – as well as the iconic Blue House on Stone Nullah Lane.

STAY

Hotel Indigo

Conveniently located in the heart of Wan Chai, Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique property favoured by tourists and business travellers alike. Famous for its deluxe rooftop bar and pool, you’ll be able to catch a view of Hong Kong’s towering skyscrapers on one side and its majestic mountains on the other.

If you do just one thing…

Take a selfie in front of the Golden Bauhinia sculpture, which was gifted to the city by the Chinese government to mark the 1997 handover.

Known as the Shinjuku of Hong Kong, this perpetually crowded district boasts plenty of shops, cafés and entertainment venues aimed at the city’s young trendsetters. A true shopper’s paradise, you’ll find all the biggest international brands at Times Square shopping mall, but our advice is to hit up the smaller boutiques in the area, whether it’s an independent store tucked away at the Island Beverly mini mall, or one of the ultra-hip multi-label stockists along Fashion Walk.

EAT

Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter Seafood

Sit on a sampan and enjoy delicious Cantonese-style seafood with this unique dining experience. Sure, the boat itself isn’t anything fancy and the service leaves a little to be desired, but there’s definitely something wonderful about dining out on the water and cracking open a Typhoon Shelter crab claw.

DRINK

Skye

This bar and eatery boasts an eye-popping view of our city. From floor to ceiling, Skye’s reception area is clinically white alongside sleek curvatures that are reminiscent of futuristic sci-fi flicks such as Gattaca. Grab a table out on the open-air terrace, where you can enjoy unobstructed views of the harbour all the way to North Point. To complement the scenery, Skye’s bar menu features well-made cocktails that don’t break the bank.

DO

Lost Hong Kong

Challenge your noggin with logic puzzles under pressure at Lost Hong Kong, where players are trapped in pre-set scenario rooms and attempt to escape by solving a series of puzzles within an hour. Choose from seven different rooms with varying difficulties and storylines, such as escaping from a burning building or finding a friend in Japan’s Aokigahara suicide forest. Guest can also ask Lost to create a tailor-made escape game for special occasions.

STAY

Lanson Place Hotel

Housed in a gorgeous French-style building, this luxury boutique hotel brings a touch of old-world charm to bustling Causeway Bay. The property boasts 194 smartly dressed rooms and suites, as well as top-notch facilities such as a 24-hour gym. But the best feature is undoubtedly Lanson Place’s location, which is tucked away on a quiet street but still within walking distance from some of the best restaurants and shopping in the city.

If you do just one thing…

Take a stroll around Victoria Park. This big patch of green boasts a host of facilities, including playgrounds, football pitches and even a roller skating rink. During Chinese New Year, the park houses one of the biggest – and most crowded – flower markets in the city.

A neighbourhood steeped in history and local culture, Sheung Wan has also become Hong Kong’s hipster hub over the last few years. There’s a treasure trove of trendy boutique shops, numerous neat cafés, amazing bars and some of the city’s coolest restaurants. Grab a coffee to go and follow our guide to all the best things to do in Sheung Wan.

EAT

Yardbird

This super hip izakaya attracts diners by the hordes. The specialty here is yakitori – chicken that’s skewered and grilled. The restaurant offers a beak-to-butt menu that includes grilled chicken breasts, shichimi-seasoned wings, salt-flecked tails and everything else in between. Whatever part of the bird you order, it’s treated no differently than the finest piece of toro. That is, with love and care. Be sure to also try the sharing plates – including the famous Korean fried cauliflower – and the premium sakes.

DRINK

Craft coffee

Sure, there are some decent bars in the area, but Sheung Wan is better known for its great cafés. Whether you’re looking for cold brews and Melbourne-style javas or Instagram-worthy coffees, this neighbourhood has got ’em all. 

DO

Art appreciation

Sheung Wan is home to some of Hong Kong’s best galleries that showcase works by international artists as well as budding local talent. We recommend Over the Influence, which displays a diverse range of contemporary art. Those interested in works from around the region should also check out the carefully curated collection at the Asia Art Archive. Finally, for those with a taste for art from an older era, visit the Liang Yi Museum – a four-storey private establishment that houses one of the world’s largest collections of antique Chinese furniture.

STAY

One96

Less is definitely more at this luxury boutique hotel. Designed by renowned architect Norman Chan, One96 boasts only 29 suites but each takes up an entire floor and features a spacious dining area, separate bedroom and fully equipped pantry. The floor-to-ceiling windows also offer incredible views of the city.

If you do just one thing…

Visit Man Mo Temple, a mid-19th century Grade I historic building and a declared national monument. Located on Hollywood Road, the atmosphere created by the heavy clouds of incense is a world away from the bustle of the city racing past outside.