HKG: Cheap Family Hotels and Service Apartments

Posting @ LittleStepsAsia.com

Let’s face it: as much as you’d love to entertain every friend and family member passing through town, itsy bitsy Hong Kong flats just can’t accommodate. So, next time granny and grandpa want to visit the wee ones, or your Aunt Sally wants to bring her entire family of five along, consider one of the moderately priced hotels and serviced apartments.

THE GARDENVIEW: Central

Gran and Gramps looking to stay near The Peak and Mid-levels? The YWCA-run Gardenview hotel on MacDonell Road offers guests access to the gym and outdoor pool, plus picturesque panoramas from most rooms. The affordable hotel is situated within walking distance to many of the city’s top sights including The Peak Tram and HK Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
The Gardenview, 1 MacDonnell Road, Hong Kong, +852 2877 3737.
*They currently have special rates that include admissions to Disneyland running till the end of August. Also note, the YWCA provides a baby equipment rental service where guests can rent baby and kid supplies - strollers, cots, and toys for short and long-stays.

HOTEL ICON: Tsim Sha Tsui East

Design-savvy families...check this one out!  Many of the city’s top design icons have been involved in this property including Rocco Yim, Sir Terence Conran, Barney Cheng, and Patrick Blanc.  Part hotel, part hospitality school, this hotel offers great f&b outlets, hotel amenities, a groovy swimming pool, and a nice location for culture fans of all ages.
Hotel Icon, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong, +852 3400 1000. 
*Late night bonus...there’re free snacks and bevvies in the in-room bar, as well as a Nespresso coffee maker.  It is within walking distance to HK Science Museum, HK History Museum, and shopping along Granville Road

OVOLO HOTELS: Central, Aberdeen, Wong Chuk Hang.

The sleek décor and modern furnishings at Ovolo, make for a chic family stay. There are definite perks to staying in Ovolo’s compact rooms: WiFi, breakfast, free self-serviced laundry, and free-flow happy hours drinks for mom and dad are all included in the price of the stay.  Ovolo has hotels and serviced residences (for longer stays) throughout the city!
Ovolo, in Central, Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun and more locations across Hong Kong, +852 2165 1000

CHI 138: Sai Ying Poon

This boutique hotel skips on the fussy excesses and gives you exactly what you need. CHI 138 has 50 open-plan suites (including dedicated Baby Safe Apartments) that look out onto sweeping vistas of Victoria Harbor. What’s more is that you can meet up for an impromptu picnic at nearby Sun Yat Sen park.
CHI 138, 138 Connaught Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, +852 3607 3333.
*There’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained—each suite is fully equipped with an iPod dock, WiFi and a DVD player and Hi-Fi system so that kids can tune into their favorite films.

CROWNE PLAZA EAST KOWLOON: Tseung Kwan O

Everyone who’s anyone coming to visit Clearwater Bay dwellers...fret not! Now, with three new hotels sprouting up in close by Tseung Kwan O, there’re no more excuses. The Crowne Plaza, with an idyllic Sense of Touch spa, makes it a top choice. The hotel offers a peaceful retreat, large rooms, and lots of outdoor space for the kidlings to explore.
Crowne Plaza, Tower 5, 3 Tong Tak St, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, +852 3989 0388
*The hotel is located in the MTR station making it a breeze to bring the whole pack along to the city’s top attractions

AUBERGE DISCOVERY BAY: Discovery Bay

DB-dwellers really had it hard for a while when it came to hosting guests until now. Energetic tykes can splash away in the gorgeous, palm-fringed pool or build sand castles on DB’s powdery beach. Adults deserving a break can sip on cocktails and dine at the hotel or get pampered at the hotel’s onsite spa.
Auberge Discovery Bay, 88 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay, Lantau, Hong Kong, +852 2295 8288

COURTYARD SHATIN: Shatin

Families wanting comfort without the big city price tags...are heading to Shatin! Recently opened close to Shatin’s New Town Plaza, the new Courtyard Marriott has all the conveniences of the international chain at affordable prices. There’s a spacious outdoor pool and the location offers golfers easy jaunts to The Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling and Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau public golf courses.
Courtyard Shatin, 1 On Ping Street, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, +852 3940 8888. Guests can take bike tours through the New Territories, winding your way through bustling Tai Po market, up to picturesque Tai Mei Tuk or through the rural villages to see historic ancestral houses in Yuen Long.

GOLD COAST HOTEL: Lantau Island

This gem of family fun offers a slew of kiddy activities including a kids play room, swimming pools, playgrounds, and stroller-friendly gardens for the family to explore. There is also a great beach to run around on and an organic garden where kids can get involved. It offers a great alternative to those looking to explore Disneyland, The Giant Buddha, and other island adventures.
Gold Coast Hotel, 1 Castle Peak Road, Gold Coast, Hong Kong, +852 2452 8641, info@goldcoasthotel.com.hk.
*Click here for the free shuttle bus transport schedule.  Be sure to check out Thomas In Friends this summer - trains everywhere!

BUTTERFLY HOTELS: Various Locations Around HK

Fast and fuss-free family holiday-makers...are loving Butterfly Hotels! Five locations in prime spots across Hong Kong and Kowloon make this min chain a clear choice when it comes to convenience. Book three weeks ahead and enjoy 20-percent off on regular room rates. The newest location on Hollywood Road gives easy access to Soho, Central, Macau ferry terminal and Sheung Wan sites.
The Butterfly, 263 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2850 8899.

THE STANLEY ORIENTAL: Stanley

Posh parents and mini royals wanting uncompromised luxury on the Southside, are living large by renting a kitted out serviced apartment at the Stanley Oriental, which has monthly-, weekly- and daily-rental plans.  It’s just a few steps from Stanley beach and boardwalk.
The Stanley Oriental, 2/F, 90B, Stanley Main Street, Stanley, Hong Kong, +852 2899 1688.
*Their largest one-bedroom apartments (units range from 500 to 1200-sq-ft) come with an expansive terrace with a hot tub overlooking the bay.

GET AN APARTMENT: All over HK!

A home away from home is now just a click away and many people are opting to go online to rent a room or a flat to themselves. Though renting out a room in a private residence is a bit of an iffy legal grey area in HK, that hasn’t stopped many people from putting their rooms and flats up on websites like Air BnB and Roomarama. Just a quick browse turned up plenty of fun options, including a farmhouse in Lantau and luxe flats in Mid-levels.
Air BNB, www.airbnb.com/Hong-Kong.
Roomarama, www.roomorama.com.