Before you jump into your much-awaited Hong Kong adventure, you’ll need to consider where to stay first. Aside from finding a nice cozy place to rest your head, think about your preferences and itinerary – like staying somewhere close to local attractions or maybe somewhere easy on the wallet. 

Need help? Well, today, we’ll check out our top picks for the best places to stay in Hong Kong. We’ll walk you through our favorite neighborhoods and, of course, our top accommodation suggestions across all preferences and budgets. 

Central Hong Kong

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Central,+Hong+Kong 

Best area for: Nightlife, Local attractions,  Cultural Landmarks

Accessible amenities and attractions: 

• Hong Kong Observation Wheel 
• Lan Kwai Fong
• IFC Mall 
• Landmark 
• Victoria Peak 

Best places to stay in Central Hong Kong:

If you’re in Hong Kong for a short or spontaneous trip, stay in Central. It’s as central as it gets (no pun intended), and it’s full of unbridled nightlife scenes that make this place a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. 

Since it’s a central hub, various amenities are within reach, and it’s convenient to get around various local attractions like Victoria Peak, Man Mo Temple, and other cultural landmarks. Apart from that, it offers easy access to Lan Kwai Fong’s nightlife spots, which are filled with clubs, bars, and pubs. 

Meanwhile, in terms of accommodation, you can pretty much find every type of hotel, hostel, and rental here. Just expect prices to be on the high side because the area is mostly filled with 4-star and 5-star hotels.

All in all, it’s a great base for first-timers who want to experience Hong Kong’s cultural side and, at the same time, enjoy the city’s modern and fun spots. However, this area might not be for you if you’re looking for a quiet and peaceful trip since Central is almost always crowded, no matter the season.

Tsim Sha Tsui

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tsim+Sha+Tsui,+Hong+Kong 

Best area for: Harbour and skyline views, Nature parks,  Local eateries

Accessible amenities and attractions: 

• Avenue of Stars
• Victoria Harbour 
• Symphony of Lights Show and Cruise 
• Kowloon Park 
• Hong Kong Science Museum 

Best places to stay in Tsim Sha Tsui:

Tsim Sha Tsui is known for its scenic harbor views, bustling shopping outlets, and Michelin-starred restaurants. However, compared to Central, this district offers a more relaxed and less touristy vibe. 

Still, this district is a convenient transport hub because it’s connected to the MTR and offers direct access to a cruise terminal via the Star Ferry. 

Plus, it has one of the highest concentrations of hotels and accommodations that offer rooms with panoramic views of the harbor and the city’s skyline, so you can take IG-worthy pics whenever you want.

The heart of the action when it comes to thrift shopping and antique finds is at Nathan Road. However, if you’re after luxury brands, we suggest you head out to Canton Road or Harbour City.

Meanwhile, if you’re in Tsim Sha Tsui to try a range of local dishes and treats, you must check out the eateries and restaurants at Granville Road and Chatham Road South. These roads are also close to the Avenue of Stars and Victoria Harbour, so you can do some sightseeing after satisfying your taste buds! 

Causeway Bay

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Causeway+Bay,+Hong+Kong

Best area for: Shopping, Restaurant-hopping, Affordable accommodation

Accessible amenities and attractions: 

• Victoria Park
• Happy Valley Racecourse 
• Tin Hau Temple
• Time Square Hong Kong 
• Jardine’s Crescent Market 

Best places to stay in Causeway Bay:

Causeway Bay is one of the largest retail districts in the city because it features a lineup of local markets, boutiques, and upscale malls that sell a whole range of goods and products. That’s why we highly recommend this area for shopping buffs, especially those who wish to splurge on high-end brands.

Meanwhile, if shopping is not at the top of your agenda, we suggest you explore the side of Causeway Bay that borders Kowloon Peninsula’s east district. 

Here, you can explore age-old and cultural attractions like the Tin Hau Temple. You can also hang out and enjoy a simple picnic with friends at Victoria Park. 

In terms of accommodation, we recommend Causeway Bay for its solid mid-range accommodation with compact yet comfortable rooms. Some have city views too, so we think it’s a total steal. 

The downside of staying here, though, is that the area is densely populated and surrounded by many tourist attractions, so the streets here are constantly busy and crowded, especially during peak hours.

Mong Kok

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps?q=mong+kok/+hong+kong

Best area for: Night markets, Local and street food, Affordable accommodation

Accessible amenities and attractions: 

• Ladies Market
• Temple Street Night Market
• Langham Place Shopping Mall
• Fa Yuen Street Market 
• Hong Kong Wall of Fame

Best places to stay in Mong Kok:

If you want to indulge in authentic Hong Kong cuisine and street food, there’s no better place to be than the heart of Kowloon –Mong Kok. This district is like the raw and unfiltered version of the whole Hong Kong foodie experience, so it’s definitely not for the picky! 

Besides that, Mong Kok is also a great base for thrifty shoppers and budget travelers. 

You see, if you’re looking for affordable fashion finds and souvenir picks, you can just head out to Ladies Market and Temple Street Night Market. These local markets are popular go-to shopping spots for OOTDs and cute trinkets. 

Just be prepared to walk a ton (or quite literally a “walkathon”) because Mong Kok and its markets are essentially destinations best explored on foot. 

On the other hand, if you have a fixed budget in mind when traveling to Mong Kok, don’t worry because you can score cheap hostels and apartment rentals here!

Aberdeen

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Aberdeen,+Hong+Kong

Best area for: Floating restaurants, Harbor views,  Parks

Accessible amenities and attractions: 

• Aberdeen Promenade
• Ocean Park
• Tin Hau Temple
• Horizon Plaza
• Aberdeen Country Park

Best places to stay in Aberdeen:

Aberdeen is known as a thriving seaside community situated on the southwest side of Hong Kong Island. It’s the perfect destination for people who prefer a more relaxed and quiet Hong Kong experience. 

For example, you can just take a leisurely stroll along Aberdeen Promenade, take pictures of the harbor filled with sampan boats, and end your day with a hearty seafood treat at Jumbo Floating Kingdom. 

For a whole day of adventure, check out Aberdeen Country Park, which covers a wide domain of Hong Kong Island’s uplands and valleys. Inside, you can explore a range of walking and hiking trails, such as the Aberdeen Nature Trail, Aberdeen Lower Reservoir, and Hong Kong Trail.

That said, we think Aberdeen is a great place for nature lovers. Perhaps the main disadvantage of staying here is there are no direct MTR lines in some areas. The main public transportation you can easily access are bus lines with routes to Sai Kung and Mong Kok. 

Apart from that, there are only a few luxury hotels in Aberdeen, so the nearest accommodation you can find is mostly mid-range hotels.

Sheung Wan 

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sheung+Wan,+Hong+Kong

Best area for: Cultural sights and attractions, Art galleries

Accessible amenities and attractions: 

• SoHo
• Hollywood Road Park
• Liang Yi Museum
• Western Market
• Man Mo Temple

Best places to stay in Sheung Wan:

If Central’s glitz and prestige are a bit too much for you, you might prefer the classic and cultural allure of Sheung Wan. This district has its own charm because it offers a great blend of tradition and modernity. 

It’s good to stay in this area because it has a little bit of everything. Here, you can find traditional coffin stores, temples, and street food hawkers next to modern art galleries, boutiques, and gourmet restaurants. 

Despite all that, it’s a little quieter here than Central. Plus, Sheung Wan is a solid base for travelers because of the sheer number of hotels with daily rates that are actually decent, considering their proximity to top local sights and attractions. 

Meanwhile, in terms of accessibility, you won’t have a problem because Sheung Wan has an MTR station linking and multiple ferry piers that can practically take you anywhere in the city. 

Wan Chai 

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wan+Chai,+Hong+Kong

Best area for: Nightlife scene, Cultural Spots

Accessible amenities and attractions: 

• Hong Kong Arts Scene 
• Golden Bauhinia Square
• Wan Chai Heritage Trail
• Tai Yuen Street Market 
• Tamar Park 

Best places to stay in Wan Chai:

Wan Chai was once labeled as the city’s red light district, but we think it’s still worth staying here because things have changed, and it’s now transformed into a bustling hub of financial offices, cultural attractions, as well as eclectic and vibrant nightlife spots. 

Just like Sheung Wan,  Wan Chai is a cocktail of old and new, so you will have a fun time exploring this place. Moreover, it’s also packed with restaurants and bars, so you won’t be hungry or thirsty while visiting a range of landmarks and shopping spots. 

Accommodation rates here are comparatively cheaper compared to Central, making it a breeze to book cheap stays. But, if you’re in the mood for a bougie staycation, Wan Chai also offers easy access to a lineup of 5-star hotels, so you can get all the pampering that you want.

We’d like to warn you, though, that some areas in Wan Chai are still not that “family-friendly,” especially at night,  so you might want to steer away from Wan Chai if loud parties and boozing are not your cup of tea.