Hong Kong Hostel

Hong Kong Hostel in Causeway Bay is a typical Hong Kong backpacker hostel in that it occupies a floors in a multi-story building. It has taken over other hostels in the same building . There are no signs at the entrance so you must just look for the correct address -- the map on the hostel's website is accurate enough to get you there. There is security on the door and the doorman might not come and open it for you, but there will be other people coming and going so you shouldn't have to wait long. The hostel provides twenty-four-hour access and there is neither a curfew nor a lockout period, though the common area and free internet PCs are closed around midnight.

The Location

The hostel is within easy walking distance of the Causeway Bay Metro station and the A11 bus from the airport. This is just one Metro stop from the visa issuing section of the Chinese Consulate at Wan Chai. Around the hostel are plenty of cheaper eating places and supermarkets. In all, you are well positioned to get to any part of Hong Kong.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The rooms are small (it's Hong Kong) but not badly overcrowded; for example, one dorm has a double bunk and a single bed rather than two double bunks -- however, the single bed is narrow. The bunks are metal and solid, so there's a minimum of squeaking and the mattresses are typical of China (hard). The upper bunks are set low so that the lower bunk user cannot sit upright. Beds do not have individual lights or power points over them; in some rooms the only window is in the bathrooms but all rooms have air conditioning.

The bathrooms definitely do not invite showering with a friend -- unless you are both very slim -- but they are adequate and clean, with the bonus of towel, shampoo, and body gel provided. Hot water is from electric immersion tanks in each room and require up to an hour to heat the full tank, which prevents a fast follow on after a roommate.

Security is mostly good -- the downstairs front door requires a numeric key to be entered; each room has a lock and the rooms have large lockable lockers, plus there are smaller lockers for valuables at reception. Baggage can be left short term but it's just tucked in a corner, not locked away.

Common Spaces

The hostel is modern, clean, and tidy, and decorated with travel and youth themes, and has some maps and activity brochures. The reception area and common areas are all one and, as is standard in Hong Kong, are quite small. There's a small kitchen with a microwave, steamer, and toaster; a plentiful supply of plates and mugs; and just one table. It's enough to allow you to self-cater but not produce a banquet. The layout and small size are not great for socialising but it's typical of HK.

As well as four free internet PCs there is free Wi-Fi in the common area, though there's a tendency for it to slow or drop out completely. The TV and DVD player are set inconveniently in one corner and seldom used. Smoking is permitted in the common area. Drinks, but not food, can be bought at reception -- probably because there are so many food outlets and twenty-four-hour supermarkets close by.

Summary

Hostels here just don't have the facilities and space that can be found in hostels in many other countries, as floorspace here is too precious. There's nowhere to hang wet washing but there is an expensive laundry service for those who are desperate, there's no pool table or anything else like that, and there's only a small common area. Otherwise, this is a good hostel for Hong Kong, but a little more more expensive than some in the city.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2011