Normally Hong Kong is not perceived as a cheap holiday destination. However, it can be. Budget travelers from around the world come to Hong Kong to get a new stamp in their passport, explore the city and surrounding it hills, get a Chinese visa or to change flights because HK airport offers cheap flights to most destinations around the world. It is a buzzing Asian financial centre, developed by British and then passed over to Chinese. Both cultures, as well as others, have left clearly visible marks in the architecture and culture of this place.
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ToggleWhere to find cheap hotels and hostels
There is one destination every budget traveller should consider as the first point of call – Chungking Mansions in Kowloon. It is also recommended by Lonely Planet, for the diversity, availability and prices. This building, consisting of 5 blocks (A, B, C, D and E), is 17 stories tall with hundreds of very small hostels. Ideal place to look for a deal.
Also, you can check out this guide to family Hotels in Hong Kong!
Book the room in advance
Location
Chunking Mansions is located at 36-44 Nathan Road. Nearby MTR stations: Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui, are a perfect places to start the search for a good deal on cheap hotel or hostel. Many owners will approach you to offer accommodation.
How to get a room for 100 Hong Kong Dollars or less?
Many people feel uncomfortable when approached by shady characters offering a cheap place to stay. However, you can use this to your advantage. Here’s the few steps you have to follow to arrive at the right price, i.e. HK$100 or less:
- Wait until you’re approached. You will be, there’s so many rooms on offer and there’s always some available. With such a high supply, owners actively look for customers.
- Ask for the good price. They will tell you they have a very good room (will specify few “exclusive” features) for 250-300 HKD.
- Say it’s too expensive. When they ask what price you’re looking for say 70-100 HKD (it’s not gonna be easy to find anything cheaper than this).
- Walk away. After step 3, they will lower their price to around HK$120-150. You need to walk away, saying that someone else will give you room for your price.
- If they follow and agree to your price go to step 6. If they don’t start again from step 1.
- Go with them and check the room. They will find a last minute excuse to get extra HK$20-50, for example the cheap rooms are not available and there is a much better room at discounted rate. Just refuse and go back to step 1. Normally they will say it’s ok and they won’t charge extra (“only for you my friend”).
- Always pay when you get a key and never at the end of your stay. They have a tendency to forget the price you bargained to their advantage.
If you want to stay longer you can get a really good deal, but it will take longer to find. I’ve heard of a guy who stayed in one hostel for a month and had contract in which he paid HK$30 a day.
On the other hand, some owners are reluctant to offer few nights stay at a really low price, just in case they get lucky with customers. After few failures start to say you’re only staying for one night and then extend it the following day or find another deal.
If you travel with someone you should not pay more than HK$150 in total. Remember that they charge per person and the more of you travel, the better the price per person will be. Whatever argument they use to convince you otherwise.
My experience in Hong Kong
I have been in HK twice for few days and never paid more than HK$100 by always following these 7 steps. The standard of rooms vary from one hostel to another and the space in the rooms is limited, but I did not need anything more than a sleep and internet connection, which was always available.
6 thoughts on “Cheap Hotels and Hostels in Hong Kong for HK$ 100 or Less”
Great tips! The walk-away technique works great around the world.
Please, how was your stay in the chingking hotel like? Is one’s luggage secured? I am planning a visit next week and I would love to stay in the facility
My famaly visit to Hong Kong 5 days from 12 decambe 2013
You never really experienced HK without checking out what Chung King Mansions has to offer, or at least checking out what it looks like.
True that it is a backpackers’ haven, but “DO NOT” bother to stay in one of the hostels here if you will be traveling with your kids or your old man or you’ll freak them out. Cash out a few more HKD to stay at a better accommodation.
Stayed in one of the hostels here for 3 straight nights last 2008 and I was awake the whole night on my first night. This place might be terrible and crazy the first night, but give another night or two and you’ll get accustomed.
Again, highly recommended to backpackers’ or traveling friends whom wanna save more from sky-high room cost in HK to spend more to something else, BUT not to Family – you don’t want them be in trauma after your holidays.
Cheers!
Im going to visit Hong Kong on 17th March from China in order to undergo the drudgery of yet another Visa run and meet up with some friends for a few days- probably 7-10 days.I know Chung King Mansions, having lived in HK previously for over 20 years and its a pick pockets paradise. You have to very careful with your luggage and personal belongings not to mention ones personal safety late at night.
Just food for thought.
Mike
100 HKD right now is 12+ USD, 9+ EUR, that’s dirt cheap!
Lets just hope there are no cockroaches, the location isn’t somewhere buried in a filthy neighbourhood, it’s not noisy and there is enough air and an external window…
:)))