Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong by Dorsett Hotels

Getting around was easy. The hotel is near Wan Chai and right beside the Jockey raceway. Most buses are only minutes away, and the bus to Hong Kong MTR station stops just outside the entrance, which is handy for the airport. Times Square and Causeway Bay MTR are an 11-minute walk, and N Bouldering is 13 minutes away. My first impression wasn't good, despite hearing positive things from family and online. The room smelled strongly of stagnant water, mostly from the toilet. The water looked clean, but may have been sitting for a while. The shower and floor drain were another source. Flushing a couple of times and running the shower for a few minutes helped a lot. The linens and pillows smelled a little too, but seemed fine after one night. The carpet was dated and stained, though it didn't feel dirty, and the other amenities were good quality. The doors could seal better. I could hear everything happening in the hallway. Things improved from the second day onward.

Cosmo Hotel turned a stressful arrival into a much easier trip. Our two-week reservation had been cancelled without notice by the third-party booking service, and we were left without a place to stay. Reception at the Emperor hotel, our original choice, said the big competition meant hotels were likely full. Cosmo was the second place we tried, and they had room for our whole stay. Catherine from security even suggested booking online to save money. I booked it all on my tablet, starting that day, and got the savings too. Catherine went above and beyond from the start and saved our vacation. The stay was comfortable and had the amenities we needed. On our last day, we expected to carry our luggage to a nearby shuttle stop for Central station and then the airport. Keith Leung at reception suggested a bus just outside Cosmo Hotel for a small fare, which went straight to the airport and spared us from hauling bags between the bus stop and train terminal. Another huge help. The staff helped us find discounts and made the trip easier from beginning to end. Thank you, Cosmo Hotel, Catherine, and Keith Leung. We'll book with you again when we return to Hong Kong.

The location was the one thing I liked, with plenty of restaurants nearby and easy transport around. The rest of the stay was disappointing. The family room had two double or queen beds, but the hotel felt tired and dated, and the beds were uncomfortable. There was hair left in the bathroom from the previous guest. The sheets didn't look clean, so I slept in my clothes. After checking in, we looked out the window and found a cemetery directly behind the hotel, something we hadn't been told about. Most unsettling was a condom stretched over the smoke detector above the bed, apparently to stop it going off. I didn't like having that hanging over us while we slept. I personally wouldn't stay here again.

For Hong Kong over New Year's, this was one of the cheaper places. The room was adequate, about average in size for the city. Check-in went smoothly. No frills, but it worked well for a one-night stay.