Skycity Hostel

The location was a hassle from the start. Despite what Google Maps shows, it’s inside Chungking Mansions, not on the fashionable side of the street, and you have to find the right elevator bank and queue for the even or odd floors. The building was crowded, and getting out meant hauling my bags to another set of elevators and waiting in line. I just wanted to leave. Once I learned the actual location, I wished I hadn’t booked it. I tried to save a few dollars and ended up paying for two places. I understand some people have strict budgets, but I can’t imagine cheaper options in Hong Kong being worse. I arrived after checking in at Skycity and was then taken, without an explanation, to ‘Rich Hotel’ in another part of the building. The name is absurdly misleading. The room was barely big enough for the bed, and the blankets were stained. I’ll leave it at that, though I can’t imagine previous guests feeling intimate there. The mini fridge smelled as if something had died inside. It clearly hadn’t been checked for leftover food after the last cleaning, whenever that had happened. I decided to drink the six local beers I’d bought and try to get through the night. Then large cockroaches ran across the bed. That was enough: I booked a proper hotel and got out. I would have complained, but there was nobody to speak to. This isn’t a hotel. I’ve made a point of reviewing only places that seemed better than ordinary, but this stay made me reconsider. I’m astonished it has three stars on Google and 4.5 on Trip Advisor. It’s the worst place I’ve stayed, and that’s saying a lot.

Our room at Hotel skycity was much more cramped than the photos online suggested, and far too small for two people. At least we were only there for two days. On the second day, someone entered while we were out, cleaned the room, took the towels without us asking for service, and used the bathroom. When we got back, it smelled awful. Getting there was a mess too. We had booked hotel sky star, but were taken to sky lark, a couple of floors up. The man at reception told us to come back in two hours. We’d just arrived after a long, tiring flight, and when we returned he told us to move all our luggage to another block. It was our first time in Hong Kong, and it was a terrible experience. I’ll be more careful next time.

It’s cheap and right in the center, only about three minutes from Tsim Sha Tsui station, so getting around is easy. Finding the hotel is another matter since it’s inside a building. Look for lift B block or you may end up walking around trying to locate it. I’d come back if I got the chance, especially as a budget traveler.

A good budget stay: the room was small but comfortable, the staff were friendly, and the location was good.