Ind Hotel

The rooms are small, sure, but they have what you need, and the bed is comfortable. Wi-Fi was okay, the price was reasonable, and reception was really friendly and personable. There are lots of little details in this place's unusual design. I came away pleasantly surprised, and for me that adds up to five stars.

The bus stop for the Airport Express is right beside the hotel, and the MTR station is about a four-minute walk away. There's also a bakery nearby for takeaway breakfast when you're in a rush. The coastal park is close enough for a morning workout, with nice harbour and mountain views. My room was clean and fine for one person, though small, and the facilities felt new.

When Typhoon No. 10 hit, I heard about the extreme weather on the news at 10:30 AM and promptly called reception to ask for a late check-out, since check-out was at 11:00 AM. The receptionist refused straight away and offered no safety measures for guests leaving that day. I mentioned that the Hong Kong Observatory was advising people to shelter somewhere safe and asked how I was supposed to leave safely. My only options, she said, were to pay for another day or take a taxi. I didn't accept the pressured offer to extend my stay, especially as no discount was offered. After checking out, I saw other guests rushing out in dangerous conditions. Wooden boards were scattered outside, likely because of nearby industrial activity and the typhoon, and they were a hazard. The hotel may not have technically evicted guests who were due to check out, but the lack of flexibility felt coercive. There was only one sofa in the lobby, and the receptionist hadn't even suggested it. That clearly wasn't enough space for everyone leaving to wait. Otherwise, guests would have to stand in a common area until Typhoon No. 3 was hoisted. It wasn't put in place until 7:40 pm that day. Safety should come before profit. This treatment was completely uncalled for, and the company should update its policy for extreme weather.

The layout makes good use of the space, with just enough room for two people and their bags. It's a quiet spot, which is a bonus in noisy Hong Kong. The decor has an industrial, quirky feel with a vintage touch. Check-in was quick, and service and housekeeping were on the ball. There's not much choice for food nearby, though Kowloon Bay MTR is one stop away, with plenty of restaurants open from 06:00 to 23:00.