Hk International Hostel

The location is incredible, just 3-4 minutes' walk from the Avenue of Stars, with lots of good places to eat. Tim Ho Wan in K11 was the best, in my opinion. The airport bus stops right there too. The rooms are a big compromise, though: ultra small, no closet, and storage only under the beds. They and the beds were clean. The main problem is the air. Without AC it's impossible to breathe after a couple of minutes, and even with it on, ventilation isn't great. Plug adapters were already in the room. Finding the place the first time can be tricky, though that seems true everywhere in HK. Look for Chunking Mansions opposite a pedestrian crossing, then go through the large open entrance with lots of currency exchanges. Take the first elevators. The one on the left serves even-numbered floors, including floor 16. On 16, go right to a lobby shared by lots of hostel names. The elevator gets very crowded from about 17.00 to 00.00 and maybe later, so you can end up waiting, and it may skip your floor when full.

The shower was good, and the beds were great for me, on the firm side. We also appreciated having a travel outlet adapter, a shared fridge, and free hot and cold water. Raman and Julian at the front desk were helpful and great to deal with. There are several hostels and other businesses on this quiet 16th floor, and the building's ground floor has the best currency exchange rate. Ask for detailed check-in instructions before arriving, since that makes the place easier to find. There is no do-not-disturb sign, and cleaning comes in daily to change towels even if you've asked them not to. The bathroom sink is small and the water flow is very weak, but manageable. A great place in a prime location.

The best thing is the location, and the staff are friendly and supportive. Cleaning and housekeeping are daily, the Wi-Fi is fast, and drinking water is available. The downside is how compact the rooms are. You have to shower in the toilet area since there's no separate washroom or bathroom, and the space is very tight, especially for larger people. My booking listed only accommodation tax, but they charged an extra 15% service charge plus $10, possibly for drinking water, so the actual total was much higher. Late checkout is available, but you have to pay for it.

The location on Nathan Road is very good, and getting to the airport is straightforward. The staff are friendly, and the room had AC and a fan. It's very small, but tidy and clean apart from a few bugs. The tiny bathroom has the showerhead over the toilet. The room was cleaned only on the first day, and we hadn't known they were coming in to clean. Reception is on the 16th floor. There's only one elevator, and it's always full, so you have to queue. The staircase is filthy and smells awful.