“Hong Kong Harbourside at the Metropolis”
Located Kowloon side this hotel may be seen as a little out of the way when viewing on a map but don't be discouraged. In actual fact it's superbly situated for travel around Hong Kong owing to its very close proximity to the Hung Hom MTR Station. Get yourself an Octopus card and travelling could not be easier. The MTR service is frequent, well signposted and takes you virtually anywhere you may wish to go in air-conditioned comfort.
In addition, I found taxis to be readily available 24/7 and a cheap (HKD$20) fare got me to downtown Tsim Sha Tsui and the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry terminal in a matter of minutes.
The hotel itself is in very good condition with pleasant, courteous staff and the room reasonably sized for Hong Kong with a small, but serviceable and immaculately clean, bathroom - albeit without the luxury of an actual bath.
Amenities at and near the hotel are great. I particularly liked the pool and jacuzzi (perfect for relaxing after a hot and humid day trekking around marketplaces). The adjoining Metropolis Shopping Centre (while not as full of choice as Festival Walk Shopping Centre just two MTR stations away at Kowloon Tong) was useful - housing a 7-11, laundry service, restaurants and securely sited ATMs.
Downside? The Business Centre internet usage fees were pricey and internet access to the room was very limited.
On the whole though I rate this hotel highly and would definitely stay there again.
Area recommendations
A trip to Yuen Po Street to see the Bird Garden is a must and the markets are a blaze of colour and high spirited conversation. I found the best market bargains to be had at the somewhat more out of the way Stanley Markets past Repulse Bay. However the Temple Street and Ladies Markets are a sight to behold.
If travelling for the first time make sure you take a Peak Tram as this experience is a must.
I must confess that the trip out to Lantau to see the Big Buddha was a bit of a trial. I took what felt like an interminable bus trip from Tung Chung as the Ngong Ping Cable Car was out of action owing to a typhoon warning.
Check the weather before doing this one as there is little shelter to be had when scaling the steep steps to the Buddha and the cable car ride looks amazing - shame to miss it.
Getting around
I can't recommend the Octopus Card highly enough.
Buy it from a stand at the International Airport when you arrive for an initial fee of $50HKD with $100HKD credit and load up with more credit as you need at any MTR station. To pay for your trips just touch card to entry and exit points at MTR, bus, tram and Star Ferry (You don't even need to take the card from your wallet!). The system will calculate fare and let you know credit remaining. I found most trips to be cheap at HKD$3 for a few stations on the MTR and a little more for the ferry.
You can also use Octopus to pay for items at 7-11, Paciffic Coffee Company (a cafe chain who also offer free internet) and McDonalds (amongst others).
I come from Melbourne . Why we installed a Myki system rather than this - which operated faultlessly as far as I could see on every form of public transport and wherever I used it - is beyond me.
