Where to Stay in Hong Kong for First Time Visitors? — *Welcome to Hong Kong! Isn’t this exciting?*

Welcome to Hong Kong, Pearl of the Orient! If it’s your first time visiting then figuring out where to stay in Hong Kong can be a little challenging as this dense concrete jungle is home to many different districts and neighborhoods that all exude their own charms!

On my first few visits, I quickly realized that choosing the right area matters just as much as choosing the right hotel. Whether you want skyline views, easy sightseeing, amazing food, or a more local vibe, where you stay in Hong Kong will shape how you experience the city.

In this blog post, I’ll break down the best areas for first-time visitors, share who each neighborhood is best for, and help you choose the right base for your trip without overcomplicating things, so let’s get to it!

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Where to Stay in Hong Kong at a Glance

If you don’t wanna read through my blog post (I understand) and just want a quick answer then here are the best places to choose when you’re deciding where to stay in Hong Kong:

Mongkok (Kowloon)

My personal recommendation for the best place to stay if you want to experience Hong Kong at its most lively and local, with street markets, late-night food, and nonstop energy right outside your door. It’s also very budget-friendly compared to other areas, and well connected to tourist attractions via MTR (Mass Transit Railway).

Recommended Hotel in Mong Kok: Royal Plaza Hotel - Great value, good rooms, good location.

Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon)

Perfect if you want to stay right in the middle of Hong Kong’s top attractions, shopping malls, museums, and iconic harbor views, all within easy walking distance. With excellent transport links and the Star Ferry at your doorstep.

Recommended Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui: The Peninsula Hong Kong - Famous luxury hotel right at the waterfront.

The Neighbourhoods of Hong Kong

Hong Kong can feel a little overwhelming on your first visit, there’s just so many things to do and see here! But once you understand how the city is laid out, deciding where to stay in Hong Kong becomes much easier.

Hong Kong isn’t just “one city” or “one island” it’s a city divided into three major areas: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories (plus Outlying Islands).

Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island is the city’s business and nightlife hub, and it’s where you’ll find the iconic skyline most people picture when they think of Hong Kong.

Defined by tall sky scrapers and tight roads, everywhere you look you are trapped within the confines of towering skyscrapers… Anyways, dense urban jungles aside, the neighborhoods Hong Kong Island like Central, Sheung Wan, and Causeway Bay are sleek, fast-paced, and incredibly convenient for sightseeing, dining, and transport.

In general, I would recommend you choose to stay in Hong Kong Island if you prefer convenience combined with a bit of luxury and partying, as hotels in this area are generally more upscaled and expensive.

Kowloon

Kowloon is where Hong Kong feels the most authentic. It’s more down to earth and “local” compared to the above Hong Kong Island.

Kowloon is a foodie’s paradise, you’ll find a plethora of street food stalls selling the some of the best things you’ll ever put in your mouth. Oh and Kowloon is also where the city’s Cha Chaan Teng (quick and easy nostalgic eateries) culture thrives. Especially around Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok, these areas are ripe with incredible eats.

In addition, Kowloon is the cultural and historical heart of the city, here is where you can learn about Hong Kong’s colonial past as well as the darker side of the city’s history via the Kowloon Walled City Park.

When people ask me where to stay in Hong Kong, I will always recommend the Kowloon area, It’s busy, well connected via transportation, full of good food, and the accommodations in this area is more affordable.

New Territories + Outlying Islands

The New Territories offer a completely different side of Hong Kong that many first-time visitors don’t expect.

This area is more large and spread out meant to give more space to residential areas. The new territories are also synonymous with nature, hiking trails, beaches, and traditional villages sitting alongside newer towns.

The most popular area that you should care about as a tourist is the Outlying Lantau Island, as it where the Airport and the iconic Tian Tian Buddha is located. Oh and don’t forget the happiest place on Earth, Hong Kong Disneyland!

As for the question of “where to stay in Hong Kong?” I cannot recommend you stay in the New Territories, it’s just way too far from everything else, and it’s missing a lot of travel convenience options like transportation, food, attractions, and hotels. Not great for first time visitors to Hong Kong.

Where to Stay in Hong Kong Island?

As previously mentioned Hong Kong Island is the more upscaled district of the city, full of shopping, nightlife, and fancy restaurants. But as for where to stay in Hong Kong Island, there are 2 areas where I recommend: Central, and Causeway Bay.

Where to Stay in Central, Hong Kong

Central is the heart of Hong Kong Island and this is where you’ll find a mix of iconic skyline views, historic streets, shopping, and some of the city’s best dining. The area is very walkable so very good for exploring, even if you don’t like walking it’s one of the best connected areas in Hong Kong because it’s right on the pier that features endless cafés, bars, and restaurants. Don’t forget to ride the giant ferris wheel!

And not to mention, you can take a ferry across to Kowloon or even to a quick day trip to Macau. Oh and you get easy access to Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram as well.

If you’re the sort of travelers who want to be in the middle of everything and don’t mind paying a bit more for location and convenience. Central is hard to beat. For many first-timers asking where to stay in Hong Kong, this district ticks almost every box.

Some of my recommended hotel in Central are:

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong - A classic luxury hotel right in the center of Central, known for excellent service, spacious rooms, and easy access to shopping, dining, and the waterfront.
The Murray, Hong Kong - A stylish, modern hotel near Hong Kong Park with sleek rooms and a more boutique feel, great if you want something upscale but contemporary.
Butterfly on Wellington - A more affordable, well-located boutique hotel close to Soho and Lan Kwai Fong, ideal if you want to stay central without the luxury price tag.

Where to Stay in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Causeway Bay is one of the busiest and most energetic areas on Hong Kong Island, and it’s a solid choice when figuring out where to stay in Hong Kong, especially if you love shopping and being surrounded by action. This district is packed with malls, department stores, local shops, and endless food options, all clustered around a super convenient MTR hub.

Most major attractions are within walking distance, and there is plenty of things to do like browsing Times Square and SOGO to grabbing local eats and exploring the neon-lit streets at night. You’re also close to Victoria Park, which is great for a break from the crowds or a morning walk.

Causeway Bay is perfect if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere and easy access to shopping, dining, and transport. It’s especially good for transport since the MTR makes getting to Central, and Kowloon quick and easy. If you’re deciding where to stay in Hong Kong and want a fun, fast-paced area that still feels very local, Causeway Bay is a great pick.

Here are some of my recommended hotels in Causeway Bay:

The Park Lane Hong Kong, a Pullman Hotel - A well-known hotel right next to Victoria Park, offering comfortable rooms and easy access to shopping, transport, and harbor views.
Rosedale Hotel Hong Kong - A good mid-range option with decent-sized rooms for Hong Kong standards, located slightly away from the busiest streets but still close to everything.
Mini Hotel Causeway Bay - A budget-friendly choice with compact rooms, perfect if you want to stay in a prime location without spending too much.

Where to Stay in Kowloon?

Every time I travel to Hong Kong, I always stay in Kowloon, this district has so much to offer in terms of shopping, food, and local culture! There are multiple areas to choose from but what I recommend when choosing where to stay in Hong Kong for your first time, are the areas of Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok.

Where to Stay in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the most popular areas in Kowloon and easily one of the best places to stay in Hong Kong for first-time visitors. This district sits right on the harbor, giving you amazing skyline views of Hong Kong Island, especially along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.

And the promenade is where you can find shopping malls like Harbor City and the K11 Art Mall (which is my personal favorite), along with restaurants, cafes, and a handful of museums like the Hong Kong Museum of History and Science Museum.

Not to mention taking a stroll around the Avenue of Stars to snap a picture of the famous Bruce Lee statue as well as enjoy the gorgeous harbor views. Plus if you stay around 8PM you can catch the Symphony of Lights fountain show.

There is lots to do in this area and if wondering how to make the most of your time (and money) in Hong Kong, I recommend getting the Hong Kong Klook Pass. This pass lets you pick 2–5 attractions from more than 17 top experiences across the city, so you can tailor your sightseeing to your interests while saving up to around 40% on individual ticket prices compared to buying them separately.

Overall, Tsim Sha Tsui is perfect if you want a lively and convenient area with easy access to shopping and food. Transport links are excellent too.

Here are some of my recommended hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui:

The Peninsula Hong Kong - A legendary luxury hotel with classic elegance, spacious rooms, and one of the best locations in Tsim Sha Tsui, right near the waterfront.
Hotel ICON - A modern, design-focused hotel known for great harbor views, comfortable rooms, and excellent value for its quality.
The Kowloon Hotel - A solid mid-range hotel with a rooftop pool, good-sized rooms, and a convenient location close to shops and transport.

Where to Stay in Mong Kok, Hong Kong

Mong Kok is my favorite neighbourhood to stay in Hong Kong. It’s vibrant, it’s chaotic, it’s full of great food, and it’s very authentic and down to earth. This area is of course, famous for its street markets, especially around Nathan Road and Argyle Street. Some notable markets are the Ladies’ Market and Sneakers Street which as the name suggests, are great places for bargain shopping (authenticity of product not guaranteed).

I’ve mentioned it before at the beginning but you can also find incredible Hong Kong street food here as well as indulge yourself in the city’s iconic Cha Chaan Teng and Dai Pai Dong (outdoor restaurants) eating lifestyle.

Not to mention, Mong Kok is a very affordable area to stay at, hotels here are budget friendly while still maintaining excellent quality of life and western style comforts. The area is well connected too of course with MTR stations everywhere. If you’re a bit budget conscious (and that’s totally fair, Hong Kong is expensive!) about where to stay in Hong Kong and want atmosphere, convenience, and value, Mong Kok is a strong choice.

Here are some of my recommended hotels in Mong Kok:

Cordis, Hong Kong - A popular upscale hotel connected to Langham Place Mall, offering comfortable rooms, great facilities, and direct MTR access.
Royal Plaza Hotel - Known for its spacious rooms and great value, located right above Mong Kok East MTR and close to shopping areas.
iclub Mong Kok Hotel - A more affordable, modern option with compact rooms, ideal if you want a clean, well-located base without spending too much.

Tips for Booking Hotels in Hong Kong

Since Hong Kong is a pretty pricey travel destination to begin with, I want to make your trip a little bit better by sharing with you some tips for booking hotels whilst I was looking for where to stay in Hong Kong.

Compare Weekday to Weekend Prices - Hotel prices in Hong Kong can swing wildly depending on the day of the week. From my experience, staying Sunday to Thursday is almost always cheaper, and sometimes the price difference is huge. Weeknight rates can be nearly half of weekend prices. To put it into perspective, a room at The Peninsula can cost around USD 250 on a Saturday, but drop to roughly USD 137 on a Monday, that’s a massive difference for the exact same hotel.
Book Through Reputable Platforms - I usually book all of my hotels for every vacation with either Booking.com or Agoda as they consistently offer competitive prices, discounts, and reliable reviews. That said, it’s always worth checking the hotel’s official website too, since some properties offer exclusive deals or extra perks, especially if you’re part of a loyalty program.
Consider Hotel Packages - Many higher-end hotels in Hong Kong offer bundled rates that include extras like breakfast, spa credits, attraction tickets, or even ferry transfers. These packages can offer surprisingly good value, especially if you were planning to pay for those add-ons anyway.
Book Early During Holidays and Festivals - Hong Kong gets especially expensive during major holidays like Chinese New Year (Jan - Feb) and the busy travel season from October to December. If you’re visiting during these times, booking early is essential. Prices go up fast, availability drops quickly, and five-star hotels in particular tend to sell out well in advance.

Looking for Things to Do in Hong Kong?

Useful Resources for Traveling in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket - Easy and convenient travel from the Hong Kong International Airport to the city center
Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card - Re-loadable card to ride the MTR, bus, ferry, coach, and tram
TurboJET Ferry - Ferry ticket between Macau and Hong Kong
Tourism Information - Official Macau government tourism website