For many travellers, a hotel is simply a place to rest their heads at night, after a long day of sightseeing. If it’s in a good location and you’ve got a somewhat comfortable bed and a place to take a hot shower, you can survive.
But where you sleep is an important part of the experience itself. And in recent years, you can find some truly unique and interesting places to stay a night. Forget the typical room with crappy old carpets, a wooden desk with the Book of Mormon in the drawer, and dim lamps. Nowadays you can break away from the usual hotel experience, and stay in a place you’ll never forget.
For the adventurous traveller, who doesn’t mind being a bit out of the city centre, here’s our list of unique accommodation in Hong Kong that few people even know exist.
1. Glamping by the Big Buddha: witness a Hong Kong icon by night
The Tian Tan ‘Big Buddha’ is one of Hong Kong’s top attractions, but why not turn your day trip into a unique overnight experience? The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association runs the Ngong Ping SG Davis Youth Hostel on Lantau Island, with regular hostel rooms as well as cute ‘glamping tents’, which can sleep up to six people. They provide pillows, blankets and beddings, sleeping pads, tent lighting and tea tables, a communal kitchen, and BBQ pits. Be sure to take an evening stroll to the Big Buddha — an incredible illuminated sight few tourists ever get to see.
2. Capsule hotels: cozy, compact, and convenient
Originally developed in Japan and now world-famous, capsule hotels are a recent arrival in Hong Kong. There are only a handful in Hong Kong, all of which are close to MTR stations, making this a good option for short stays. The sleep capsules are for single occupants, but some places offer adjoining capsules (both mixed and female-only). You can also use lockers, check-in kiosks, a common room and kitchen, showers, and secure baggage storage. L’etoile de Mer is one of the newer ones, with branches in Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Mongkok, and the prices can’t be beat. Boasting an excellent location right in the middle of it all, SLEEEP in Sheung Wan can be booked online.
3. The Helena May: historic elegance in the heart of Hong Kong
Located in the heart of Central, The Helena May is one of Hong Kong’s most elegant heritage buildings, with a special old-world charm. Established in 1916 as a club for women and girls, The Helena May offers affordable rooms for female travellers (sorry, guys). You can choose from single or shared accommodation, or studios for long-term visits. Staying here is like stepping back in time, with classic colonial architecture, high tea and scones in the dining room, and a more-than-a-century-old library. The Helena May is a stone’s throw from the Peak Tram Lower Terminus, and an easy walk to Central and Admiralty MTR Stations, giving it a prime Central location.
Pro tip: Check out our guide to Hong Kong’s best heritage hotels and hostels.
4. Noah’s Ark: off the beaten path
One of Hong Kong’s more quirky spots, Noah’s Ark on Ma Wan (Park Island) claims to be ‘the world’s first full-scale Ark replica’. The giant ship juts out of Park Island as though washed up on shore, and has a number of attractions kids will love. The hotel itself is actually really nice, with spacious rooms with lovely views. There are twin and double rooms, and the family rooms can sleep either four or eight on bunk beds. The Park Island Beach is also a really nice spot—and at least you know you’ll be safe in the event of a flood. It’s a quick 25-minute ferry ride from Park Island to the Central Ferry Piers on Hong Kong Island.
5. Saiyuen Camping Adventure Park: activate mind and body
What’s it going to be—a North American teepee, an African safari tent, a star-gazing geodesic dome, or a Mongolian ger? Saiyuen Camping Adventure Park, located on beautiful Cheung Chau Island, has a number of inventive accommodations. Activities (which cost extra) include bubble soccer, a tree top canopy walk, and various arts, crafts and food workshops.
Cheung Chau can be reached by a 30-minute ferry from Central, and is a lovely, laid-back island with sandy beaches and great seafood.
Pro tip: Check out our complete transport guide for detailed information.
6. Stay on a houseboat: serenity on the water
As an alternative to tiny, expensive apartments, some people in Hong Kong choose a unique lifestyle on the water. Houseboats and sailboats are typically moored in areas like Aberdeen and Sai Kung. Get the luxury houseboat experience by staying in one yourself! Houseboats can be booked online here.
7. Mei Ho House: step back into time
This housing estate from the 1950s has been revitalised into a unique youth hostel. Located in the heart of Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Mei Ho House is a historic H-shaped building that has not only a hostel, but also a museum and a cute cafe, which looks like it’s still back in the ’50s. The rooms are clean, modern and spacious—something that’s not always easy to find in Kowloon.
8. Shaolin Wushu Cultural Centre: where tradition meets tranquility
If you’ve got a passion for martial arts, then combine your trip to Hong Kong with some light training and Zen meditation at the Shaolin Wushu Cultural Centre. Located in Tai O, a really remote village on Lantau Island, you can stay overnight and even take part in training sessions to learn basic Shaolin skills. Tai O is a fascinating and unique village, famous for its stilt houses, markets, and boat trips to see pink dolphins.
Not into martial arts? No problem—there are lots of other places to stay both in Tai O and on Lantau Island. Consider the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and the Tai O Heritage Hotel.
9. Tung Nam Lou Art Hotel: for culture-seekers and arts enthusiasts
This boutique hotel is perfect for art lovers, located in the Yau Ma Tei
neighbourhood, where you can hang among the locals. The aestheically pleasing and affordable hotel offers different spaces and packages meant to foster and cater to your creative senses. You can choose to stay in the art or music room, with the option to include an arty or sensory activity, like the Art Explorer Day Pass, Vintage Clothing Rental Activity, Multi-sensory Tea or Coffee Brewing Art Experience or Coffee Storyteller Activity.
For more unique Hong Kong accommodation options, consider one of these glamping spots.
This post was originally published in December 2019. Last updated: April, 2024.
