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JJ HOTEL Map Hotel $$

2904 7300; www.jjhotel.com.hk; 9th fl, Lucky Centre, 165-171 Wan Chai Rd; r $600-800; MTR Wan Chai (exit A3);

This place has 40 clean, basic rooms occupying four floors. Don’t expect over-the-top trimmings, but your needs will be taken care of – the owner also has a restaurant, a mah-jong club, massage facilities and a bar on other floors. Press ‘9’ for reception.

MINGLE PLACE BY THE PARK Map Boutique Hotel $$

2838 1109; www.mingleplace.com; 143 Wan Chai Rd; s $500-700, d $800-900, monthly packages $9000-20,000; MTR Wan Chai (exit A3);

The most interesting of the Mingle Place chain, this five-storey hotel is housed in a restored 1960s tenement building with terrazzo staircase. The ’60s paraphernalia and the decor are quirkily charming. Some rooms, including the cubicle-sized ‘lite’ rooms, have tiny balconies.

YING KING APARTMENT Map Guesthouse $

2573 2049; 9th fl, Mei Wah Mansion, 172-176 Johnston Rd; r $300; MTR Wan Chai (exit A3);

Marooned somewhat across from the business end of Wan Chai, this little place trims its prices accordingly. The rooms are squeaky clean, with air-con and bathrooms, and there is internet access in the lobby.

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ISLAND WEST

Sheung Wan and to a lesser extent Western District are good options if you want to stay close to Central without the prices. They’re served by the Sheung Wan MTR station, as well as trams and buses. The Hong Kong–Macau ferry terminal in the Shun Tak Centre has ferries departing for Macau and destin-ations in mainland China. Most large hotels in Western District have free shuttle-bus services to Central and further east.

ISLAND PACIFIC HOTEL Map Hotel $$

2131 1188; www.islandpacifichotel.com.hk; 152 Connaught Rd W; r $1500-3000, ste $5200; 5 or 5B from Central;

This hotel has a chandeliered marble lobby that strikes a contrast with the small rooms and the slow-moving lifts. The ‘side harbour view’ rooms face a side street and are very dark. We prefer the standard rooms. The pool with its views of looming buildings promises a surreal underwater experience.

RAMADA HONG KONG HOTEL Map Hotel $$

3410 3333; www.ramadahongkong.com; 308 Des Voeux Rd W; r $1400, weekly/monthly packages from $2380/9800; 5B from Central;

Above a lobby decked out in carpeted opulence are 300 stuffy-looking but adequate rooms. Sure, the mattresses could be softer and the shower stalls roomier, but you really can’t beat the rates, which can drop to $440 when it’s quiet. Ramada is 10 minutes by tram from Sheung Wan MTR station. There’s an Airbus stop on Water St nearby.

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT HONG KONG Map Business Hotel $$

3717 8888; www.marriott.com/hotel-search/china/; 167 Connaught Rd W; r $1300-1750, ste $2450; 5 or 5B from Central;

This hotel juggles luxury with limited space and it works. The dark carpeting and marble counters of the lobby are tastefully echoed by the decor of the rooms and complemented by impeccable service. Bear in mind, however, that not all the ‘Deluxe Harbourview’ rooms have harbour views. There’s an Airbus stop across the street.

HOTEL JEN Map Hotel $$

2974 1234; www.hoteljen.com; 508 Queen’s Rd W, Western District; r $700-2500, ste $2500-4000, weekly packages from $4200; 5 or 10 from Central;

The 280 rooms at this chic hotel feature nouveau-retro furnishings in pale wood and whites with orange accents. If going ‘standard’, request the helpful staff to give you a room on the 16th or 17th floors. The vista of Kowloon Peninsula from the rooftop pool is quite breathtaking. Jen is 15 minutes by tram from Sheung Wan MTR station.

SOHOTEL Map Boutique Hotel $$

2851 8818; www.sohotel.com.hk; 139 Bonham Strand; r $1000-1200, ste $1800; MTR Sheung Wan (exit A2);

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STANDBY HOTELS

At busy times, the best hotels can get booked out. The following are some standby, midrange alternatives that should have rooms available and will do if you get stuck without a bed for the night.

Hong