Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [181]
YAU MA TEI
Things start getting much cheaper up in this part of Kowloon. There are several midrange options, plus cheap, basic hotels and a good assortment of guesthouses, many of them occupying Alhambra Building ( Map; 385 Nathan Rd, Yau Ma Tei) and New Lucky House ( Map; 300-306 Nathan Rd, Yau Ma Tei), with its main entrance on Jordan Rd.
EATON HOTEL Map Hotel $$$
2782 1818; www.eaton-hotel.com; 380 Nathan Rd; r $2250-3250, ste from $3250; MTR Jordan (exit B1);
Leave the chaos of Nathan Rd behind as you step into the Eaton’s grand lobby. The rooms are large and comfortable, while the glass-fronted Planter’s Bar on the 4th floor sits next to an improbably pleasant and leafy courtyard, given the proximity of all that traffic. Booking on the internet can halve the quoted rates. Enter from Pak Hoi St.
CITYVIEW Map Hotel $$
2771 9111; www.thecityview.com.hk; 23 Waterloo Rd; r $1380, ste from $2180, monthly packages from $16,500; MTR Yau Ma Tei (exit A2);
The good old YMCA has glammed itself up. All 413 rooms are looking smart, with mellow tones and stylish bedding, and the service is excellent. The hotel occupies a quiet corner of Yau Ma Tei, yet is only a hop away from the nearest eatery. The City Cafe offers decent buffets.
NOVOTEL Map Hotel $$
3965 8888; www.novotel.com; 348 Nathan Rd; r/ste $1100/3180; MTR Jordan (exit B2);
Although it claims to be located on the ‘golden mile’ of Tsim Sha Tsui, Novotel’s actual address is nowhere near the harbour; rather, it’s at the doorstep of Yau Ma Tei. It’s also on Saigon St, not Nathan Rd. Despite its slightly misleading address, Novotel is a bright, contemporary hotel with a spacious lobby and 400 pleasant rooms that were renovated in 2008. They’re the same size, but the more costly rooms boast better views and nicer decor.
NATHAN HOTEL Map Hotel $$
2388 5141; www.nathanhotel.com; 378 Nathan Rd; r $1080-2480, ste from $1880; MTR Jordan (exit B1); (9th-12th fl)
Surprisingly quiet and pleasant; even the cheapest of its 166 rooms are spacious, clean and serene. It’s in a good location, right near the Jordan MTR station and Temple St, and we like the mustachioed and turbaned doorman. All in all it’s good value for what you get. Enter from Pak Hoi St.
CARITAS BIANCHI LODGE Map Guesthouse $$
2388 1111; www.caritas-chs.org.hk/eng/bianchi_lodge.asp; 4 Cliff Rd; s/d/tr $920/1020/1220; MTR Yau Ma Tei (exit D)
This 90-room hotel-cum-guesthouse is run by a Catholic social-welfare organisation. Though it’s just off Nathan Rd (and a goalie’s throw from Yau Ma Tei MTR station), the rear rooms are very quiet and some have views of King’s Park. All rooms have private bathroom and breakfast is included. Lodge manager Kevin Mak will give discounts to Lonely Planet readers.
CASA HOTEL Map Hotel $$
3758 7777; www.casahotel.com.hk; 487-489 Nathan Rd; s/d/f $750/880/1380; MTR Yau Ma Tei (exit C);
Casa is pretty sleek for this price range and this part of town, with a fancy lobby featuring black tiles and a modern fish tank. The rooms are clean but be prepared to shower right next to the toilet. Try to secure a room ending in 04 or 09 between the 3rd and 8th floors – they’re larger, but bear in mind that the 7th floor does not have wi-fi.
BOOTH LODGE Map Guesthouse $$
2771 9266; http://boothlodge.salvation.org.hk; 11 Wing Sing La; r $620-1500; MTR Yau Ma Tei (exit D);
Run by the Salvation Army, this 53-room place is spartan but clean and comfortable. Promotional rates for rooms can drop to $500. Rates include breakfast. Reception is on the 7th floor.
BRIDAL TEA HOUSE HOTEL Map Hotel $
2388 9591; www.hkchhotel.com; 6 Arthur St; r from $500, monthly package from $7000; MTR Yau Ma Tei (exit C);
This is one of a large chain of cheap places that used to be a home for the elderly. The down side: rooms are tiny, service is minimal and the lift is slow. The up side: it’s dirt-cheap and clean, showers are enclosed and rooms come with broadband internet. Long-stay discounts apply.
RENT-A-ROOM HONG KONG Map Guesthouse $
2366 3011, 9023 8022; www.rentaroomhk.com; Flat A, 2nd fl,