I’ve been to Hong Kong a couple of times, and accommodation can be a nightmare. Pound for pound it’s one of the most expensive places in the world to sleep and finding ‘cheap’ accommodation is next to impossible.
If you’re on a backpacking budget, you have to search long and hard for anything affordable. Lot of travelers I met end up in the infamous ChungKing Mansions, and believe me when I tell you guys, that is not ideal! It’s a fun place to get a curry or a fake rolex, but sleeping there? No thanks.
Anyways, I stumbled across a real gem of a hostel in Hong Kong that I want to share with you guys. Not directly on the harbor, but in an awesome location, in the middle of ‘real’ Hong Kong with a bustling night market on your doorstep and transport links to everywhere. What’s more is that it’s walking distance to One Dim Sum, the cheapeast Michelin Starred restaurant in the world – unreal. 2 people, loads of Dim Sum, about $25 yum yum yum.
Mei Ho Hostel is without-doubt the best budget, accommodation option in the country. A big claim I know, but it’s really that cool.
The hostel itself has been built/converted from the first ever public housing in Hong Kong. The ‘H’ block should feel like a prison, but actually the air of history, the amentiies, the atmosphere and the price make it feel like the awesome hostel that it has become. I love staying in a place that is more than just your bed for the night, but actually a part of the history of the city you’re in.
With the significance of the building, the hostel is more than just a hostel. There’s a whole museum attached within the building detailing the fire that caused the public housing to be built. It also shows how the accommodation was before it become a modern hostel, quite the contrast.
I stayed in a private double room, complete with en suite bathroom, flat screen etc and the price for a room like that is around $90 US (I need private rooms with wifi these days to maintain my digital media company and pay the bills!). However, they have awesome dorms for around $25 a night, which is a steal in a city like Hong Kong.
The breakfast bar/restaurant is as funky as they come too, and the complimentary breakfast allows you the choice of western, Asian or Hong Kong style breakfast – these quirky additions, along with the roof top chill out room, are why I fell in love with this hostel so much.
The hostel is a 5 minute stroll to the mass transit train, and from there the whole country is on your doorstep, 15 minutes to the harbor, 30 minutes to the airport, it’s a huge incentive to stay here.
Anyways, I love Hong Kong. I loved it the first time I came here, and I loved it again this time around. The Mei Ho Hostel added so much to my trip that I couldn’t imagine staying in HK without them next time around. Enjoy guys, and happy travels!
As you know, blogging changed my life. I left Ireland broke, with no plan, with just a one-way ticket to Thailand and no money. Since then, I started a blog, then a digital media company, I’ve made more than $1,500,000 USD, bought 4 properties and visited (almost) every country in the world. And I did it all from my laptop as I travel the world and live my dream.
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