Last Updated: 4/12/23| April 12th, 2023
What’s not to love about Hong Kong? The view from Victoria Peak, the bright lights, amazing markets, great shopping, lovely temples, accessible hiking, delicious food…I could go on and on about all the incredible things to do in Hong Kong.
It has everything you could ever want and more — which is why it’s one of my favorite cities in the world.
A city of 7.4 million people, it also has a ton of accommodation options — including plenty of hostels.
Prices do vary widely, though. And you get what you pay for so you need to research accordingly.
I’ve been visiting Hong Kong for a decade and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel. The top four when picking the best hostel in Hong Kong are:
- Location – HK is huge and, while the metro does go everywhere, it can take some time to get around. Pick a place that is central to the sites and nightlife you want to see. All the hostels listed here are in central locations.
- Price – In Hong Kong, you really get what you pay for, so if you go with a really cheap one, you’re probably going to get a hostel that is small, cramped, and doesn’t offer great service.
- Amenities – Every hostel in the city offers free Wi-Fi, and some have a free breakfast, but if you want more than that, be sure to do your research to find the hostel that best meets your needs!
- Staff – All the hostels listed here have amazing staff! They are super friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to look up reviews to ensure you end up somewhere where the staff is helpful and friendly! They can make or break a hostel!
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the best hostels in Hong Kong. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Best Hostel for Budget Travelers: Yesinn @YMT
Best Hostel for Families: YHA Mei Ho House
Best Hostel for Solo Female Travelers: The Mahjong
Best Hostel for Digital Nomads: Hop Inn
Best Overall Hostel: The Mahjong
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Hong Kong:
Price Legend (per night)
- $ = Under 200 HKD
- $$ = 200-300 HKD
- $$$ = Over 300 HKD
1. Hop Inn
Hop Inn is a modern hostel with a unique touch: each room is designed by a different local artist. This kid-friendly accommodation has a 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning, with towels and linens included. There is a small kitchen with free coffee/tea as well as a cooking pantry with basic staples. If you plan on staying a while, you can take advantage of the steep discounts offered on longer stays. Beds are decently comfortable and firm.
Hop Inn at a glance:
- $$$
- Laid-back rooftop patio for hanging out and mingling
- Great place to meet people
- Kid-friendly (good choice for families)
Beds from 306 HKD.
2. Chungking Mansions (Marrigold Hostel)
Chungking Mansions offers some of the cheapest lodgings in Hong Kong right in Kowloon. If you’re on a tight budget, stay here. The name really refers to a huge shopping and dining complex where you can buy a knock-off version of anything you want. On the top floors, there are a variety of guesthouses that you can choose from. I mean, there are dozens in this building (some of the cheapest go for as little as 100 HKD, though you get what you pay for!). One place worth starting your search is the Marrigold Hostel, which is one of the more reasonable options here.
Chungking Mansions at a glance:
- $-$$
- Super affordable shoestring accommodation
- Lots of accommodation options all in one place
Rooms from 238 HKD.
3. The Mahjong
This is a new and clean boutique hostel in a quiet neighborhood close to both the mountains and coast here. Despite that, it’s still just a 15-minute bus ride into downtown. The deluxe beds are comfy, cozy, and spacious, and the dorm beds are pod-style so you can have a good night’s rest. There is a large common area, kitchen facilities, and daily events, including city walks!
The Mahjong at a glance:
- $
- Organizes lots of events
- Quiet neighborhood away from the city center
- Super clean and well-maintained rooms
Beds from 180 HKD.
4. YHA Mei Ho House
Part of the YHA global chain, this hostel located in Sham Shui Po is wonderful for families and those looking for a quiet place to stay. All of the rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and the hostel has massive common areas, a courtyard, a garden, a kitchen with guest pantry, a café, a mini-store, and laundry. They serve free breakfast every morning in the café.
YHA Mei Ho House at a glance:
- $$$
- Huge common areas make it easy to meet people
- Free breakfast
- Courtyard and garden for relaxing and hanging out
Beds from 330 HKD, double rooms from 600 HKD (YHA members get a reduced rate).
5. Y-Loft
Y-Loft has great amenities: each room has an en-suite shower, there are common areas on each floor, there’s a gym and Wi-Fi, linens are included, and it’s located close to shopping, delicious places to eat, and a metro station. The dorm rooms have all been designed by local artists, making for some beautifully colorful and interesting spaces. This hostel is huge and has 148 rooms of varying sizes (including handicapped-accessible rooms!). It’s kid-friendly too.
Y-Loft at a glance:
- $$$
- Common areas on each floor so it’s easy to meet other travelers
- Kid-friendly and accessible rooms
- Gym
Private rooms from 594 HKD.
6. Yesinn @YMT
Yesinn is a centrally located hostel just a couple of blocks away from a metro station, making it easy to get around the city. The hostel is basic but cozy, with a nice common room, friendly staff, and periodic social events like pub crawls and dinners. They also offer rates and extras (like in-room desks) for longer stays.
Yesinn @YMT at a glance:
- $
- Central location
- Organized social events
- Kitchen facilities
Beds from 99 HKD, private rooms from 199 HKD.
7. Check Inn HK
Check Inn HK is an affordable no-frills hostel on Hong Kong Island not far from Wan Chai Station. It’s small but social, with plenty of common space to meet and hang out with other travelers. The dorms aren’t huge but the beds are comfortable enough. There are no privacy curtains but there are outlights for each bed. The Wi-Fi is solid and they also have a large projector screen for watching movies in one of the common areas. There are lots of good restaurants nearby too.
Check Inn HK at a glance:
- $$
- Excellent location
- Theater room
- Family-owned
Beds from 259 HKD, private rooms from 540 HKD.
There are a lot of amazing hostels in Hong Kong, but to me, these places above are the best. They offer all the things that I think are important when picking a great hostel. If you stay in any of these hostels while in town, you won’t go wrong!
Book Your Trip to Hong Kong: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Hong Kong?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Hong Kong for even more planning tips!
