Hotel and getting around

Question

Hi All,

I have planned a layover for a trip to Taiwan and spending four days in HK. I get to ring in the lunar new year. What hotel location makes sense for three women to stay at. My mom used to live in HK for 1 year in the early 80s but she said she only took a bus around and quite frankly her and my sister are horrible at directions. I was thinking of staying either at the Dorsett WanChai but someone said that Is far from everything. Or I was thinking of staying in Lantau Island at the Grand Bay View Hotel. My mom's wish is to visit the Ladies Market again after all these years. I know the transport system is one of the best in the world but how is it leading two people everywhere when the place is also new to you? We also wish to visit the NP360 and plan to spend a day there. We also wish to spend a day at Ocean Park (my mom says it's quite fun).

TIA

Answer

For a four-day layover in Hong Kong during Lunar New Year, choosing a hotel with convenient access to major attractions and easy transport options is important, especially if traveling with two people who are not confident with directions.

Hotel Location Considerations:

Dorsett Wanchai: Located on Hong Kong Island, this area is reasonably central and offers good access to the MTR, buses, and trams. Wanchai is a busy business district, but you can reach popular areas like Causeway Bay, Central, and Tsim Sha Tsui relatively quickly by MTR. For your mom and sister, this is likely easier to navigate than Lantau.
Grand Bay View Hotel, Lantau Island: This area is more resort-style and scenic, near the airport and some attractions like Ngong Ping 360 (NP360). However, it is further from central Hong Kong and most shopping districts, meaning longer travel times to places like Ladies Market or Ocean Park. This could be challenging for travelers not familiar with the MTR or bus systems.

Transport & Getting Around:

Hong Kong’s public transport system is excellent, but it can be confusing for first-timers. The MTR is usually the easiest and fastest way to travel, and stations have English signage. Taxis are also widely available and relatively safe, though traffic can increase travel time.
For the Ladies Market in Mong Kok, the easiest approach is to stay near a central MTR line and take the Tsuen Wan or Kwun Tong lines. Walking from a nearby MTR station is straightforward, with clear signs and crowded streets but safe pedestrian crossings.
NP360: If staying on Lantau, this is very convenient. If staying in Wanchai, you can reach it by MTR to Tung Chung, then take the cable car. Allocate most of a day for this trip.
Ocean Park: Easily accessible from Wanchai or central hotels via the South Island MTR line or bus. A full day is recommended, and it’s generally less crowded early in the morning.

Recommendation:

Given that you have three women traveling together, with two who are not good with directions, a hotel on Hong Kong Island closer to central areas like Wanchai, Causeway Bay, or Tsim Sha Tsui would be more convenient for visiting markets, shopping, and city attractions.
Lantau Island could work if your main priority is NP360 and a quieter, scenic stay, but expect longer transit times for shopping and city sightseeing.

Overall, staying in Wanchai or a similarly central location offers the best balance between sightseeing, convenience, and ease of navigation for first-time visitors. Plan MTR routes ahead of time, and consider using taxis for direct trips when feeling uncertain, especially during Lunar New Year when crowds are high.

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