4 days in July : First trip to HKG

Question

Hi Experts,

First trip to Hong Kong. Am familiar with other places in South East Asia and excited to be visiting Hong Kong soon. Traveling with my spouse and 10 year old son. Looking for some recommendations -

1. What is a good area to book a hotel which is a block or two from the MRT?

2. We enjoy our food and preferably a hotel location that is close to plenty of dining options (hawker stalls, food centers etc are great - not looking for anything fancy)

3. View of the Bay from the room would be a bonus

4. Budget is < 200 USD per night

My son is is big time into sports, he does not enjoy visiting museums etc. Im sure he will enjoy a visit to the Peak, an evening cruise, what else do you believe kids might enjoy? Is Disneyland a must do? Im thinking he might enjoy the rides but is not into the characters.

Also, we arrive at 6am, should we just take a taxi to the hotel or might you recommend anything else? 3 passengers and 4-5 pieces of luggage.

Answer

For a first-time visit to Hong Kong with your spouse and 10-year-old son, planning around convenience, dining, and attractions is key. Here’s a detailed guide for your 4-day trip in July:

1. Hotel area recommendation: Staying near an MTR station is highly convenient for moving around the city. Consider the following areas:

Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon side): Close to the Star Ferry, shopping, and food markets. Easy access to the MTR (Tsim Sha Tsui station or East Tsim Sha Tsui) and has many dining options.
Mong Kok: Vibrant street markets, local eateries, and sports shops. Excellent MRT connections (Mong Kok or Mong Kok East stations) and budget-friendly hotels.
Causeway Bay (Hong Kong Island): Central location, plenty of restaurants and street food, good MTR access (Causeway Bay station), and more chance of hotel rooms with partial harbor views.

Budget-wise, under $200 USD per night, you can find clean, comfortable hotels in these areas. For a bay view, Tsim Sha Tsui or parts of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay may offer rooms with partial harbor views, though it may require early booking.

2. Food options: All the areas above have excellent casual dining. For authentic local experiences:

Food courts in shopping malls for variety at affordable prices.
Street food stalls offering dim sum, egg waffles, curry fishballs, and siu mai.
Local dai pai dong (open-air food stalls) in Kowloon and Causeway Bay.

3. Activities for your son: Since he enjoys sports and active experiences rather than museums, consider:

The Peak: Take the Peak Tram and explore the Sky Terrace. Walking trails are also available for a light hike.
Evening harbour cruise: Enjoy the skyline lights; shorter cruises are suitable for children.
Hong Kong Disneyland: Even if not into characters, he can enjoy thrill rides, roller coasters, and interactive experiences.
Ocean Park: Combines animal exhibits with amusement park rides; has sports-themed attractions and water rides which may appeal more than Disneyland if characters are not of interest.
Kowloon Park: Open space, playgrounds, and some sports facilities for kids to burn energy.
Dragon Boat or sailing experiences: Some tour operators in Victoria Harbour offer short active experiences suitable for families.

4. Airport to hotel transfer: With 3 passengers and 4–5 pieces of luggage arriving at 6 am:

Taxi: Most practical option. Airport taxis are metered and can accommodate luggage; taxis to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island usually take 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
Airport Express + MTR: Faster during peak hours, but requires handling luggage on trains and station transfers.
Since you arrive early and may be tired, a taxi directly to your hotel is the most convenient choice.

Additional tips:

Book hotels early for better rates and options with harbor views.
July is hot and humid; bring lightweight clothes and stay hydrated.
Carry an Octopus card for convenient payments on public transport and some shops.

Following this plan, you will have a comfortable base near dining and MRT stations, and your son will have plenty of engaging activities, combining city sightseeing, active outdoor experiences, and theme park fun.

4 days in July : First trip to HKG

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