Hong Kong
Highlights
- Hong Kong surprised us as a quality destination for kids! There is plenty here to keep everyone in the family happy
- Public transport is efficient, regular but crowded! Avoid taking a pram to the underground and keep your little ones close (or they may get swept away)
- The city has cool spots for families to explore; all linked via the overground MTR (monorail/train). Examples include Ocean Park and the Zoological & Botanical Gardens… just watch out for the crazy monkeys!
- Disneyland! Smaller than the US equivalents but clean and impossible for family members of all ages not to feel the good vibes. 1-2 days is enough to get around the compact Hong Kong Disneyland and still tick all the boxes
Hong Kong was a pleasant surprise for kids and parents alike. It hit the mark but take some extra savings!
There seems to be a secret society where you get access to clubs and indoor play-parks if you know someone or are willing to pay for it. If you don’t or want to reserve your pennies for Disneyland, Hong Kong is regularly over 40 degrees and you’ll have to brave it outdoors. Take plenty of water!
Overall Family Friendly Rating: 8.5
Ovolo Southside
Location
Wong Chuk Hang on the Southside of Hong Kong Island (near Ocean Park)
Highlights
- The vibe here is very hip and cool
- Ovolo has lots of nice touches with free drinks and nibbles during social hour. Anything not requiring $ in this country needs to be taken advantage of 😉
- Breakfast, laundry and the daily mini bar are also complimentary. Considering all this, the nightly rates are not excessive
- Bigger rooms than most hotels in Hong Kong but still super tight for 4 people
- Adjacent to amusement hot spot Ocean Park
- Easy stroll to public transport and to one of the coolest family clubs on the planet!! You need to know someone to get in but try and meet that someone at all costs. Aberdeen Marina Club is what kids’ dreams are made of!
Brad & Sar's Final Thoughts
Very cool hotel but not exactly kid friendly as it’s up high, compact and with no outdoor area or pool facilities. Still, we’d go back in a heartbeat which means that in a different way, it worked for our family.
The Ovolo Southside hotel is also in an industrial area. We were a little nervous it’d be noisy and inconvenient, but it was the best value we could get near Stanley (where our good friends live). It turned out nicely as we walked to Aberdeen Marina Club and easily hopped on buses and trains to hit the good spots.
It's an odd hotel in an odd location. Considering the proximity to everything and chilled out vibe, we’re still going to give it the thumbs up.
Family Friendly Rating: 8
Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel
Location
Located 30 minutes from the city, this Gold Coast based hotel has a marina on one side and Golden Beach in front
Highlights
- An oasis away from the big smoke; this is the kind of resort you don’t expect to find in a big city such as Hong Kong
- Endless things for the kids to do! Swimming pools with water slides, outdoor play grounds, indoor play park and a mini train that circulates the grounds
- The hotel has huge open grounds, a nearby beach with good internal dining options
- There is a bike/running track just outside the hotel’s front gates. It runs right along the coast and is great for a stroll
- Walking distance to the fish markets. If it doesn’t upset the kids too much, pick your living seafood and wait as it’s cooked fresh with your choice of spices
Brad & Sar's Final Thoughts
A high-quality option outside the city. It was a long trek into the CBD so don’t choose this if you want to frequent Hong Kong city.
Optimal length of stay here would be 4-5 days. In that time, you will likely be content with what the hotel has to offer and then be ready to shift to somewhere busier or more lively.
For families looking to hit outer Hong Kong and find a suitable hotel, look no further than the Gold Coast Hotel.
Family Friendly Rating: 9
