Whilst Hong Kong is best known as a skyscraper-strewn financial hub, the city is surprisingly welcoming to families. There are a myriad of attractions on the doorstep: vertiginous journeys on the Peak Tram, beachside adventures, nightly harbourfront light shows, theme parks such as Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland... So, here’s our pick of the best places for families to stay in the city.
Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
The Island Shangri-La has a fabulous family-friendly (and traffic-free) location next door to Hong Kong Park’s waterfalls, fish ponds, and cockatoo-filled palm trees, plus the Peak Tram Lower Terminus, where you can catch the new sixth-generation Peak Tram to the city’s famous mountaintop. More than 500 rooms have eye-popping views of the city, harbour, or Victoria Peak, but anyone with young children should aim for the magical, themed rooms on the newly launched family floor.
Supreme Ct Rd, Admiralty
On a par with anything you might find with Disneyland or Universal Studios, the family floor features 21 truly amazing suites showcasing 10 different themes, as well as The Hangout – a kind of executive club for families complete with snacks and drinks, washing machines, and various children’s amenities. Theme rooms include airship bunk beds with slides, fairy gardens with plush pumpkin carriages, and a Hong Kong-inspired room with neon lights and a tram for a bed.
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
As well as its 11th-floor location with up-close views of Victoria Harbour, the Grand Hyatt also has a sensational lagoon-shaped swimming pool – one of the biggest in the city, lined with palm trees, sun loungers, and a restaurant that serves a superb weekend brunch. The hotel also shares a rooftop with the neighbouring Renaissance Hotel, which includes two tennis courts, a golf driving range, and a huge children’s playground.
1 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai
There are plenty of connecting rooms available (many with harbour views to catch the nightly Symphony of Lights show) and little ones are welcomed with special amenities, including mini-bathrobes and backpacks stuffed with toys and games. Children’s menus are also available in most of the restaurants.
The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong
Located on Hong Kong Island’s green and gorgeous south side, this stylish 425-room resort is set between two of the city’s most popular theme parks: Ocean Park (home to two new baby pandas and two new adult pandas) and aqua playground Water World. But that’s not all there is to do; the hotel also offers a range of experiences that take advantage of the surrounding beaches and countryside.
3 Ocean Dr, Aberdeen
Sign up for a sampan boat tour of Aberdeen fishing village whilst learning about the area’s rich maritime past; abseil down Brick Hill overlooking a typhoon shelter bobbing with yachts, junks, and tugboats; or take a night-time hike in search of East Asian porcupine, fruit bats, and wild boar.
Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel
Being within walking distance of Ocean Park with free shuttle buses to Water World is just the beginning of the perks at this south-side Marriott resort. The hotel also has three enormous swimming pools with mini waterslides, a pirate ship, and floating loungers for a relaxing cool down after hitting the parks.
香港仔, 180号, Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Aberdeen
For adults, there are coastal jogging trails, a well-equipped gym, and The Spa by Haarn featuring massages and facials by the Thai luxury skincare brand. And everyone will enjoy the contemporary rooms and three restaurants, which include a gigantic breakfast buffet spread (complete with children’s corner), coffee and cake at the Marina Café, and freshly grilled Boston lobster and Black Angus Tomahawk steaks at the poolside Pier Lounge and Bar.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s grande dame is as sophisticated as you might expect, but it also has a wonderful array of facilities ideal for anyone travelling with children. Rooms and suites are spacious and intuitively designed, the majority with mesmerising Victoria Harbour views. There’s also an 18-metre swimming pool and sun terrace, as well as a rooftop helipad for a high-flying sightseeing tour across Hong Kong’s forest of skyscrapers, scattered islands and rambling mountain ranges.
Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Personalised family experiences can also be arranged – like, a dim sum-making class with one of the city’s top chefs and a trip to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Gardens, where you can flit between butterfly gardens, beehives, mountainside pavilions, orchard trails, and parrot sanctuaries.
WM Hotel Hong Kong, Vignette Collection
With a prime waterfront location in Sai Kung village, coddled by rolling green mountains and the bright blue South China Sea, the WM is more akin to the kind of seaside resort you would find in Thailand or Vietnam. The majority of the pared-back rooms – 260 in total – have sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies, gardens, or rooftops. Suites have ample space for roll-out beds, or you could opt for an outdoor glamping set-up.
28 Wai Man Rd, Sai Kung
Elsewhere, there’s an inviting rooftop infinity pool and no end of outdoorsy things to do, from hopping on a speedboat to explore Sai Kung’s deserted white beaches, to hiking the High Island trail through Hong Kong’s Unesco Global Geopark, to kayaking, wakeboarding, and SUP-ing around the craggy coast.
