Review: Wharney Guangdong Hotel, Hong Kong
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I was in Hong Kong for a week recently to attend a conference and trade exhibition at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre (HKECC), Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island.
I have not been to Hong Kong for nearly 10 years. Hong Kong, and in particular, the business district of Wan Chai remain as busy, bustling and crowded as it was before. Hotel rooms remain in high demand, expensive and small in size. After some intensive search, I identified Wharney Guangdong Hotel as the ideal hotel for my stay in Hong Kong.
This basic but very well located hotel is great if you are attending a conference at HKECC, have a meeting in one of the many office buildings in Wan Chai or simply want to sample life smack in the middle of busy Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Academy of Performance Arts is also within walking distance.
The hotel is only a short 10-15 minutes walk to HKECC via sheltered overhead bridges and linkways so you’re protected from the weather and traffic all the time. It is also a short 3-5 minutes walk to the nearest Wanchai MTR (subway) station, taxis and buses are easily available and there are many shops, restaurants and eating places all around.
The hotel is very busy and crowded with business and tourist guests checking in and out all the time. Like most Hong Kong hotels, the rooms are generally small and tight. If you are not careful, it is very easy to bang into a wall or furniture if you move around too much!
Despite the small size, room rates are very expensive. As an example, I paid US$180 a night for a small room with no breakfast, internet access or airport pickup. This must surely be one of the most expensive hotel rate after Tokyo, Japan in Asia.
Fortunately, internet cafes, cheap cafes(cha chan tang) and airport buses are easily available in this area and make up for what the hotel does not give you.
The hotel is also located smack middle in a particular stretch of Wan Chai which is infamous amongst Western expatriates and tourists as a pub, strip dance and rowdy entertainment zone. When night fall, you’ll see scantily-clad Filipinos calling out to customers to patronise their entertainment joints.
Despite the seemingly rowdy nature of these establishments, it must be said that children, ladies, couples and families are not disturbed at all and it is perfectly safe to walk around at night to look for supper or pick up a hot drink from many of the convenience stores around the area. I guess it is only in unique places like Hong Kong where you can find a strip club and family restaurant side by side and they co-exist happily in their own space.
Will I recommend this hotel to anyone going to Hong Kong? Definitely if you are attending a trade show or seminar at HKECC or a meeting in a Wan Chai office for both the location, transportation and food convenience.
Location of Wharney Guangdong Hotel
Hong Kong Island, Wan Chai, 57-73 Lockhart Road, Hong Kong
Size: 12 stories with 358 rooms
Facilities: Gym, lounge, swimming pool, non-smoking floor
Friendliness: Polite staff and efficient receptionists
Pricing: Starts from US$150 for off-peak to US$280 for peak season for a normal room
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I’ve was in Hong Kong last week & had stayed for 3 nights in Wharnet guandong hotel in Wan Chai. The location was perfect as the MTR was 5 mts walk only besides most of the eatery joints & convenience stores at walkable distance as well. Although I had read some good reviews about this hotel before planning my stay there, I was really dissapointed with my stay. I had clearly mentioned in my booking that we’re 3 adults & 1 child. They booked us for a deluxe room which didn’t look like one. Also they provided us with 3 single beds only & not 1 double bed which could at least accomodate my child. The air condition wasn’t working the 1st night.Toilets was stinking. The hotel needs to be renovated. It really looks out dated & brother found it almost haunted. For 3 nights we paid 3080 HK$ which wasn’t worth the amt.
Hi Varsha:
Thanks for the review. The more people contribute, the more we’ll have a better all round view.
To be fair, my room was alright and the air-con and toilet worked fine. All the rooms were recently refurbished.
Compared to other countries, HK hotels can be inadequate. However, if you have stayed in HK hotels frequently, you’ll realise that most HK hotel rooms are tiny and expensive.
Regards
Katherine Xie