PUBLISHED May 26th, 2016 07:00 am | UPDATED May 12th, 2023 05:17 am
Many years ago, I left my homeland of Australia and went on a globetrotting year-long tour of discovery. I wanted to see the world – maybe another country suited me better. This backpacking adventure meant shared dormitories, finding the cheapest food possible, and some really budget experiences. Towards the tail end of the month, I began to crave my own space and a little more than just a bunk bed.
Options back then were few and far between, and I wished I had discovered Cosmo Hotel back then. A quaint little Hong Kong hotel conveniently located by Happy Valley Racecourse (a wildly popular Hong Kong’s horse racing establishment), the Cosmo Hotel would have suited me nicely in my backpacking days. Modern, convenient and affordable – basically ticking all the boxes for young and enthusiastic travellers on a budget.
Each room in the Cosmo Hotel is equipped with a Handy, a mobile device that guests can use during their stay. The Handy is awesome because it multi-tasks – in the room, you can tap on its hotspot for Internet access on various mobile devices; when out and about exploring HK town, it acts as a mobile guide, with maps, guides and promotions. Free local and IDD (international direct dialing) calls to nine different countries (including UK, USA, Australia, and Singapore) is also available.
We also love the neighbourhood that Cosmo Hotel is located in. There are great little cha chaan tengs (local Hong Kong diners) just a stone’s throw away, such as Kam Fung Restaurant, Sun Kee Cheese Noodles, and Joy Hing Roasted Meat. The main shopping district (Times Square and its ilk) is less than 10 minutes from the hotel). If you happen to be staying at the Cosmo Hotel on a Wednesday (a racing night), do go and check out Happy Valley Racecourse.
The closest nightlife you’ll find is Johnston Road in Wan Chai and its surrounds. While it’s not the closest, it’s not an unreasonable distance away so you can definitely stumble home after a good vibrant night out. Check out The Pawn (by Tom Aikens) or Ham & Sherry for more modern western eateries.
The Cosmo Hotel is affordable with rooms starting at HKD$700 (plus 10% service charge) per night. It’s perfect for those on a budget and looking for something a little more luxurious than a shared room. There are small perks too – a breezy communal patio to relax and hide away from Hong Kong’s hustle and bustle, access to a gym (which is not as common as you think) for those a little more fitness conscious, and of course, the use of the very handy Handy.
If you’re dropping into Hong Kong and you want to spend your time exploring the city, checking out the local eateries, or shopping until you drop, then stay at the Cosmo Hotel.
Cosmo Hotel is located at 375-377 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 852 3552 8388.
Top Image: Breeze Patio