How to Get the Best Price on a Hotel in Hong Kong

How to Get the Best Rates for Hotels in Hong Kong (and anywhere else)

Getting the best price for hotel accommodations is the ultimate negotiator's game. The winner can be anyone willing to invest the time and effort in saving themselves hard cold cash. It's always amazing to me, that many people take at face value, the stated price for hotel rooms.

This fact is true whether traveling abroad or traveling here in the United States. When you step up to that check-in counter, be totally aware that not everyone staying at the hotel is paying the same rate for the identical room.

In many parts of the world, especially outside of America, it's accepted and expected that one would haggle over the price of a room. Throughout Asia, this is absolutely a reality. Hotel comparison-shopping is the best way to get the greatest hotel rates. Also, remember that booking hotel rooms as far in advance as possible -- is a wise rule.

If you do your homework before you book your reservation, chances are you'll come out far ahead of the guy checking in beside you. Yes, it's a little bit of work, but in the end, you'll arrive in Hong Kong with more money in your wallet. Travelers should never be bashful about asking for discounted rates.

Here are some tips for getting the best rates for hotel accommodations in Hong Kong, do you:

• Want to stay on Hong Kong Island?
• Want to stay in Kowloon? If, so where in Kowloon?
• Need to be near the airport for business purposes?
• Are there certain attractions you want to be near?

For instance, here is a checklist of the main attractions in Hong Kong:

Hong Kong Island

• Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum
• Golden Buahinia Square
• Happy Valley Racecourse
• Hollywood Road
• Hong Kong Maritime Museum
• Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defense
• Hong Kong Racing Museum
• Jumbo Kingdom
• Lan Kawi Fong
• Man Mo Temple
• Murray House
• Ocean Park
• Repulse Bay
• Sheung Wan Fong
• SoHo
• Stanley Market
• The Peak
• Western Market

Kowloon:

• Apliu Street Flea Market
• Avenue of Stars
• Bird Garden
• Clock Tower
• Flower Market
• Goldfish Market
• Hong Kong Cultural Centre
• Hong Kong Museum of Art
• Hong Kong Museum of History
• Hong Kong Science Museum
• Hong Kong Space Museum
• Jade Market and Jade Street
• Kowloon Walled City Park
• Ladies' Market
• Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar
• Temple Street Night Market
• Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple

New Territories:

• Che Kung Temple
• Ching Chung Koon
• Fung Ying Seen Koon
• Hong Kong Heritage Museum
• Hong Kong Wetland Park
• Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail
• Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees
• Mai Po Wetlands
• Ping Shan Heritage Trail
• Sam Tung Uk Museum
• Sai Kung Promenade
• Sai Kung Town
• Tai Fu Tai
• Tin Hau Temple
• Tsang Tai Uk

Outlaying Islands:

• Cheung Chau
• Giant Buddha
• Hong Kong Disneyland
• Lamma Island
• Po Lin Monastery
• SkyPlaza
• Tai O Fishing Village
• The Wisdom Path

2. Do your preliminary homework online:

Once you've narrowed down your idea of where you want to stay in Hong Kong, and before you book hotel reservations with anyone -- window shop online. Check all of the normal tried and trusted websites for hotel discount reservations. Some of the suggested sites are:

Cull from these, ideas of which hotels are within your price range. Look at the pictures they provide of the hotel's rooms and amenities. As you build your list, compare which of these consolidators (also called hotel brokers) has the best price for the same hotel as their competitor(s).

When compiling your list, keep in mind that the common "star" rating system, isn't necessarily based in reality. The rater's realities are subjective to who initiated the rating. Those stars may have been given by the consolidator (package tour operator), local government, business organizations, the hotel itself, or the owners.

Use them only as a tool to have starting point. Remember the higher the star, usually the higher the price.

Do Not Book Now! Remember You Are Window Shopping!

3. Once you've compiled a list of possible hotels, then check the secondary Hong Kong consolidator's for their best prices on these same hotels. Some of the many consolidators offering Asia and Hong Kong hotel rates are:

Do Not Book Now! You Still Have More Work to Do!

4. Select your top five to ten picks for possible hotels and visit your local travel agent. Challenge them to beat the best prices you have found with the same hotels. Sometimes they will have inside sources for the same hotels and destinations. Give them a couple of days to come up with their best suggestions.

Do Not Book Now! There is More to Consider!

5. Get on the phone and speak directly with the hotel, while you are waiting for your local travel agent to get back to you. Often hotels run specials that can't be obtained through central reservation systems. Some hotels have a "fallback" rate for potential guests who are resistant to the quoted rate.

Ask if :

• The hotel is offering any promotions or packages;
• Ask if they have special rates for groups such as: (AARP, AAA, Senior, Family Rates, Hotel Membership, Weekend Discounts, Government Discounts, Frequent Flier, Convention, Military, or Corporate);

If the price isn't low enough, then, ask if:

• They can beat the lowest rate your research has uncovered.

Do Not Book Now! You have More Opportunities to Save More!

6. Dig deep and make sure in all cases you know the "Full Cost" of your potential great deals. Remember the best rate isn't your whole bill. Ask about and check out:

• Taxes
• Resort Fees
• Tourist Bed Fees
• Energy Surcharges
• Any other "hidden extra charges"

These are important considerations. Additionally, double check that the prices quoted to you are in U.S. dollars, not Hong Kong dollars.

At this Point You are Ready to Make Your Reservation! Book Your Room Now!

7. Now that you are armed with as much information on these hotels as possible, check back with your local travel agent for their best price. Once you've made your decision on where to stay in Hong Kong and who or what agency you are booking through -- make sure in booking that:

• You get and record your confirmation numbers.
• If you should book directly with the hotel, have them email or fax you confirmation and make sure you have the name of the person making the reservation.
• Make sure that this is a confirmed reservation, not a reservation request.
• Know the hotel's cancellation policy, in case of emergency or last minute change in travel plans.

After booking your hotel reservation:

1. Once your reservation has been made, especially if you have been wise enough to have made the reservation well in advance, follow-up. Periodically, call back or check online to see if the rates have gone down. If they have, rebook at the lower rate if there is no penalty for doing so.

2. Try to check in between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and don't be shy about asking for a free room upgrade. If you wait until later in the evening, most of the good rooms will be gone. It never hurts to ask for this.

Remember an educated hotel choice is always the wisest one.

Lastly -- Be sure to check out my Hub tips on:

• Choosing a Moderately Priced Hotel in Hong Kong
• My List on What to See and Do in Hong Kong
• Why Every American Should See Asia