Hong Kong has a variety of accommodations for families, and from the most posh business hotels to the local YMCA, children are very welcome.  Read about my favorite business and budget options below.

Glitzy Business Hotels, Bring Along the Kids!

The Langham Hotel
8 Peking Road, Kowloon
Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
852 2375 1133
Not to be confused with its Hong Kong sister property, Langham Place Hotel, the Langham has a great location right near Nathan Road, the main thoroughfare of the Tsim Sha Tsui district.  The 469 rooms and 26 suites are both stylish and comfortable, and a free extra bed is available for kids up to 12 years old.  Rooms have a choice of king or two double beds, plus interesting perks like a mist-free mirror and complimentary laundry service.  The suites really crank up the luxury with a Jacuzzi, two televisions, and upgraded bathroom amenities. Renovations of the guest rooms are underway and are expected to be completed by September 2007. A Mediterranean-style rooftop pool and large fitness club allow for relaxing exercise, while some high-quality restaurants can help guests refuel (most offer a children’s menu and kids are always welcome). 

Dining favorites include T'ang Court, a Cantonese restaurant honored by Gourmet Magazine as one of the “World’s Best Hotel Dining Rooms,” and the Western-themed Bostonian Restaurant.  Travelers and expats seeking some serious comfort food might stop by at the Main St. Deli, inspired by the hotel director’s visit to New York City’s 2nd Avenue Deli.  Where else in Hong Kong could you find Dr. Brown’s soda?  For a grown-ups-only night on the town, childcare is available through the Langham’s housekeeping department.  Rooms run between about US$346 and US$525/N, while suites start around US$833/N and climb from there.  

Kowloon Shangri-La
64 Mody Road, Kowloon
Tsim Sha Tsui East
Kowloon, Hong Kong
852 2721 2111
The Kowloon Shangri-La has gone through major renovations in the past few years, and it shows: everywhere from the dazzling, gilded lobby to the 700 upgraded guestrooms and suites, this hotel is beautiful.  Rooms offer either a king or two double beds with flat-screen TV, wireless Internet, and marble bathroom, and many have a priceless view of neighboring Victoria Harbor.  The health club includes a heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and workout equipment, and childcare can be booked through the concierge. 

Great dining options (always open to kids, all the time, and many with children’s menus) include dim sum and other Cantonese specialties at the Shang Palace, the Japanese flavor of Nadaman’s sushi bar, and the not-to-be-missed for families Café Kool.  At Café Kool, diners visit a variety of open kitchens—salad, seafood, Western, Asian, Indian, and dessert, to be precise—to pick up a varied, delicious meal buffet-style.  Much of the food is cooked right in front of you (the naan bread arrives straight from the tandoori oven), and the chocolate fountain is to die for.  For pickier eaters, the “Kool for the Kids” list offers more standard children’s menu fare.  Rooms at the Kowloon Shangri-La start at about US$348/N and can climb upwards of about US $2,000/N for the fanciest of suites.

JW Marriott Hong Kong
Pacific Place
88 Queensway
Hong Kong
852 2810 8366
Located right next to the world-class Pacific Place shopping center, with direct indoor access to the Admiralty MTR station, the JW Marriott is top-notch in both service and location.  It holds 577 rooms including 25 suites, and accommodations offer a king-size bed or two double beds.  Connecting rooms are available for larger families, and complimentary rollaways and baby cots are available upon request.  There’s also babysitting, wireless Internet, in-room fresh fruit, an outdoor pool, children's playground, Sony Playstation upon request, and a 24-hour health club. 

The Marriott has plenty of luxurious dining options including 24-hour, in-room dining, the Man Ho Chinese Restaurant with its variety of Cantonese seafood and health-promoting dishes, the Marriott Café, serving international buffets all day, and the California and Sushi Bar.  Children are welcome in all restaurants, special requests are honored, coloring paper and crayons are likely to appear, and children’s menus are available.  And as you would expect, the service everywhere is impeccable.  Up to two kids under the age of 12 can stay in their parents' room free of extra charge, and they’ll even receive cute welcome gifts at check-in. 

Great Location, Better for a Budget

Salisbury YMCA
41 Salisbury Road
Kowloon, Hong Kong
852 2268 7888
With perhaps one of the prime tourist locations in Hong Kong (situated steps from the Star Ferry, Cultural Center, Art Museum, Space Museum, and Nathan Road), the YMCA is also celebrated by many as one of the best deals in town.  It has what you might expect, dorm-style bunk beds at about US $30/N a pop plus 10% service charge (perhaps not a bad deal for a family of four), and it also has standard, simply furnished, hotel-style rooms, and specifically-designated family suites with king bed, living room, sofa bed, cable TV, wireless Internet, and a mini-bar. Whether you’re staying in or going out, there’s plenty for an active family to do. The YMCA offers an above-average choice of family-friendly services, including a reasonably-priced cafeteria with food all day (children’s menu available), two adult pools and a children’s pool, fitness center, rock climbing walls, and children’s library.  Suite rates vary from about US$195 and US$234/N depending on the season.

BP International House
No. 8 Austin Road
Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
852 2376 1111
Another conveniently located budget accommodation, the BP International House allows kids under 12 to stay free in its 529 rooms.  The on-site Café on the Park offers both buffet and à la carte options throughout the day.  This property seems to expect that families will come for a stay, since babysitting is available upon request and family rooms with either triple or quad bunks are an option.  These family rooms cost between about US $161 to US$174/N; a standard room with an extra bed for a teen would start around the same price.  The BP International House is also right next to Kowloon Park and a short walk to Nathan Road.

Holiday Inn Golden Mile
50 Nathan Road
Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
852 2369 3111
Yet another relatively reasonably-priced, dependable property in a great location, the Holiday Inn Golden Mile has a rooftop pool, a well-stocked health club, babysitting upon request, and a variety of cuisines available.  The 585 guestrooms and eight suites include high-speed Internet, bathrobes, and refrigerators, while rollaway beds are available with prior notice.  Hungry families can choose between the Avenue Restaurant and Bar, Café Vienna, the Loong Yuen Cantonese Restaurant, and, for a delicious bite on the go, the Delicatessen Corner.  The view isn’t great, but the street address is, and double rooms run from about US$135 to US$206/N; suites start at US$450/N.  Maximum occupancy for a room is two adults and two children; children under 19 sharing existing bedding can stay for free.

For other accommodation ideas, contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board's multilingual visitor hotline at 852 2508 1234, or visit www.discoverhongkong.com.