In vibrant Tsim Sha Tsui, near shopping and restaurants
Walk to metro in 10 minutes
One-of-a-kind rooms featuring artwork by local artists
Single Rooms available and all rooms have en-suite bathrooms
Air-conditioning, towels, and linens provided
Communal lounge with foosball table and beer fridge (Carnarvon location)
Rooftop terrace
Internet corner
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Some rooms lack windows
Glass-walled en-suite bathrooms allow no privacy
Not all features, like foosball and rooftop terrace, at both locations
No communal kitchen
The two-pearl Hop Inn provides one-of-a-kind rooms in two different locations in Hong Kong's vibrant Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood. It's part of a trendy wave of boutique hostels, and rooms are designed by local artists. We visited the Carnarvon Road location, and rooms range from compact Single Rooms without windows, to four-person rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. Be warned, though, that bathrooms are glass-walled and have almost no privacy from the main room. There's a bespoke gift shop on site, and the Carnarvon location has a lounge with foosball, DVDs, and books. Travelers can compare rates at the nearby InnSight, which also has individually decorated rooms.
Scene
Eclectic hostel with local art and two locations
Covered in wall-to-wall graffiti, curated art work, and messages from previous guests, the Hop Inn's interiors are like an artist's loft with a playground vibe. At the Carnarvon location, a ceiling light made of articulated desk lamps illuminates a small lobby, while a chalkboard displaying news and pertinent info hangs above the simple front desk. Posters and signs are squeezed into the few open wall spaces, though the hallways leading to the rooms are devoid of clutter. There's a lounge filled with books, DVDs, and games like foosball for guests to mingle plus a rooftop terrace at the Carnarvon location. Most guests tend to be younger travelers and backpackers on a budget.
Location
Within walking distance to major Kowloon attractions
Surrounded by shops and restaurants, Hop Inn's two locations are conveniently situated in the heart of the Tsim Sha Tsui neighborhood. Both spots are a six-minute walk from one another, and there are plans for a third location also within walking distance. The Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station is about a 10-minute walk from both locations, and various attractions can be reached on foot, such as the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the sprawling green space of Kowloon Park. For a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, check out the Avenue of the Stars -- known as Hong Kong's version of Hollywood's Walk of Fame -- a promenade that bustles with tourists lining up to pose with a bronze statue of Bruce Lee and other celebrities. Expect a 40-minute drive to Hong Kong International Airport.
Rooms
Basic hostel rooms with artistic flair and charm
In both locations, Hop Inn offers rooms that range from compact Single Rooms to larger rooms that hold up to four people with single, double, and bunk beds. All are individually decorated by local artists with varying themes (one features a colorful depiction of embracing soldiers that says "love your enemy," and another displays a monochrome landscape). Despite the striking artwork, these are relatively basic rooms, and there's exposed piping in some while others lack any windows. Furniture is generally limited to beds, though Single Rooms have a nightstand with a reading light. Each room is air-conditioned and has a 22- to 26-inch flat-screen TV with a built-in DVD player. A rarity in many hostels, each room has its own en-suite bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. There are two caveats: 1. Bathrooms are wet rooms and the whole space serves as the shower cubicle, meaning that the entire bathroom gets wet while showering and, 2. Bathrooms are housed in glass stalls that offer zero privacy even with the help of curtains in multi-person rooms (many of the curtains are translucent). Towels, toiletries, and bed linens are all provided.
Features
Rooftop terrace, guest lounge, and foosball table
Apart from storage lockers and a guest safe deposit box, most facilities are at the Carnarvon Road location. These include a leafy rooftop terrace, and the communal lounge. The lounge includes a big white couch, an honor bar with beer, a foosball table, a large DVD library collection, and a lending library with books. There's also an Internet corner and a small gift shop with bespoke items for sale. Wi-Fi is free in both locations. A communal kitchen would be a nice touch, but neither locations offer one.