Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees

It’s been nearly 15 years since my family and I have spent two months in amazing Hong Kong every summer, and this is the first time I’ve stayed at the same hotel for such a long period. Last year, for example, we explored Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai and stayed in around a dozen different hotels. This year, however, it was 8 Degrees, followed by 8 Degrees, followed by… 8 Degrees again and again... Somehow, this hotel created a strange addiction. We became almost completely unable to move elsewhere, except on weekends, when hotel prices in Hong Kong skyrocket. But why? IS IT THE ROOM? Not really. We had two Superior Rooms. They weren't small by Hong Kong standards, but they weren't particularly spacious either. I'd describe them as "just big enough." Harbour Plaza Resort City, from the same brand, has far bigger rooms for the same price, but in a very distant suburb. That said, the design doesn’t feel cheap, and overall, the rooms meet the standard you’d expect from a four-star hotel in Hong Kong. IS IT THE BATHROOM? Not really either. The bathroom is elegantly designed, but small, with a questionable showerhead, and it's partially enclosed in glass. That said, the hotel has found a clever solution to the nighttime light issue: a smart wallpaper reduces the amount of light visible from outside when someone uses the bathroom during the night, so the glass was not particularly bothersome. And if you're lucky, some rooms actually have bathrooms enclosed by proper walls. IS IT THE LOCATION? The hotel is in a relatively poor and old part of Hong Kong, which probably helps keep prices down (although the brand’s reputation for offering good value also plays a role, of course). But honestly, the neighbourhood is more of an asset. Hong Kong is one of the safest places on Earth, so even though many of the surrounding buildings are old and somewhat run-down, you get something increasingly difficult to find elsewhere: an authentic local Hong Kong atmosphere. People are kind, and there is practically everything you need within walking distance. There are countless restaurants offering an incredible variety of flavours, as well as banks, supermarkets such as Wellcome and Fusion, doctors, dentists, laundries and pharmacies, and places that stay open late, or even all night. It's alive, but it's very quiet; don't expect annoying noises at all. Take the time to explore the surroundings. The closest MTR station (metro), Sung Wong Toi, is about a 10-minute walk away, and there are plenty of buses nearby. And if you eventually get tired of the old buildings, simply walk towards the spectacular Kai Tak area. You'll suddenly find yourself surrounded by modern skyscrapers, shopping malls, a spectacular stadium and impressive five-star-like seaside promenades that feel like another city altogether. Of course, take the MTR and/or the ferry nearby for even more fun and excitement: Hong Kong is an incredible city to explore, with something new seemingly waiting around every corner. Visit the skyscrapers of Central, the Times Square area at Causeway Bay, take the tram on Hong Kong Island, feel the wind in your hair and the ocean smell. Then escape the urban jungle for a while in the hills, on the waterfront, or on one of the city’s many hiking trails. Go to the beach of Big Wave Bay, to see the surfers and swim into the waves with them. The contrast is what makes Hong Kong so fascinating: a dense, fast-paced metropolis where modern architecture, old temples, traditional markets, nature, and spectacular harbour views all coexist within a surprisingly small, extremely safe area. You will love it. Yet, back to the hotel review... IS IT THE STAFF? This one is more complicated. Some staff are warm and helpful; others are rather cold, as can happen anywhere, of course. The concierges, in particular, were excellent. I appreciated their help when I urgently needed to find a doctor, for example, and I was grateful when they spontaneously lent me an umbrella so I wouldn't get soaked in the rain. Unfortunately, my experience at reception was more mixed. At one point, I needed to make a one-minute emergency phone call to my home country to resolve a 2FA authentication problem that was blocking my phone and all my bank cards. I was surprised that a member of the front-desk staff refused to let me make the urgent call. After staying for a month and a half, I also felt that there wasn't much recognition of such a long stay. No commercial gesture of any kind, for instance. At one point, we had to change one of our two rooms due to maintenance, and they even moved us into a smaller room. I'm not trying to sound demanding or entitled. It's simply that, after such a long stay, I felt that the reception staff treated guests a little like numbers. It's understandable, of course: people come and go. But I think it's an area where there is room for improvement. The concierges, on the other hand, were much more personal and caring. SO WHAT MAKES THIS HOTEL SO SPECIAL? All of the above might make 8 Degrees sound like an average hotel. It isn't. There is one thing that completely changed our stay and, for us, elevated the entire hotel to another level: You will experience some of the best sleep of your life here. And I genuinely mean that. I'm not sure exactly what the secret is. Maybe it's the quietness of the rooms. Maybe it's the mattresses and pillows, which somehow manage to be neither too firm nor too soft. Maybe it's the air conditioning combined with the dehumidifier. Perhaps it's simply the combination of everything. Whatever the reason, we slept 10–12 hours a day for a month and a half. We have never experienced anything like it in a hotel. The swimming pool is also excellent and was another highlight of the hotel. FINAL VERDICT 8 Degrees isn't perfect. The rooms are not huge, the bathrooms aren't ideal, and the front-desk experience can feel impersonal. But after spending a month and a half there, what stayed with us was something much more important: the incredible sleep, the authentic neighbourhood, the convenient location, the excellent swimming pool and the genuinely helpful concierge team. Overall, the comfort and affordable price (at least during the week) make this hotel excellent value for money. We came to Hong Kong expecting to move between hotels as we normally do. Instead, we kept coming back to 8 Degrees. That probably says everything. TIPS AND TRICKS • Airport: Find a Seven/Eleven shop and buy an Octopus prepay card, charge it with HK$200 and access all the transportation thanks to it (it can also replace cash in many shops). To reach the hotel, take the bus A22, get off at Geranium House (around HK$50, while expect HK$300 by taxi). Don't change your money at the Airport, the rate is not good. • Banks: if you're exchanging cash into HKD, Bank of China, in the city, usually offers one of the best rates. If you're withdrawing cash with a foreign debit card, Hang Seng Bank is a good choice because its withdrawal limit is one of the highest I've found, at HK$20,000. • Laundry: Directly opposite the hotel is a very cheap laundrette where you can pay with your Octopus Card. Washing includes detergent. For drying, do two cycles; one isn't enough. • Dentist: I had a very good experience at Aegis Dental nearby. It was reasonably priced (HK$480 for a dental hygienist appointment, compared with around HK$600–800 elsewhere in Hong Kong), and the hygienist took the time to explain how to improve my cleaning technique almost tooth by tooth. Excellent service. • Doctor: Chun Hong Medical Center, near the hotel, was also a very good experience. There was no waiting time, and the doctor didn't simply rush to prescribe antibiotics. He genuinely took the time to understand the problem and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Enjoy your trip in Hong Kong, China's best city in my opinion.

I live on the 19th floor. Housewife May huang Super good, good care👍 and careful, Do the work very carefully, work hard😊 Worth promising 🙂

Nice service and convenient location 👍