Hong Kong Exams and Assessment Authority: Cheap hotels, accomodation

[TCcookie]

I am taking the LSAT in Hong Kong on Sunday, 10 October. I will be flying in on that Friday evening and out on the next Monday morning. The test is administered in the Hong Kong Exams and Assessment Authority on 17 Tseuk Luk Street in San Po Kong.

I have never been to Hong Kong and have only heard that staying there is super expensive. Can anyone point me in the right direction to find affordable accommodation for those couple days at most around 20 minutes from the testing site? Also, 顺便, if anyone has taken a test at the center and can give some useful tips, that would be great, too.

[roddy]

Not much specific advice I'm afraid, but . . .

Hong Kong doesn't need to be that expensive if you don't fear claustrophobia. I've stayed at the Oi Suen close to the subway for 230HKD, and a cheap end guesthouse in Mirador or Chongqing Mansions (which I freely admit might not be everyone's cup of tea) would be I guess cheaper again. But you've got to be aware that rooms in Hong Kong are small. No, smaller than that. You often see people complaining online that their guesthouse room was tiny, hardly any room to put luggage, and the shower was directly over the toilet. Oh and there were no windows, just a ventilation fan. Basically, they're all like that, get used to it or get richer.

I've got some decent deals on Agoda.com, although it's a little tricky to use - mainly as you can't sort by price. The Bridal Tea House chain seems ok - only stayed in one of their hotels (Hung Hom, as it's handy for the mainland train) but the rooms are nicer than the usual guesthouse fare and the bathrooms are actually fantastic. But again don't be expecting to swing any cats. Have stayed there for under 300HKD a night via Agoda I think, though that might need a bit of luck.

None of those are near your test center though.

Given that you'll have Saturday to scout things out, I wouldn't fixate too much on staying right next to the test center - the subway system in Hong Kong is fantastic, and you'll have time on the Saturday to get an Oyster card and do a trial run if you want.

Good luck with the exam!

[jbradfor]

Well, if roddy can give un-specific advice, I can too :blink:

Here is a link to google maps showing where google thinks the place is (look for the green arrow): http://maps.google.c...+Hong+Kong&z=17

I tried to do some searching, but didn't have much luck. The only place I found nearby is the Regal Oriental. It's not cheap, about HKD800 and up per night, but it's not too small (24 m^2), free internet, and free hotel shuttle. Google shows it about 0.75 km away, so probably a 1 km walk. You should be able to do that in 20 minutes. Here is a map:

http://maps.google.c...2,0.021865&z=16

I'm not that familiar with Hong Kong, but what I know of that area it's a mostly residential area; I'm not sure how many hotels there are around there. As roddy said, you might be better just picking a place farther away, and take a taxi.

And is Hong Kong expensive? Well, it's cheaper than Tokyo! I think it's also cheaper than most of Europe right now, especially when you take food expense into account.

P.S. Roddy, it's an octopus card, not an oyster card. The oyster card is in London.

[roddy]

'Sall mollusks, innit.

Looks like it's on the same subway line as Mongkok, should be plenty of places around there - the Oi Suen is around there, though nearer Mongkok East, which is a different line.

Do you have an actual budget in mind at all? That always makes things easier.

[TCcookie]

Under 300, so the Oi Suen place sounds worth checking further into.

Also, now that I'm thinking about it. I'm studying in Nanjing right now and got stuck with (unknown to me before I came) a US bank with bad ATM fees. Can I take a wad of RMB and change it with no problem and then change back what's left when I leave? I'll use the ATM if I have to, but I'd like to avoid it.

[roddy]

Should be no problem, every second shopfront in Hong Kong is a money changer (every first one is a 7-11). A lot of places will accept RMB (presumably not at a great rate) and there are money exchange places everywhere. Not sure how much rates vary, but presumably the usual rules of avoiding changing too much at the airport apply. Also you can usually use RMB for hotel / hostel deposits, which saves you getting several hundred HKD in your hand just before you leave the territory.

Just had a quick peak at hostelworld.com - they have several options at Sincere House, which is where Oi Suen is. It's nothing special, but a lot nicer than Chongqing Mansions (less 'character', but who wants character). Look on their map and find Mongkok and Mongkok East stations - it's the little cluster in between. Oi Suen is ok, but if you can see something else that looks better, it may well be. If you really want to keep costs down Chongqing or Mirador will be cheaper, but it'd be a (easy) change on the subway to get to where you're going. Can't see any cheap places near where your exam is.

Thought: I can't get the site to work, but you may get a better rate ordering currency in advance.

[889]

The exam center's in a very un-central part of Hong Kong. It'd be easy to take a wrong-turn and get delayed on your way there, so leave yourself plenty of time.

[jbradfor]

TCcookie, it's obviously your decision, but are you really sure you want to go so cheap for a hotel?

You'll be sleeping there for two nights before your test. Don't discount the importance of a good nights sleep before a major test. Plus I would expect you'd be in a better mood at a nicer hotel. And if you are planning on spending Saturday cramming, a bigger place might help you concentrate.

This is likely important to you, you're already spending for the plane ticket, testing fees, etc. Is saving about HKD1500-2000 worth risking getting a bad hotel with a bad bed and noisy neighbors, etc?

Obviously I don't know your financial situation. For all I know you had to borrow money from all your friends and relatives just for the plane ticket, or prostitute yourself for a month, or something. But I have a feeling this is not the case.

[gato]

You should get money exchanged at a bank if possible because banks offer the best rates. The difference is usually around 5-10% between bank rate and the exchange rate at the airport.

On hotels, I second jbradford's comments. HKD 800 is about standard for a 2-3 star hotel in Hong Kong. Remember each RMB is worth about 1.1 HKD.

No cramming needed for the LSAT (it's like the GRE). Just take plenty of practice tests.

[abcdefg]

With regard to Chongqing Mansions, the fine film "Chunking Express" 《重庆森林》 gives a flavor of the area， especially in the film's first segment. Plus it's got excellent acting by Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro. Saw it twice last year and would love to see it again.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109424/

[Pearl River]

I know that area actually. I once had a summer job in a textile factory in the same street! I had nothing but fond memories of that place. It's very working class with lots of cheap and cheerful cafes, restaurants and shops. Check out this link: http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/ipe/toefl/index.html (they actually have info on hotels nearby.

Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees and Regal Oriental are both nearby.

Good luck! 祝考试成功！

[Pearl River]

Sorry, left out some important info. The exam centre is close to Wong Tai Sin (黄大仙) MTR station. So if you're looking for hotels, try and stick to the East Kowloon line, so you don't have to change lines, platforms etc. If you're on a budget, I suggest you consider staying in Kwun Tong, a bustling working class area which is only six stations away on the same line. There is Newton Inn in Kwun Tong which I believe is quite reasonable and seems to have recevied a lot of positive feedback on the Tripadvisor website. While you're in Kwun Tong, visit the Hollywood Plaza for lots of great shopping. From Kwun Tong, taking the MTR to your exam centre at San Po Kong (MTR: 黄大仙) should take around 20 minutes. Get there early and you can pop into Wong Tai Sin Temple and pray for divine help!!! Also, at Diamond Hill (one stop from Wong Tai Sin), there is the absolutely beautiful Chi Lin Nunnery with a gorgeous lotus garden. A must in your itinerary. Anyway, once again, best of luck!

[roddy]

Wow, that's pretty specific advice. Excellent.

Re the suitability of cheap accommodation - I don't think I've ever paid more than 350HKD and certainly never more than 400HKD, but have never had any problems. Rooms are small and basic, but clean and functional. You won't get a desk though (actually the Bridal Tea House I stayed in did, but it was so comically small I hesitate to mention it) and for that you likely need an actual hotel. But we all know the day before an exam should be rest and relaxation.

[TCcookie]

Thank you all for your excellent advice. I feel much better about making preparations now. Keep the advice coming, if anyone else has any, and I will update with my final choice and follow up with how it goes.

[TCcookie]

Thank you all for the great advice. I ended up using agoda.com and was able to stay at the Bridal Teahouse on Winslow Road (Hung Hom) for $36 a night (paid in US dollars through Agoda).

I was pleased with the hotel. As pointed out above, the rooms are tiny, but it was very clean and in a convenient location just minutes away from the MTR. I had no problem comfortably getting to the testing center from there. Unfortunately, due to a string of incredibly unfortunate events (delayed flights, missed flights, forgotten credit cards, eaten ATM cards), I had a horrible weekend in Hong Kong and can't comment on any touristy things because I didn't really do anything touristy--other than endlessly walk around the city like a ghost.

I endorse agoda.com and the Bridal Teahouse chain for test takers. I also spent a night (after my missed flight) in Chunking Mansion in the "Head Sun Guest House" where I paid $100 (HK) and probably could have gone cheaper. That guesthouse was not very nice, but I was surprised by the apparent quality of some of the guesthouses nearby in the mansion, and they were all much cheaper than any other hotel in the city.

[jbradfor]

Thanks for reporting back!

And how did the test go, if I dare ask?

[TCcookie]

Oh, it went okay. I was glad that I felt like my awful experience didn't affect my test performance, and I got a decent score. Originally I was hoping to apply to a top-tier school and based on my first sample test and planned preparations thought that I had an excellent shot. Although my score is decent, it does not put me in the range of what top schools usually accept, so unless my experience in China counts for quite a bit, I'm having to lower my sights a bit, which is disappointing. I suppose many people have similar experiences, though, regretting that they didn't prepare as they ought to have.

Oh, this might be better in a different thread, but the proctoring of the test was 乱七八糟. I was surprised because I thought it would be good in Hong Kong. The proctors were awful, and students were getting away working on their tests through the break, going back to old sections whenever they felt like it--stuff that would have gotten their test materials confiscated and their scores canceled back in the States. I kept pointing people out to the proctors, they would just give the students a stern look, and then the students would slowly reopen their books as the proctor walked away. It made me mad.

Actually, there was even worse cheating going on involving exchange of eraser-looking things during the break that my American friend who also happened to be there taking the test saw. She reported it to LSAC, so that's good. I should report, too, I suppose, but it's a pain...