After studying for a year abroad in China, when coming home there were no connecting flights the same day from another area of China, so had to find a hotel for the night in Hong Kong. As a student I was looking for a cheap but manageable hotel where I could stay the night before my final flight home, however this was the second cheapest. The hotel was around £80 for the night, I suppose a standard price for a decent hotel but I was swayed by the "only a 20 minute bus journey away from Hong Kong International Airport". Upon arrival at Hong Kong Airport, it seems no buses or MTR's run directly to the hotel, and a taxi will cost around 200+ Hong Kong Dollars. After a bus, MTR and short taxi journey, I arrived at the hotel for a cut price, but stressful, 80 HKD.

The hotel itself seemed quite grand but quite in need of refurbishment from the outside. No one was waiting to open the door for you or take your luggage, but i was just happy to have made it to the hotel. After a short wait at reception - the hotel seems constantly busy with large groups staying in the hotel - I showed all the necessary documents for my room, but I was unaware that VISA debit cards cannot be used for the deposit, something to watch out for if you're not carrying much cash on you and don't have a credit card.

I eventually got to my room and must say I was hugely impressed. Everything looked very modern and clean, with my own kitchen, bathroom, study area and double bed, as well as an amazing view over this area of Hong Kong. However, wired Internet in my room would cost 120 HKD per 10 hour slot, which I refused, but there is free wifi in the lobby. I then went for a walk outside to take some pictures - I took some of the huge, impressive bridges nearby but otherwise felt completely isolated. I didn't know where I could go, what I could do or generally how I could amuse myself. It seems the nearest area to go to for food etc is around a 5 minute taxi journey away, something I didn't want to do later on at night, so instead went to the hotel shop - selling drinks, different foods, it was good enough for one night to survive on. However, as with many places in Hong Kong, those attempting to use Chinese RMB will struggle in this situation - many places will only accept 50 or 100 RMB notes as they regularly encounter " a lot of fakes" among the lower currency notes, something I now highly doubt but it is in fact an easier way to make money - the hotel was willing to exchange my RMB for HKD but at a 1 for 1 rate, so I would definitely recommend getting some money exchanged at the airport before going to the hotel!

I finally sat down with my hefty cup noodle and the kettle didn't work, and after spending many failed minutes trying to work out how to use the phone in my room, I went downstairs to the desk again and told them I needed someone to come immediately and fix it, which admittedly they did, within 5 minutes. One of those working on the desk also prepared me a wake up call for the morning and answered any questions I had regarding transport, eating out etc, but still I cannot say the service felt friendly or hugely approachable. I waited at the desk on one occasion with two members of staff not even acknowledging me but knowing I was there, something I never appreciate.

I slept extremely well, albeit I was extremely worn out from the day's events, but the double bed and shower were both brilliant. I hadn't paid for the morning breakfast which of course was something else you had to pay a small fee for, but got a taxi the following morning - there were two waiting outside the hotel doors for anyone who needed them, and overall the 200 HKD were worth it after the stressful experience the previous day.

Overall, I would say that the hotel is very well designed and decorated and I was very impressed with my room, but the isolation from any other areas and the reasonably unfriendly customer service, especially for such a price, meant that I was quite disappointed with the hotel. I would definitely suggest going for a slightly more expensive hotel which has the transport to the airport included, as overall it may work out cheaper!

We booked here for 3 days and 2 nights. The hotel is very nice with pool, gym and sauna. Breakfast is okay. You can see the Tsing Ma & Ting Kai Bridge and the South China Sea. But it is far from the city. Although the hotel offers complimentary shuttle bus. We joined a group tour so we didn't have problems with the transportation. But we were not able to go around the city at night on our own since it is far. Taxis available but we didn't try. No stores nearby and restaurant nearby. You can only eat at the restaurant of the hotel. If I will visit again Hongkong I will choose a different hotel near the attractions and happenings area.

Royal View is too remote from the city's major attractions and supermarkets, REAL time consuming for visiting, blending in the culture, as well as supplying; hotel shuttle bus is free but not frequent; some staff members are bureaucratic and arrogant so do NOT expect to make yourself "home"; yes, as mentioned in other reviews, the carpet in many rooms are with wet stains and some is smelly, but pest control is well done; bathrobes and extra pillows are not in the standard issue but you can ask for them; razors are provided; charged Internet service is fast enough for general browsing but NOT downloading or uploading; rooms are spacious but the mattresses are too hard; the swimming pool, spa and gym are excellent facilities but unfortunately those are not the focus of tourists; rooms' seaview is good but the view of rooms on lower floors are blocked by trees; there is a beach nearby but not sure if there is any lifeguard.
All in all, if you feel exhausted and want to stay inside a hotel and refresh for a day or two, Royal View is an option, otherwise, it is NOT worth wasting time on traveling around.