Serviced Apartments - need advice!!!

[Trooper_Chyna]

Hello All,

My husband has just recently been transferred to Hong Kong, so we are going to be re-locating there in late September.

We have just been informed that they will be paying for a serviced apartment for us for 6 months (!!!) and have given us a list of apartments to choose from. Its so hard to know by pictures on the internet which ones are suitable. Any advice would help!

We are moving there from London (originally from Canada).

2 MacDonnell Road
338 Apartment
Luard on the Park
The Burlington
Como Como
Shama Mid-Levels
Lily Court
The Bauhinia
Treasure View

Pinnacle
Han Residence

He is going to be working in Kowloon, but we have been told its better to live more Central.

Thoughts?

[wtbhotia]

He is going to be working in Kowloon, but we have been told its better to live more Central. Thoughts?

He will hate the daily commute to Kowloon on the MTR (underground train) during peak hours, imagine sardines in a can with all kinds of smells during summer

Best to stay in Kowloon. I let the others who have experience in staying in the serviced apartment to give their feedback.

[meremale]

Hello All,
He is going to be working in Kowloon, but we have been told its better to live more Central.
Thoughts?

Depending on which part of Kowloon your husband is working. If his office is at ICC, the building is at Kowloon MTR station along the Tung Chung MTR line, than staying at Central should not be a problem (just 1 MTR from Central).

[RobRoy]

I will move in to the Lily Court on Tuesday, so I'll post here what I think of it.

One that is not on your list, which is nice, is The Mood, with duplex apartments.

[Prof Kate]

I am looking for a flat myself, but i am already in Hong Kong... from little that i have seen here, i can say Pinnacle is an option is they pay for your 6 months lease (it is rather expensive--and right now sold out). I know a lot of my British colleagues live in Central--but i find the commute to Kowloon exhausting--unless you take a taxi (taxis are relatively cheap here but traffic might be an issue). Another option is to find a place in Tsim Sha Tsui... I have not seen 338 Apartment, but i think it looks nice form the web (i did not go to check because they did not have a space for me at the time).

[Danhkbound]

Hello All,

My wife and I will be moving to HK (from USA) as well in a couple of weeks. I am looking for a serviced apartment near Shatin, Ma On Shan or Tai Po since I will be commuting to Shenzhen for work. My budget is 25K/mth HKD to be reimbursed monthly by my new employer.

I read about Horizon Suites in Ma On Shan. Any comments/suggestions regarding Horizon Suites or other serviced apartments in the area?

Thanks for all your helpful comments.

[John Doe Jr]

If you want a 6 month contract and are happy with the apartment size at Horizon Suites in Ma On Shan, then it would be a good option. We stayed for 8 months at the Horizon Suites in Hung Hom. It was convenient and professionally run, meaning we signed a contract that was clear and when we needed to terminate during the second contract, the termination procedure was efficient and fair. Getting out of a private rental after 8 months would not have been so straightforward. Whenever we had a problem with some maintenance issue, it was fixed promptly and effectively (and in English, so Mrs Doe could have a break from translation and I could look after things myself). There was a shuttle bus that was reliable and also a gym and newspaper/reading room included. Security was good. I would only ever see it at a temporary option (though some of my neighbours whom I got to know had been there several years), and on that basis it is likely to be a good way to introduce yourself to Hong Kong while you make longer term plans. Of course, this was just my experience (with my wife and daughter) at Hung Hom, not at Ma On Shan. I recall we paid about HK$19,000 per month for a very quiet two bedroom apartment with pool and harbour views. That was in 2009/10. I'd be interested to hear what others who may have stayed at Ma On Shan Horizon have to say.

[RobRoy]

I will move in to the Lily Court on Tuesday, so I'll post here what I think of it.

One that is not on your list, which is nice, is The Mood, with duplex apartments.

Ok, so now I stayed here one night. Apartment has a nice feeling to it, everything is of good quality but not too modern or futuristic. Just a normal home, except bathroom which is on the luxurious side but in a nice way.

I'm staying at the 21st floor, but noise from Robinson Road can still be heard, not disturbingly so, but still, it is not totally quiet in the apartment. I guess I wouldn't recommend staying here at a low floor level.

Cleaning service was good, staff at the front desk are nice and speak decent English. No facilities though (pool, gym, etc)

All in all good, but 37 000/month which I am paying should get a good place I guess?