The Salisbury - YMCA of Hong Kong

Rooms and decor

The Salisbury keeps around 365 rooms and a wide spread of types, from Standard up through Harbour View and Suites to a budget Dormitory. The ones worth chasing are the Harbour View rooms, which look straight out over Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong Island skyline — a 5-star view at a price you can actually book. Some categories run small by Hong Kong standards, so check the room type before you commit.

Food and amenities

For a budget address the facilities punch above their weight. There's an indoor pool, a kids' pool and a diving pool, badminton and basketball courts, a full gym with classes, and a rock climbing wall you won't find at most hotels — kids love it. Meals happen at The Salisbury Dining Room, a good-value international buffet, and Wi-Fi is free in the rooms and common areas.

Location and getting there

The address is the headline. The Salisbury sits on Salisbury Road right beside Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong Museum of Art, next door to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre — a spot a 5-star hotel would envy. Step outside and the Star Ferry pier and Avenue of Stars are a 3 to 4 minute walk, with MRT Tsim Sha Tsui about 4 minutes away.

Things to know before booking

This is a YMCA, so the facilities are clean and practical rather than luxe — set your expectations to honest comfort, not a 5-star polish. Some room types are small, so read the category carefully. And the Harbour View rooms are the best value on this whole list, which means they book up fast — reserve early if you want one.

Our take

The Salisbury - YMCA of Hong Kong is the pick for families and budget travelers who want a harbour-side base. If a Harbour View room at the lightest price on the list, plus an indoor pool and a climbing wall for the kids, is what you're after, this is a confident way to close out the list. Guests rate it 8.5/10, with rooms from about $95 a night.