Staying close to the action

Understandably, most of Hong Kong’s legion of hotels are clustered in the major commercial districts. Many are still viable choices for accessing the countryside of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula but there are a handful of options in further-flung locations too.

On the south side of Hong Kong Island, the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong (pictured top right) is ideal for families bound for Ocean Park, a home-grown theme park with rides and an ecological focus, but it’s also handy for beaches and hikes including the 50km Hong Kong Trail, which traverses the island. fullertonhotels.com

WM Hotel (pictured right) in Sai Kung, in the eastern part of the New Territories, is a luxury stay with great views out over the islands off the coast. Nearby are a number of beachfront vendors offering kayaks, SUP and windsurf gear for hire. wmhotel.hk

For Lantau’s peaks and trails, there are a clutch of four- and five-star hotels in the Tung Chung and airport area, as well as simpler hotels such as the Silvermine Beach Resort in Mui Wo, as well as guesthouses in the quiet south coast villages of Shui Hau (Lantau Lodge) and Tong Fuk (The Cove Hostel).

More basic again are several youth hostels offering accommodation in dorms, rooms and bell tents across the territory, while government-run campsites have toilets and barbecue sites – though some of these get exceptionally busy during weekends and should be booked at camping.gov.hk.