MINI Hotel Central– A Chic, Budget Hotel in Hong Kong Next to Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong and Soho

Room with a view: Mini Hotel on Ice House Street in Central looks out to Mid-Levels and the Hong Kong skyline
Room with a view: Mini Hotel on Ice House Street in Central looks out to Mid-Levels and the Hong Kong skyline

My post on MINI Hotel Causeway Bay was one of the most popular ones in 2014. It’s not easy to figure out why, as it’s possibly the most stylish and hip BUDGET hotels in Hong Kong, priced at only P3,000++ to P5,000++ / night (at least on Agoda)– which is impossible to find these days!

Well, I have more good news for you– I recently stayed at its sister property, MINI Hotel Central, and it’s just as wonderfully priced– but this time, it’s located next to Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong and Soho! I first heard about it through my friend Ram Bucoy who books here whenever he comes to Hong Kong to party for New Year’s Eve.

The familiar M of Mini Hotel Hong Kong!
The familiar M of Mini Hotel Hong Kong!

It makes complete sense if your trip’s agenda is contained in this bustling nightlife neighborhood as there’s no need to trouble yourself  to hail for a cab,  you can just walk– or crawl home! The Central MTR is just a staircase and a relatively short stroll down, as well as the popular shopping thoroughfare of Queen’s Road Central and malls like The Landmark, IFC, etc.

I told my taxi driver at the Airport Express, “38 Ice House Street, Central” he said, “Oh you’re going to Mini Hotel?” And I said, “Yes!” So I guess it’s become quite a popular drop off point for cab drivers, so no need to worry about them not finding it. But just in case, it’s really close to both Wyndham Street and Duddell Street. The drop off point is at a kind of steep road side so just quickly get off and scurry.

The entrance of Mini Hotel Central on Ice House Street. Notice the short flight of stairs-- you have to lift your luggage up there,  there are no ramps, so pack light!
The entrance of Mini Hotel Central on Ice House Street. Notice the short flight of stairs– you have to lift your luggage up there, there are no ramps, so pack light!
So you kinda get dropped off on this sloping street, so make sure to hope out fast as there are tons of cars that zoom by every minute.
So you kinda get dropped off on this sloping street, right before Ole Restaurant, so make sure to hop out fast as there are tons of cars that zoom by every minute.
In case your driver can't find the hotel, just look for this all-too-familiar Foreign Correspondents' Club (FCC) Building on Ice House Street. It's right next to it.
In case your driver can’t find the hotel, just look for this all-too-familiar Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) Building on Ice House Street. It’s right next to it.
See, in terms of location jackpot, it's right by all your favorite places: Wydham Street, Lan Kwai Fong and Soho. This is also the spot where you stand and wait for a cab-- but I have to be honest, it's very difficult especially on Saturdays when all cabs are taken! It's probably the biggest pain I had this trip!
See,it’s jackpot in terms of location. It’s right by all your favorite places: Wydham Street, Lan Kwai Fong and Soho. This is also the spot where you stand and wait for a cab– but I have to be honest, it’s very, very difficult especially the weekend I was there, when all cabs are taken! It was my biggest pain this trip!

The lobby is nowhere as hip and stylish as the Causeway Bay property but it still has its charm. I noticed that the Central property has a different Wifi passcode versus the ones in the rooms. But my room was facing  Ice House Street so I didn’t have to keep switching. Internet is fast.

The lobby at the Central branch isn't as hip and stylish as the Causeway Bay branch but it still has its charm
The lobby at the Central branch is a lot more subtle compared to the Causeway Bay branch but it still has its charm
There's a lot more light as well, and you will find a lot more people sitting here, as it's overground, unlike the CWB one which is underground.
There’s a lot more light as well, and you will find a lot more people sitting here, as it’s overground, unlike the CWB one which is underground.
I love these pretty touches of art!
Pretty touches of art
The lobby has a vending machine in case your hunger pangs strike you-- although in this area, you can walk anywhere! And magazines you can browse through while waiting.
The lobby has a vending machine in case your hunger pangs strike you at some obscure hour– although in this area, you can walk anywhere! And magazines you can browse through while waiting.

There are 196 rooms and they range from 80 to 120 square feet in size. I had a Smart Plus Room. It’s not much different from Mini Hotel Causeway Bay–  basic and small yet cozy– I slept well! They are able to cleverly maximize the little space that they have– like putting the safety deposit under the bed.

This was my room at the Mini Hotel Central. It's small but cozy enough for me!
This was my room at the Mini Hotel Central. It’s small but cozy enough for me!
And when I looked out from my bed, I have this city view...
And when I looked out from my bed, I had this lovely city view…
..And when I looked down from my room, I had this view!
..And when I looked down from my room, I had this view!
And in case you're wondering, the safe is underneath the bed. And they provide slippers, too!
And in case you’re wondering, the safe is underneath the bed. And they provide slippers, too!
Mini Hotel Central- Ice House Street- Balcony- Ice House Street
The bathroom is right across the bed, if you notice the mirror– and you can see me taking a photo from my bed, haha! Look to the left- underneath the sink is a water heater so you can boil your own water, as well as the hair dryer. To the right, that black box is the portable heater. It gets chilly in the evenings, so you can turn it on. Keep in mind this is a budget hotel, but they are able to address all your necessities!
The bathroom has a "view" too so you might want to keep the blinds down when you're in it ;-p
The bathroom has a “view” too so you might want to keep the blinds down when you’re in it ;-p
The shower area
The shower area
They have all the essential amenities, too!
They have all the essential amenities, too– razor, showercap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion.

I told one of my friends that I have this secret criteria of judging a hotel– and it has nothing to do with the number of stars. It’s the toothpaste they use. If it’s Colgate– whether it’s budget or not, it’s of decent quality. If they use the cheapy baking soda type one– then regardless of how many stars they pride themselves to be– you know they may scrimp on their other amenities. (Like possibly serving a type of shampoo that could burn a hole onto a wooden table– happened to me once in a resort in Phi Phi Island in Thailand!)

And look, they passed my toothpaste test! Colgate! Whoo!
Yay, they passed my toothpaste test! It’s Colgate- in mini size of course 😉

I had a lovely balcony in my room and I really appreciated it. I went to get coffee at the nearest coffee shop and just sat here and admired my morning view. So precious.

I loved my balcony! If you have the chance, request for it. I loved sitting here with a cup of coffee...
I loved my balcony! If you have the chance, request for it. I loved sitting here with a cup of coffee…
..And looking out to this gorgeous view. <3
..And looking out to this gorgeous morning view. <3 “Bat your eyes girl, be otherwordly. Count your blessings, seduce a stranger. What’s so wrong with being happy? Kudos to those who see through sickness. When she woke in the morning…… ‘Don’t ever let life pass you by.'” <3 <3 <3

One of my favorite parts about staying here is being able to appreciate how beautiful, peaceful and quiet Hong Kong is on a Sunday through a morning stroll. I met a friend for brunch (so many restaurants in the area to choose from!) and we just walked through Soho to Sheung Wan, inhaling all the lovely tucked-in corners. I highly suggest taking advantage of this when you stay here.

Sheung Wan Hong Kong 1
I love this little patch of greenery!
Sheung Wan Hong Kong 2
For two seconds I thought I was in New York
Sheung Wan Hong Kong 3
Graffiti art next to a barber shop
Sheung Wan Hong Kong 4
A bulldog and a Mini Cooper.. love Sheung Wan on Sunday mornings!

38 Ice House Street, Hong Kong. Phone +852 2103 0999. For best rates, book through Agoda.