Travelling with a toddler means the need to set aside time and space for food preparation (for the toddler – homecooked so it is not too salty or oily) during the trip. Thus, we decided to stay at a serviced apartment for our trip to Hong Kong and we selected Citadines Harbourview Hong Kong for its apartment size (very generous by Hong Kong standards) and fully-equipped kitchen. Citadines Harbourview Hong Kong was opened in September 2016 so taxi drivers might not be familiar with the location.

I have provided a Traditional Chinese write-up of the Citadines Harbourview Hong Kong which you can show the taxi driver.
Citadines Harbourview Hong Kong Address (Traditional Chinese) – it says “138 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong”
西營盤干諾道西138號
香港島中西區

However, the lift lobby of Citadines Harbourview is not a very prominent one – it blends in with the other apartment buildings along Connaught Road West so you need to keep a lookout on your right as your taxi turns into Connaught Road West. What you need to find is the purple sign of Citadines (like the one you see below). The lobby is a simple one – a manned counter, sofa, some umbrellas you can borrow and lifts that go up directly to your apartment. There are a few layers of security at Citadines Harbourview – your apartment card is required to unlock the lobby doors and to access your apartment floor via lift and you will be issued with an actual key to unlock your apartment door. If you need help at any hours, you can always approach the friendly Citadines staff at ground floor.

There are only 52 apartment rooms in this Citadines Harbourview building and the room configuration of all these rooms are the same. The lifts bring you directly to your apartment room i.e. you have your lift lobby 🙂 Each 93 sqm apartment is decked out with a king-sized bed facing the waterfront view, a cosy couch area by the window, a dressing table, a work desk and ample storage space with multiple cabinets. There is a flat screen LCD TV, DVD player and HiFi system to satisfy your entertainment needs and even an air purifier which can be activated in the event of hazy weather.

Each apartment also comes with a fully-equipped kitchen complete with built-in microwave, cooker hob and hood, refrigerator and a pantry area. I had requested for an additional rollaway bed (additional charges apply) so the kitchen/living room configuration looks a bit different from the floorplan above. All the kitchen essentials are provided e.g. Electric kettle, Glassware, crockery, cutlery & utensils, Microwave oven, Toaster, Coffee maker.

I was really impressed with the fridge – this is not a typical mini-bar fridge – there is even a deep freezer compartment. Perfect for mothers who are pumping milk and need to store their breastmilk to bring back home. For everyone else, if you like to cook your own meals, the deep freezer offers you more meal options as you can freeze meat safely in this fridge. There is daily housekeeping service so they can wash up the dishes too.

The toilet/bathroom is just as spacious and well-equipped with a bathtub and even a rainshower. Bathroom amenities are well provided for e.g. towels, toothbrush and shower essentials.

Complimentary wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) is provided throughout the apartment. Each room is also equipped with a Handy smartphone with unlimited mobile data, local calls and international calls to 10 selected countries – yes you hear me right – absolutely free mobile data, local calls and you can even a Singapore landline or mobile phone for free from Hong Kong using that Handy smartphone. You can take it with you when you travel around Hong Kong – just don’t lose it!

Request for a high floor when you book your Citadines Harbourview apartment. Our apartment enjoys a spectacular 180° view of Victoria Harbour – if you just want to chill out during the trip, just raise up the window shades with a press of a button and relax on your bed or by the window settee to enjoy the view and watch sightseeing helicopters fly by or Macau-bound ferries streaming past.

This settee by the window is a mini playground for our son – with his toys including newly bought ones from the toy street at Sham Shui Po! The window is another source of entertainment for him as he can play spot the helicopter or boat at anytime of the day.

From our apartment window, we can see the roads leading to and out of Western Tunnel Crossing – this is the tunnel that will bring you across to Kowloon (if you are planning a trip to the Ladies Market or Sham Shui Po street markets or Tsim Tsa Tsui) – very convenient but also very expensive as crossing the Western Tunnel incurs a toll of HKD60 each way (almost S$11) in addition to your taxi fare.

There is also a rooftop terrace where residents can relax and unwind and enjoy the view of the Victoria Harbour. But manage your expectations – it is a terrace without any chairs and tables.

There is a 24-hour fitness centre at Citadines Harbourview Hong Kong – well equipped with all types of exercise machines e.g. treadmills, weight-lifting ones and also exercise balls. The view is that of an expressway though 🙂

You can also your wash and dry your laundry at Citadines Harbourview using the washing machines and dryers for free!

This is a serviced apartment so no breakfast provided here but there are plenty of good food around the area but finding them could be a bit tricky if you are not familiar with the area. To help you get started, these are the exact steps you can take to get to cha chaan teng food around the area – we tabao (takeaway) most of our food as its more convenient than having to eat out with a toddler.

After you step out of Citadines Harbourfront lift lobby,

1. Turn left and walk straight along Connaught Road West 干诺道西 until you hit Centre Street 正街,
2. Turn left and walk straight along Centre Street 正街.
3. You will cross Des Voeux Road West 德輔道西. Continue straight along Centre Street 正街
4. You will start to see a few eateries and cha chaan teng – take your pick.
5. If you continue further along Centre Street (slight incline uphill), you will see Wellcome supermarket and Cafe de Coral

Getting to Citadines Harbourview Hong Kong

From Hong Kong International Airport

By Taxi (30 minutes, costs around HK$300, subject to toll fees and luggage charges): Take taxi directly to Citadines Harbourview.

If you are using Uber to get to the apartment, then it is not an issue – just key in “Citadines Harbourview” and Uber will direct the driver to the place – although you will need to help look out for the apartment when you are nearing your destination. If you are new to Uber, you can sign up using my Uber promo code: uberpassportchop to get a free ride (up to 50 HKD) to Citadines Harbourview Hong Kong  – read more about our experience of travelling with Uber here.

By Airport Bus (38 minutes, costs around HK$48): Take the Airport Cityflyer Bus A10 and alight at Connaught Garden Stop. From the Connaught Garden Stop, it’s a 3-minute walk to Citadines Harbourview.

By Airport Express (45 mins, costs around HK$160): Board the Airport Express train to Hong Kong Station which takes about 30 minutes and cost HK$100. Transfer to a taxi to our property, the taxi fare is around HK$40-60, dependent on traffic conditions and subject to luggage charge.

From Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal

By Taxi (7 minutes, costs around HK$40, subject to luggage charges): Board the taxi and head east on Chung Kong Road.

On Foot (15 minutes): Once out of the ferry terminal, head west along Connaught Road Central. Walk past by Western Market and Des Voeux Road West intersection. Keep walking along Connaught Road West and once you pass the Eastern Street junction, the property would be on your left.

By Subway (8 minutes, costs around HK$4.50): Board the MTR Island Line (Blue line; towards Kennedy Town Station) to Sai Ying Pun Station. From Sai Ying Pun Station Exit A2, it’s a 3-minute walk to Citadines Harbourview.

Nearest public transport from Citadines Harbourview Hong Kong

Subway station: Sai Ying Pun Station Exit A2 (3 minutes walk)

Tram station: Eastern Street Tram Station (2 minutes walk)