the Arca

The hotel's location is pretty good; you can walk to the city bus stops, Wong Chuk Hang MTR station, and shopping areas. The deposit is 500 per night and must be paid in cash or with a Visa card; Alipay is not accepted. The front desk staff during check-in and the lobby staff were quite nice. However, the hotel's hygiene is truly concerning. There was hair everywhere, and the previous guest's trash was still present. I booked 5 nights across two separate reservations and switched rooms in between. When I arrived at the second room at night and pulled back the covers, the duvet was actually damp – I've never encountered this in a hotel before. Then, a male staff member with black-rimmed glasses came to change the duvet and had a terrible attitude. He was frowning and completely ignored my concerns about the hygiene and the previous guest's leftover trash. Even more bizarre, this staff member rudely walked directly into my room to collect the wet duvet without asking! What kind of operation is that? This is truly a first for me.

I was given a sea-view room with accessibility features, and the view was indeed great. However, because it was an accessible room, the bathroom was a bit inconvenient to use. I'd suggest checking if you're okay with that before booking. I couldn't get my room key when I checked in during the day. When I went back at night to pick up the key, I ran into a tour group ahead of me and had to wait almost half an hour just to get a room card. That's pretty unreasonable; they should have a fast lane for situations like that. Also, the reason for the long queue was that they only accept cash or non-UnionPay credit cards for the deposit. If they want to attract mainland Chinese tourists, this policy really needs to be improved. The hotel is one metro stop from Ocean Park and two stops to change lines at Admiralty. There's a market near the metro station where you can grab breakfast.

The hotel's location is actually quite good, very close to Ocean Park, and the subway station isn't too far, about a 10-minute walk. The hotel facilities are really nice, with a rooftop pool and very spacious rooms, including a double vanity. However, the mini-fridge was leaking, and there were feathers in the cups, so the cleanliness definitely needs an upgrade.

Environment: A rare large room in Hong Kong, with great sea views. The room is clean, tidy, and comfortable. Hygiene: Very clean; it was cleaned daily. Facilities: There's a water dispenser on every floor, which is very convenient.

I recently stayed at The Arca in Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, and it definitely had its pros and cons. Here's my honest review for anyone considering it. 👍 What I Loved 1. **Surprisingly Spacious Room** Having stayed in many Hong Kong hotels, this one's room size is easily top-tier. You won't feel cramped; there's plenty of space to move around, and even open your luggage without an issue. 2. **Great Hygiene and Comfort** The room was very clean, with no unpleasant odors. The shower experience was fantastic – ample hot water and stable pressure, which was really relaxing. 3. **The View is a Major Plus** The harbor view from our sea-view room was incredible. Waking up and pulling back the curtains to see the bay was truly therapeutic and definitely boosted my mood. 👎 What I Didn't Like So Much 1. **Slightly Inconvenient Location** It's not too far, but not super close to Wong Chuk Hang MTR station either, about a six to seven-minute walk. If you're lugging suitcases, it can be a bit tiring, making daily commutes less convenient. 2. **Limited Nearby Amenities** There are no convenience stores right by the hotel. If you want to grab a bottle of water or a snack, you have to walk all the way to the MTR station area, which is inconvenient for impromptu purchases. 3. **Mall is a Bit of a Walk** While there is a mall next to the MTR station with plenty of food and shopping options, it's still a six to seven-minute walk. For those who want immediate access to dining and retail, it's a bit of a distance. 4. **Inconsistent Housekeeping** Over a few days, I noticed some inconsistencies: sometimes new towels were forgotten, other times used towels weren't collected. The quality control for service could be better. 5. **Cool Front Desk Staff** The front desk staff weren't particularly warm or smiling; they came across as a bit aloof. Their efficiency was fine, but a little more friendliness would have been appreciated. 💰 Value for Money Summary I'd say it's worth staying if the price is under HKD 1,000 – you get a large room, great views, and overall cleanliness, which is a strong offering for that price point in Hong Kong. However, if it's over HKD 1,000, I wouldn't recommend it. The transportation and nearby convenience issues really drag it down, and you could find options with a more central location and better accessibility for the same budget. In short: If you prioritize a spacious room, want a sea view, and your budget is under HKD 1,000, go for it! But if easy access to transport, dining, and shopping right downstairs is crucial, you might want to reconsider.

This was my second stay, and I still think The Arca offers excellent value for money among Hong Kong hotels. Last time, I was in a rush and didn't get to try the infinity pool. This time, I went up to experience it, and it was quite comfortable. The view from the rooftop is also great; I took a photo as a souvenir, shown in picture 5. The breakfast isn't really worth it, so I skipped it this time. Also, there's no comb in the room, so I have to ask the concierge for one every time. Other than that, everything else is good; the room isn't small, and the cleanliness is excellent.

The sea-view suite offers an absolutely stunning view. The hotel's location is super convenient, really close to Wong Chuk Hang MTR station. We pretty much explored The Southside every day during our stay. There are also plenty of bus routes nearby that can take you to Causeway Bay, and other Southside areas like Ap Lei Chau, Aberdeen, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, and Stanley. Overall, it's excellent value for money.