Regal Hotel Causeway Bay Review: Why I Wouldn’t Stay Again

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So, you’re deep in research mode, googling all the Regal Hotel Causeway Bay reviews and trying to figure out if it’s worth booking. I’ve been there. I’ve done the same deep-dive into reviews of the Regal when trying to find a decent place to stay in the Causeway Bay area.

So I booked a room to see for myself.

And here’s my verdict: 👉 I wouldn’t stay here again, and I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, either.

Most of the Hong Kong hotels I’ve reviewed on this blog, I’d happily go back to. But I also think it’s important to call out the not-so-great ones. My job here is to give you honest advice based on real-life experience, even when it’s not flattering. So when a hotel doesn’t hit the mark, I’ll say so. That way you can make an informed decision, and not just go by the polished hotel website photos.

If you’re set on staying in Causeway Bay and willing to spend a bit more, Lanson Place is the one hotel I do recommend—it’s leagues ahead in terms of comfort and service.

Now, to be fair: the Causeway Bay location of the Regal Hong Kong Hotel is excellent. The price is reasonable. But the overall experience? Shabby rooms, a strange mildew smell, and air con that barely worked.

It felt like a hotel coasting on its past reputation.

If you’re considering booking the Regal Hotel in Causeway Bay, read on. I’ll walk you through exactly what worked, what didn’t, and why it almost made my list of the worst hotels in Hong Kong.

👉 If you’re planning your trip, start with location, this guide shows the best areas to stay in Hong Kong.

Why I Chose The Regal Hotel in Causeway Bay

I lived in Causeway Bay back in the 1980s, so it’s always been my patch. I still come back often, which means I’m constantly on the lookout for good hotels in the area.

While Causeway Bay is busy, well-connected, and full of street life, it’s never been the easiest place to find a consistently good hotel. I’ve tried budget spots like the Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong, boutique hotels, and even a few Airbnbs. So far, I haven’t found one I’d happily return to (although I did love Lanson Place when I stayed there, but it’s pricey).

I booked the Regal Hong Kong because I was after something mid-range, not budget, but not flashy. I wanted comfort, a pool, decent reviews, and a great location in the heart of Causeway Bay.

From the photos, the Regal looked promising. Big rooms, high ceilings, and a bit of old-Hong-Kong charm. I thought maybe this was the one.

It wasn’t.

The location is great, yes. And the price is okay. But none of that made up for the state of the room.

Is the Regal the worst hotel in Hong Kong? No, I’ve stayed in worse over the years.

But the rooms are definitely worn out. The air con barely works. There’s a constant smell of mildew. Curtains half off the rails. The kind of wear and tear that says: no one’s really keeping an eye on the details anymore.

The Regal Hong Kong could be something special if it got a full renovation. But until then, I’m sorry to say, that I recommend you give it a miss.

What I didn’t like:

❌ The rooms were really shabby. We’re talking curtains half falling off, tired carpets, and furniture that felt like it hadn’t been refreshed in decades.

❌ The air con didn’t work properly. I had to keep turning it on and off throughout the night. Not what you want in Hong Kong’s humidity.

❌ The room smelled of mildew. Strong enough that I noticed it every time I walked in.

❌ The curtains didn’t close properly. Gaps, broken rails, and that awkward half-covered window situation.

❌ The gym was tiny, dark and hidden away in the bottom floor. Functional, but barely.

❌ Bad energy at the front desk. One staff member was very grumpy and snapping at junior staff. The rest of the team seemed uncomfortable. It was awkward to witness, and a real downer for guests.

What I did like:

✅ The rooms are big. Genuinely spacious by Hong Kong standards.

✅ Soundproofing was decent. I didn’t hear neighbours or street noise.

✅ In-room water filter. Handy for refilling bottles and avoiding plastic.

✅ Welcome tea set. Chinese tea on arrival was a thoughtful touch, and a nice cookie.

Arrival & Check-In: Easy to Find but Grumpy Staff

I took the MTR from Central to Causeway Bay Station and exited at Exit F1, which is the closest to the hotel.

Just a heads-up: there’s no lift at this exit, so you’ll need to carry your suitcase up the stairs (it’s just a short flight). From there, it’s an easy five-minute walk to the hotel along Yee Wo Street.

✅If carrying your suitcase upstairs is a deal breaker, use the MTR Exit D1 instead. This exit has a lift, but it’s a little further from the hotel and you’ll need to cross a busy intersection.

My first impressions of the Regal Hong Kong were good when I arrived. The lobby itself is quite grand: high ceilings, nicely decorated, and in good shape. It gave me a bit of hope that maybe the rest of the hotel had aged well too.

Unfortunately, that feeling didn’t last long. The woman at reception was snappy and unpleasant, and openly short with her junior colleagues. It was really awkward and I felt sorry for the rest of the desk staff who were doing an excellent job.

There was no one available to help with bags, which is fairly common these days in Hong Kong, but worth noting. I arrived early and was able to store my luggage downstairs until check-in, standard practice in Hong Kong, but still appreciated.

The Room: Spacious But Shabby & Smelly

When I first walked into the room that afternoon, I was hit straight away by the smell of mildew. Yes, Hong Kong is humid, but other hotels I’ve stayed in don’t smell like this. It wasn’t subtle, and it wasn’t something I could ignore.

The room itself was huge by Hong Kong standards, with soaring double-height ceilings; honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it in a city hotel here. But the design felt frozen in the 1980s: fake gold trim, mirrored panels, and furniture that wouldn’t look out of place in a stockbroker’s bachelor pad. It might look alright in the photos, but up close, it was dated and run down.

There were loose curtain rods, gaps in the finishes, exposed cords behind the TV—small things that added up fast. The space had potential, but it clearly hadn’t been touched in decades. It badly needs a full renovation.

On the upside, the room was very clean. There was a decent desk area, good linen, and plenty of space to unpack.

The bathroom was reasonably good but dated.

The room was uncomfortably warm, and the air conditioning just didn’t kick in. I gave it an hour to cool, but as the evening came on, the room was still stuffy. I didn’t want to risk trying to sleep like that, so I went downstairs and asked to switch rooms.

To their credit, the staff moved me to a slightly upgraded room across the hall. Same layout, same retro vibe, but this time the air con worked sort of. Housekeeping showed me how to use the old-school controls, and while it did cool eventually, I had to keep switching it off and on during the night to maintain the temperature. Not ideal.

The second room also had that same faint mildew smell and the same curtain issues—old and not properly attached. It’s such an easy fix, which made it all the more frustrating.

That said, there were a few things that worked: the soundproofing was excellent, and the bed was firm but comfortable. The shower had good pressure, and the linen was crisp and clean.

But overall, the state of the room dragged the whole stay down. I didn’t expect perfection at this price point, but I didn’t expect the room to be so crummy. I was really surprised by how much poor surroundings affected my mood and I couldn’t wait to check out the next day.

The Regal Causeway Bay Location: Excellent

To it’s credit, the Regal Hotel is in a fab location in Causeway Bay. Step outside and you’re right in the thick of it—shops, restaurants, trams, the MTR, the works.

The Causeway Bay MTR (Exit F1) is about a five-minute walk. Head a bit further and you’ll hit Times Square and Sogo, two of the area’s biggest retail giants. There’s a decent supermarket nearby for the basics (Wellcome Shop), and Sugar Street is just around the corner, known for its casual halal and Malaysian food.

Keep going and you’ll stumble into a great little cluster of restaurants across from Victoria Park along Gloucester Road. Little Bao is a favourite of mine if you’re after something modern, laid-back, and delicious.

👉 If you want to know more about Causeway Bay, read my Things to do in Causeway Bay guide.

You’re also just steps from the old-school tram line. Hop on and head west to Central, or take a lazy ride all the way to Kennedy Town. The touristy “Tramoramic” tram stops nearby too, if you’re up for it.

So location-wise, the Regal Hong Kong hits the mark. No doubt about it.

📍 Nearest MTR station: Causeway Bay Station (Exit F1) & (Exit D1)

Food & Drink: Skipped It

I didn’t eat at the hotel, so I can’t comment on the food itself. But based on the overall condition of the place, I didn’t feel confident that the buffet breakfast would be good value, so I gave it a miss.

There seem to be two restaurants still operating: Regal Palace, which serves Chinese cuisine and dim sum under some very grand chandeliers, and Café Rivoli, which is Halal-certified and offers a standard buffet breakfast.

I passed by Rivoli on the way to check out the pool, and it looked fine, but nothing that tempted me to stay and try it.

I also didn’t see any obvious signs of room service, and nothing was mentioned at check-in.

Honestly, though, with so many great places to eat within walking distance—especially in a neighbourhood like Causeway Bay—I think you’re better off heading out for meals. There’s no shortage of options nearby, and the hotel didn’t give me any reason to stay in for dinner.

Facilities: Disappointing

The Regal has two main facilities: an outdoor pool and a gym. There’s no spa.

I tried to check out the pool during my stay, but it was closed due to a typhoon warning, which is completely standard in Hong Kong. What wasn’t so standard was that they wouldn’t even let me take a look. So I can’t speak to the condition or vibe of the space.

If having a pool is important to you, I’d point you toward the Mira Hotel in Kowloon instead. It has a fantastic indoor pool, which is far more practical during typhoon season, and it’s an excellent hotel all around.

As for the gym, it exists, but it’s not easy to find. It’s tucked away on the bottom floor, with no clear signage, and feels more like an afterthought. Small, dark, and pokey. Functional, but not inviting.

If working out is part of your travel routine, I’d suggest looking elsewhere (the Mira Hong Kong also has a fab gym, and so does The Royal Garden).

Final Verdict: Would I Stay Here Again?

No, I wouldn’t, and I wouldn’t recommend you stay here either.

I won’t stay here again because the rooms were so shabby and the air con didn’t work properly. The Regal Hong Kong has huge potential, but potential doesn’t help you sleep at night.

👉If you have stayed at the Regal Hong Kong, I would love to hear whether you think I’m being too harsh, or if you felt the same.

So that’s my review of the Regal Hong Kong in Causeway Bay. Not the worst hotel in the Hong Kong, but certainly not the best either.

So, if you decide to take my advice and not stay at the Regal, where should you stay?

I’ve written a guide on how to choose a boutique hotel on Hong Kong Island, including a few excellent options just outside Causeway Bay, like in Wan Chai.

And when I do finally find an affordable hotel in Causeway Bay that’s worth shouting about, I’ll be sure to let you know. 😊