Hong Kong’s second combination hotel and youth hostel opens for applications, offering 100 rooms for adults under 30

The Nina Hotel in Tsuen Wan has become Hong Kong’s second combination youth hostel with the prospect of offering 100 rooms for adults under 30 who will live with visitors amid the recent increase in tourism.

The project falls under the “Youth Development Blueprint”, which was a highlight of the city leader’s first policy address last year, in which he vowed to provide 3,000 hostel spaces in the next five years for youth to enjoy cheaper rent.

Despite the border reopening, the managing director of Nina Hospitality, Simon Manning, said revamping rooms into youth hostels is complementary to the operator’s business model.

“We hope to create a communal space for both parties to interact with each other, possibly for the youth to learn from the professionals,” said Donald Choi, executive director and CEO of Chinachem Group, a developer owning the hotel.

Choi said the project named “Home² Youth Hostel”, was a collaboration with youth organisation, Y.Elites Association, aimed at integrating future tenants and tourists.

The scheme is expected to accommodate over 200 residents on the lower floors. Applicants can choose double-bed or twin-bed rooms that average 350 to 400 sq ft and pay HK$4,680 (US$596) and HK$4,980 for city or sea views, respectively.

The 42-storey hotel is about a 5-minute walk from Tsuen Wan West station and right next to Nina and Citywalk shopping centres.

Everything you need to know about Hong Kong’s newest youth hostel

The project has received over 1,000 pre-registrations and began to accept applications on Monday, according to Lawrence Lam, executive vice-chairman of the Y.Elites Association. He added the first phase ends on May 31, and tenants can take occupation in the second quarter of this year.

Choi said the residents, with government subsidies, would pay less than the equivalent of half of a one-night stay at the hotel in off-peak periods.

But to be eligible to stay, tenants must complete a range of social outreach activities of no less than 200 hours a year. According to the Y. Elites Association, tenants are likely to participate in cultural and creative projects in the district.

Applicants must be Hong Kong permanent residents whose monthly income and net assets do not exceed HK$25,000 and HK$380,000, respectively. Those who are queuing for public housing are also eligible to apply.

They will be interviewed about their education, work experience and willingness to engage in community services.

Young Hongkongers impatient for revamped hostel scheme to take off

“We hope the tenants can benefit from saving time and money from shortening their commute to work,” said Lam, adding helping young people to grow was a top priority of the scheme.

Astronomical rents have long been a housing issue in Hong Kong. The problem is worse for young people in the early stage of their careers. According to a survey by the Institute of Future Cities of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, tenants pay HK$5,000 a month for 121 sq ft in subdivided flats on average.

The first similar project was launched in Butterfly on Morrison in Causeway Bay. The hotel released 97 rooms and charged HK$3,800 to HK$4,800 a month for rooms ranging from 176 to 324 sq ft.