Rambler Oasis Hotel is a chic hotel accommodation in Tsing Yi Road, Hong Kong. It’s a member of the Habour Plaza Hotels and Resorts, which manages eight full-service hotels all over Hong Kong and some parts of mainland China. It’s located near Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and just about 15 minutes away from Hong Kong Disneyland. Hence, if you are planning to go to Hong Kong just to visit Disneyland, this is a recommended place to stay. Other than that, Rambler Oasis Hotel doesn’t get my stamp of approval. Here’s why.
Review of Rambler Oasis Hotel (Tsing Yi, Hong Kong)
Ambiance: β β β ββ
The hotel lobby had a sleek ambiance that contrasts with the laid-back “container port” or “pier” surroundings outside (picture large containers being transported one by one). Up to the elevator area, it’s decorated with simple but rich textures and daring architectural elements that seem to create a cosmopolitan comfort kind of vibe.
Compared to average hotel room sizes in Hong Kong, the room we got in Rambler Oasis Hotel was pretty okay. We felt satisfied with the electrical plug (for compatibility) given to charge our devices, satellite TV, no-noise air conditioner, electric kettle, hotel slippers, clean bedding and sheets, and clean bathroom complete with toiletries.
However, we were sad as the hotel didn’t have wi-fi connection for guests in the room; it’s only available in the lobby area (with added fee). Other misses were: (1) the mini refrigerator could only generate little coldness close to none (we thought it stopped working but the hotel staff confirmed it’s normal), (2) the light switches were far from the bed side so we had to stand up to turn off the lights when we go to sleep, (3) the bathroom doors can’t be locked because they’re the sliding type, and (4) we had to go to another hotel building (Rambler Garden Hotel) for breakfast which was about 10 minutes of walking distance away.
Our room was good for three people, but we sneaked in another headcount-my sister. It was great that two beds were already put side by side so we did not have to arrange them to be so. The bed ensured good nights of sleep for me. There’s no good view of Hong Kong we could see from the hotel room window, but that’s alright as I wasn’t expecting to see that anyway.
From the 21st floor, we saw how the swimming pool area on the ground floor was beautifully landscaped. Guests can dip into the pool for an additional cost.
Service: β β β ββ
The hotel’s reception area defies the standard hotel in look and service, offering a personalized approach to guest relations. Its setting had a combination of modernity and urban flavor, with a touch of laid-back hospitality. The staffs were professional and just quick to respond IF you know how to speak their local language, Cantonese. Well, Mandarin also works. Else, you would have to explain your thoughts in English with matching hand actions or common sign languages to help in the two-way communication. There was no one who guided us to our hotel room and no one to carry our bags, yet we ended up fine.
What got us annoyed mostly was the elevators. The elevator operator was only present once in the many instances we had to use the lift. Elevators were the worst as they were always busy. We readied ourselves to go into battle every time we had to ride the elevator up or down because of the volume of people in the hotel composed largely of Chinese mainlanders who took a 10-hour train ride to Hong Kong. If you plan to stay in Rambler Hotel, be warned that waiting time to get into the elevator at least is 15 minutes. There was a lot of pushing, squeezing and shoving, much like riding the MRT in the Philippines. π Haiyoo.
Food: β β β ββ
As mentioned, the restaurant where breakfast of hotel guests is served is at the Rambler Garden Hotel (ground floor). The restaurant is called CafΓ© de Coral, which apparently is like the McDonald’s of Hong Kong but Chinese version.
It is run by a fast food restaurant group in Hong Kong that owns and operates several fast food chains and restaurants such as The Spaghetti House, Manchu Wok, Oliver’s Super Sandwiches, and Ah Yee Leng Tong.
With our complimentary breakfast vouchers, we could choose either one of the following: luncheon meat, sausage and ham. All choices are served also with egg and bread and butter spread. For drinks, we could get either hot tea or coffee.
Food tastes were okay but we had grown tired of eating the same ones for breakfast in three consecutive days. Also, CafΓ© de Coral not having food for vegetarians was a let-down. π
To order, we queued up at the ordering counter to have our marked vouchers taken and in return, the counter staff gave us a receipt which we should forward to another ordering counter serving food in trays. CafΓ© de Coral is like the epitome of fast food. You order, you pay, and 30 seconds later, you sit down with your meal handed out by staffs who don’t greet you “good morning” and whose faces are those that don’t seem capable of breaking into a smile.
Wrap Up
Rambler Oasis Hotel is not a tourist destination in itself and not one that provides guests much pampering, but it’s generally a good hotel if you’re staying in Hong Kong for only a short period and if you have a packaged tour service. If not, then traveling to places may be a hassle. Since the location is away from the city center, you need to take a 20-minute cab ride to go to the prime shopping areas because there’s also no nearby MTR (train) station. (Read the rest of our activities in Hong Kong and two-day trip itinerary here.)
Note
We booked at Rambler Oasis Hotel via our travel agency of choice, Happy Sun Travel and Tours, so I don’t know the hotel rates we had availed of. A quick check via their online booking facility suggested the following prices. For your reference, here are the rates for one night of stay: Superior Twin or Double Room – PhP 6,784; Business Double or Twin Room – PhP 7915; and Deluxe King or Twin Room – PhP 9,046.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Based on location, it’s probably not something I’d go for, but as part of a package, like you said, it would be fine. It’s very odd to have to walk to another breakfast spot though.
A bit of morning exercise via walking about 50 meters to the next hotel was okay. The thing that irked us was just the pushing and squeezing inside the elevator as we need to take the lift once again in the other building.
That pool looks amazing. Sounds like an ok place to stay at too.
Positive points go for the room being clean and the view having an interesting sight of the shipping port and the Hong Kong cityscape at the background.
Looks like a great place to stay!
Size and price are suitable, as well as it’s distance from the airport. As I said, if you want to rest and some serenity, this must be a good hotel option for you.
That actually looks like a nice hotel to stay at, the pool looks massive!
Yeah, we could have tried swimming in there but because of the lack of time in our itinerary, it was just impossible. The water must be cold and it’s great to kick off the day by swimming in the morning.
The pool appears to be the most impressive thing about that hotel! Ot is gorgeous!
Haha yeah too bad we didn’t even had the chance to go to the pool area.
A nice pool for Hong Kong! Thanks for the write up!
It was more than what I imagined it to be. If you’re staying there, get the deluxe as it might just be worth the price.
That pool is amazing! I was not expecting to see that! The breakfast thing is a bit weird, but it’s a whole new experience so for me, I’d have to remember that and just go with it.
The swimming pool looked clean and refreshing. It may take your stay to a new level of holiday once you’re there. π
Thanks for a very thorough and honest review of that hotel. It looks like it does have some great views though.
You’re welcome. Yup, great views. When you have a busy schedule ahead though, it’s better if you can stay nearer in the city. Less travel time and more time to explore around HK.
I always like reading when someone doesn’t like a place, it helps me understand better if it would be a good fit for me or my family. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. Gotta add another one: The wall separating the room and bathroom is translucent, so when you turn on the light in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, the whole room lights up and you end up waking up everyone else sleeping in the room. Gosh.
What a beautiful hotel! The rooms look clean and comfortable and that pool,nice!
Rambler Oasis Hotel is not fantastic but is a mediocre hotel to stay in Hong Kong. Everything about it is average. Hence we got lucky as we had the travel tour agent plan our schedules so busy with outdoor activities that the only things we can do in the hotel is sleep, take a bath the next morning and have breakfast. Nothing fancy.
Despite the fact it has no Wi-Fi, the hotel itself looks great. Seems a lot of us didn’t enjoy our hotel stays this summer. The hotel industry needs to pick themselves up because they’re getting spanked!
This can be just me but I really just don’t like hotels that don’t provide free wi-fi to guests. π The move to make it available should not be a new conquest. Just to share, I’ve read from a recent survey result that 25% of travelers log into the Internet from their hotel room when they first arrive because it helped them feel most at home while being away.
That pool looks amazing! Hong Kong is on my bucket list
Oh, there are other far more exciting places to see and visit in Hong Kong than that pool haha. You should check out my other post–> here. π
Definitely a cool place! I have yet to leave the states. The bed area is really cool! I like how cute and compact it is, yet it looks super comfy!
That’s how most of the hotels and rooms is in Hong Kong. Given the limited area they have, space becomes compact and expensive. It’s just great that Rambler Oasis Hotel has found a way to make everything fit into the room well.
What a gorgeous hotel and the views are amazing!
Particularly if you like seeing container ports, this place would really appeal as lovely! π
With no taxi around, it would be too expensive though their bus system is easy to follow. It can be a good one if there is a regular bus line in this area. The place looks good though.
Right on. The flag-down rate of their taxi is quite high – of course, I’m still doing much price comparisons (calculating numbers very fast) versus everything here in the Philippines. π
I can understand that the wi-fi would not be free. But to use the Pool is also not free. I don’t know if its normal in Hong Kong or what. Thanks for a very honest review. Will definitely cross that hotel off my list.
You’re welcome. If ever a travel agency would arrange this hotel for you, you can ask to be transferred to another one. Many others did and I heard they were more satisfied with their stay.
I don’t like the beds but I could live in that pool it is truly the most amazing pool I have ever seen.
I smiled upon reading your comment. π It’s just my first time hearing one that would prefer to live in a pool rather than succumb to the comfort of the bed.
Sounds like a hellhole and a place to be avoided if I ever get to go to HK. Good review….
Hahaha that’s a pretty apt way of saying it. Brutally cold yet honest. Thanks, Michael. π
The pool looks awesome. The hotel is so different than what I am used to seeing in America!
Hotels vary per location. This one is quite cramped.
Awww, so sorry to hear (or read) all the negative experiences you had in Rambler hotel, i guess that’s part of traveling yea? Sometimes we score nice hotels, sometimes it’s the opposite… i can totally relate. I hope the hotel room’s not expensive! The most ridiculous part is the breakfast *LOL*, i often prefer to not get hotel breakfasts (coz i hate waking up early hehe) but when i get them i expect not to have to walk for 10 minutes and queue up for a McD style food! And the being squished into the elevator part OMG, i experienced it last time in Macau… I suppose there were a lot of mainland China tourists there…? Btw, i thought it’s an Indonesian thing (squeezing four people in one hotel room), apparently Filipino do that too haha, high five!
I agree – sometimes it’s a hit/miss thing really. The important part is that we just find ways on how to enjoy the trip no matter what. π
Yeah, there were a lot of mainland China tourists everywhere we go and in the hotel whoa. One was even funny ’cause she was asking me if I was a local. I knew she heard me speaking in Filipino with my sister. Anyway, she still asked me how to go to an address. I didn’t know the answer.
I think we find people pushing and even blocking everywhere and not only in these countries. π
Looks like an amazing time. This is a gorgeous place to stay and the food looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Sadly though, “what you see is what you get” thing does not apply here. It’s very different once you experience staying in this hotel and dining in at the restaurant. π
I like to be closer to the city center. My husband likes to be further away, so he would opt for this hotel for location. The pool does look great. I hope it’s not too much more, costwise, to take a swim.
Yeah I forgot to ask the reception for information regarding the cost because we weren’t much interested.
I have a few friends who travel to hong kong frequently for business- from the US. and love it! I would love to visit sometime
Oh I’m sure they are staying in hotels with higher class. Also, they must be already masters in navigating crowds. π
The pool area is gorgeous but other than that, I can never see myself staying there.
Right. There are better hotels near the city proper.
What a wonderful hotel! I can’t wait to visit Hong Kong one day!
You should visit once at least with your family. π
It’s a shame that a lot of the features that a typical hotel would offer are here for an additional fee. It seems to me this place has some potential in terms of facility, but would be more luring if they offered what are now considered “the basics” at no extra cost.
Right. That’s a good way of saying it. I hope the management will take time to read reviews and comments posted about them. π
grateful for this post! thanks very much! i have been trying to find a decent and unbiased blog about Rambler as we’re going to be staying there next week for our HK Tour. I think we have the same partner travel agency – Stay Asia – but in the Philippines, we were booked with Air You Go Travels. I was trying to find things to do on our 3rd day, because we have free time in the morning until 12pm check out. What do you suggest we do in, like, 3 hrs. i intend to visit parks or something. i hope you respond. π
Hi Aimee! Thanks for taking the time to read through the entire post and leaving a comment. π We actually had a little view and impression in Hong Kong in our last stay. If you haven’t gone to my other post on the places we visit yet, here it is. First thing that came to my mind when asked for a suggestion was Tsim Sha Tsui (TST). Then again, if you’re not the type who’d want to go shopping, I suggest you go to Victoria Peak, Ngong Ping 360, or Repulse Bay for sightseeing and picture-taking. π
thanks for your comprehensive review of rambler hotel. may i just inquire how would you go to rambler hotel from the airport? and from rambler to disneyland?
planning to book at rambler with my kids (not sure though on their children rooming-in policy?) can’t find it in their website, maybe you have idea on this as well?
thanks much!
We had a travel agent before who picked us up from the airport. Since it’s just near, the best way is probably to take a taxicab. If you want to go to Disneyland, you can ride a taxi to the nearest MTR station and alight at the Disneyland Station. For hotel booking, it’s easier and better to book a room through Agoda. You may send in your questions via Agoda as well. π