If the ferry service is curtailed and you are on the big island or Kowloon, you have to stay with friends. If you don't have any friends, you can get a cheapassed hotel room most of the time.
I have found that the Imperial hotel on the Nathan road opposite the (pricey) Peninsula will often have 700.00/night rooms in the Western style, meeting Western expectations that is, on short notice. The YMCA is great next to the Peninsula but often has no rooms on short notice. The Peninsula at 3000.00+ a night might represent pure self-indulgence but if you are otherwise miserable it might cheer you up to spend all that money.
The Chung King and the Mirador are at the other end of the scale, with windowless and humid guest rooms as low as 120.00. By the standards of parallel American estaminets they are quite safe but one needs one's wits about one.
On Hong Kong I have discovered a number of small guest-houses off Percival street at Hysan. These appear to have several functions. One is to provide a place for lovers to do the deed. Another is for the use of local hos and their clientele. A third is to provide you with a place to stay if you are like me merely a member of the white collar proletariat.
Apart from the mirrors on the ceiling I have found these places quite civilized at about 300.00. If you are offended by porn don't tune the TV to channel one.
_________________ Publish and be damn'd
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