[Timboo]

Does anyone have "real" pictures of studiostudio, cozy studio and empire studio.

It appears that there are both positive and negative comments of cozy and studio studios, can anyone post more comments on Empire studio ?

many thx,
Tim

[sweep]

Checked out Empire Studio. As mentioned before, it's an old building and located on the 15th floor if I remember correctly. The lift is not for the claustrophobic. Also the outdoor catwalk from the lift to the rooms is kind of a trip because there's absolutely nothing seperating the catwalk from the ground floor - it's like peering over a percarious ledge.

There was nothing currently available except for a tiny space - literally the size of a closet - with a mattress right next to the lobby that they are trying to rent out. When I asked to see the rooms, I saw both the standard and deluxe, and they seemed to be okay, although both had dark curtains drawn. Also it should be noted that they have no qualms leting potential renters see the rooms when you're not there, so if you have valuables, that may be an issue.

Overall I'd say it has a real hostel-like feel to it, and although I'm a little too old for that, I don't think it's a bad place to stay especially with the prices being what they are.

[ThomHK]

I think i am in the same dilema you all were in before you went to HK, although there is no clear winner in this thread, i will need to stay in one of these places for my first month in HK. what if i throw regent heights into the equasion, has anyone here had any luck or heard anything about these guys?

Regards

Thom

[fishbone]

sorry guys, just need to check with you guys if you've the website for empire studio and 9 studio? i know i read it in some threads but can't seem to locate it now, thanks in advance!

[Kris18]

Here's the thing...

It's hard to choose a winner because all these places have different buildings with different looks. I personally found a good one from Cozy when I came here. I can suggest you try there. Stan is the guy in charge and he was very helpful. As for real pics, none of these places look like the pics you'll find online. If you're from the US imagine the average dorm room. If you're in town I suggest asking to see a few units in different buildings. If you're out of HK I suggest you ask for real photos of THAT UNIT or that you get a hotel for a few days while you look at the ones available.

Just my thoughts....

Kris

[kawennn]

Yes, I'll have to agree with you Kris. I gave Cozy Studios really good feedback earlier, and have actually recently moved from one building to another, and are still finding the apartment comfortable and decent to live in.

I think one thing everyone has to remember is that if you are coming to HK from another country (I was born in Hong Kong but lived in Australia for many years I came with an expectation), you will be surprised by the size of the apartments (in fact, ANY apartments), because the style of living in HK is simply different to living in a house in the US, UK, Canada or wherever. We are talking about rooms that are probably the same size or even smaller than your bedroom back home, which includes facilities such as bathroom, kitchen etc.

And as Kris says, no, the rooms are never gonna look like they did in the photos. But thats the case even if you are to stay at a 3 or 4 star hotel room, the room is always different to the photo.

Karen

[BagWah]

A lot of these companies have merged, de-merged and re-merged, so it's hard to tell who owns what these days.

Most of them are poorly maintained -- grim is one word. Dirty might be another depending on your level of acceptance. They are very Hong Kong, and simply the old bedsit room with a funky new website to make them look hip, trendy and, ahem, spacious.

Cozy Studios or Convenient Broom Cupboard, whatever you call them, they're all pretty much the same at the low end. There's a nice (sorta) one in Causeway Bay at the top of a stairwell full of cigarette butts and sullen Goth teens who are awfully cute and polite.

I think that was City Lofts. I stayed there, but I several of them and looked at more. They're not lofts at City Lofts of course, but this one is close to the wonderful 24/7 Tsui Wah, and that's what counts. Location.

One of the earlier posters asked for genuine pics of one of these places: the link below this is my take on Studio Studio, including some pics. Be warned, I don't use polite language in this blog, so caveat emptor.

Which is really the motto of the story.

Copywatch: March 2008