Home Affairs Department - Hotels & Guesthouses

Hotels & Guesthouses

Introduction

Under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, "Hotel" and "Guesthouse" mean any premises whose occupier, proprietor or tenant holds out that, to the extent of his available accommodation, he will provide sleeping accommodation for any person presenting himself who appears able and willing to pay a reasonable sum for the services and facilities provided and is in a fit state to be received.

Under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation (Exclusion) Order, Premises in which all accommodation is exclusively provided on the basis of a minimum period of 28 continuous days for each letting and no wavier, refund or reduction of fees will be made if the letting is for any reason shortened to less than 28 continuous days will be excluded from the application of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.

Premises under the scope of control

Hotel
Guesthouse (general)
Guesthouse (holiday camp)
Guesthouse (holiday flat)

No premises to which a licence applies will be permitted in an industrial building or in a basement.

Application for a Licence

Any new establishments must apply for a Licence from the Authority before commencing operation. Validity periods of licences range from 12 to 84 months. Licences are subject to renewal upon their expiration. The renewal application must be made within the period beginning 6 months before, and ending 3 months before, the end of the licence period of the licence (application period). The Authority may accept a renewal application made after the application period if the Authority considers there is a good reason for doing so.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that his premises do comply with the lease conditions, Deed of Mutual Covenant and other legislation.

How to apply

Application forms can be obtained from the Office of the Licensing Authority or downloaded from the Home Affairs Department's website of http://www.had.gov.hk/en/other_information/forms.htm. Completed forms are to be returned to the address as stated on the application forms. Please refer to the Common Problems for more details.

Guidelines on license requirements are available for applicants’ reference.