APLF Leather & Materials+: Hotels & Where to Stay
31 Mar – 2 Apr 2027 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre 10,000 attendees
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APLF Leather & Materials+ is one of the world's most international leather and materials trade fairs, held annually, typically in March, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai. Running since 1984, it covers the full supply chain from tanning and finished leather to synthetic and sustainable materials, components, chemicals and machinery, serving tanners, manufacturers, designers and buyers in footwear, bags, accessories, upholstery and leather goods. It attracts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of Asia-Pacific and international buyers, with a busy programme of conferences and business-matching sessions. For a hotel-booking traveller, Hong Kong's compact geography is a strong advantage: the harbourfront HKCEC sits in central Wan Chai, minutes from a deep supply of hotels and directly served by the MTR, including the Airport Express from Hong Kong International Airport. Staying nearby means walkable access to the halls plus the transport, dining and trade amenities of a major sourcing hub.
Popular areas for attendees: Wan Chai · Causeway Bay · Tsim Sha Tsui.
- Hong Kong hotel demand climbs during the spring trade-fair season, so early booking secures better rates near the venue.
- HKCEC's central Wan Chai location puts thousands of rooms within walking distance or a short MTR ride.
- The Airport Express and MTR make the venue easy to reach without a car, convenient for buyers moving between meetings.
- Basing near the halls maximises time across the fair's three days of exhibits, conferences and business matching.
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 31 Mar – 2 Apr 2027
- Venue
- Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
- City
- Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- Airport
- HKG
- Attendance
- 10,000
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Hotels ranked by walking distance.
Flexible bookings
Pay Weekly available on free cancellation rooms.
Rates shown for the event window, Tue, Mar 30 → Sat, Apr 3 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat — all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
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- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Where to eat during APLF Leather & Materials+
Wan Chai's HKCEC sits minutes from Central and Causeway Bay by taxi or MTR, while AsiaWorld-Expo is out by the airport on Lantau (allow more time). These picks favour the Central/Wan Chai side, easy after a day at HKCEC.
Lung King Heen
Cantonese
Four Seasons, Central
Harbour-view Cantonese fine dining, a polished and safe choice for an important client dinner just across from Wan Chai.
Tip: Request a window table for the Victoria Harbour view when booking.
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8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana
Italian
Central (Alexandra House)
Umberto Bombana's refined Italian cooking with white truffle in season; a top-tier alternative to a Cantonese banquet.
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Kam's Roast Goose
Cantonese roast meats
Wan Chai (walkable from HKCEC)
Legendary crisp-skinned roast goose over rice in a no-frills room; a quick, brilliant lunch a few minutes from the convention centre.
Tip: Expect a short queue at peak lunch; turnover is fast.
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Yardbird
Japanese yakitori
Sheung Wan
Buzzy, no-reservations yakitori and Japanese small plates with a great sake and cocktail list; good for a relaxed team dinner.
Tip: Go early or expect a wait; it does not take bookings for small groups.
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Tim Ho Wan (Sham Shui Po)
Dim sum
Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
The original branch of the famed budget dim-sum chain, best known for its baked BBQ-pork buns.
Tip: Arrive off-peak; the baked char siu bao are the must-order.
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% Arabica
Specialty coffee
Central / Sheung Wan
Minimalist Kyoto-born coffee bar chain with several harbourside branches; reliable espresso for a quick meeting or takeaway.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Hong Kong
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after APLF Leather & Materials+ — bookable experiences in Hong Kong, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's calendar centres on its famous rugby sevens, midweek horse racing at Happy Valley and big shows at the new Kai Tak Stadium.
Hong Kong Sevens
The city's marquee rugby sevens tournament, now staged at the new Kai Tak Sports Park, famous for costumes and party atmosphere.
Find ticketsHappy Valley Racecourse (midweek racing)
Floodlit horse racing in the middle of the city, a lively and quintessentially Hong Kong evening out.
Find ticketsKai Tak Stadium concerts
The 50,000-seat retractable-roof stadium is now the city's main venue for major touring acts.
Find ticketsClockenflap Music Festival
Hong Kong's biggest outdoor music and arts festival, with a mix of international and regional acts.
Find ticketsStandard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon
A major road-race weekend that winds through Kowloon and across Hong Kong's harbour crossings.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Take the Airport Express from HKG to Hong Kong Station (about 24 minutes), then transfer to the MTR Island Line or a short taxi to HKCEC in Wan Chai.
- Airport Express passengers can use free shuttle buses connecting Hong Kong and Kowloon stations to major hotels near the venue.
- A direct taxi from the airport to Wan Chai takes roughly 35-45 minutes depending on traffic and tunnel routing.
Rail, ferry and other arrivals
- The West Kowloon high-speed rail terminus links Hong Kong to mainland Chinese cities and is a short taxi or MTR ride from Wan Chai.
- Cross-harbour and Star Ferry services connect Kowloon to Wan Chai Pier, about a 10-minute walk from HKCEC.
- Cross-boundary coaches and ferries serve Shenzhen, Macau and the wider Greater Bay Area for regional attendees.
Getting around during APLF Leather & Materials+
MTR and public transport
- Exhibition Centre Station on the MTR East Rail Line is directly beside HKCEC, roughly a five-minute covered walk via Exit B3.
- Wan Chai Station on the Island Line is a 10-15 minute walk via elevated footbridges from Exit A1.
- Trams, buses and ferries offer cheap, frequent links across Hong Kong Island and to Kowloon.
Taxis, rideshare and shuttles
- Metered red urban taxis are plentiful; carry your destination in Chinese to ease communication during busy fair days.
- Rideshare apps operate in Hong Kong, though taxis are often quicker to hail near the venue.
- Airport Express shuttle buses and some hotel shuttles serve the Wan Chai/Convention Centre area during major events.
Visa & entry
Visa-free entry to Hong Kong SAR
- Hong Kong runs its own immigration system, separate from mainland China; a mainland Chinese visa does not cover Hong Kong.
- Passport holders from around 170 countries and territories (including the US, UK, EU, Australia and Canada) can enter visa-free for stays typically ranging from 7 to 180 days depending on nationality.
- Check the exact visa-free period for your nationality and ensure your passport has sufficient validity.
Travellers who need a visa in advance
- Nationals of countries not covered by visa-free arrangements must obtain a Hong Kong entry visa/permit from the Immigration Department before travel.
- A separate visa is required to also enter mainland China, as Hong Kong entry does not permit onward mainland travel.
- Apply early and carry proof of your trade-fair business purpose and return travel where needed.
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the Hong Kong SAR embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at APLF Leather & Materials+?
- Book hotels early, as Hong Kong's spring fair calendar raises demand and rates citywide.
- Get an Octopus card on arrival for easy MTR, tram, bus, ferry and shop payments.
- Pre-register your visitor badge online to skip entry queues at HKCEC.
- Bring plenty of business cards, as card exchange remains central to leather-trade meetings here.
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Stay near Exhibition Centre or Wan Chai MTR stations for the shortest covered walk to the halls.
- Use the footbridge network to move between Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and the venue away from street crowds.
- Plan around the conference and business-matching sessions, which are a core draw of APLF beyond the exhibits.
- Book evening dinners and taxis ahead, as Wan Chai and the harbourfront get busy with delegates after hours.
APLF Leather & Materials+ travel FAQs
Which airport should I fly into for APLF Leather & Materials+?
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is the gateway. The Airport Express reaches central Hong Kong in about 24 minutes, with an easy onward MTR or taxi connection to HKCEC in Wan Chai.
Where is the best area to stay for the venue?
Wan Chai and the adjacent Convention Centre/harbourfront area sit within walking distance of HKCEC. Causeway Bay and North Point nearby offer good MTR links and a broad range of hotel price points.
How far is the airport from the venue?
HKCEC is roughly 35-45 minutes from HKG by taxi, or about 24 minutes on the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station plus a short MTR ride or transfer to Wan Chai.
Do I need a visa to attend?
Hong Kong has its own immigration system separate from mainland China, and most nationalities (including US, UK, EU, Australian and Canadian passport holders) can enter visa-free for short stays. Others must obtain a Hong Kong visa in advance, and a separate visa is needed to also enter mainland China.
What sectors does APLF cover?
APLF Leather & Materials+ spans the full leather and materials supply chain, from tanning and finished leather to synthetic and sustainable materials, components, chemicals and machinery, serving footwear, bags, accessories and leather-goods manufacturers.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with APLF Leather & Materials+ or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.