Hunter 4

10th Floor Ko's House
577 Nathan Road
Yau Ma Tei
Kowloon
Hong Kong
MTR: Yau Ma Tei Station, Exit A, then Exit A1

Open 24 hours
Tel: 2138 8678
Web: http://www.huntersauna.com.hk/

This is in the heart of Yau Ma Tei, another thoroughly local area of Very Rich Megacity, with a colourful history of triads, gang rapes, prostitution, brothels and karaoke bars.  Back in the day, most turf wars between the triads were settled in the karaoke bars. They figured it was less messy to sing one's throat out, than slit it.

The buildings are old and non-descript. Many are massive "mansion" style blocks built in the early 1950s.  Like its neigbour Mong Kok, the place is festooned with neon signs, local eateries, shops.  Nathan Road slices through Yau Ma Tei on its way down toward Tsim Sha Tsui.  Yau Ma Tei is not touristy, but a few intrepid ones can be found gawking, since there are hotels further south along Nathan Road, towards Jordan MTR Station.

Getting There

Take the MTR to Yau Ma Tei Station. Take Exit A and then Exit A1.


Exit A1 emerges on Pitt Street. Do an IMMEDIATE U TURN to face Nathan Road. Walk a few paces to join Nathan Road AND STAND THERE. There’s a plethora of street signage. Scan the landscape looking for signs like Burger King and KFC across the street from you.

Now, FACE LEFT and start walking North up Nathan Road. There’s a huge mixture of local shops on your Left, so take it all in while strolling along.

The first cross street is Hamilton Street. Cross it and keep walking straight along Nathan Road. More unremarkable shops on your Left – but keep your eyes peeled whilst approaching the next street corner.

This is the intersection of Nathan Road and Dundas Street. On the corner is a Chnese shop called “Tung Fong Hung” in fancy letters. That is 577 Nathan Road – but the entrance to the building, known as Ko’s House - is around the corner on Dundas Street.

Getting Up There

The entrance to Ko’s House is tiny, so tiny that there may even be a line of people on the sidewalk waiting to get in. Push the transparent glass door to climb the narrow flight of stairs that leads to a TINY Mezzanine level with a single antiquated elevator dating from the 1950s.

The initial impression is one of incredulity. Why would anyone put a gay sauna on the 10th Floor of an 11 storey building when several floors are low budget coffee shops catering to mainly str8, giggling 20 somethings?

Hint: the 20-somethings is the first clue to Hunter's clientele.

Get to the 10th Floor and turn RIGHT. Walk towards the illuminated “HUNTER” sign. The entrance is on the RIGHT. Ring the doorbell, get buzzed in.

There might be a shirtless 20-something chink in gym shorts on duty. Pay coin of HK$138.00. As a resident of Very Rich Megacity he’ll offer a stamp card: visit 5 times and the 6th visit is free. He might also give a coupon for HK38.00 entry after 11pm.

Push through the curtains and enter.

The 411 on the place? See Hunter 5

2010 FuelMix All Rights Reserved