Travelling overseas may be tricky right now, but there are amazing hotels here in Hong Kong. As restrictions lift a little, you can satisfy missed-holiday feelings with a staycation that offers luxury and relaxation – plus, you’ll be there in a jiffy!
Book through lightfoottravel.com to receive the special offers listed on these pages!
Rosewood Hong Kong
If the easing of social distancing has left you feeling oddly exposed, grab your favourite person or pet, and escape to Victoria Dockside where Rosewood’s cobbled driveway and petite lobby offer a discreet arrival. Work off excess quarantine cakes at the high-tech gym or outdoor pool, or join the complimentary HIIT, yoga and meditation classes. After a Chinese meal at The Legacy House, enjoy live music at the hotel bar The Dark Side (a cheeky reference to the term islanders use for Kowloon). Entry level rooms start at 570 square feet, so prepare to spread out in style.
Lightfoot Travel special offer: Book a stay and receive a complimentary bottle of wine.
The St. Regis Hong Kong
Spread across 25 floors, the St. Regis is perfect for a polished yet unpretentious getaway. Hong Kong interior designer Andre Fu fused the hotel’s Wan Chai location with the brand’s history to create a heritage feel; dapper butlers, afternoon tea in the Drawing Room and spiral staircases all nod to the past. This summer, book into their 24-hour staycation package focusing on wellness, and make the most of the outdoor swimming pool, gym, spa with steam rooms, whirlpools and saunas, and menu of massages and facials. And, as St. Regis holds the honour of inventing the Bloody Mary, it’d be rude not to indulge in one or two at the bar!
Lightfoot Travel special offer: Book a stay and receive a complimentary afternoon tea for two guests.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Private helicopter gathering dust? Fly to The Peninsula Hong Kong and utilise its rooftop helipad. Alternatively, enter the majestic lobby by foot where a live string quartet will provide a warm welcome. You could then head straight for the indoor pool and spacious spa, but with seven restaurants to investigate you’ll need to FOR OLD-SCHOOL CHIC maximise your eating time. Whether you’re craving Swiss, Japanese or Cantonese, each cuisine comes with a backdrop of old-school swagger and splash of metropolitan cool. Gaddi’s has a live band and dancefloor; Felix has two great bars and views.
Lightfoot Travel special offer: Book three consecutive nights and receive the third night for free.
Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel
A relative newbie on the staycay scene, this hotel is next to the entrance to Ocean Park and is just a stone’s throw from the eponymous MTR station. Inside, you’ll find a four-storey aquarium, large modern bedrooms (including three fun family-themed rooms), and four F&B options. However, it’s the huge landscaped swimming pool that steals the show with sections for laps, and toddler and child pools. There are also rumours of a spa opening soon which – given the madness of 2020 so far – will be a must-visit for those looking to soothe their stress levels.
The Upper House
For a speedy staycation where your children won’t find you, make The Upper House Hong Kong your hideaway. Poised on top of Pacific Place, upon arrival it feels like you’re being transported into a secret world. Guests glide in via an escalator, followed by a lift, and land in an enclave of wood, glass and limestone. Once inside, it’s big: at 730 square feet, rooms are some of the largest in the city – and at such a height they offer awesome views. There’s one restaurant and an all-day Sky Lounge, plus The Lawn on the sixth floor serves alfresco cocktails. There’s no pool, no spa and a tiny gym, but when immersed within such luxury, why would you need anything else?
Lightfoot Travel special offer: Book a stay and receive a complimentary bottle of wine.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
If a lockdown-life of staring at your own four walls felt less than fabulous, inject some showbiz into your weekend at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. Everyone from the Beatles to Beyoncé have entered – as you will – through the lobby of glittering chandeliers, champagne marble and golden hues. Luxuries here include an indoor swimming pool, 24- hour gym and outrageously good food from seven different eateries. Rooms are sumptuous and glossy, and adorned with Hong Kong artworks. Some feature floor-to-ceiling windows and chaise longues, which are best enjoyed after a stint in the exclusive Krug Champagne Room.
Lightfoot Travel special offer: Book a stay and receive a complimentary bottle of wine.
Four Seasons Hong Kong
For a staycay that will see you shaking off your “lockdown look” for good, scrub yourself up for the Four Seasons, where track pants and slides simply won’t cut it. This hotel’s elegant guest rooms, two three-Michelin star restaurants and Blue Bar views may have been enticing celebrities and dignitaries for years, but the warm atmosphere means you’ll settle in quickly. Now that the warmer months are here, you’ll also be able to enjoy one of the best swimming pools in town. With skyscrapers behind, and the harbour out front, soak up the panorama as you take a dip and relish what freedom feels like.
Lightfoot Travel special offer: Book a stay and receive a complimentary bottle of wine.
The Murray
Want to feel the buzz of the city at a safe distance? Despite its CBD location, The Murray has an air of calm, perhaps due to the natural light and space, and the magnificent old tree which – due to conservation constraints – stands proudly in the lobby forecourt. Rooms are equally zen, with big windows, blackout blinds and an egg-shaped clawfoot bathtub that begs you to use it. Elsewhere you’ll find personal trainers, spa suites and an indoor pool. There are also four in-house restaurants: The Tai Pan, Garden Lounge, Guo Fu Lou and rooftop Popinjays. The Murray welcomes pets, too, so treat your four-legged friend to the finer side of life.
Lightfoot Travel special offer: Book two nights and receive a third night free
Lightfoot Travel is a luxury tour operator with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and London specialising in designer holidays around the world.
2815 0068 | lightfoottravel.com
This article first appeared in the June 2020 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.