Top Five Staycations in Hong Kong: Get away while staying in

If you are hard-pressed for time to take that beach vacation to Koh Samui, look no further than the many beaches in our own city. With our top five staycations in Hong Kong, there’s really no easier way to recuperate your holiday-deprived souls.

Silvermine Beach Resort

Unwind at one of Hong Kong’s only true beach hotel. Complete with Saturday barbecue dinners, alfresco style dining, luxurious lounges, boat and bicycle rentals, Silvermine Beach Resort is ideal for transporting you to the beaches of Phuket or Bali in a mere 30-min ferry ride from Central!

D.D.2 Lot 648, Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo, Lantau Island
+852 6810 0111, www.silvermineresort.com

Auberge Discovery Bay

Situated in the lap of nature, this island oasis on Discovery Bay brings the best of nature’s beauty and state-of-the-art facilities to its guests. Enjoy a staycation in Auberge’s many sea-facing spacious rooms or suites that offer panoramic views of South China Sea. Auberge Discovery Bay is also completely smoke-free, making it the perfect place to soak in pure oxygen.

88 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island
+852 2295 8288, www.aubergediscoverybay.com

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

Imperial Suite at Four Seasons Hong Kong

When it comes to luxurious staycations, Hongkongers are literally spoilt for choice by the myriad luxury hotels in town. Among these, Four Seasons Hong Kong would be an obvious choice for couples looking to ‘up’ their wellness quotient. With a wide range of vegetarian, gluten-free and sustainably-sourced seafood options, and one of the world’s best five-star spas to boot, Four Seasons is the place to visit all seasons for a weekend of holistic makeover and rejuvenation.

8 Finance Street, Central
+852 3196 8888, www.fourseasons.com

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Time-starved people can also explore the rather aptly named Escape 24 staycation package at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. Enjoy a 24-hours stay in the Grand Deluxe Harbour Room and access to an outdoor heated pool and a fitness centre in this package that’s only available to HKID holders. Complimentary parking for one vehicle per stay is also included in this offer. We recommend this for an anniversary or birthday getaway for the complimentary celebration cake, the chocolates and strawberries, and, of course, the champagne.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai
+852 2588 1234, www.hongkong.grand.hyatt.com

Hullet House

Looking to imbibe a bit of heritage on one of your staycations? Look no further than Harbour Plaza’s colonial-style heritage hotel Hullet House, housed in the former Marine Police Headquarters, one of the oldest surviving government buildings in Hong Kong dating back to 1881. In keeping with their old-world charm, the hotel offers heritage tours within its history-laden premises, covering spots like pigeon courtyard, Indian police rest, mariners’ rest and old horse stables.

1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
+852 3988 0000, www.harbour-plaza.com/hulletthouse

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Spring Beauty: Where to get this seasons top 5 facials

Feeling a little worse for wear or just fancy a pampering pick-me-up? Check out our roundup of the top 5 facials that will have you looking refreshed and recharge, just in time for Summer.

Renew, Refresh, Recharge at The Ritz-Carlton Spa

Located on the 116^th floor with breathtaking views across the harbour, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, launches a seasonal 90-minute seasonal 90-minute Renew, Refresh, Recharge Facial. Thanks to its pioneering formulas of the much-coveted 111SKIN Cryo line and expertly tailored facial techniques (developed by London-based plastic surgeon, Dr Yannis Alexandrides); this relaxing experience will leave your skin looking beautifully clean and visibly radiant. The only thing left to do is book, but be quick as the mother-of-all facials is only available until 30 April, 2018.

Price: HK$2,080 on Monday – Thursday, HK$2,280 on Friday – Sunday and public holidays.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, (852) 2263 2040, www.ritzcarlton.com

Optimal Skin at The Mandarin Spa

As part of The Mandarin Spa’s Advanced Skin Care facials series, the Optimal Skin treatment has been created to tackle a wide range of issues including adult breakouts and premature aging. Combining non-invasive peeling and sensation-free electrical technology alongside active vitamins, peptides and anti-oxidants, this 90-minute facial promises nothing but fast results.

Price: HK $2,200 on weekdays, HK$2,500 on weekends and public holidays

The Mandarin Spa, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, (852) 2825 4888, www.mandarinoriental.com

Julisis Biorhythm Facial at the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

Combining skincare with holistic healing this facial is designed to match your natural biorhythm. Start your treatment with a seated meditation to calm the mind followed by a thorough face, neck, head and jaw massage to release tension in your face. Using a personalised combination from the Julisis skin care line – comprised of cell nutrition from bio-dynamic herbs as well as liquid silver and gold essence – your face will be cleansed masked and moisturised. Aimed at aligning your mind and body with the rhythm of nature, you are sure to leave this treatment feeling energetic with a super glow.

Price (based on duration): From HK$1,750 – HK$3,500 on Monday – Thursday and HK$2,000 – HK$3,780 on Friday – Sunday

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, (852) 3196 8888, www.fourseasons.com

90 Never Looked So Good at The Peninsula Spa

To celebrate nine decades of excellence, The Peninsula Hong Kong has put together a series of exclusive packages and therapies to satisfy beauty splurges. Indulge in the sumptuous series of seven Margy’s Super-Lift Haute Couture facials for revolutionary results. Pampering doesn’t get any more luxurious than this, so be sure to book your treatments in before the offer expires on 31 May, 2018.

Price: HK$19,000

The Peninsula Spa, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, (852) 2696 6682, www.peninsula.com

Chuan Yu at Chuan Spa

For those looking to incorporate methods from ancient Chinese medicine, this signature facial will tick all the boxes. Using the ancient Gua Sha technique, this treatment uses jade, known as a healing stone, to nurture, heal and restore the skin. By scraping the stone on important meridian points, it the flow of blood circulation will be increased and therefore helping to create that refreshing glow.

Recommended for normal and combination skin types, this treatment is best avoided if you suffer from acne or have sensitive skin.

Price: HK$1,250

Chuan Spa, Cordis Hong Kong Langham Place, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, (852) 3552 3510, www.chuanspa.com.hk

Sweet Talk: Gafencu interviews Nicolas Lambert, Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2018

Nicholas Lambert, pastry chef of Four Seasons Hong Kong, may be just in his early 30s, but all the accolades showered on him so far (and all of which he so deserves) speak volumes about the talent of a man whose vision is well beyond his years. The latest trophy under his belt is the coveted Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2018 Award, sponsored by Valrhona, a title that he has just won at the highly prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards held in Wynn Palace Macau recently. We caught up with Nicolas Lambert just after the Awards Night to talk about all things sweet.

Congratulations on winning the award for Asia’s Best Pastry Chef. How do you feel?

It came as a total surprise! Winning this award is such an emotional moment for me. I need to thank my wife, my family and my team at Caprice for all the support. After three years of working in Hong Kong with Four Seasons Hotel, I can easily say that this is the best achievement I could have got so far.

What were the challenges along the way?

The journey wasn’t exactly an easy ride. When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I didn’t speak English at all. But I am grateful for all the support that I have got from my colleagues, particularly from my pastry team at Caprice, all of whom who have been there for me since the very beginning.

Do you have any mentor that you look up to?

Philippe Torti, my first boss, is a person I really look up to. He’s like a second father to me. He had mentored me through my first five years of learning how to make pastry.

What is the inspiration for your favourite dish?

I love desserts with hazelnut. I can find inspiration everywhere – in a museum, in nature, while looking at a painting or anywhere else – but never in other pastry creations, because it is very important to have my own unique style and identity. I want my pastries to be shaped by my personality.

You have achieved so much at a relatively young age. What’s next on the cards for you?

I am young in terms of age, but I started making pastries at the age of 15, so everything I have done in these 15 years has been a labour of love and passion. For me, going to work everyday is immensely enjoyable.

Moving on, I will continue to travel more and meet as much people new people as possible. I believe that when you open yourself to new experiences, anything can be possible. Working in the hospitality industry opens door to many countries – there are 100 or more Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to explore!

Thank you.

Interview by: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay