Festive Christmas staycation at East Hong Kong

It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas in Hong Kong. With most of us staying in the city for the holidays and looking for some festive cheer, it’s never a better time to book a staycation or a suitecation for an unforgettable extravaganza. Sweeping city-views, luxurious accommodation, romantic vibes, an array of food and drink deals – whatever your priority a mini holiday at East Hong Kong will not disappoint. 

Sweeping Vistas

The ecologically sensitive hotel has used recycled materials in its lobby decor. Smurfs-themed embellishments in the ‘Christmas Village’ are sure to attract the young ones and their families – not only is it a fun IG photo-opportunity – it also serves a lesson (or two) about sustainability and responsibility. 

Grab your wetsuits and the sunnies to the staycation because guests get access to the beautiful swimming pool and a direct booking gives a chance for a free upgrade to Harbour View room – daily breakfast and a bottle of Prosecco on the house. 

Chat and Chow at FEAST

The bright, open and spacious restaurant on the second floor has prepared an array of delectable Christmas delights – ‘boned and rolled’ turkey at brunch buffet, spiced honey and orange glazed gammon ham exclusive at semi-buffet lunch among other mouth-watering feasts. Christmas at the hotel comes with an all-you-can-eat pass and their dinner buffet featuring ranch reared boned turkey roll, spiced honey glazed Australian shoulder ham, antipasti, delicious desserts, among other delicacies is testament to that. 
FEAST (Food by EAST), feastreservations@east-hongkong.com, (852) 3968 3777

Bubble Up at Sugar

All cravings for a bit of al fresco glamour will be met at Sugar, the relaxed lounge bar on the hotel’s 32nd floor. Dazzling views, delicious drinks – there’s no better place to watch the sun go down on yet another Christmas. Guests can treat themselves to aromatic mulled wine, and two new warm cocktail creations – Silk Road and Sweet Encounter, the former inspired by the traditional Chinese dessert Osmanthus Jiuniang Dumplings and recreated with enhancement of plum wine.

Sugar’s themed night ‘Wanderlust’ includes music by live DJ on 31 December, with four cocktails and one shooter set inspired by countries around the world. The outdoor deck with harbour views is the perfect place for countdown with your beloved ones.

There is a 2-hours free flow of red, white wine and bubbles (HK$288) from 3:00pm to 6:00pm for early partygoers, along with a snack platter on 31 December. For the party from 9pm – 2am, guests can enjoy drinks packages starting from HK$1,400 – a minimum spend of HK$860 per person will be required.
Sugar, reservations@sugar-hongkong.com, (852) 3968 3738

(The post is in partnership with East Hong Kong)

Lifestyle trends to look out for in 2021

2020 had been a roller coaster of a ride that brought Hongkongers a slew of both positive and unfortunate moments— circumstances that impeded on a comfortable and habitual lifestyle. In spite of the unexpected events of last year, it brought about a handful of booming lifestyle trends that had caught on quicker than Covid-19.  Though the pandemic stretches into 2021— overstaying its welcome, these lifestyle trends are here to stay.

Plucking, waxing or threading Which is best for eyebrow shaping  gafencu magazine beauty W hotel bliss spa
(Image from W Hong Kong)

Wellness Staycations

With travel restrictions hammered down, Staycations have never been more popular. The city saw its highest spike in staycation searches in 2020, setting a record high of Google searches, according to data provided by Google. The trend was quickly captured by luxury hotels like Hyatt, Peninsula, W Hong Kong and Rosewood by meeting the demands of local residents for a ‘wellness getaway’ right in their own backyard. Rejuvenation spa treatments inclusive in Staycation packages were the highlight of these promotions, offering home-bound residents a relief from their citylife burdens. And as long as travel restrictions are still in place, sumptuous Staycations are here to stay.

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Home cooking

The widely used photo and video sharing platform, Instagram witnessed a boom in mouth-watering home-cooked delicacies last year. With social distancing firmly in place, home cooks turned their hand to baking and other culinary experiments, as a a safer option to dining out; Putting all that extra time away from the office and social gatherings to developing a new skill. This trend was observed by Nielsen, global measurement and data analytics company, stating that “77% of consumers in Hong Kong planned to eat at home more often than before”.

2021 lifestyle trends gafencu magazine hiking
Image from Hellohongkong

Local adventure

Although hiking was initially a call to form healthier habits whilst gyms and swimming pools remained closed, the rediscovery of the natural landscapes that occupy almost 70% of the city quickly became an Instagrammable trend featuring lesser known landscapes and beaches. But beyond the noteworthy  scenic views, trekking the forested hillsides and rocky coastlines of Hong Kong is also an activity city dwellers in-need of an urban getaway and can to return to long past the pandemic ends as studies have shown that a 90-minute walk in nature reduces depression, according to Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Science.

2021 lifestyle trends gafencu magazine at-home workout online

Home workouts

A virtual trend that solved fitness needs for both fitness centres and members while the gyms were forced to close their doors, at-home workouts offered flexibility and convenience that fitness enthusiasts increasingly bacome keen on. Even though it is expected that members will return to physical gyms and fitness studios once social gathering restrictions lift, the availability of fitness apps, online classes, and luxury home-gym equipment serve a community that had previously been hindered by their hectic careers from living an active lifestyle. The global online and virtual fitness market is projected to continue its growth until 2027, reaching $59,231 million according to Allied Market Research.

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Image from Impossible Foods via Facebook

Veganism

Plant-based food is making its move to take over the dining table. Alternative meat options such as OmniPork and Impossible Foods have won over the loyalty of health-conscious diners and supporters of sustainable living. With the pandemic bringing new light to the health concerns of meat products, consumers are making their switch to veganism. A research by DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences and Ipsos has revealed new data that shows significant increase in the demand for plant-based meat and is predicted to grow to US$1.7 billion, marking a 25% increase in the next five years.