As Hong Kong begins to emerge from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels across the city are gearing up to entice residents to leave their house for a night and check into their properties for a staycation. After all, it’s likely as far as any of us will be able to travel this summer. Among the hotels to put together a staycation package is the lavish St. Regis Hong Kong, an Andre Fu-designed property nestled in a quiet corner of Wanchai.

First Impressions

The St. Regis brand refers to itself as the House of Astor, a reference to its owner – John Jacob Astor – and his intention to create a properly that mimicked welcoming guests into his New York City home at the beginning of the 20th century. It’s no wonder, then, that arriving at the hotel does feel like coming home – albeit a home that’s thoroughly opulent and design-forward.

Guests arrive in a covered portico and are quickly whisked up to the serene lobby area which is resplendent in marble, gilding, vertiginous ceilings, and an echo of Art Deco sensibilities.

These design aesthetics are carried through the property, including the Premier Room we check into. Here, the minibar shelving, plush seating, and marble-topped table all have echoes of opulent Art Deco style, as does the spacious marble bathroom and its elegant fittings. Comfort and modernity are key, though, so there are also Frette linens, robes, and slippers, and drapes that open and shut at the touch of a button located in the nightstand.

The Staycation

We’re here on their new 24-hour staycation package, which offers guests flexible check-in and check-out times and a full 24 hours at the House of Astor. After whiling away some time in the luxurious surroundings of the room, we make our way down to The St. Regis Bar, where we intend to enjoy a pre-dinner tipple. Unfortunately, our plans were somewhat thwarted.

With everyone out and about after months of sensibly staying at home to rid Hong Kong of COVID-19, the bar – which, admittedly, is rather intimate, if beautifully rendered – is packed and there isn’t a single seat available. The Drawing Room and lobby area, which had been reasonably quiet on our arrival, was now full, with the excited chatter of people preparing for a fun Friday night filling the air. We were asked to leave our room number; about 15 minutes later, we received a call saying a space had opened up at the bar.

Any stay here should include dinner at one of the two Michelin-starred restaurants, and luckily, the staycation offer includes $1,000 dining credit so you can indulge. I personally have a penchant for L’Envol, the sophisticated French fine-dine helmed by Olivier Elzer. But, as this was completely booked out (as it often is some two weeks in advance), we slipped into Rùn, the equally elegant Chinese restaurant led by renowned local chef Hung Chi-Kwong, and enjoyed a lovely Chinese meal that struck a great balance between decadence and restraint

To start, there was an appetizer medley of barbequed char siu, wagyu puffs, and Chinese-style foie gras, followed by a flavorsome soup brimming with mushroom and abalone. For mains, we shared a delicate egg and lobster concoction paired with a delicious vegetable dish that blended asparagus, mushroom, and pumpkin. The meal was perfectly satiating, especially because it ended on a sweet note of egg tarts and a special pink guava pudding.

After a great night’s sleep, I’d been hoping to hole up in one of the poolside cabanas for the morning to enjoy a bit of sun and a splash in the pool, but the weather wasn’t being cooperative (an understatement if I ever heard one). Instead, we returned to Rùn for a lovely breakfast – you must try the Eggs Benedict – and lazed the morning away in the comfort of our room. It sounds lazy, but perhaps that’s exactly what a restful staycation should be.

Some Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for an urban escape where you can just check-in, indulge in some good food and drinks, and real R’n’R, then you’ll want to book this St. Regis staycation offer quick-smart. It’s a solid value-for-money proposition, and a pleasurable way to spend 24 hours. The hotel manages to offer luxury with a studied restraint that allows guests to enjoy the experience without being overwhelmed by grandiosity.

It’s also worth mentioning that service counts, especially in a city like Hong Kong where staycation options abound. The St. Regis Hong Kong also delivers on this front, with staff that is friendly and knowledgeable that offers attentive but not intrusive service. This is definitely a place where everyone knows your name and can organize things for you in the blink of an eye.

The St. Regis 24 Hours Staycation Package – from $3,888

• Flexible check-in and check-out for a 24-hour stay
• Guaranteed upgrade from Deluxe Room to Premier Room
• $1,000 dining to be spent at any outlet at the hotel
• Virgin Canto Mary (St. Regis Bar’s signature drink) for two
• Personalized fitness class for two
• Complimentary valet parking for 24 hours

 

Written by The Loop HK for The St. Regis Hong Kong
The author was a guest of The St. Regis Hong Kong.

 

Tags:  Hong Kong Hotels Hotels Staycation The St Regis Hong Kong