Africa is home to the world’s longest river - the Nile, as well as the largest desert - the Sahara. Its culture is as diverse as its geography is varied, with over 2000 languages spoken across the continent’s 54 countries. The continent’s biggest draw however, is undoubtedly its unique wildlife, putting Africa firmly on most people’s bucket list.
Asia is the world’s largest continent, covering 30% of the Earth’s land. It is also the most populated, containing 60% of the world’s population. this vast continent is home to the world’s highest mountain - Mount Everest, and is a melting pot of diverse and interesting cultures. Each of our asian destinations is unique in its own right, from the neon cities of Japan, to the tropical islands of Thailand or the lush mountainous terrain of Bhutan - there really is something for everyone in Asia.
Comprising Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, this far-flung corner of the world is renowned for its natural beauty and unique wildlife. From the stunning coastal cities of Australia to the rugged adventure playground of New Zealand, and the idyllically remote islands of French Polynesia, Australasia is a veritable paradise for visitors.
The cities and towns of Europe are steeped in formidable history, and are arguably the finest and most impressive in the world in terms of uncontrived beauty. Most trips to Europe include a bucket list of restaurants and wineries to visit, but really, the holiday and activity options here are endless.
Latin America is home to some of the world’s most phenomenal natural wonders. The longest mountain range on earth - The Andes divides the continent from the southern tip at Tierra del Fuego to its northernmost coast on the Caribbean. Within its boundaries lies the world’s highest active volcano (Chimborazo, in Ecuador), the world’s highest waterfall (Angel Falls) and the world’s driest region (Atacama Desert). The Amazon river basin is the world’s largest river basin and is home to countless species of fascinating flora and fauna. With so much to see, visitors need plenty of time to explore this fascinating part of the world.
The land of opportunity is richly endowed with natural resources and as a result is one of the most economically developed regions in the world, with the highest income per capita of any continent, and an average food intake per capita that is significantly greater than that of any other continent. Its geography is diverse, its cities energy-filled, and its tv entertaining. From theme parks to nature reserves, and gourmet restaurants to fast food frenzy, there is something for everyone here, and it is a particularly fantastic continent to discover as a family.
Hong Kong's Best Staycation Packages for Summer 2020
By Alexandra Harris
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School holidays are underway, and, sigh, we are for the most-part stuck in Hong Kong for the 8 weeks of summer, due to the fact that Hong Kong still has a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon entering the country. Naturally we are all craving an escape, and Hong Kong hotels are accommodating us nicely with a variety of staycation packages to take advantage of. Here, we round up the best available deals and the pros and cons of each.
Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong
Staycation Package - Escape 24
Price: $2,380 + 10% per room, per night
Valid until: 30th September 2020
Inclusions:
24 hour stay from check-in time
Complimentary upgrade to a Harbour View Room
Daily breakfast for two at Grand Café
Special rate of $200 per vehicle for 24hr parking
One choice from the following benefits: 1) $1,000 spending credit per night to be used on dining (including room service) and spa; 2) Set menu at One Harbour Road for two people; 3) Dinner buffet for 2 people at Grand Café (Mon - Thur only); 4) Set menu for 2 people at Grissini (closed Sundays); 5) 40-minute body massage for 2 people at Plateau Spa (Mon - Thur only)
Pros: This is definitely the best deal around in terms of value for money. The hotel has the most ‘resort-like’ pool in Hong Kong, allowing guests to believe for a short while that they are actually somewhere far, far away. We love their wide range of high quality F&B options. They are great with kids, providing a host of cute amenities for them such as teddy bears, small sized bathrobes, and ice cream vouchers! The hotel has use of a fantastic children’s playground also.
Cons: If you stay over a weekend, the pool is hectic. Unless you are down there by 7:30am you may as well forget getting a sun lounger and will be put on a waiting list for when one becomes available. The room service menu was very limited (a COVID-19 related measure). A table at any of the hotel’s restaurants will need to be booked at least a week in advance.
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Weekend Staycation by M.O.
Price: $1,963 + 10%
Valid until: 31st August 2020 (Fri - Sun and public holidays only)
Inclusions:
30% savings on food only in all restaurants, excluding Pierre, The Drug Room and Banquets, up to a maximum of 6 people per table.
Additional benefits available to Fans of M.O.
Pros: An incredibly good rate from the Mandarin to celebrate the year the hotel opened. The hotel’s room rates usually cost from $4,000+ per night.
Cons: The Mandarin Oriental has an indoor swimming pool, so not ideal for those looking to lounge around by a pool all weekend, and perhaps not ideal for families as a result.
Staycation by M.O
Price: $2,880 + 10% for City View Room (Mon-Thu); $2,980 + 10% (Fri-Sun)
$5,380 + 10% for a City View Suite (Mon-Thu); $5,480 +10% (Fri-Sun)
$6,380 + 10% for a Statue Square View Suite (Mon-Thu); $6,480 +10% (Fri-Sun)
Valid until: 29th December 2020
Inclusions:
Complimentary daily breakfast for up to two adults and one child under 12 years old
$1,000 dining or spa services credit per stay when booking a room, or $1,288 per stay when booking a suite
24-hour flexible check-in and check-out
Upgrade to the next room category at check in (room to room, suite to suite)
Complimentary rollaway bed for a child under 12 years of age
Access to Kids Club, filled with games and entertainment. Children’s experiences include: Chocolate hunt, Towel and Balloon Art, Manicure Workshop and Amenities Memory Game
Staycation Experiences - guests may choose one of the following per room: Art Tour by Lévy Gory, Curated Hotel History Tour; Saturday Wine Appreciation Class, Weekend Chocolate Master Class, Mixology Class and Flower Wreath Class
Vestiaire Collective shopping privilege of HKD500 off a minimum spend of HKD$5,000
Complimentary Mercedez-Benz test drive for guests who book a two-night stay in a City View Room or higher room category
Welcome VIP amenity
Additional benefits available for Fans of M.O
Pet programme for one dog (10lb / 4.5kg) per room
Pros: Although more expensive than the hotel’s other offer, the add-ons here are definitely worth it. Especially as breakfast alone can easily cost $400+ per person. This is a particularly appealing package for while swimming pools and spas are closed during the pandemic, as the hotel is offering a truly interesting range of experiences for both adult and child guests.
Cons: As above
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
The Landmark Exclusive
Price: $4,100 + 10% for L450 Guest Room
Valid until: 31st August 2020
Inclusions:
Book an L450 guest room and receive guaranteed upgrade to a luxurious L600 Deluxe Room
Daily breakfast for two adults and one child in SOMM, MO Bar or In-room Dining
HKD $1,000 F&B or Spa Treatment credit per night, as well as 25% F&B discount at two-Michelin-starred Amber, SOMM, MO Bar, PDR and In-room Dining. 25% Discount at The Oriental Spa
Bespoke bathtub experience in your private 7-foot round spa tub. Le Petit Prince bath amenities, complimentary extra bed or crib for Younger Fans who are 11 years or younger
Aromatherapy Associates wellness kit for ladies to take home
Complimentary LANDMARK valet parking
Suite booking will receive additional credit and LANDMARK Chater BESPOKE Lounge access (not on Sundays)
Pros: A great option for an adult getaway - super slick rooms and facilities. The spa here is one of the best in the city.
Cons: The F&B and Spa credits and discounts are really great but the venues are definitely more adult orientated, so we wouldn’t recommend for a family staycation. Feels very much like a city hotel without the classic harbour views and no swimming pool at all.
Four Seasons Hong Kong
Hong Kong Staycation
Price: $2,500 +10% per room per night
Valid until: 31st August 2020
Inclusions:
Complimentary upgrade from Deluxe Peak View Room to Deluxe Harbour View Room
Complimentary Breakfast for 2 people at the Lounge or room service
Early check-in at 12pm and late check-out at 4pm
Pros: The pool at the Four Seasons is one of the most impressive in Hong Kong, and we love how they bring little treats round throughout the day. Great food at the Pool Terrace, definitely one of the best poolside menus. Children are given a bag full of activities to do and make during their stay. The cookie making kit was a particular highlight!
Cons: The pool here is teeming on weekends so ideally best to stay over a week night. No alcohol is currently being served around the pool, and when ordering at the Pool Terrace, it must be accompanied by some food. The Blue Bar is currently closed. F&B is notoriously expensive at the Four Seasons, however quality is high on the whole.
Rosewood Hong Kong
Victoria Dockside Essential Staycation
Price: From $3,500 +10% per room per night
Valid until: 30th December 2020
Inclusions:
One night’s accommodation in a Kowloon Peak View Room
Daily breakfast for two people at Holt’s Café
One set dinner menu for two people at The Butterfly Room or Tea Conservatory *once per stay
25% off all treatments valued at over $1,000 at Asaya Spa
Rosewood Staycation amenities
One complimentary KLUB 11 Gold Card Membership with HKD $500 K11 Musea Gift Voucher
Pros: A good deal for the Rosewood perhaps, but with limited inclusions there are definitely better deals to be had in Hong Kong at the moment. This hotel really is a cut above the rest however in terms of design, service and F&B offerings, and if you haven’t stayed here yet, we implore you to try it!
Cons: Although the view from the Rosewood pool is sensational, the pool area itself is too small to allow people to lounge there for hours on end. Other hotels are better for serious pool time. We think the hotel’s Ultimate Rosewood Urban Escape offers better value for money than this deal. The hotel seems to be creeping up the price of their staycation deals, making them less attractive to some of the other offerings.
The Ultimate Rosewood Urban Escape
Price: From $4,900 +10% per room per night
Valid until: 30th December 2020
Inclusions:
One night accommodation in a Kowloon Peak View Room
One-way transfer to/from a local destination or overnight parking
Access to Manor Club for two people
HKD $1,000 dining credit at Rosewood Hong Kong’s bars and restaurants *once per stay
HKD $800 credit at Asaya spa
Rosewood Staycation amenities
Complimentary rollaway bed for children 12 years or younger staying in the same room, subject to availability (maximum one rollaway per two adults and one child or one adult and two children.)
One complimentary KLUB 11 Gold Membership with HKD $500 K11 Musea Gift Voucher
Pros: This is in our opinion the better of the two Rosewood deals, as Manor Club access is fantastic. Complimentary afternoon tea, evening cocktails, and breakfast are served there, and the food quality is sensational. You can (if you wanted to) fill up on the evening buffet whilst knocking back some exquisite cocktails and playing a few games of snooker! The $1,000 dining credit is also very useful, and we think the F&B offerings at the Rosewood are the best of any hotel in HK.
Cons: As above
The Peninsula Hong Kong
We Meet Again - The Eight Loves of The Peninsula Hong Kong
Price: $4,080 + 10% for a Deluxe Room and $6,080 + 10% for a Superior Suite, with a second night or second room at 50% off room rate.
Valid until: 31st August 2020
Inclusions:
Breakfast for two people
One-way limousine transfer per booking per stay
HKD $500 hotel credit for use a hotel restaurants, bar and The Spa per booking per stay
The Peninsula Time 24-hour flexible check-in and check-out
Complimentary chocolates from The Peninsula Boutique
Welcome amenity
HKD $500 Gift Certificate for use at hotel restaurants, bar and The Spa for a future visit
In addition to the above value-added benefits, guests may select one of the “Eight Loves of The Peninsula Hong Kong” experiences including:
Love of Food - Fun with Food: A cooking class with our renowned culinary team
Love of Art: A curated tour of Leica’s f22 salon and photo exhibition ending with photos on the helipad
Love of Exploration: A scenic hike to The Peak with complimentary rides on Peak Tram and entry to Sky Terrace 428 at The Peak Tower
Love of Entertainment: Classic movie screenings in the hotel’s most unique venues
Love of Fashion and Culture: A timeless cheongsam-inspired costume fashion photography experience
Love of Wellness: A workout with a Lululemon professional trainer at our most unique harbour view venues
Love of Transportation: An aviation history tour and visit to the hotel’s helipad for a photo
Love of Community programme in support of local charities
*All value-added benefits in this package are valid for the first and full paying room only, except for breakfast which will be applicable for both rooms
Pros: We love Hong Kong’s Grande Dame of luxury hotels, and it’s old world colonial feel. Without the hoards of summer tourists, it might even be possible to get a table for afternoon tea for a change! The views over to Hong Kong side are sensational.
Cons: The price of this package has unfortunately just increased, but only by a few hundred dollars per night. Indoor pool only.
Ocean Park Marriott, Hong Kong
Home Kong Amazing Moment Room Package
Price: $1,816 + 10%
Valid until: 30th September 2020
Inclusions:
One night accommodation in a Deluxe Room
Complimentary buffet breakfast for two adults and one child (age 3 - 11)
Complimentary Ocean Park Admission Tickets for two adults and one child (age 3 - 11)
Dining vouchers worth HKD $1,000 in total; applicable for the hotel’s restaurants, hotel in-room dining, and designated Ocean Park F&B outlets
Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access
*Valid Wednesday - Sunday only
Pros: A fun family escape for those who don’t have annual passes for Ocean Park. The hotel pool is huge and the dedicated kids pool is particularly great, with a couple of small slides to keep little ones amused for hours on end.
Cons: Very limited availability. The pool is teeming on weekends, and we are guessing the same will also apply on weekdays given how booked up this deal appears to be. Long queues for the breakfast buffet, and you must book way in advance for the Chinese restaurant. A staycation here might feel a little stressful, given just how busy we found the hotel to be . . .
We hope this roundup of Hong Kong’s best Staycation packages will help you decide which deal is best for you. Please do get in touch with us to discuss further or to make a booking, by emailing us at hello@travelbytimothyoulton.com. Enjoy!
