Celebrity Life

You might be wondering, what can you get out of a hotel staycation when things you'd normally enjoy at the property: the spa, the restaurants and the bars have had to close down because of the pandemic? The truth is, yes, you will be missing out on some things. But what we've come to discover is that a staycation during a pandemic is a whole new experience with a lot of its own perks too. Here are just a few things we loved about the St. Regis staycation.

A Festive Welcome

The St. Regis Hong Kong, already a cosy and intimate setting, is completely transformed with dazzling festive decorations all around. There are fun little activations all around as well. From 23rd to 26th December, rooms are all decorated with Christmas stockings and Santa-costumed teddy bears that you can bring home. You'll also find Santa's postbox in The Great Room. Guests can request for a Christmas postcard at the reception desk and have their wishes delivered to North Pole directly, no postage required.

During Christmas, from 23rd to 26th of December, rooms are decorated with Christmas stockings and a stuffed Santa-costumed teddy bear that you can bring home with you.

Having butler service is already a great luxury in any situation, but what they can do for you when you're staying in your suite for the majority of your stay is suddenly so much more apparent.

Forget in-room Nespresso coffee. Did you know you could get all kinds of coffee and freshly brewed tea delivered to you at all hours? The butler team can be easily accessed via WhatsApp too, by scanning a code that comes with your room card.

In-Room Dining

Dining in-room was a surprisingly enjoyable affair, and an option you probably would not have considered prior to these new measures. St. Regis has prepared a special Festive Afternoon Tea set made for in-room dining, and its two Michelin-starred restaurants, L'Envol and Rùn, are also serving special menus to be served in-room. A culinary highlight of the St. Regis Staycation was definitely the Hokkaido sea urchin with gamberoni prawn and crunchy fennel, as was the tender seared A3 Kagoshima beef tenderloin with heart-shaped "pommes souffles" and caper jus. Each course is served separately — the butler team has timed it perfectly so your food remains hot every time they knock on your door. Wine pairings are available too if you so desire.

An Evening Treat

And last but not least, end the night with a soothing soak in the bath. Using 001 Skincare London, a line of British natural skincare created by royalty facialist Ada Ooi, the butler will draw up a bath for you at your desired time and leave you to enjoy for as long as you want.

The one-night staycation package at the St. Regis Suite includes:

One night “Stay & Dine” staycation package (inclusive of St. Regis Suite, 2 breakfasts at Rùn and a choice between an in-room Afternoon Tea or a 3-course set dinner menu at The Drawing Room or in-room with a glass of red or white wine each for two pax); One 001 Skincare London aroma oil bubble bath experience.

St. Regis staycation is valid from now until March 2021, and can be redeemed on Sundays to Thursdays only.

To enter, head to our Instagram page and follow the instructions.

St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Dr, Wan Chai; +852 2138 6888

The post Christmas Giveaway: A St. Regis Staycation appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Much like other St. Regis properties around the world, The St. Regis Hong Kong exudes the kind of refined luxury that can subconsciously make you sip your tea with an upturned pinkie finger.

But in reality, there are more layers that define modern luxury in this hotel, from the timeless elegance and creativity of its design, to the highly considerate and bespoke services, to the downright excellent hospitality that lets you know you are always well looked after. Read on for our full review.

[gallery size="full" ids="159761,159767,159762,159765,159769,159757,159758,159763,159764,159768"]

Location: 10/10

Situated in Hong Kong's Wan Chai district, just steps away from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC), it's no wonder business travellers are choosing to stay here. But for those looking for leisure, you won't be too far from Wan Chai's heritage buildings, boutiques and street-food stalls. What's more, there's plenty of shopping and dining in nearby Causeway Bay, Admiralty, Central, North Point and Quarry Bay, too.

Design: 10/10

Thoughtfully designed by celebrated Hong Kong architect and designer André Fu, the interiors of The St. Regis have been left with his signature mark for stylish, polished, and always tasteful design. The hotel's 129 rooms and suites, in particular, benefit from Fu's memories of the city, which reflect an East-meets-West sensibility in the subtlest of ways. Delicate hues of beige, taupe and ivory are juxtaposed with dark wood and pops of colour on lacquer. Its striking yet understated design makes guests feel like they could actually live here forever.

Ambience: 10/10

An air of refinement translates into soft voices and manners across the board. It's a lovely atmosphere to enjoy lounging without feeling like you might be ushered away at any moment. It's relaxed with a hushed level of organisation that allows for all those customised services. During our stay, we saw mostly business travellers, a few couples and families (and even fewer children) enjoying the hotel's facilities.

Rooms: 9/10

The St. Regis Suite's spacious living area features a functional and contemporary design that you would want to model your own home on. A separate bedroom complete with a king-size bed induces slumber immediately, while a Claybrook bathtub and rain shower call for a few more washes during the day. If we were to nitpick, the only thing lacking would be a better view. The closeness of the cityscape (the hotel is sandwiched between buildings) doesn't warrant much gazing out, but with the hotel being so stunning, you don't really need to look outside to find beauty.

Service & Facilities: 8/10

Upon entering our suite, we noticed a few housekeeping issues that were probably due to the fact that a requested early check-in had rushed the staff. Thankfully, they were rectified immediately. Check-in was completed within our suite, which does away with all the queuing and waiting you might experience at other hotels. But the best part? Well, if I could continue living with The St. Regis' signature Butler and e-Butler services, I would die a happy woman. The service is quick, attentive and really quite pleasant. My only judgement is reserved for the fact that every time I called, they would address me with my husband's name, which felt a little old-fashioned in my opinion. A spa, pool, large gym, along with valet parking, laundry on-site and mobility accessible rooms are also available.

Food & Drink: 10/10

There are a few options at The St. Regis that are definitely worth trying; these include French fine-dining restaurant L'Envol led by acclaimed chef Olivier Elzer, an elegant Chinese restaurant named Rùn with some outstanding dim sum items for lunch, exquisite afternoon tea at The Drawing Room, as well as distinctive cocktails at The St. Regis Bar. Breakfast isn't included, but is available at Rùn for an additional price and includes continental and Chinese hot foods, cereals, cold cuts, cheese and pastries made in house. Definitely pick up a pain au chocolat with an apple pastry or two, and thank me later.

Rates: From HK$3,500/night for a Deluxe Guest Room to HK$123,500/night for the Presidential Suite (prices may vary depending on availability and season).

Special Mention: It's also worth knowing that The St. Regis launched a Suite Package to give guests special experiences when staying in The St. Regis or Metropolitan Suites. Complimentary experiences include afternoon tea for two, two signature cocktails, and personal sabrage lesson with bottle of champagne. The offer runs until 31 December 2019.

Rating: 9.5/10

Perfect for:  a luxurious staycation in refined elegance and zero pomposity.

The post Hotel Review: The St. Regis Hong Kong Promises a Refined and Relaxing Stay appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

I consider myself a fairly balanced person: I’m quick to sidestep monotony and committed to a respectable work-life balance without obsessing over that other balance (the one in my bank account). Suffice to say that balance is a rather important element that I, along with many other professionals in the city, strive for. So when the weight of the work week was becoming a little heavy, it felt felicitous to visit the French fine-dining restaurant L’Envol.

[caption id="attachment_148934" align="alignnone" width="1654"] Chef Olivier Elzer is now the Culinary Director at French restaurant L'Envol.[/caption]

The new restaurant is headed by lauded French chef Olivier Elzer, who cut his teeth working for culinary greats Joël Robuchon and Pierre Gagnaire, before his own restaurant, Seasons, earned a Michelin star in 2015. Having left that restaurant in 2017 to pursue other projects, I was delighted to hear that Elzer was back in the kitchen knocking out his unique and inventive approach to French cuisine once more. L’Envol, meaning "the flight" in French, is located in The St. Regis Hong Kong -- one of Hong Kong’s newest luxury hotels that has since become the haunt of choice for the city’s social elite and incoming travellers looking to indulge.

[inline_related_article article_id="138880"]

I take the lift up to the third-floor restaurant and upon entering, notice the large open kitchen that spans the length of the main dining area like a large window display. It’s a spacious work area where chefs can be seen whizzing around prepping the meal ahead. The dining room is tastefully designed as acclaimed designer André Fu’s interpretation of a contemporary French salon. Eschewing elaborate ornaments and gaudy finishings, the space is instead sumptuous and stylish. A palette of stone grey, pewter and soft creams wrap the room with hand-painted silks that flow along the furnishings and walls, while the marble floor, chandeliers and gold accents fortify a classic elegance throughout.

[gallery ids="148946,148944,148945"]

Then, I discover the cheese and wine cave: Holding 25 different varieties of cheese from France, its pungent aroma fills the air and I vow to get a cheese plate for dessert. Feeling sufficiently spoilt in the posh surroundings, I promptly take my seat to sample some canapés, including a cube of foie gras with ginger that sparks both my excitement and appetite. Others are less notable, except for crackers dipped in a lush cream and chive sauce from Alsace, where Elzer was raised. A warm assortment of bread also arrives; I opt for black rye which pairs fantastically with luscious Champagne butter. I am, however, quick to withdraw from the carb-loaded attack as the menu indicates that this is just the precursor to the five-course dinner “journey”.

[gallery ids="148940,148943"]

Meals come with informative wine recommendations from Chief Sommelier Tristan Pommier and for me, a crisp Chablis takes us through to the first course: a tasting of the black pearls of caviar from La Maison Nordique. I dive into the two dishes and begin with the delicate-tasting Ossetra harvested from Russian sturgeon. It’s layered with beef consommé jelly and horseradish topped with the sweet, nutty pops of caviar. Next, a textural play of sweet razor clam tartare is flourished with horseradish cream and the larger, briny beads of Shadi which come from schrenkii fish in China. It’s a really strong start and pulls me into submission for the courses to come.

Along with Elzer’s comeback is the return of his signature five-spiced tuna, which fans may fondly remember from Seasons. Lightly seared slices of tuna flirt with the zing of citrus and crispy shallots, mellowed by creamy, crushed avocado. Although not exactly the inspired new dish that I’d hoped for, it remains a favourite and a good balance of flavours that I gladly welcome onto L’Envol’s menu.

[caption id="attachment_148939" align="alignnone" width="1890"] Roasted John Dory is served with an aubergine confit and red wine sauce.[/caption]

Next there are more wholesome dishes: Roasted John Dory from Brittany reels us in while dismissing the antiquated wine adage of “white with fish and red with meat”. Cooked in white wine, the fish is more firm than flaky, but it makes for the ideal canvas painted with rich red wine sauce and meaty Fukuokan aubergine confit. A change of wine pace moves us onto a supple Syrah from Maxime Graillot Domaine des Lises, which is fruity and spicy on the nose but delightfully savoury on the palate. It’s paired with the next dish of the night, a flawlessly seared beef fillet from Kagoshima, glazed in glossy overcoat of French morels, escorted by crunchy potato tubes and the pointy tips of spring: Jérôme Galis green asparagus.

[caption id="attachment_148937" align="alignnone" width="2244"] Poached rhubarb, lemon Chantilly cream and white peach sorbet.[/caption]

Contrary to expectations, dessert is light, bright and fresh. Rhubarb poached in a verbena syrup sits atop lemon Chantilly cream and a soft square sponge. But it’s the quenelle of white peach sorbet that injects a taste of summer and the sharp creaminess that the dish craves. The cheese trolley warrants a special commendation as it visits the tables like a French Santa Claus bearing decadent gifts. Our selection includes the mountain cheese Reblochon, soft and creamy Saint-Marcellin, Cathare goat cheese and the buttery classic Sainte Maures -- all of which are intensified in flavour with freshly cut honeycomb and slathered on warm ginger bread, which deserves credit all on its own, too.

Before I slip into a cheese-induced coma, I pry myself away from the trolley and into a taxi home, where I brood over the meal and how all the elements seemed to key into one another. As anticipated, Elzer’s skills illustrate impeccable control and execution, but it’s the blend of harmonised flavours and melodic sequence of menu items that are truly exemplary. Some old and some new, some sensational and some definitely tamer, but always perfectly balanced. So when I need the scales to be tipped upwards again, you know where you’ll find me.

Perfect for: celebrating special occasions and indulgent dining with loved ones

Hours: Daily for lunch from 12:00 noon to 2:30pm, and dinner from 6:30pm to 10:30pm

The post Review: L’Envol Takes Off with Fine French Cuisine and Lands Perfectly Balanced on Our Plates appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The St. Regis Hong Kong has officially opened its doors on Harbour Drive in Wan Chai and is now accepting reservations -- but before you book that lavish staycation, here's what you need to know about this new luxury hotel.

[caption id="attachment_138882" align="alignnone" width="767"] A full view of The St. Regis Hong Kong's exterior.[/caption]

1. The Heritage

The St. Regis brand was founded by John Jacob Astor IV in 1904, when he opened the very first St. Regis in New York City's most exclusive residential area. Thought to be the richest man in America at the time, he was still onboard the Titanic when it sank in 1912, but only after helping his pregnant wife into the last lifeboat. What he left behind was a legacy that lives on today at over 40 properties around the world, and is where traditions of the Gilded Age meet modern luxury and style.

[caption id="attachment_138883" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The living room of the Presidential Suite in The St. Regis Hong Kong has impressive views of the harbour.[/caption]

2. Interior Design

Acclaimed Hong Kong architect and designer André Fu has created the interiors of the 27-storey hotel using his vision to combine a classic style with contemporary elegance. The result is an understated luxury that feel timeless, with pops of colour and signature design elements to reflect the diversity of the city.

3. The Rooms

The St. Regis Hong Kong offers a total of 129 rooms -- 112 guest rooms and 17 signature suites to be exact -- that range from 538 to 2,583 square feet. Guests can opt for a Deluxe guest room or even the Presidential Suite, all of which feature wood flooring, sumptuous textures, and marble bathrooms in a bright and relaxing space. What’s more, in-room check-in is available for all rooms and suites.

[caption id="attachment_138884" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Grand Deluxe room at The St. Regis Hong Kong.[/caption]

4. The Butler Service

All rooms come with complimentary butler service. We’re talking about personalised service that is available 24 hours a day. It’s a St. Regis trademark after all, and now it can be experienced for the first time in Hong Kong, so you'll be able to sit back while your butler helps you unpack, presses your suit, brings you tea and cupcakes and packs it all up again at the end of your stay. The Hong Kong flagship will also introduce eButler chat -- where guests can contact their Butler through an app or through a dedicated line, email, WhatsApp and WeChat.

5. The Dining Experiences

Guests can experience three different styles of gastronomy at The St. Regis Hong Kong. This includes French fine-dining at L’Envol, where esteemed French chef Olivier Elzer will offer curated lunch and dinner menus, and Cantonese cuisine at Chinese restaurant Rùn, which is spearheaded by award winning chef Hung Chi-Kwong. Not forgetting afternoon tea, The Drawing Room will offer an indulgent experience (along with a menu of international fare) in this stunning space as well as on the adjoining Astor Terrace.

[caption id="attachment_138881" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Behind The St. Regis Bar is a bright mural that reflects a part of the city.[/caption]

6. The St. Regis Bar and the Canto Mary

Set to be Hong Kong’s new hotel bar of choice, The St. Regis Bar offers a craft cocktail menu in addition to over 800 wine labels and more than 100 champagnes. And if that wasn’t enough reason to go, there's the hotel’s signature cocktail since 1934: The Bloody Mary. Here, it's been given a Cantonese twist with dried tangerine peel, five spices and Kowloon soy sauce, and you can enjoy it with live jazz in the bar every evening.

7. A Sparkling Sabrage

There’s nothing like celebrating with champagne, and The St. Regis Hong Kong is right there with you with one of their signature traditions: the nightly sabrage, a sword ceremony to open bottles of champagne that dates back to the battles of Napoleon. So who are we to argue -- cheers!

The post 7 Things You Should Know About The St. Regis Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.