Many of us haven’t travelled since pre-pandemic times and are itching for a change of pace. As Hongkongers search for rejuvenation and respite to break up the days that seem to blend together, staycations are one shining beacon of light that many have turned to in absence of long-haul travel. While most of us are no stranger to a staycation – a night or two spent holidaying at a hotel in one’s hometown – how can we fully switch ourselves to vacation mode and make the best use of our time to maximise the experience?
Up your booking game with HoteLux
A brand new booking app aiming to shake up the travel sphere, HoteLux has access to over 4,000 different hotels worldwide, landing in Hong Kong with membership privileges available at The Upper House, St. Regis, Four Seasons, Rosewood and more. Think: dining and spa credits, complimentary room upgrades, inclusive breakfast, and double points on both the app and the hotel’s own loyalty programme. The start-up offers rates and benefits comparable to those you might get from a luxury agent, but without the hassle and back and forth from a middle-man. Many hotels also offer flexibility of changes and cancellations that have grown increasingly important in these unpredictable times.
The vast majority of Hong Kong’s most grand and reputable hotels offer extended stays if you book through HoteLux – The Upper House, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental are just a few of many offering a third night free, while a wide variety also include a US$100 hotel credit and a complimentary room upgrade upon booking.
Try out a unique spa treatment
Splurge on a unique, luxurious treatment that you ordinarily may have passed off as too “bizarre” or out of your comfort zone. Instead of your standard mani-pedi or hotel massage, try something out of the box on your next staycation for a new experience with a myriad of treatments offered at hotels across Hong Kong.
While Landmark’s Mandarin Oriental is currently a quarantine hotel, their spa still operates as per normal, presenting a CBD experience sleep therapy that entails a 90-minute full body massage using CBD oil to target pressure points related to sleep and anxiety. A deep sleep tincture will also be ingested for a holistic, full-body experience with long-term results of improved sleep.
The Ritz Carlton’s Ultra V Facial contours the jawline using ultra-focused heat energy and nano technology that stimulates and boosts collagen production. Providing a sculpted, lifted finish, the treatment also brightens the skin tone by unclogging lymphatic ducts and draining toxins.
W Hotel offers a Caviar & Algae Detox Massage and Scrub treatment that soothes the mind and soul while detoxing the body with lymphatic drainage techniques, aromatherapy and meridian therapy. Precious caviar algae and pink Himalayan salt will be incorporated across each therapy treatment to boost blood circulation and refine skin texture, courtesy of the mineral rich caviar algae and pink Himalayan salt.
Dress for the occasion
While you never need an excuse to dress up, a staycation is the perfect opportunity to dust off those holiday outfits you’ve been planning and put them to good use. Perhaps now is the time to splurge on a piece you’ve been eyeing but haven’t quite been able to commit to. Aside from the standard staycation packing list of sunnies and your favourite maillot, consider a dreamy, babydoll dress from Zimmerman and luxe leather slippers from The Rowe to bring you about your day, while Amina Muaddi heels, a Bottega Veneta purse and an elegant Cecilie Bahnsen dress will see you swiftly through the night.
Be sure not to forget about your skin and pamper yourself with soothing face masks and other special occasion treatments – after all, you’re on vacation.
Switch off and unplug
In order to fully immerse yourself in holiday mode, make sure you take the necessary time to properly unplug from your work and typical day-to-day chores. Be realistic and plan ahead – if you need to check your emails then make sure you allocate a specific time slot to do so, as opposed to grazing through your inbox throughout the day. Set a plan with thought and intention and make sure you stick to it, even if that means turning on do not disturb or setting your phone to airplane mode.
Editor
Carina FischerCredit
Lead image: Four Seasons Hong Kong
