Hong Kong’s 5 most unusual staycations: from a ‘yoga yacht’ to The Peninsula’s most exclusive suite – stays that feel like you really got away

This article first appeared in SCMP. Click here to view the original.

5 ideas for standout staycations in Hong Kong including, from left, The Peninsula’s best suite, a Lantau Island hideaway and a dinosaur-themed family room. Photos: Handouts

+ Go glamping in a dome-from-home with the Sunset Vista on Cheung Chau island, or try an Airbnb close to the beaches and hills of neighbouring Lantau

+ The Gold Coast Hotel near Tuen Mun is ideal for families with lots of amenities indoors and out, plus safari, dinosaur, space and pirate room themes

You’ve got those lockdown blues. You’re suffering Covid crabbiness. What you need is some pandemic pampering. You may not be able to travel, but that just means you can explore some of the fabulous home-grown experiences here in the city. And for a staycation that lingers in the memory right up until the next time you splurge on a city break, we’ve picked out five of Hong Kong’s more unusual getaways.

Note: While the city is under tougher restrictions due to the Omicron variant, please check that your selected venue is open and offering these packages. They were present and correct at the time of writing, but things can change quickly.

1. A “yoga yacht” in Kowloon Bay

Yoga on a yacht, one of Hong Kong’s unexpected staycation options. Photo: Handout

Moored just off the coast of Kwun Tong, Hong Kong’s first and only seaborne yoga studio is a great way to indulge your early-year wellness urges. It can accommodate seven guests overnight in two bedrooms, but can welcome up to 32 people on board, making it an option for weddings, birthdays and other occasions.

Aboard the yoga yacht, moored off Kwun Tong. Photo: Handout

The decor is bright and light, the views are 360 degree, and the urban-boho vibe is undeniable. Also available on board are karaoke, board games and mahjong, high-speed internet, a Bluetooth sound system, smart TV and all your usual dining and accommodation amenities. But note that the boat does not go anywhere – getting on and off requires a shuttle boat, provided by the owners.

From HK$6,000 (US$770) per night. Book at Airbnb.

2. A stargazing dome in your own private field

Sunset Vista’s stargazing dome on Cheung Chau island. Photo: Handout

Glamping is about embracing the outdoors while being protected from its rougher edges and the Saiyuen Camping Adventure Park on Cheung Chau has that well covered. The site has various accommodation options, from tepees to Mongolian gers, but the most exclusive is the Sunset Vista, which features a 300 sq ft domed tent set in its own 2,000 sq ft space.

Dome with a view on Cheung Chau. Photo: Handout

With an open fire pit, hammock, double bed and sofa bed, the dome can accommodate four people in total, and includes a private shower room and toilet, coffee table and chairs, picnic table and barbecue stove and more. With a bay window overlooking the ocean ideal for stargazing, this is how to enjoy Hong Kong’s natural charms while avoiding its rustic inconveniences.

From HK$3,500 per night. Book at saiyuen.com.

3. A totally Jurassic sleeping arrangement

Dinosaur-themed digs at the Gold Coast Hotel. Photo: Handout

If your staycation comes with kids, the themed rooms at Gold Coast Hotel near Tuen Mun are a terrific option. With themes including outer space, princess, pirates, animal safari, racing car, Hong Kong tram, dinosaur and even glamping (the kids sleep in a tent on the room floor), there’s no shortage of thematic thrills for the little ones, and maybe even for mum and dad too.

Afloat on an ocean wave in the pirate-themed room at the Gold Coast Hotel Photo: Handout

The hotel also brings family-oriented fun, with a dedicated kids swimming pool with slides, a water park for kids to jump around in, a soft-play Adventure Zone, a well-equipped playground, and huge lawns and outdoor areas great for messing about in. Throw in the nearby beach and promenade, and a plaza with cafes, bars and restaurants, and this is one place that can bring a much-needed holiday feel to even the shortest of stays.

From HK$2,888 per night. Book at sino-hotels.com.

4. A three-bedroom country villa on Lantau

Inviting the outside in, on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island. Photo: Handout

There are various places around Hong Kong where you can wake up to the sounds of the sea, but very few where you can do it in a three-bedroom, two-storey home-from-home in a secluded renovated villa fronted by verdant green hillside. Spacious outdoor spaces beckon with barbecues for alfresco dining, there’s a real fireplace, board games, and it’s pet- and kid-friendly.

Escape to the country on Lantau Island. Photo: Handout

You won’t find Bulgari cosmetics or Malin+Goetz skincare products in the drawers here, but you will find space, homely comfort and the most important quality of any staycation: a sense of escape.

Rate varies. Book at Airbnb.com.

5. A palatial luxury hotel suite

The Peninsular is five-star class with a difference. Photo: Handout

While a night or two at a five-star hotel might be a little more mainstream than the entries above, we still think this particular room, at this particular hotel, is special enough and rare enough to be included. First opened in 1928, The Peninsula is one of the most storied hotels in the city, and has become known for the quality of everything it does. The Peninsula Suite is the best room in arguably the best hotel in the region.

The Peninsula Suite is the best room in arguably the best hotel in the region. Photo: Handout

More than 4,000 sq ft of space, breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour, a double-height living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and an exclusive terrace are just the start. Also included: a 10-seat dining room with adjoining kitchen, private living room, palatial bedroom, multiple bathrooms, a gym and a cinema room. Yes, the price tag is huge, but the experience will linger in the memory for a lifetime.

Rate varies. Book at Peninsula.com.