Staycation Review: St. Regis Hong Kong
Barely believe I get to share this (but why I suppose, of course God does miracles) but recently I had the opportunity to try the St. Regis Hong Kong’s “24 hours plus” staycation package (writing about it for Foodie). ICYMI last month I prayed about being able to do a staycation and God provided four opportunities to review luxury hotels as a freelance writer. In this unique COVID season, it’s a real blessing to be swept away by king sized beds, soft sheets, stunning views, Michelin-starred meals…
Hope you don’t mind me sharing my happiness. I wanted to share because to me it shows how God is always moving, listening, caring for us. God knows I love beautiful things and delicious food and allowed me to be saturated in this for "24 hours plus" (haha checked in at noon, checked out at 5pm the next day). He also knows everything else about me and has taken even the smallest detail into consideration into his plan for my life. And the same is true for you.
So may these photos remind us of how intricately God loves and cares for us. Whatever we're waiting for, has good things in store. Let's wait on him with faith.
A Premier Room With a View
After check in, Karry, my assigned butler, showed me to my room and explained the Hong Kong history-inspired design elements and how the butler service worked (includes a packing service, beverage service, garment pressing, shoe shining and more). The personalized service and attention to detail were so impressive; soon I realized it’s a standard aspect of the St. Regis experience. Everyone knows your name and does their best to make sure you’re cared for.
The room is luxurious everywhere you look from the Frette linens, robes and slippers, Claybrook bathtub, Laboratoire Remède products, and exclusive Distillerie de Paris spirits made exclusively for the St. Regis.
Definitely check out the motorized blinds and smart controls. They’re cool but also useful; one side of my room was facing office buildings. I had the daylight blinds drawn almost the whole time but it didn’t take away from the experience at all. My goal was to rest (and eat!) during this staycation so it was nice to be cocooned in the room.
The Pool
Before starting my marathon of eating, I did some reading by the pool. Loved the intimate cabanas. The cabanas also offer enough coverage if it starts to rain.
Afternoon Tea at The Drawing Room
The Drawing Room just launched a new afternoon tea menu. It’s a fresh take on tea. While it has finger sandwiches, sweets, scones and a wide variety of craft teas by Plantation, the options are wheeled around in a trolley dim sum-style. Guests can choose four sandwiches and four sweets.
Flavours of Japan, Le Voyage Francais, Jamon, A Taste of France
Madeleine, Orange Creamsicle, Mom’s Cheesecake, British Bake-off
I really loved the mix of sophisticated and comfort food flavours. The ‘Le Voyage Francais’ sandwich with black truffle butter, Comte cheese, fresh green apple and micro mustard was delicious as was the ‘Viva Las Vegas’ chicken caesar wrap (not pictured). This ‘Orange Creamsicle’ with orange jelly and whipped orange vanilla ganache brought me back to my childhood.
Tea is a lovely experience and The Drawing Room is gorgeous but this isn’t a place I’d come hungry (unless you want to indulge in the unlimited option of course).
Pre-dinner Drinks at the St. Regis Bar
Each St. Regis location has its own take on the Bloody Mary. The Hong Kong version, called the ‘Canto Mary’, features dried tangerine peel, Chinese five spice, and soy sauce. There are three versions (red, green, yellow) and I tried them all in this flight. All are nice but if I had to pick a favourite, the green was most refreshing with its slight tang.
Dinner at Run (1 Michelin Star)
All of the restaurants at the St. Regis are suitable for both big groups and solo diners. On the night I visited Run, there were quite a few business dinners as well as solo diners. Interestingly there were few couples but this is probably because it was a Tuesday. The decor and service is elegant and suitable for all types of occasions.
Chef Hung Chi Kwong (formerly at Cuisine Cuisine and Man Wah) cooks up modern Cantonese dishes with skill. I had tasting portions of the dishes below but a la carte prices are included for reference. Special set menus can be arranged in advance with the restaurant.
BBQ Iberico pork, Chinese marinated foie gras, Wagyu beef puff
Double-boiled abalone soup with kelp, goji, baby coconut
Steamed lobster, caviar, egg white, cream, prawn broth
Fried rice, dried Sakura shrimp, mullet roe
The abalone soup was a highlight with its potent flavour. Turns out Chef bakes the coconut first to get all the juices out and it sure makes a difference. As well, the lobster dish is one I will be thinking about for some time. The steamed egg base was like a rich, creamy pudding and the lobster and caviar on top were decadent toppings.
Chinese Breakfast Set
The next morning, after ordering two lattes via the butler service, I tucked into the Chinese Breakfast Set (usually breakfast is served in Run but I opted for in-room dining). Two separate staff members had recommended the abalone congee and indeed it was rich and comforting to have for breakfast. The set also came with steamed shrimp dumplings, lobster and garlic spring rolls, steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, and a mini glutinous rice in lotus leaf, soya milk, and a choice of tea. The bread basket came separately.
Lunch at L’Envol (1 Michelin Star)
All that was left to try was L’Envol! Chef Olivier Elzer has been making waves in Hong Kong for some time now (Pierre at the Mandarin Oriental, L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon and his own restaurant Seasons) but it was my first time to try his food. Here are the dishes I tried from the current Allure lunch menu.
Summer truffle salad with butter lettuce, parmesan, truffle dressing, shaved truffles
Roasted frog legs with tarragon, Pastis custard, tomato butter sauce
Brittany skate wing cooked on the bone
L’Envol cheese plate
“La Mangue Alphonso” with mango blanc-manger, lemon cream, mango coriander sorbet
One note is that the sauces for the frog legs and skate are both very rich so you may not want to choose both dishes (or go ahead if you're a fan of rich sauce!) Still thinking about the rich sauce against the tender frog legs (no bones) and the extremely creative mango dessert.
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God, we love and honour you so much. Thank you for always giving us everything we need and yet also blessing us with the most spectacular treats sometimes. As we wait on things, give us more faith that we don’t have to worry because you truly know us better than we know ourselves. We are blessed to be part of your plan.
Ps. If you’re comfortable, share some dreams you’re praying about? Let’s support each other 🤗
