Gayatri Bhaumik packs her bags for an overnight staycation in Kowloon.
Time for a dip? The W Hotel pool is back open.
I’ll be the first to admit that I travel – a lot.
Yes, it’s often for work but, carbon footprint aside, I do think that escaping our dense, busy, fast-paced lives in Hong Kong is important.
But of course I haven’t been doing any travelling since COVID-19 hit the city in late January and I was feeling more than a little stifled.
So when W Hong Kong invited me to try their new staycation package, I leapt at the chance to escape the four walls of my apartment.
‘AMP UP YOUR STAY’ is designed to give guests a much-needed change of scene, while still being responsible amidst the pandemic.
At check-in, myself and my partner were handed a ‘W Recharge Pack’, which included masks, sanitisers, alcohol wipes, vitamin c, soap and moisturiser.
As part of this staycation package, the W Hong Kong is offering a guaranteed upgrade to a Fabulous Room. Walking in, the room is about what you’d expect of a W Hotel, with healthy lashings of creativity and tongue-in-cheek aesthetics.
One wall was a floor-to-ceiling window, offering great views over Victoria Harbour and the Western District of Hong Kong Island. It also allowed plenty of natural light into the room.
The ‘W MixBar’ in the corner was fully loaded with treats and guests on this package receive 50% off everything.
Of course, the room was dominated by a king-sized bed and opposite there was a massive flatscreen that could be hidden away with a rolling mirror.
In the bathroom, there was a granite double-vanity stocked with Bliss amenities, a deep-soak tub with a small TV and a separate shower.
The centrepiece of the staycation offer, however, is the exclusive ‘W Grab-n-Go’ picnic basket. Once we’d settled into our room, friendly staff popped up to set-up picnic cushions next to those floor-to-ceiling windows and, of course, the picnic food.
The generous – indeed, overflowing – basket included a full meal for two and then some. There was a salad and charcuterie board to start, a delicious lobster wrap as the main, plus fruit and a tray of mini cakes for dessert. It was probably the fanciest picnic I’ve had in quite a while, especially when paired with a bottle of Red Bridge Shiraz from South Australia.
The staycation package also includes one free in-room movie, along with a serving of popcorn and soda that you can use at any time. We opted for a movie night and at 8pm on the dot, Angel Has Fallen was cued up on the TV. The movie was exactly what we needed on a Saturday night, but we could probably have done with more popcorn – the serving was surprisingly small and was finished about five minutes into the film!
The package also includes breakfast-for-two the following morning, which can be enjoyed in your room or at the hotel’s main restaurant. We chose to eat breakfast in our room, so by 8am, two massive sets were delivered which we could enjoy comfortably cocooned in our fluffy hotel robes. With everything from pastries and cereal to fruits and a fry-up – along with juices and coffee – it was clear we wouldn’t be needing lunch.
Overall, the package was a lovely break. For me, it underlined just how important a change of scene can be. We vacation to travel, yes, but also to vacate our lives and immerse ourselves in a different environment. Right now, it looks like local hotel staycations are as good as it’s going to get. And W Hong Kong is offering a pretty good deal.
Of course, a really good staycation would involve being able to spend time at the pool and spa as well. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an option as at the time of our stay as the hotel was still abiding by government mandates that these facilities remain closed for the pandemic. However, both pool and spa have now reopened.
If you’re looking to get away for some me-time, or spend some quality time with your partner away from the kids, book now.
Where: W Hotel, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
When: Until June 29, 2020.
What’s included: Upgrade to a Fabulous Room, late check-out to 6pm, free parking for one car, W Grab-n-Go Basket, W Recharge Pack, in-room movie with popcorn and soft drinks, breakfast-for-two, 50% discount on limousine rides anywhere within Hong Kong, 50% off W MixBar items, HK$500 voucher for selected treatments at Bliss Spa.
How much: From HK$3,200
Book now: marriott.com
Asia Family Traveller was a guest of W Hotel Hong Kong.