The Mira Hotel has come up with a novel staycation idea that makes the most of the city's stunning late summer weather, writes Carolynne Dear.
Ready to set sail from Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter.
A Hong Kong hotel has launched a late summer 'seacation' break with plenty to offer the whole family.
The Mira Hong Kong's package is a variation on the staycation theme and includes a day sailing on a catamaran followed by an overnight stay at the hotel. This has the double benefit of making the most of Hong Kong’s stunning coastline while also savouring the late summer weather in the city as intense heat and humidity give way to balmy blue sky days.
And so I was delighted to be heading out with the crew last month as they sailed to Big Wave Bay to show me how a day on board the French catamaran shapes up.
Motoring out of bustling Causeway Bay, we left the city skyline behind as we cruised away and around Hong Kong Island. I was soon fully relaxed nestled on one of the catamaran’s nets at the bow of the boat, sipping champagne as the sparkling water danced beneath me.
We anchored just off the east of the island, the golden sands of Big Wave Bay beach and the emerald mountains beyond stretching before us.
The trip includes use of a wide range of water sports, including the ubiquitous inflatable slide, inflatable floating mat, banana boat and wakeboard, allowing you to relax, cool down and make some fun memories as the crew conjures up lunch.
Enjoy a delicious lunch on board.
Guests can select from a menu of 80 food items, including seafood, cold meats, vegetarian options and tempting puds. I indulged with lobster rolls, burgers, pastas, salads, prawns and a platter of cold cuts. All washed down, of course, with plenty of bubbles. Later, we were tempted with an assortment of cakes and sweet treats.
The cat offers plenty of outdoor space but - crucially on the steaming hot day that we headed out - an air conditioned lounge and dining area if you need to escape the heat. Below deck there are air conditioned double bedrooms if you or the kids are looking to take a siesta after lunch and well-equipped bathrooms with flushing loos and showers.
As the sun slipped into late afternoon, the captain hoisted the main sail and we cruised our way back to Kowloon. Once back on dry land, we were met by a shuttle bus and whisked off to The Mira Hong Kong.
The TST-located hotel has a pretty cocktail terrace, Vibes, and it was here that we headed. For those booking the seacation experience, at this point you could slope off for a quick shower or a jacuzzi bath in your room, before enjoying a drink on the terrace and dinner.
Then it’s time to bed down for an overnight stay at The Mira before enjoying a lazy hotel breakfast the following morning. It’s probably about as close to a Southeast Asian resort holiday as you can get without having to do quarantine.
The Mira team says it will be running the seacation throughout the autumn. The package includes one-day use of the catamaran to explore the waters around Hong Kong, from Lamma Island to Clearwater Bay and the bays and beaches around Hong Kong Island, water sports, buffet lunch, one-night stay in a hotel suite, room or the hotel’s super-luxe Platinum Suite, cocktails at Vibes and two bottles of premium champagne and breakfast the following day.
The seacation package can be enjoyed as a romantic getaway for two, as a family break or as a fun outing for 20 friends. Prices start from HK$950 per person, contact The Mira Hong Kong for more details.
And as the hot weather continues, why not?
Asia Family Traveller was a guest of The Mira Hong Kong.
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