Staycation review: Marco Polo Hotel, Hong Kong

Reviewing the “Your Memories Are Our Memories” package (with afternoon tea!)

This year, the Marco Polo celebrates 50 years! To include guests in this celebration, they’ve put together a special “Your Memories Are Our Memories” staycation package at an extremely reasonable price of $888 given all the perks included.

Here are the highlights:

• One night’s stay in a Deluxe Harbour View room

• “Be Fabulous” afternoon tea for two at Cucina (value of $508)

• Earl Grape Iced Teas for two at any of their outlets

• Guided morning tour of Kowloon Park

• Homemade cookies and two jars of jam

I’ve been to the Marco Polo various times for work events but this was my first time staying as a guest. Each time I’m impressed by the level of service as the staff are all friendly, welcoming and professional. So how was staying as a guest?

The Deluxe Harbour View Room

There’s no way around it. The Marco Polo is definitely an older hotel. But you could think of it as having a charming B&B vibe with five star service and a prime location. My main reasons for wanting a solo staycation these days is to spend the check in day relaxing and the check out day working (a bit of a shame but hey at least it’s in a nice environment!). My room was perfect for this: the room was spacious, the bed was comfortable, the sheets were soft, and perhaps best of all the desk faced the view.

“Be Fabulous” Afternoon Tea at Cucina

Cucina’s afternoon tea is inspired by a makeup box. There’s a few playful elements (i.e. chocolate lipstick, black truffle eyeshadow) which would be great for a mother-daughter tea. And for adults? Preferring sweet over savoury, I started with the open-faced sandwiches first and enjoyed them so much I had two of each. Special shout out to the truffled egg and lobster and mango ones. Yum. The sweets were also lovely, especially the foie gras macaron.

Now while there’s no tea offered in this set, guests can choose to have a bellini, sangria, the hotel’s signature Earl Grape Iced Tea, iced coffee or apple and ginger juice.

“Tour Around Italy” Specials at Cucina (Extra Charge)

A few hours later, a friend and I enjoyed trying some of Chef Andrea’s dishes from the new “Tour Around Italy” special. Seeing as most people aren’t travelling this year, he wanted to bring new parts of Italy to Hong Kong.

Raw Red Prawn Carpaccio with Mozzarella Sauce, Lemon and Herring Caviar (HK$308)

Seafood Casserole (HK$438)

Slow Braised Veal Osso Buco on Saffron Risotto and Herb Sauce (HK$458)

Chocolate Sphere, Vanilla Ice Cream with Hot Chocolate Fondue HK$108

On our night the veal was a little lean for my liking but highly recommend both the carpaccio (fresh and perfect for summer) and seafood casserole (so rich in flavour). And I rarely rave about dessert but this chocolate sphere was the best version I’ve ever had.

Earl Grape Iced Teas in the Lobby Lounge

During work the next day, I brought my laptop to the Lobby Lounge to enjoy an Earl Grape Iced Tea. If you haven’t had it before, Earl Gray tea is poured over green grapes and elderflower-infused ice cubes and is served with some elderflower-infused Turkish delight on the side.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a staycation to rest, sleep, eat and maybe shop, then the Marco Polo is a great option (note the swimming pool is under construction). They’ve smartly set it up so guests can enjoy so many different parts of the hotel without incurring a lot of extra charges. I had a lovely, relaxing stay… thankful for some (affordable yet lovely) R&R! Book while you can, this offer is valid for bookings and stays until 31 July 2020. Guests must be Hong Kong residents with a HKID card.

3 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2113 0088