Staycation review: St. Regis Hotel, Hong Kong

A review of the “24-Hour Plus” staycation package

It’s been a crazy year so perhaps it’s not too surprising that, even though they opened last April, the first time I visited the St. Regis Hong Kong was to try their new “24 Hour Plus” staycation package (rates from $3,888). But once I checked in, of course I didn’t want to leave. Just look at all this Andre Fu designed gorgeousness (he designed the whole hotel including restaurants). Sleek, chic and cozy.

Here’s what the “24-Hour Plus” staycation package includes:

• Guaranteed upgrade to Premier Room

• Extend your stay for 24 hours and more, subject to availability

• $1,000 dining credit at any outlets

• Virgin Canto Mary for two (or enjoy fresh Alain Milliat juices by the pool)

• Personalised fitness training for two

• Valet parking during the stay

• Option to upgrade to a suite from $3,300+ (includes another $1,000 dining credit)

The Room

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 impressed me; 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 ($398 for one, $718 for two, $998 for unlimited food). 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

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 ($228-$368)

Double-boiled abalone soup with kelp, goji, baby coconut ($388)

Steamed lobster, caviar, egg white, cream, prawn broth (market price)

Fried rice, dried Sakura shrimp, mullet roe ($138 per person)

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 ($320; 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 ($158) came separately.

Lunch at L’Envol

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 ($688 to $898 for three to five courses, including coffee or tea).

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.

Verdict

With the St. Regis, I think what you see is what you get and what you get is luxury. The rooms are amazing, the food is amazing (both Run and L’Envol have each earned a Michelin star), the views are amazing, and you’ll pay a pretty penny for them. If you’re looking for a special treat though, it’d be hard not to have a lovely time. The “24-Hour Plus” staycation package is valid seven days a week through 31 August 2020.

1 Harbour Dr, Wan Chai, 2138 6888

(By invitation for Foodie)