bA_XQyZ

travel
Escape Routes
with Kate Springer
Get on a boat with
Hello Hong Kong tours
Can’t get away No worries! There’s lots
going down in the SAR. Here’s the latest:
Southern Hospitality
New-to-town Ovolo Southside opened
its artsy doors this summer, acting as a
great base for exploring the burgeoning
Wong Chuk Hang area. The hotel has all
the usual Ovolo hospitality: a free minibar
and happy hour, plus all-day coffee and
snacks. But what’s extra cool about this
new space is the converted-warehouse
design, hand-painted murals, and the
green views. I also have to tip my hat to
head chef Kris Bandel at Cirqle: Yeah,
the resto is a bit out of the way for your
casual Friday-night dinner, but I highly
recommend the crab cakes and the Key
Lime Pie—it's not every day you see one
of these on a Hong Kong menu. Plus, the
big terrace is ideal for cooler nights, as
is the upstairs rooftop bar. Staycation
material, indeed.
Rooms from $1,395. 64 Wong Chuk Hang
Rd., Wong Chuk Hang, 2165-1000,
www.ovolohotels.com/ovolo-southside.
Nube Cube
The Miramar Group just announced big
plans for its next hotel project: Mira Cube
in Tsim Sha Tsui. Aimed at busy business
travelers, the 50-room boutique hotel is
slated to open in January 2015, bringing
with it some convenient fixtures—think
self-check-in counters and complimentary
smartphones that provide free Wi-Fi
throughout the city. The standard “Cube”
rooms are a little snug, at between
194-258 square feet, but the woody
atmosphere and “Super Showers,” aka
walk-in rain showers, sound pretty inviting.
Just down the street from The Mira, the
new hotel will share its big sister’s spa,
dining, and event facilities—keepin’ it all
in the family.
From $1,350 (opening offer). 6 Knutsford
Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2302-3555,
www.miracubehotel.com.
You Had Me at Hello
Have friends in town but can’t spend
every waking minute with them Make
sure they’re having a blast—and learning
about our awesome city—with a hand from
Hello Hong Kong tours. The company,
set up earlier this year, offers a slew of
creative tours that show visitors a different
side of Hong Kong, far from the tourist
trail. Whether it’s eating, sailing, or even
shopping in Shenzhen, founder Laura
Blackhall and her team can set it up for you.
Some of the most popular tours include
the half-day food crawl ($650), which starts
in Sheung Wan and makes its way over
to Wan Chai, one delicious stop at a time.
Laura can also arrange private tours on
trams, or boat trips—including a cruise on
the 47-foot Local Hero sailboat. Get a group
together and take a private sail around
the Southside, with drinks and some tour
guiding along the way (from $8,500 for
three hours). Best of all, you get to do all
the sailing yourself—if you want to.
9704-4108, www.hellohongkong.com.hk.
Psst... The Grand Hyatt has a great "Escape
24" staycation deal on this month: $2,800
buys you a full 24 hours, starting at check-in,
plus $1,000 to spend on food or spa services.
1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2584-7038,
hongkong.grand.hyatt.com.
Have a query you need answered or a
travel tip you’re keen to share Email
me at kate.springer@hkmagmedia.com
or tweet @KateSpringer, #hktravels.
Urban woods at Mira Cube
Cirqle up for crab cakes
HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, September 5, 2014 25