With Mothers Day coming up on Sunday 9th May, what better way to be treated like the queen that you are,  than being sent for a royal pamper day at the Spa.

BBHK has teamed up with The Victorian Spa in Disney Hong Kong to offer you a chance to win the ultimate Mothers Day gift:

A FREE Royal Family Mix & Match Spa Journey for 1 adult and 1 child (aged 6-15) valued at $1400, with two treatments each from the following:

• Bliss Out Back Massage
• Relaxing Foot Massage
• Neck & Shoulder De-stress
• Refresher Facial
• Nourishing Milk Bath

This competition is now closed.  Congratulations to Yummy Mummy Ruth Benny who will be ejoying this prize with her little daughter.

We know how hard it is sometimes to get someone to look after your little ones while you try to go for that much needed manicure or massage. The Victorian Spa in Disney have the answer, they are completely child friendly, whilst still managing to maintain an adult serene environment.  They also offer many packages that cater to both you and your child, so you can share a special day of indulgence together.

I went to The Victorian Spa recently with a visiting girlfriend, for an afternoon of decadence.  The magic begins as soon as the Disney MTR train pulled into Sunny Bay.  I couldn’t tell if I was more excited that the multitude of children by the Mickey Mouse shaped windows, and the Pinocchio star wishing music blasting through the carriage.  The walk up to the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is a fairytale in itself. High trimmed hedges pass you by the gates to the theme park, princess fountains and onto the Victorian themed hotel, whilst playing all the musical Disney classics we grew up with.

The hotel is a absolute gem. Only 35minutes from Central, you find yourself in a elegant 5-star hotel, set in lush tropical grounds over looking the sea in Lantau. I couldn’t help ask myself why I had never been there before? The spa is situated downstairs, adjacent to the magnificent indoor and outdoor pools, which you have full use of when you visit the spa. It is worth it just for that in itself. After a lovely lunch in the sunshine by the pool, we adjourned to the spa to start our afternoon of pampering.

The Victorian styling is quite surprising.  I expected to see a  Minnie Mouse receptionist, and Disney iconry everywhere, but it was classic and modern at the same time, without a pair of ears in sight.  Being British myself, I felt quite at home in the Spa, reminding me of visiting stately homes in the UK, albeit with a Disney twist.  The only hint of Disney is the waiting room, which plays non-stop cartoons on a discrete plasma TV, which again is perfect for children.

The modern Victorian theme continues into the different scented treatment rooms.  Our treatment took place in the Rose room, in which we had a Dream Journey Massage and Refresher Facial.  As with a Mother and Child package we had a double room, which I really think adds to the joint enjoyment of the treatment, plus in the case of having your child with you, you know they are safe and happy.  Both massage and facial were fabulous.  The therapists were absolutely lovely, and intuitive.  My friend and I had the same treatment, but the therapists tailored them slightly to our individual needs.  After being lulled into a state of complete serenity and relaxation, the treatment sadly ended.  But the journey continued into the beautiful large jacuzzi, and steam room in the ladies area.  After a further hour of lolling, steaming and chatting we decided we had to get back to the reality of Hong Kong.  The whole afternoon was truly sublime, and I was left dreaming of being a Disney Princess all over again.

In addition to the super competition, The Victorian Spa is offering an exclusive discount to BBHK readers on the following Disney packages:-

Royal Family Mix & Match Spa Journey (for 2: child aged from 6-15)
2 treatments each from the following: bliss Out Back Massage, Relaxing Foot Massage, Neck & Shoulder De-stress, Refresher Facial, Nourishing Milk Bath
Special price: HK$1,200
Original price: HK$1,400

Other Mother & Daughter packages available at Victorian Spa (child aged 6-15yrs):
* Queen & Princess Magic Manicure or Pedicure 
   30mins   $480
* Queen & Princess Foot Message 
   25 mins    $720

Other great Mother’s Day offer at Victorian Spa
* Spa & Tea (for 2: adults or children)
Includes a Dream Journey Massage or Elemis Skin Specific Facial
$1,780 (Mon – Fri, High Tea)
$1,980 (Sat, Sun & PH, Tea Buffet)

The Victorian Spa

Level 1, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Lantau Island

Tel: +852 3510 6388
Email: victorianspa@schinac.com
www.victorianspa.com.hk

Daily 9am-10pm

Hurrah for Girl Power!  The Fleming have introduced a Ladies Only floor at their fabulously funky Wanchai hotel.  For those of you who don’t know about The Fleming (tut tut), I’m sure you soon will.  The new kid on the Wanchai block has already been voted ‘One of the best new hotels in the world’ by Conde Naste Traveller, and finalist as Best Boutique Hotel of the Year  in the SCMP/Harper’s Bazaar Style Awards.  Always one step ahead, The Fleming have joined forces with brand new home massage company Xi Shi to offer a premium in-room spa service for their special female guests.

Being a lady that likes massages and fabulous hotels (typical huh?), I thought it would be criminal not to give it a try.  My first impression of The Fleming was ‘Discrete Urban Chic’.  Tucked away in a Wanchai side street, its easy to miss, however once inside the simplicity and clean, uber modern decor wowed, and I felt immediately transported to NYC.  My deluxe room was a fair size, again very crisp and modern, with all the amenities that I could need, high thread count bed sheets, goose down duvets, plasma TV, kitchenette, and a great bathroom (with a bath. whoop whoop!).  I felt quite at home, which in my opinion is one of the best qualities a hotel room can have, especially with all the traveling most of us have to do, after all there’s no place like home.

A little tap at the door welcomed my therapist, avec massage bed and soothing music.  It was all set up in a jiffy, while I slipped into the provided paper knickers and hotel robe. The therapist, (who was an absolute darling by the way) was on the right side of professional and friendly without being too familiar.  I opted for a detox massage, oh lordy do I need one!  The treatment basically centered around your lymph nodes, which are our very clever body’s filter system.   It was a gentle and relaxing massage, in which all the toxins are pushed to the lymph nodes (we have lots of them, mainly behind our shoulder blades, stomach, knees and under your ears), after that your body does the dirty work, and filters out all those Cosmos!  She also worked on a few nasty knots, so all-in-all it was a very enjoyable, intuitive massage, that my body was in desperate need for!

My ONLY gripe, which is more of a silly pet hate rather than a serious problem was her toenails.  When you are faced down on a massage bed, looking through a little hole, with only feet to look at, I like them to be really tidy.  Unfortunately they were a tad chipped and gnarly.  Not a biggie, and definitely not a reason to not seriously recommend the fabulous service.

Now the best part – the price!  The Fleming are offering a fabulous package, which includes a night stay, a 60-minute massage by Xi Shi, plus breakfast, and 4-course set dinner at signature restaurant Cubix. All for HK$1,380-2,180 depending on room category. Treats also include complimentary aromatherapy oil, flowers and fruit, welcome mocktail and L’Occitane bath amenities, as well as usual extra like free broadband and access to nearby California Fitness gym.  Now that’s a bargain if I ever saw one!

Perfect for Hen parties, just think, a fabulous room in Wanchai, stunning four course meal, massage, freebies and Dusk Till Dawn.  Gold.

The Fleming
41 Fleming Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3607 2225
Email: sales@thefleming.com
www.thefleming.com.hk

Xi Shi Home Massage
Tel: +852 2892 7399
Email: contactus@xishi.com.hk
www.xishi.com.hk
Monday to Friday 12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday 9 am – 12 pm

Swaying in a hammock, five miles out to sea, perched precariously over the pristine aqua waters of the Andaman Sea, I watch a lone Kingfisher rocket into the ocean, for its daily catch. The hum of a dragonfly resonates beside me, in harmony with the lapping waves. The snarl of zodiac engine disrupts the tranquility, followed by another; I ignore it, focusing on the rock of the boat. “Oi! Giv ‘us a smile Luv! Over ‘ere!” The Zodiac, with another in tow, is full of paparazzi, snapping away, zipping around the boat, vying to get the best shot. “Isn’t she a beauty?” I hear a voice behind a flash. “Never seen anything like it,” says another, “Out of this world”. Feeling exceptionally self-conscious, I realize it isn’t me they are in awe of; they have come to get a glance of the new Princess of the ocean, “The Raja Laut”.

Recently hand crafted by French enthusiast and boat designer George Carras in Borneo, The Raja Laut is an impressive newly built 115ft luxury schooner yacht. As if from a bygone era, The Raja Laut is breathtaking. She encompasses both the traditional craftsmanship of a classic gaff-rigged schooner, along side all the modern day luxuries you would expect from a five-star hotel. Akin to the grand vessels from the voyages of discovery, from afar you might mistake The Raja Laut as one of the great explorers such as Cooke or Columbus. With her majestic white sails, it is easy to understand why she is creating such a buzz wherever she goes.

The Raja Laut is appropriately named after a Joseph Conrad classic novel, which saw brave explorers, fitting out schooners on the Australian coast, and invading the Malay Archipelago in search of money and adventure. The most audacious of these men was Tom Linguard, who was named by the natives as the Raja Laut, or King of the Sea, due to his trading success and vicious fights with the pirates who infested the seas.

Cunningly bringing the 18^th century to the 21^st, as I stepped aboard The Raja Laut, I was presented with a cool towel, fresh mint soda, and was greeted by my eight-crew members for my stay. The main deck is deceivingly large, decked in rich teak and pristine Balinese accessories, appropriately placed sun loungers, and a sumptuous dining table for the future feasts. In prime position, the hammocks are draped either side of the bow, over the water. The Balinese theme continues inside, with bamboo cladding the air-conditioned interior walls and subtle ethnic accents on the cream linen sofas. Each of the six staterooms sleep two, and have a surprisingly comfortable bed, with monogrammed linen and waffle robes. Not at all what I was expecting from sleeping in a cabin. I was even happier to discover the charming mosaic en-suites, with power shower and glorious hot water. If a break is needed from the beautiful scenery outside, then the state-of-the-art entertainment system can occupy time, by watching a DVD on the plasma, listening to some music, phoning a friend or surfing the web on the satellite and internet communication system.

There is no compromise on luxury on board The Raja Laut. As opposed to traditional cruise ships, there is the freedom to explore undiscovered parts of Asia that are normally hard to get to. It tops the current trend in five-star eco-resorts such as the Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam, and the Langham Place Eco-Resort in Koh Lanta, Thailand, which offer guests complete luxury in perfect harmony with nature. The quest for ‘getting back to basics’, and tapping into tranquility is conquered, and I had no choice but to completely relax, immerse myself with the natural beauty of the Andaman Ocean, and get utterly spoilt rotten.

Each morning I was awoken by the gentle sway of the ocean, and once above deck my butler who took care of my every need during my stay greeted me. As a child I couldn’t even lie on a waterbed without being ill, so naturally I was worried I would spend half my holiday pale faced, with my head over the side of the boat, or inspecting the bottom of the loo. But even though the nights were a little ‘rocky’, I was absolutely fine. The only trouble I had was once back on dry land, when the sand began to sway beneath me. Yet another reason why I couldn’t wait to get back onboard.

Having both a French owner and Captain, certainly dictates the quality of the gourmet cuisine and wine. Every morning the dining table is laid out with a plethora of exotic fruits, continental breakfast and freshly grounded coffee. Lunch and dinner are three course affairs, with the highly skilled chef preparing anything you desire, from Australian sirloin, to freshly caught lobster. For the more discerning guest, and at an extra cost, a Michelin trained chef will prepare your food for the duration of your stay. The only problem being which lounger to recline on after the feast is over.

“No, there isn’t a karaoke machine, or a glitter ball on board”, much to the dismay of a recent guest, but for the rest of us who want to enjoy the diversity of the ocean, Connie Lieberher, the full time PADI dive instructor and activities manager will be at your disposal. Whether you are a novice or seasoned professional, she will be your guide to the Southeast Asian underwater kingdom. “ The route of the Raja Laut follows the most perfect spots for a diving holiday, with great visibility, and warm waters, the area offers one of the most comfortable and safe diving environments found anywhere in the world”, explains Connie. From past experience, the number one thing that you are most likely to see when diving in Asia is other divers. But with no real agenda a secluded reef, in an isolated bay was found, and the results were incredible. Expect to see turtles, Leopard sharks, Manta rays, Lionfish, Parrotfish, Lapu Lapu, eclectic nudibranches and a abundance of multicoloured reef dwellers. Other activities include snorkeling, kayaking, water skiing, surfing and on board masseuse.

As with all private yacht charters, the freedom to decide your route is yours. However the joint Captains, William Bartels and Arnaud Le Meunier have pinpointed four areas for you to choose from. I visited Phuket, due to proximity to the international airport. Not only was the scenery was absolutely breathtaking, the night life on the island is unparalleled, so you can climb ashore, party till the sun comes up and relax and recover all day onboard. Other destinations of choice are Langkawi and Butangs in Malaysia, Indian owned Andaman & Nicobar 400 miles west of Phuket, famed for its vertical wall dives, and fascinating culture of ethnic jungle tribes, and Burmese Mergui, a land time had forgot, with dense rainforests, indigenous creatures found nowhere else on the planet and perfect diving locations. Whatever your idea of paradise is, you will find it in one of the itineraries.

If you are looking for a good old-fashioned adventure, but want complete comfort and luxury, then this is the holiday for you. As you decide your destination, every journey is different; so no two encounters are ever the same, therefore you choose your own experience. There is nothing quite like the constant fresh air, the wind on your face, and a bare horizon as far as the eye can see. I felt like I was the only person on the planet, but I still got to enjoy the beauty of this spectacular yacht, sit back, relax and have someone else do all the hard work. Heaven.

The Raja Laut sleeps up to 12 people and prices start at $3094USD per night, plus moorage and fuel charges. See www.rajalaut or call +60 88 228599 for more details.