Cosmetics taking inspiration from food, with perfumes scented with vanilla, body creams that reminisce of chocolate, and lip-glosses that are laden with strawberries are commonplace in the beauty market, but for possibly the first time the Executive Sous Chef Sidney Schutte at the fabulously quirly Mo Bar at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental has concocted a limited Christmas champagne afternoon tea inspired by Guerlain fragrances and make-up.

Inspired by the “Collection Les Ors” featuring the House of Guerlain’s famous bee emblem, the entire menu is modelled around the iconic Guerlain range.   “We started off with the Or Imperial Sublime Radiant Powder which has a beautiful gold shimmer and we created a zabaglione sponge cake and clementine and walnut macaron in these tones,” said Schutte

Discrete nuances of the Guerlain range can be seen throughout the afternoon tea,with the passion fruit and white chocolate mousse representing the ‘meteorite perles’ while the tempting strawberry and blackberry jams for the scones take on the colours of lipsticks.

“Collection Les Ors is all about luxury and splendor. The golden tones of the collection are perfect for Christmas and at the same time commemorates the heritage of Guerlain by bringing back their iconic bee emblem. We have interpreted the bee not only with the golden logo but also by infusing delicate orange blossom honey into some of the pastries,” he continued.

This sumptuous menu is then paired with a glass of exquisite Ruinart’s Blanc de Blancs champagne.  And if that is not enough to complete your afternoon of decadence, you will also presented with a Christmas gift set (worth $225) comprising of special miniatures of their famous Abeille Royale serum, Idylle perfume and Kiss Kiss lipstick.

We cant think of a better way to spend an afternoon…

The Menu
sandwiches – porc confit & pickles cucumber quiche, puff pastry tartlet – roquefort and mulled pear,  spanner crab cake, vine tomato with arugula and balsamic glaze, smoked salmon & daikon horseradish sandwich

ginger and plain scones – clotted cream & jams

pastries- zabaglione sponge cake, clementine & walnut macaron , apple honey cinnamon strudel, caramel & hazelnut tartlet, passion mousse & white chocolate

tea (jing tea in pot)- jasmine, black, jing earl grey, herbal, oolong ($15 supplement per person), green ($25 supplement per person), white ($15 supplement per person)

How Much?
$200 per person, choice of coffee or tea
$325 per person, including Guerlain Christmas gift set and a glass of Runiart champagne.  All prices in Hong Kong dollars & subject to 10% service charge

When?
Available between 3pm to 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday and 3.30pm to 5.30pm on Sundays throughout the whole of December.

Where?
MO Bar, G/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
15 Queen’s Road Central, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong Map
T: +852 2132 0077

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