In need for escape? Bored of the classic destinations like Big wave bay, South bay or Shek O? Do not panic! Just grab your beach bag and stuff it with all that’s needed for a perfect day out at the beach. On goes your straw hat, sunscreen all over you face, and off you go to Mavericks in Lantau. Granted, nice places don’t come easy, hop onto a ferry to Mui wo, then it’s a 10 minute taxi ride (if there are taxis). Who cares, it’s still a break in your regular routine. Once you’re there, you feel instantly relaxed. Mavericks is one of the rare beach restaurants that serves food that isn’t Singapore noodles, fried rice or the inevitable triangle sandwich.  No, here you feast on healthy quinoa salad, tuna tartar, amazing burgers or even a Cesar salad washed down with a glass of rose. The place is ideally situated on the beach: you can easily keep an eye on the kids while they go nuts over sandcastles. A great compromise for both parents and children, everyone’s happy!
 
Pui O Beach
Lantau Island, Hong Kong
(852) 5662 8552
info@mavericks.hk
Open Friday from 17h00 to 23h30 and Saturday/Sunday from 11h00 to 23h30
 
https://www.facebook.com/maverickshk?fref=photo
 
http://www.mavericks.hk/

By Heather 

Hong Kong Madame had the exclusive chance to check out the Club Med Dong’ao resort, so that our readers can have inside access and pictures before anyone else!
 

1. Club Med is an “All-Inclusive” Resort
   The term “all-inclusive” means everything is included in the price - ferry tickets, accommodation, 3 meals a day, drinks, snacking, sports and activities, entertainment, and the children’s club. Basically, all-inclusive means a hassle-free vacation for everyone, no matter what they may desire. The special discounted rates are listed below!
   
    
2. Dong’ao is a Private Island
   Club Med on Dong’ao Island is the perfect place to relax. Unlike Hong Kong, there are no large crowds, no city noises to wake you up in the middle of the night and actual fresh air! It’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature.

 

3. It’s Super Close to Hong Kong
   Dong’ao island is only two, short 50-minute ferry rides away from Hong Kong. This not only lowers the price, but is also far better than waiting in those horrendous airport security lines. Club Med is working on introducing a single, one-hour direct ferry from Hong Kong to Dong’ao, so there’s no excuse not to go.
    
4. A Zone Just for Children, So You Can Relax!
   One of Club Med’s goals is to ensure that everyone has a flawless time on holiday, the “Petit Club” is a zone just for toddlers 2-3 to play while trained supervisors introduce them to experiences they’ll never forget! Also, Club Med Dong’ao offers a “Mini Club” for children aged 4-10 and a “Juniors’ Club” for teenagers aged 11-17. There are brand new toys, video games, playgrounds and sports that are waiting for your kids to play with them! With your kids taken care of, that leaves the perfect time to try new water sports like paddle boarding, hitting the open bar or sneaking off for some alone time by the pool with your significant other.
    
5. It’s a Great Price for the Experience You’ll Have
   There are two beautiful resort options that lay on either side of the breathtaking beach. Le Luxe, the 5-trident (Club Med’s equivalent of a 5-star rating) luxury line at Club Med Dong’ao has 72 deluxe rooms and family suites. Depending on the dates and size, the rooms can range from HKD$4,838 - HKD$14,334 per adult for a 3-Day 2-Night package plus ferry fees. The second is the larger Premium Resort. It received a 4-trident rating and has 267 deluxe rooms and suites from HKD$3,914 - HKD$10,014 per adult for 3-Day 2-Night Ferry Package depending on when you book.

 

6. There are still crazy discounts if you book before 30 June
   If you book a minimum of 4 nights between 1 July - 25 September and 10 - 31 October, you will receive 35% off room rates. If you visit between 26 September - 9 October, you will receive 10% off room rates. That’s a discount on the already lowered prices!
    
7. Experience the Magic of Club Med
   From the very beginning, the Club Med staff known as G.O.s (Gentle Organizers) greeted us at the ferry terminals and celebrated our entrance into the beautiful resort with smiles and cheers. Club Med has a magical atmosphere that regular hotels simply do not. They have nightly shows put on by the friendly G.O.s that are sure to get even the shiest person on their feet and dancing. No other hotel has staff that find it important to learn your name on the first day and greet you every morning with a smile. Club Med is by far the best holiday experience I’ve ever had.

 

8. You have the inside details before anyone else!
   Club Med is one of Hong Kong Madame’s partners, so you get the sneak peek before the public! Everything you need to have the best holiday is at Club Med Dong’ao. They have activities like archery, trapeze, water sports, biking and hiking trails, gym with workout lessons, and more. If you prefer to not be as active, they have spas, indoor and outdoor pools, the beach, every kind of restaurant from Japanese to Italian, Mah-Jong rooms and meeting rooms for business. In three days we made deep connections with the G.O.s and fell in love with Dong’ao. We already want to go back!

For more information on Club Med Dong'ao, visit their website or Facebook page.
 

By Delphine
 
Winter is over, temperatures will soon be rising and we will have picnics on our minds. You know, where kids love running around with mouths full of chips, everyone brings a lovingly made home cooked dish but no one remembers the cutlery, and at some point someone starts complaining about the sand in his sandwich. We all go home thrilled and satisfied of our family time, thinking about where to go for our next adventure. So, where do we go? It needs to be easy to get to (and stroller-friendly), without being the least bit crowded, with shade AND sun so everyone’s happy, and it has to be nice. Here’s our top 5:
 
On a beautiful sunny beach : Mui Wo – Silvermine Beach
Sheltered at the very end of a creek on Lantau Island, this pretty beach is easily accessible by ferry or by bus from Central or Kowloon.
You can sunbathe, swim or play in the clean sand. If you feel like chipolatas and fried chicken instead of ham and hard boiled egg, you can make use of the BBQ. We share food and thought over the smell of grilled meat and it definitely feels like a holiday. Charcoal and pre-marinated meats can be bought at the 7 eleven or Park & Shop a few seconds away, really convenient. The hard part is actually having to pack up and leave after taking in a beautiful sunset.
More information here.
Silver medal: Repulse Bay
 
Inside a park with a sky full of kites and grass lawns: Tai Po Waterfront Park
Not easy stuffing provisions, snacks, scooters, kites, hats, bikes and sunscreen in the bag but it’s totally worth it. This park is full of activities for your kids, the lawn are soft and clean with many shaded areas to protect the Comté cheese from becoming Raclette in your bag. Playgrounds, slides, boat ponds, cycling routes, you name it, there’s something for everyone. The only drawback, your kids will want to go back the next weekend, and the one after that…..
More information here.
Silver medal: Clear Water Bay National Park
 
On an isolated beach: Pui O
Not as well known as other beaches on Lantau, but lovely no less. Easy to get to, by MTR or ferry. Surrounded by greenery, you’ll come across cows and many birds. Well sheltered, there are lots of picnics spots available, some even include a BBQ. Swimming, cycling, scooters and sand castles are indeed on the agenda. And if you’re feeling up to it, you can even spend the night under a tent in the camping area.
More information here.
 
Inside an education park: Lion’s Education Centre
Nestled in the Sai-Kung area this picturesque park will surround you with greenery. By the time you get your sunglasses out you’ll already be at the bird observation deck or enjoying a stroll around the vegetable garden while your kids run wild in the dragonfly pond. A small stop at the arboretum, and finally it’s time for your break around the wooden tables. As you take out the cherry tomatoes and cold cuts, the little ones can climb the monkey gym next to wild flowers close by, building up an appetite for the bags of chips they’re about to wolf down.
More information here.
Silver medal: Kadoorie farm & botanic garden
 
In a forest at the heart of Hong Kong: Tai Tam country Park
After a nice hike (or not) on Hong Kong Island, having a picnic in the middle of a forest far from the crowds, but only  a few steps away from Parkview, is a real treat. Fire up the BBQ (Fusion supermarket at Parkview comes in handy for the charcoal) or enjoy your sandwiches in the sun or shade. The kids can run around, cycle, play ball, while you enjoy the peaceful serenity…Just before hiking towards the reservoirs?
More information here.
 
To stock up on nice cheeses and cold cuts, order from Répertoire Culinaire and make the best of their unbeatable prices thanks to your Privilege Member card. Details on this offer here.