Breakaway - Tis The Season To Live It Up

Some weeks ago, we wrote about good value Christmas stays in Hong Kong. (See the story http://simplyfabulicious.blogspot.com/2009/10/breakaway-one-of-best-peak-season-hotel.html) Now, we’re casting our envious eyes on luxury Christmas stays all around the world. If you can afford it, why not?...After all, it’s good for the soul to pamper our scintillating selves a little after a tought year and before the grind of the new year when it starts (big sigh all round!) all over again....

Claridge’s, London – If you’re stuck in London over Christmas, be warned that the entire city comes to a complete halt. Not fun. And since you’ll have absolutely nothing to do, you might as well bury yourself in luxury at Claridge’s over the two crucial nights of Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. The ‘Claridge’s Timeless Christmas’ two-night package (£865 or S$1,968 per person, 24-26 Dec) checks you into a Superior King room where you get traditional mince pies, stolen and mulled wine on arrival, pre-dinner cocktails in Claridge’s Bar and a five-course Christmas Eve dinner. Each guest gets an overnight stocking filled with edibles, then wake up on Christmas morning, to a full English breakfast followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride through Mayfair with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Christmas lunch is an eight-course menu. You get a late check out on Boxing Day, with souvenirs of a Claridge’s Christmas pudding and a WWF “Help Save Me” fluffy polar bear or penguin to take home. Fashionistas need to note that the 112 year old hotel is also decking its hall with a Christmas tree by John Galliano for Dior, with sparkling leaves and orchids in silver, white, blue and crystal.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7107 8842

Email reservations@claridges.co.uk

The Opposite House, Beijing – Just checking into this hotel automatically makes you uber-slick and chic. Auntie here needs some of that injection. What’s more, the hotel’s ‘A Tale of Two Houses’ package, available till 31 August next year, ties up with GREEN T. HOUSE Living, the ‘coolest bath house in China’ so by the end of your stay, they disgorge you a pampered, transformed, cool-to-bits, shopped out, massaged to smoothness and glammed to overflowing new woman.

The package of minimum two nights’ stay at The Opposite House includes a four-hour GREEN T. HOUSE Living spa experience for two, consisting of a scrub, bath experience, hydrating facial, face massage and two-hour '2-hands' massage, followed by a green tea-inspired lunch. With rates starting from RMB 7,688 for two nights in a Studio 45 room, The Opposite House throws in transfers between both houses in a Maserati Quattroporte (ie. super fancy car), including a breakfast for two, complimentary mini-bar and wifi, and unlimited access to workout and pool facilities, as well as flexible check-in/check-out times. The 99-room Opposite House is located at The Village in Sanlitun, ground zero for shopping and dining in Beijing.

Tel: +8610 6417 6688

Website: www.theoppositehouse.com

The Mira Hong Kong – How about traipsing over the our fave shopping city Hong Kong? The Mira Hong Kong’s Festive Indulgence Room Package (available 15 Dec – 5 Jan) includes City Room accommodation at HK$2,360 (S$422) per night with complimentary upgrade to a Parkview Room, daily breakfast at Yamm and a languorous Mira Signature Massage for two at the soon-to-open MiraSpa. Other perks are late 3pm check-out, complimentary WiFi in-room and around the hotel, use of MiraSpa facilities, daily newspaper, free local calls and festive goodies at turndown.

While you’re there, you must dine at WHISK, the latest restaurant by Chef Justin Quek, Singapore boy and multiple award winning celebrity super chef, formerly of Les Amis. He is serving up a four course lunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (HK$688 or S$123 with wine pairing – excellent value!) and a six-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner (HK$888 or S$158 with festive drinks; HK$1,288 or S$230 with wine pairing). Necessary info – you’ll like to know that the hotel is smack bang in Tsim Sha Tsui on Nathan Road. That means shop!

118 Nathan Road

Tsimshatsui, Kowloon

Tel: 852 2368 1111

www.themirahotel.com