Life in Hong Kong transcends cultural and culinary borders, such that nothing is truly foreign and nothing doesn’t belong.

Peter Jon Lindberg

‘Bent but not broken’ might be the slogan of post-COVID Hong Kong. As always, this magical city is still exciting and accessible to tourists and locals alike as they peek out from beneath the COVID blankets and watch as the once-ever-vibrant city images from the cocoon, spread its wings to flutter into a brand new day. These days there is a feeling around the city – a feeling of renewal and brightness. And the Stanley Oriental Hotel on the waterside is a real find. In November the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit went smoothly leading to a rollback on PCR tests for visitors. 

Just twenty minutes away from Central and Causeway Bay, yet in a world of its own, the hotel offers bright, stylish rooms at a reasonable rate and plenty of old-time Hong Kong tourist delights in a compact area. That’s Stanley Bay. Accessible from anywhere on the island with an ambience all its own. 

A key part of that ambience is a wide and varied selection of international restaurants within a short walk away on colourful streets around the hotel. A selection to whet the tourists’ appetites:

• THE BOATHOUSE – For a rooftop view of the Stanley Bay milieu, it’s hard to top the boathouse, just down the street from the Stanley Oriental. In a funky blue old-time building on the beach, you’ll find an international menu with some surprises.
• SAIGON at STANLEY – open-air, on a rooftop, this restaurant presents the best of Vietnamese cuisine in an attractive setting above the busy streets below.
• Not far off the bay waters is CHEZ PATRICK DELI – With a menu of takeaway dishes and french groceries, this is a great place to stock up on snacks or whole meals to take back to your balcony room.
• THE WAFFLEMAN – guess what the speciality is … Waffles – right! There is a boatload of choices on the menu along with other, also delicious, seet treats.
• KING LUDWIG BEER HALL – this is the Stanley Bay branch of an island-wide chain specializing in German and other European quaffs. Enjoy a beer (or three) and an excellent fat pretzel and enjoy the fab views.
• THE PICKLED PELICAN – Step from the street into a British pub and tuck into a cheesy burger or another high-quality pub-grub choice.
• THE SMUGGLERS’ INN – With a nod to the old days – not necessarily ‘good’ old days of British colonial power and, yes, smugglers aplenty, especially in and around Stanley Bay. Find a stool and relax in the friendly assortment of flyers and adverts from the old days that adorn the walls in every direction.

Attractions coming to the island soon include CLOCKENFLAP in March. Grab one of the ubiquitous taxis roaming Stanley Bay’s roads, sit back, enjoy the city scenes for 25 minutes and find yourself at “Hong Kong’s biggest international outdoor music and arts festival” mothballed for a couple of COVID years, now ready to roll (and rock). With a ful lineup of music and arts and crafts, Clockenflap is an international big deal. After a day amid the raucous fans and ringing music, you’ll enjoy the quiet comfort of your Bayside retreat.

So far (from the city), yet so near (by easy-to-find public transportation) the Stanley Bay Oriental is a quiet retreat for the smart Hong Kong Traveller.

For more information, you can visit www.stanleyorientalhotel.com.hk

Research and writing help from JKJ