Nothing hits a subtropical Sally in the face harder than a sub-ten assault. So if wasting away in a stuffy hot box of recycled air waiting for the winter chill to ease isn’t your cup of tea – and it certainly isn’t ours – then check our roundup of Hong Kong’s cosiest vortex-evading enclaves.
Drink
Want to experience the charm of the city without surrendering to the dreary downpour? Wrap your hands around this steamy number. Perched among the lush greenery of Hong Kong Park, Lock Cha Tea House is a favourite of leaf lovers and zen-seekers alike, and with over a hundred different blends (and top notch veg dim sum) this dainty tea-temple makes for the perfect pad to idle away a cold afternoon and peruse a gorgeous jumble of pretty porcelain. Don’t miss the musical tea concerts taking place every weekend.
Lock Cha Tea House, G/F, The K.S. Lo Gallery, Hong Kong Park, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2801 7177, lockcha.com
Eat
Don’t ignore the growls of frost-frazzled tums. Roll into Mid Levels’ cosy cubby San Xi Lou, the city’s top hot pot spot to warm your cockles. Bunker down with the hoards for tongue-wagging Sichuan splendour from a menu spanning tear-inducing chilli tofu, fiery Mandarin fish and even, if you dare, deer sinew. Psst… If this spice-bomb doesn’t defrost her taut visage, you can be sure she’s had a helping hand.
San Xi Lou, 7/F, Coda Plaza, 51 Garden Rd, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong, +852 2838 8811
Shop
Did Hemingway wish away his depressed days bunkered down in isolation? Well, he probably did, but unless you’ve earned yourself a Nobel, skip down to Lok Man Rare Books for a rain-free retail romp. This storied stalwart boasts an endless cache of rare and fascinating titles dating back before 1900, from kiddies classics to the best in food and travel, enveloped in a dreamy den of thick carpets and leather flops. Now that’s our kind of shelved-in…
Lok Man Rare Books, G/F, 6 Chancery Lane, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2868 1056, lokmanbooks.com
Pamper
Need a remedy for icy joints and brolly-bashed limbs? Swan into lush Oriental Spa for the ultimate disheveled dolly’s pick-me-up. Ladies, opt for a more glamorous soak with Laconium, Rasul and Amethyst Crystal steam, while gents can slide into the hammam and rain sauna. The pampersome parlour also offers vitality pools, yoga and pilates to put the pep back in your step. Whoosh!
Oriental Spa, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Rd, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2132 0011, mandarinoriental.com
Do
In the spirit of torrential downpour, get your creative fluids flowing with an arvo of Art Jamming, Hong Kong’s crafty solution to rainy day blues. Shimmy on down for a session of freestyle paint splashing in this gorgeous, pre-war restored studio with two floors of canvas-prodding, vino-gargling patrons. They supply the goods (overalls included), so all you’ll need is good company and a few hours to spare. Go on, get art of the house!
Artjamming, 1/F, 1 Rumsey St, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, +852 2541 8816, artjamming.com
For more tips on what to do in Hong Kong, check out the LUXE Hong Kong guide or grab our nifty app with offline maps.
