Idyllic living in country setting
Medium-priced 'resort-style' serviced apartments, with close proximity to beaches and country parks in the New Territories, have become increasingly attractive to tenants who prefer to live in idyllic green surroundings that have efficient transport links to urban areas.
Gary Chan, leasing manager of Royal View Hotel Serviced Suites, says the property is more than 95 per cent occupied. 'More than 80 per cent of our apartments offer picturesque views of the Rambler and Ma Wan channels,' he says. 'We offer serene and verdant country living for tenants who enjoy the great outdoors.'
Opened in 2007, Royal View Hotel is located on Castle Peak Road in Ting Kau, Tsuen Wan. Set against Tai Lam Country Park, the hotel is a five-minute walk from Lido Beach, which is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Lido Beach was reopened last month after its water quality improved and was deemed suitable for swimming.
Situated in Castle Peak Bay, the Hong Kong Gold Coast Residences is a stone's throw from the famed Golden Beach, the first man-made beach in Hong Kong. The multiple apartment blocks and houses of the development offer commanding views of the beach and the Gold Coast Yacht Club marina.
'Residents can book a private cruise on board our 58-foot luxury yacht. The pleasant living environment here is just like that found in the southern part of Hong Kong Island,' says Chung Chi-lam, general manager of the leasing department of Gold Coast Residences. 'Gold Coast is only 20 minutes by car to the Hong Kong International Airport, which is ideal for those who make frequent overseas trips.'
Gold Coast Residences is also a 20-minute drive to Shenzhen, which makes it convenient for individuals who need to frequently cross the border. Although these serviced apartments are located in the New Territories, they provide tenants with frequent direct transport connections to major commercial hubs in town. A shuttle bus journey from Gold Coast to Central, Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui is about 30 minutes. Gold Coast also provides shuttle bus services to and from Tsuen Wan MTR station and the airport. Shuttle buses operated by Royal View go to Tsuen Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui via Tsing Yi Airport Express station, with direct train access to Central.
For tenants who prefer to drive themselves, the Gold Coast and Royal View provide private parking spaces. The special locations of these serviced apartments provide their tenants with great convenience to explore the surrounding wide-open spaces and enjoy a host of outdoor activities.
'Apart from Lido Beach, the Royal View is a short walk from Pebble Beach in Ting Kau Wan, where some operators offer small boats for rent. It's ideal for fishing,' Chan adds. 'The waterfront section of the Castle Peak Road, just outside Royal View, is very popular with joggers who enjoy the sea view and the countryside.
It is about 20 minutes to Sham Tseng Village, best known for its roast goose restaurants.'
Because the serviced apartments are part of the Royal View Hotel, its tenants can enjoy the hotel's facilities, including the 25-metre swimming pool, fitness centre, various restaurants and bars, and room service, Chan says.
'We have a diverse mix of tenants,' he says. 'There are many expatriate executives working for engineering consultancy firms. They are here because of the recent surge in the number of local infrastructure projects. Some are executives working for the logistics sector because Tsuen Wan is a logistical service hub.'
There are also executives from multinational firms with offices in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, Chan notes. 'Most tenants are singles or couples,' he says. 'Some are families with up to two children.'
Royal View's serviced suites have different layouts and are available in varying sizes to suit specific needs of individuals, couples and families. The suites vary from studio units to three-bedroom suites. All one- and two-bedroom suites have balconies. Every three-bedroom unit has a wooden-decked terrace measuring more than 200 sqft, Chan says. 'Tenants can have meals on the terrace while enjoying the pleasant sea breeze,' he says.
Gold Coast apartments are surrounded by more than 500,000 sqft of open green space. Its clubhouse features one of Hong Kong's largest free-form swimming pools, landscaped gardens, tennis courts and facilities for other sport and leisure activities. 'We also maintain a private green-organic farm yard within our residential complex where residents can experience the fun of organic farming,' Chung says. The 5-star Gold Coast Hotel and Country Club is a short walk away.
Serviced apartments in Gold Coast Residences range from 700 sqft to more than 1,300 sqft. 'Our diverse tenant mix comprises individuals and families from the high-income group mainly. Over three-quarters are expatriates and over 90 per cent work in multinational corporations. Around 40 per cent are families with kids,' Chung says.
