Holidaying at a luxury resort might be a just reward for a year of hard work, but it's hard to leave behind when it's time to return to the real world. If only it were possible to experience that relaxed, 'on holiday' feeling all year round.
Resourceful Hongkongers are doing just that, even in the confines of our city. One couple, Franco and Christine Facca, have created a mini-resort in their SoHo flat, which they bought last year mainly because of its large terrace. The fact the outdoor space, at 1,200 sq ft, was twice as big as the 600 sq ft interior appealed to the Australian couple.
'Chris and I have always loved to be able to eat and drink outdoors, which is what we have at our place in Clear Water Bay. But we're also lovers of restaurants and coffee shops so when we saw this place just minutes from Soho, we decided to combine both loves,' says Franco, a designer and home renovator.
The space also reminded them of holidays they'd enjoyed. 'We've been to a few resorts and find them hard to leave,' says Christine. 'So we thought about recreating that relaxed feeling that we could come home to every night.'
Other Hongkongers are doing likewise, inspired by their holiday experiences in the region.
'I think a lot of the drive for this type of living comes from people's travels, in particular in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Bali,' says Roddy Murray of RJ Murray Design.
