The great escape: Hong Kong’s Gold Coast has it all

Before dawn every morning, swimmers notch up salt-water laps in the millpond sea of Golden Beach.

As the day wears on, children play on the sand, and kayakers paddle. Afternoon breezes draw board-riders and small-craft sailors to take a spin on the waves. Evenings bring couples strolling and splashing by the water’s edge.

Hong Kong’s Gold Coast is a leisure destination all year round, but comes into its prime during the summer months. Weekends and holidays attract masses of visitors, but some are lucky enough to live there all the time. According to Robert Kaiwai, general manager of Hong Kong Gold Coast Residences, they come for the feeling of being on holiday every day.

His is one of only a few serviced apartment properties in the traditional seaside resort location of Tuen Mun.

Gold Coast Residences on Castle Peak Road forms part of a Sino Group development which includes serviced apartments, a hotel, marina and piazza. Its waterfront location is the main attraction, says Kaiwai, who joins the kayakers for a morning paddle – that’s if he’s not bike riding on the nearby mountain trails.

“The beach is right outside our property, and the yacht club next door,” Kaiwai says. “All the fun of summer at the seaside is right here.”

Residents gather for organised activities – such as outdoor movies, with beanbags, drinks and popcorn included – or impromptu poolside barbecues. Learn-to-swim classes are popular at this time of year, held in the resort’s swimming pool which is one of the largest in Hong Kong.

Group yoga and tai chi are also held regularly, and this summer, a new class in water yoga will be launched.

Alfresco dining is the order of the day at the piazza, which has some 13 food and beverage outlets offering various cuisines – Chinese, French, Italian and Singaporean – along with popular Japanese restaurant Kazuhiro.

A few residents keep their yachts in the on-site Gold Coast Marina. Others can rent a fishing boat, or a cruiser, to take them out for the day.

“We can take a party around the islands, drop them at a beach for snorkelling, and arrange all the catering,” Kaiwai says.

Serviced apartments in the property have either two or three bedrooms, ranging in size from 735 sq ft to 935 sq ft. They have fully equipped kitchens, including washing machines, with housekeeping provided twice weekly.

For those who work in Central, there is the matter of the daily commute: Central is about 30 minutes’ drive away. But Kaiwai say this is compensated by a lifestyle you won’t find in the city.

Another waterfront serviced apartment option along the coastal stretch of Castle Peak Road is Bay Bridge Hong Kong by Hotel G. Although it has a small stretch of sand out front, residents usually walk to nearby Lido Beach for activities such as swimming, kayaking, and the popular local pastime of beach volleyball.

The property can cater to daily as well as monthly (or longer) stays, and according to Peter Pfister, general manager, the sea views are a big drawcard.

It also has a range of resort facilities, including an outdoor pool, jacuzzi, fitness centre and an in-house seafood and grill restaurant offering all-day dining and a range of beers and other beverages. According to Pfister, “there is no better place to escape to during the summertime”.

He points out that, with monthly rates starting from HK$15,000 for a 440 sq ft to 460 sq ft studio, and

HK$21,000 up for a one-bedroom, seaview apartment, Bay Bridge Hong Kong by Hotel G offers modestly priced apartments with spectacular views overlooking Tsing Ma Bridge and the South China Sea. “Additionally, it is the perfect setting for a staycation if you’re keen to treat yourself on a weekend or for international travellers looking for a funky and urban hotel in Hong Kong.”

Back in the day (in the mid-1900s), when Tsuen Wan was a honeymooners’ paradise, afternoon tea at the Royal View Hotelon Lido Beach was the thing to do. That famous hotel now also incorporates serviced apartments – Royal View Residence – and according to Sam Fu, director of sales, the majority of rooms and suites feature a balcony and breathtaking sea view.

The beachfront, resort-style property on Castle Peak Road is well equipped for summer fun with an outdoor pool, a gym room, games room and playground. An afternoon tea buffet may still be enjoyed in its restaurant, Café Lido, along with all-day dining.

Royal View Residence and Hotel is a subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties. It has studios starting from HK$15,800 per month, as well as one-, two- and three-bedroom suites.