I’ve waxed lyrical about the wonders of foot massage in Hong Kong before. If you’re tired, hungover, jetlagged or all three, 50 minutes of foot massage and I guarantee you’ll be back to your former fabulous self.
While I still love my trusty favourite reflexology spot, Gao’s (see my previous tip), I must admit that I’ve been having a hot little reflexology affair on the side. It’s younger, much better looking and there’s frozen yoghurt involved … For a super luxe, top of the range foot massage experience, nowhere beats Ten Feet Tall.
Perched up on the 20th & 21st floor of the sparkly new, L Place building, Ten Feet Tall opened at the start of the year and became an immediate hit. One visit and I guarantee you'll understand why. Zoom up in the lifts to the sleek white reception area on the 21st floor and you're greeted by a very cool neon Ten Feet Tall sign and a desk of friendly, white-uniformed receptionists. Word of this slice of foot massage heaven has got out, so it’s best to call and book in advance, particularly if you want to bag one of the private rooms (which come complete with day beds and 80” projector screens).
Arrived early? Recline in the little waiting area leafing through the selection of big glossy coffee table books or pick some reading material to accompany your reflexology from the magazine racks stocked with all the latest international fashion, lifestyle and business titles. When it’s time for your appointment you’ll be whisked through to the spa, a warren of cosy little rooms ranging from the ultimate private snug for two to communal rooms which are still über luxe with just eight huge white armchairs separated by billowing gauzy curtains.
For pure indulgence, plump for a private room, nestle into the reclining day bed, and pick from a selection of films or TV channels to have burbling away in the background on the big screen as you have your feet rubbed. Alternatively, bring your iPad and take advantage of the free wifi throughout the spa to surf the web – internet shopping while a therapist is kneading your shoulders, does it get any better?
Yes actually! Before your heavenly treatment starts your therapist proffers a menu of delectable treats to feast on while you’re pampered. No measly mug of hot water here, instead you can have a Fuji Fusion smoothie (banana, strawberries, apples and orange), fresh young coconut or even a frozen yoghurt (including a choice of scrummy toppings).
Sumptuous décor, a myriad of magazines, films and frozen yoghurt but what about the foot massages? Is Ten Feet Tall all style and no substance? Not a bit of it. The miracle working therapists deftly deliver 50 blissed-out minutes of pure indulgence. In fact, if you arrive with heavy eyelids you’ll be napping before you can say dozy. And if you find yourself being gently nudged awake at the end of your treatment, the dregs of your frozen yoghurt melting beside you, there’s really nothing for it but to snuggle back down, order a smoothie and ask your therapist for another 50 minutes …

www.tenfeettall.com.hk
20/F & 21/F, L Place, 139 Queen's Road
Central, Hong Kong Island
+852 2971 1010

Monday – Sunday 11:00am – 1:00am
(Last Appointment at 12am)
Google map: bit.ly/QtQuwX

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

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If you ask the majority of people what Hong Kong’s like you’ll generally be told that it’s full of giant skyscrapers and that it's turbo-paced, noisy, crowded and truly 24/7. While this isn’t at all inaccurate, it’s not the full story - a short hop outside of the city centre and you have green country parks, breathtakingly beautiful walking trails and really pretty beaches. Some of Hong Kong’s more accessible beaches can get a little dirty and crowded, Tai Long Wan, a beach up in the New Territories, is a real slice of paradise. It’s not the easiest place to get to which means that it's often really quiet, verging on deserted. The sand is fine and buttery yellow, the water’s clear and clean; you could easily mistake it for a beach on one of the calmer Thai islands.
Head out here first thing and when the sun gets too much, enjoy lunch at one of the rustic beach bars which serve up cold beers to wash down noodles, fried rice and basic seafood (don't expect lobster and scallops). While a day trip is entirely possible, for a real getaway, you can rent camping equipment for a very a reasonable price from one of the beach bars which means that you can camp right on the sand. There’s nothing nicer than ending a day of sunbathing and swimming with a few Tsing Taos around the campfire under a starry sky and then waking up the next day with the waves lapping a stone’s throw from your tent.
How to get there: the lazy route is via speedboat from Saikung – if you head to Saikung harbour you can hire a speedboat taxi which, depending on how choppy the water is, should be able to take you directly to the beach in around 30 minutes. If the water’s too rough, the boats won’t go (and having been on a moderately rough journey, I really wouldn’t recommend it). The more energetic route is to take a taxi to Saikung Country Park and hike in. The hike takes around an hour and a half and is hilly. The beach awaiting you at the end is well worth the effort though and the views on the way in are very pretty too. For the high rollers, there are helipads on the beaches and there are always a couple of Sunseekers moored just off the beach.

Google map: bit.ly/JZ0IIs

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

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Stuck in Hong Kong during the typhoon season rain? 95% humidity a bit much for you? Or just in need of an hour’s break from shopping and sightseeing? A foot massage is the perfect solution. The city has numerous reflexology shops which are usually hidden away in old Chinese walk-up buildings but can be hunted out by the neon flashing feet signs which often hang above the street-side doorway. After rigorous trials (it’s a tough job but someone had to do it) I can confirm that Gao’s Foot Massage Co. is one of the very best reflexology joints in town. Right in the heart of Central, sitting just below Lang Kwai Fong’s hectic bar scene, Gao’s is a haven of tranquility. Don’t expect a sleek spa interior, Gao's looks a little like your Chinese grandmother's sitting room with a bit of Ikea
thrown in. But the focus isn’t on décor here but on the blissful foot rubs. Choose how long you want your reflexology to last, settle into one of the reclining leather armchairs and let the therapists work their magic. Wrapped in blankets, resting on a warm, cinnamon scented neck pillow and sipping on rose petal tea, it’s the little extras that make Gao’s special. I guarantee that after an hour you’ll emerge back onto the LKF streets feeling like you’re walking on clouds.

www.gaoshk.com/index.html
15/F, Century Square 1-13 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong Island.
+(852) 2810 9289
Google map: bit.ly/IASWEO

* Natalie is our local for Hong Kong. You can read all about her here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/hong-kong-local-natalie-robinson.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/natalierobinson
She also has her own blog at: www.3badmice.com/

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This hotel is in Shatin. An ideal place to relax and collect your thoughts. It is a long bus journey from the airport but one that is both direct and I believe cheapest to reach, unless you can afford the Regal airport hotel. If you book online and in advance, the early bird promotion is a good deal. You can take a healthy stroll by the river or visit the wide array of shopping centres networked together just over the bridge.

Regal Riverside Hotel
Tai Chung Kiu Road
Shatin
Hong Kong (A41 bus from Airport)
Regalhotel.com

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A beautiful small fishing island just 45 minutes' away from central pier by ferry. Has lovely beaches and a real village feel to it, such a great atmosphere.

You can have the best seafood down by the pier, relax on the beach, swim in the sea, go for walks or cycles or try windsurfing (the womens' world champ lives there). Has an altogether slower, friendlier pace than HK and is so close and easy to get to.

Take ferry from pier 5 - 30-50 min journey depending on ferry. Ferry every 30 mins.

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