Since opening in 2005, Goccia Ristorante E Bar has received glowing reviews from gourmands and food critics alike. Its cutting edge style and "dare to be different" attitude has established Goccia as a thriving restaurant that offers the largest selection of Champagnes and sparkling wines by the glass in the city,  live DJ music, and a fabulous Italian seafood menu presided over by Michelin Star Chef, Frencesco Brocca, ably assisted by talented Sous Chef, Fabrizio Napolitano.  Goccia provides and exciting and unconventional environment that is hip and unique at the bar level and inviting at the restaurant level upstairs. Its spacious outdoor terrace makes it the perfect venue for private functions - an unusual feature in Hong Kong.

Standing out from the all the other dingy motels in the area, the Novotel Nathan Road is the first contemporary international hotel in the Jordan district, with the well-equipped and well-positioned hotel being equally appealing to business travellers and sightseeing tourists alike. Many innovative features shine throughout the 389-room property; with high-definition LCD televisions in every room, iPod receptacles and internet-connected iMacs providing sleek alternatives to your average PC offerings. There are two main dining outlets on hand; with ‘The Square’ presenting international dining in an invitingly spacious environment, and the ‘Tasca bar’ offering great drink-side views of the hectic Nathan Road below (pictured). Being the fourth high-profile Novotel property to land in Hong Kong, this hotel secures Accor’s position as one of the leading hotel brands in Asia.    

Slickly functional, clean and ergonomically refined, this new property from World Hotels features a meticulous design concept that is sparklingly alluring. With 5 top-class suites and 280 rooms evenly distributed amongst 28 floors Hotel Jen is well-equipped, with even a distinctively panoramic ’Sky Lounge’ on the 28th floor. Located slightly out of the way in the Western District of Hong Kong, Hotel Jen is sited within an area that still retains the qualities of old Hong Kong. On the other hand, it is also just distant enough to not be too remote, being a stone’s throw from all the central business conveniences. Perched between the traditional and the new; it is this kind of componential balancing act that gives the hotel its edge.

Recently revamped and revitalized, the Pool Deck at the Island Shangri-La has been given a makeover that is befitting to a Mediterranean resort. As it was before, the Pool Deck was already a stunning urban sanctuary, with the poolside providing stunning views of the city from within its leafy green-enclosed bubble. However, now the venue has been further enhanced with a much improved dining area, aptly named the Pool Deck as well. With wooden and rattan furniture, the invitingly fresh 50-seat outdoor venue is encased underneath a stunning white parasol, which can be retracted and extended to match the weather. 

The kitchen serves up wholesome Mediterranean fare; with purees, dips and barbecued items served up alongside the usual assortment of fresh juices and poolside grub. Despite the central location, the complimentary wireless internet and the surrounding cityscape are the only two elements reminding you of the city. After all, when dining at this prime alfresco venue, one would be forgiven if they momentarily repressed the fact they were in the heart of the central business district, and that is exactly the intention.

The latest up-scale Japanese restaurant to hit Hong Kong is Eaton Hotel’s Yagura. Opened back in December, the stylish eatery joins the bandwagon along with all the other Japanese-themed restaurants that opened last year. The featured highlight of Yagura is its resemblance to a traditional izakaya Japanese restaurant. Popular for after-work drinks, an izakaya is type of Japanese drinking establishment which offers more substantial food than the average sake bar. Yagura do serve sake and they are targeting after-work patrons, but here they place more emphasis on the food. The izakaya-style menu is designed so that diners can pick and mix a variety of dishes at the same time. 

Translated literally to mean “tower” in Japanese, the handmade façade of Yagura is like that of a wooden turret with its rounded timber entrance wall speckled with small chequered openings. Through these gaps, the rest of the 2,200 square foot interior is revealed. The restaurant features a tranquilising dimly-lit interior which is split into traditional and contemporary-themed areas. There are five main areas and these include a sushi-counter, a tempura counter, an area with a Koagari table, a semi-private room, and the Yagura zone where most of the general seating is set. With the numerous food counters, the aim is to bring diners closer to the chefs in action so they can see their jet-fresh food as it is prepared and served up before them, and that is about the most honest form of consumption you will get in any restaurant.

In a city that is overflowing with mediocre foot reflexology and massage parlours, it is often hard to find a straight up, simple, honest, non-gimmicky spa. Paua is one of the groups who beg to differ. Priding themselves on service and comfort, their five high-quality spas include state-of-the-art treatments, tranquilising décor and design, plus experienced therapists all trained by their own affiliated academy. In essence, they have pampering down to a science.  

Their latest spa effortlessly follows suit. Fittingly located at the CentreStage boutique apartments, this is one of their best yet. Combining innovative technology with tranquilizing décor, they have managed to create a spa that is worth visiting both for the treatments and the venue. A comfortably accommodating 4’000 square-feet is decked out with stylish lighting fixtures, funky murals, and refreshing touches of timber and wood. Six spacious treatment rooms (including an alluring couple’s room) come complete with features such as the body-contoured double Jacuzzi, the naturalistic colour-therapy lit glass-fronted steam/rain showers, and other modish branded bathroom fixtures. There is also a fireside-heated lounge, an open-air terrace (sadly, no al fresco treatments available), and a nail-bar with massaging pedicure thrones fit for a queen. This is place where therapeutic restoration takes centre stage.

The selection of blissful treatments on hand include reviving facials, nourishing body therapies as well as various manicure and pedicure regimes. All the treatments incorporate first-rate natural products from Elemis or Murad. For pollution-infested skin try out the remedial Environmental Shield Vitamin C Facial which will leave your face glisteningly clean. Or if you want a real treat spoil yourself with the Paua Half Day Pamper which includes a luxury bath, a steam, exotic scrubs, a massage and a facial – three and a half hours of complete tranquillity.