Happy (early) new year from the Auberge Discovery Bay!
Auberge Discovery Bay Ocean Front Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite Bedroom
I’ve had an interesting stay, and I guess there’s a little pet peeve I’d talk about too – while there’ll be a full report coming up, I’d like to share five of my impressions of the hotel. All in all, it’s a great property, and if I had the budget, I’d return.
1. Upgrade!
Our family booked an Ocean Front Two-Bedroom Suite when we came in, at a room rate of HK$4,840. That’s by no means cheap, but compared to a few other suites I was lucky enough to be in (the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore retailed for ~HK$6,000 for a one bedroom suite), it was kind of a steal.
When we got to the front desk, the (not so) friendly associate said we were upgraded to a deluxe two-bedroom suite.
Auberge Discovery Bay Front Desk
Not only that, but when I came down to ask about the differences between the suites a bit later in the stay, they managed to look up our room details without even asking me who I was, and they didn’t even look at me like I was some sort of half-blooded Irish-Somalian unicorn. Woohoo! Apparently two bedroom deluxe suites feature a patio and the rooms are kind of bigger, which is an upgrade I appreciate, especially for a room that cost HK$500 more.
Too bad they were out of rooms with three beds (total), or it would have been the perfect upgrade (that said, my parents gave me my own room, which is cool mostly because I could set my alarm to 6 AM as the room faced the sunrise – which I missed – damn!).
Auberge Discovery Bay Ocean Front Two-Bedroom Deluxe Suite Patio
2. I’d like my toilet without a glass door, please
So I get up to the suite, and it’s stunning. Admittedly it’s not infinitely better than the one we booked in the first place, but it featured a living room with a sofa and flatscreen TV, a beautiful master bedroom and another room which I’m currently in – along with the promised patio.
Auberge Discovery Bay Ocean Front Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite Living Room
Auberge Discovery Bay Ocean Front Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite Master Bedroom
Auberge Discovery Bay Ocean Front Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite Bedroom
If the weather cooperated the patio would have been perfect (the weather is fabulous today, so I’m really pissed off that I missed the sunrise – oh well).
Auberge Discovery Bay Ocean Front Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite Patio
But this is the view I get from my bed:
Auberge Discovery Bay Ocean Front Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite View of Bathroom from Bedroom
That’s right – unless you’re taking a sh*t behind the frosted glass, you’re exposed to daylight whatever you do in the bathroom. And the frosted glass isn’t particularly “frosted” either, so you literally can see everything that’s happening from the bathroom. Worst of all? I took this in front of the glass doors, so if the blackout blinds are opened you can literally stalk someone in the bathroom from the patio.
Sometimes I like when there are curtains you can draw open as natural light seeps in through the curtains during the daytime. But when there isn’t…
3. Party hats for all!
Last night our family ate at the hotel’s restaurant, the Café Bord du Mer.
Auberge Discovery Bay Café Bord du Mer
As you see, there were quite a few of the new year festive paper hats (maybe my head’s just big, but they take about five seconds to break).
Here’s the bizarre part. Not only did my sister have a hat, but I was given one as well. Fine, I’m on the edge of 15, people say I have a “baby face” (despite the fact that I’m basically the tallest in the family). Well, both my parents (aged 40+) got hats as well. Not only that but all four of us got those jangle things that are pretty much immensely annoying for everyone.
Auberge Discovery Bay Café Bord du Mer Hats
4. Countdown Party!
There was a countdown party in the lobby that we attended. The woman singing was really out of tune, but I appreciate her efforts.
Auberge Discovery Bay December 31st Countdown Party
There were a lot of people who managed to dance to the music, and at the end, it became a lot like a disco. Unfortunately having so much work to do yesterday I was very, very tired, so didn’t join in and just stood taking pictures by the side.
Auberge Discovery Bay December 31st Countdown Party
After the countdown, the balloons fell down on us (there was a guessing game during check-in for people who could guess the number of balloons in the pouch, but I haven’t got any news from that – too bad I couldn’t get a picture of the balloons falling down).
Auberge Discovery Bay December 31st Countdown Party Balloons
There was also hugging, kissing and everything you would see during a New Year’s party (strangers making out not included).
Auberge Discovery Bay December 31st Countdown Party Celebration
5. Can I put the watermeloan in the chocolate fountain, sir?
The most bizarre part of last night had to be the 10-ish little guy near the chocolate fountain.
Auberge Discovery Bay Café Bord du Mer Food Spread
Kid: Can I put the watermeloan in the chocolate fountain, sir?
Staff: Watermelon? Yes, you can put anything.
Kid: So I can put the watermeloan in the fountain?
I facepalmed…