Recently we've had the chance to check out a couple of private clubs in Hong Kong. Last week, we went with Michael's co-worker and his wife to their private club, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, located in Happy Valley. The club is large and contains many levels of restaurants, ranging from downright casual al fresco dining and fast buffet options to white tablecloth fine cuisine. They also have a lot of club facilities, including multiple outdoor pools and an indoor pool for laps, squash courts, tennis courts, golf simulators, billiards and sauna and spa facilities.
Membership includes not just entry to and use of the club, but also entry to the club box and club at the horse races in Happy Valley, golf courses in Sai Kung, and entry to another more remote club for equestrian activities. It's pretty amazing. All of this comes at a price of course - one-time membership fees start at HK$400,000 and monthly dues at HK$1850. This club was noticeably different from others we've been to, in that there were a lot more Chinese patrons. (This obviously makes sense compared to, say, the American Club, but still.) I'd say white people were in the minority at this club, and that is noteworthy.
Then this weekend, we went with my co-worker and her husband to their private club, the Hong Kong Cricket Club, located above Deepwater Bay on Wong Nai Chung Gap Road. It is right next to the French International School. The bus ride up was breathtaking as usual - amazing views of the vast expanse of skyscrapers, race track, tennis courts and tony clubs spread out below in Happy Valley.
At the club, we enjoyed bowling (we've been on a bowling streak) on their newly renovated, fully programmable lanes (which dutifully reported useful stats like bowling speed, provided hints of how to get a spare, and showcased bizarre congratulatory graphics for the strike or the spare), while sipping on ice cold San Miguels. We then went to dinner at the Chinese restaurant, where we enjoyed Beijing roast duck, garlic sautéed pea shoots, grouper belly with mushrooms, pork and onion stir fried in a stone pot, pork dumplings in chili oil, and calamari. Yum!!
Both were fantastic experiences and I kind of want to belong to a club now. For the facilities and the "subsidized" food, of course. Not for the exclusivity of it.
Membership includes not just entry to and use of the club, but also entry to the club box and club at the horse races in Happy Valley, golf courses in Sai Kung, and entry to another more remote club for equestrian activities. It's pretty amazing. All of this comes at a price of course - one-time membership fees start at HK$400,000 and monthly dues at HK$1850. This club was noticeably different from others we've been to, in that there were a lot more Chinese patrons. (This obviously makes sense compared to, say, the American Club, but still.) I'd say white people were in the minority at this club, and that is noteworthy.
Then this weekend, we went with my co-worker and her husband to their private club, the Hong Kong Cricket Club, located above Deepwater Bay on Wong Nai Chung Gap Road. It is right next to the French International School. The bus ride up was breathtaking as usual - amazing views of the vast expanse of skyscrapers, race track, tennis courts and tony clubs spread out below in Happy Valley.
At the club, we enjoyed bowling (we've been on a bowling streak) on their newly renovated, fully programmable lanes (which dutifully reported useful stats like bowling speed, provided hints of how to get a spare, and showcased bizarre congratulatory graphics for the strike or the spare), while sipping on ice cold San Miguels. We then went to dinner at the Chinese restaurant, where we enjoyed Beijing roast duck, garlic sautéed pea shoots, grouper belly with mushrooms, pork and onion stir fried in a stone pot, pork dumplings in chili oil, and calamari. Yum!!
Both were fantastic experiences and I kind of want to belong to a club now. For the facilities and the "subsidized" food, of course. Not for the exclusivity of it.
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