The Hong Kong Jockey Club never ceases to amaze us and after travelling to the cosmopolitan city for many years and on the multiple occasions that SAHorseracing.COM has visited the Asian World city, we always try to find something different to experience on our trips to the races there.

This time we arranged a visit to the exclusive private club known as the Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse in Happy Valley - one of three highly regarded appendages of the clubhouse.
The clubhouse positioned in the heart of Hong Kong Island is blessed with distant harbour and spectacular mountain vistas. We chose to spoil ourselves in fine dining at the Derby Restaurant renowned for immaculate service and attention to detail. This flagship dining venue of the club must really be the envy of all who visit it.

Derby Room's extensive wine cellar

The clubhouse describes it as a, "top-notch fine dining with an extensive wine cellar, offering diners an unsurpassed dining experience. Dishes are creative and delicious, and all paired with perfectly matched wines. The sophisticated and contemporary décor in the restaurant can be accessed by the impressive spiral staircase from the chic Bar on the floor below. Derby Bar is the ideal spot for the apéritif and digestif between the big meal itself, or for a plate of oysters or other snacks. Late night drinks can be enjoyed with live performances from the band." The understated "no cellphones" policy makes it an intimate dining affair; it also couples as an outstanding meeting venue for those who wish to impress a client without a laptop in hand.

The Happy Valley clubhouse also caters for the sporting kind, which is a rare treat in Hong Kong, due to space constraints. Codes that are regularly indulged in by members include squash, golf, tennis, table tennis, basketball, croquette, snooker, fitness classes and swimming.

The swimming pools are particularly big by Hong Kong standards. It also includes a unique indoor pool. The indoor 25 metre pool and the outdoor swimming pool lagoon are great for the whole family. Unique features set up through the pool complex provides both relaxation for adults and hours of fun for the younger members.

The fitness centre is particularly extravagant with indoor pool views and state-of -the-art equipment for all from fitness fanatics to the reluctant jogger. The extravagant and meticulously planned flow from restaurant to pool area and the magnificent interior decoration is something to behold. The General Manager of the property was on hand to showing off his international acclaimed facilities. He reminded us that the property has a life cycle and regularly undergoes major changes with different areas undergoing refurbishment while popular facilities are available for use during renovation periods.

With a club of this magnitude both in size and in the number of members, it takes a certain amount of charm to control. The personal service and impeccable attitude of the staff contribute to making the members' experience unforgettable.

All told, it was a day well spent learning about yet another facet to the Jockey Club. Rich in history, service excellence and facilities, the HKJC Clubhouse is a flagship for clubs in Hong Kong and from what we are told, a leader in Asia as well.