FOR those of us who have only a few days’ break and would rather avoid the fuss of a long and tiring journey, the Marriott Hotel Golden Bay is a good choice for a brief vacation. Sitting on the beachfront of Golden Bay facing the South China Sea in Dapeng Peninsula, the hotel, now in its sophomore year, is perfect for romantic solitude and getting removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Facing the garden outside the lobby bar stands a pop-up installation depicting the letters “I” and “U” with a vivid image of a moon between them. Guests pose next to these and take photos for sharing on social media. The installation, about five meters tall and 15 meters long, is lit up by LED lights at night, and the middle section alternates between a bright moon and a red heart every 30 seconds. Two singers also croon beloved ballads like Li Jian’s “When You Are Old” at the lobby bar each night, spinning an intimate atmosphere to be spent with loved ones.

The hotel also pampers guests with an abundance of dining choices.

The all-day dining restaurant Golden Bay Kitchen is featuring an October Fest buffet dinner. With cheese salads, grilled assorted German sausages and pretzels, the buffet dinner has no shortage of authentic German food.

To cater to the tastes of local guests, marketing director Victor Li says the buffet dinner has adopted both local delights and cuisines from around the world. Sashimi fans can taste impressively-arranged fresh seafood, while grill lovers can order from the open kitchen. Chinese specialties range from fresh pot-cooked seafood, noodles and many kinds of locally-grown seasonal vegetables. Homemade European-style pastas and quality meats and poultry are served with all sorts of Mediterranean sauces and artisan cheeses. There are also healthy freshly-pressed fruit juices and mouth-watering desserts.

For crab lovers, the Chinese restaurant offers the seasonal delicacy of authentic hairy crabs from Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province.

The dinner buffet is priced at 338 yuan (US$49) per person from Sunday to Thursday, and 398 yuan for Friday, Saturday and public holidays. The prices are subject to a 15 percent service charge.

Those who book via the hotel’s WeChat public account 4 hours in advance can enjoy preferential prices at 288 yuan and 338 yuan respectively for weekdays and weekends, inclusive of surcharge and VAT.(Debra Li)