Queen's Road Spa vs. Queen's Spa and Dining

[51mustang]

The vets probably know this, but if you intend to pay a visit to Queen's Spa and Dining, it is imperative that you have the name and probably address written down in Chinese to show to the cab drivers to take you there. Last Thursday I got the staff at my HK to look it up and write it down for me. My original plan was to check into Queen and hit up the BBS or MPs in the area that had been mentioned before. Then I forgot the paper when I went into Shenzhen the next day. Other than missing my flight by a whole day more than a week before to get to HK then Kunming, this was the 2nd big mistake I made on this trip. I thought this experience would be worth mentioning so that people know that there is at least one other spa with a very similar name and that you may get taken there instead of your intended destination if you don't prepare properly, possibly screwing up your plans!

At Lo Wu I found some HK border police and showed them the name of Queen's Spa in English. They wrote a translation down in Chinese. Later after visiting Minsk World (totally worth it for you military buffs), I got a cab and showed this paper to the driver. He wasn't too sure about it, but made some calls and dropped me off at Queen's Road. Very similar name, but not exactly the same based on what has been reported here. It was near the end of a long day, so I said what the hell and decided to check it out. You'll know you're there if you see stairs designed to have water flow through them in a waterfall (a very cool effect). It's also located next to some club.

The staff doesn't know that much English, so they had to pull aside some folks from HK who were at the spa a couple times to translate for me. This is what I found out about the place:

-no cover charge, however you have to spend a minimum of 100 RMB total, this includes tips for services
-can't sleep overnight
-they can transport you to the Huanggang side of the border for free; if you want to get to Lo Wu, which is somewhat close by, you have to take a cab
-male and female masseurs/masseuses work here. Was asked if I wanted a man or woman to do my foot massage. Told them, who do you think I want? The masseuse was cute and would have done her in a minute. The female staff, especially the ushers/CS managers or whatever, were also cute. One of them was talking for a bit to the folks sitting in the row of massage chair next to me, the best entertainment was just staring at her nice ass.

Got a body scrub, foot massage and dinner while I was there. After the service they give you a slip of paper to mark what you want to tip the provider and sign. The first time I didn't know what it was and overtipped for the body scrub, 50 RMB. The second time I found out what it was and tipped just under half for the hour long foot massage, 20 RMB. Total damage was ~200 RMB on leaving. They take CCs.

Walked around a bit to see what the scene outside was like. Found one BBS/MP amongst several businesses near a basketball court on the street to the right. The guy sitting outside invited me in, but kept walking. On the way back, noticed several ladies sitting around inside looking bored. Otherwise didn't really investigate the area. Then got a cab back to Lo Wu and jetted back into HK. I know several of you have reported on action in the Lo Wu area and it was only around 20:00. However I had already had enough of Shenzhen for a day, and was anxious to get out of there and back to more familiar and comfortable feeding grounds.

[alc1118]

Another travelling tip that has saved me a lot stress and walking around looking for a particular place is to duck into a decent looking hotel. (Mind you, not one of those small hotels above some restaurant that caters to locals). Usually, if the hotel caters to international guests they will have someone that can speak English, give directions and write down the name in whatever language for the cab driver.

Also, whenever I have to use the restroom about town I try to find a hotel restroom to use. Call me a whimp, but a lot of the public restrooms are filthy and disgusting.

[51mustang]

I was traveling in Yunnan province for just over a week. Saw some very interesting examples of squatters. Sometimes there was not even a door, just a 3 foot partition. In one market town near Dali, it was just a row of small trenches. No partitions, nothing. Also, it is a must that you carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer or sanitary wipes. Might not even find a faucet outside the public restrooms.

[teltel]

hi mustang

carrying your own toilet paper in china is a must, everyone does it becasue only the upmarket places supply it.

Ever notice that macdonalds does not put the paper sreviettes on the counter? the reason is that they would last a few seconds as chinese would have afree toilet paper supply - told to me by a chinese macca's manager.
teltel