The ideal weekend for respite, fun, and indulging awaits you in the form of a uniquely crafted women’s only retreat, right in the heart of Beijing. Pauline van Hasselt, of Beijing Mothers and Pauline’s Cuisine, and Caneisha Berry of Berry Thoughtful are the wonder women and masterminds behind the beautifully, enhancing, meditative, and fun weekends, created to encourage women of all creeds to connect and find time to reflect.

After a successful launch of their women’s retreat last summer at EAST Hotel, they are back in full swing to offer a jam-packed weekend full of well being-focused and inspiring activities. In partnership with Jindafit, ladies can look forward to getting their bodies moving and swaying to Afrobeats, in true endorphin-releasing style! There will be beauty and free-flow champagne; a comedy show, and a workshop with Berry.

The weekend retreat also includes a stay at the beautiful EAST Hotel with late check out; three meals, and snacks; hair and mini-massages; plus a photo shoot that will help you to capture the memories you will build during your stay with other girls, who just wanna have fun!

Itinerary, March 9

• Jindafit
• Free-flow brunch
• Bubbles and Beauty Bazaar: hair, massage and photo shoot
• Fashion: Shop till you drop, from local artisan designers
• Bar food
• Surprise Guest Comedy Show
• Overnight Stay

Itinerary, March 10

• Breakfast
• Workshop: vision boarding
• Free time to use the wonderful amenities at East Hotel and the surrounding area

Spots for the retreat are limited, so to secure yourself a fabulicious weekend and I’m sure, a well-deserved break, contact Berry or van Hasselt using the QR codes below to confirm your attendance with a RMB 500 deposit. Something tells me you will not regret it! RMB 2,300 (Single Room), RMB 1,900 (Double Room). March 19 – 10. East Hotel, No. 22 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District (www.east-beijing.com) 北京东隅酒店二楼 北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路22号100016

Photos: courtesy of organizers

We struck dessert gold at the Ritz-Carlton’s Barolo restaurant at their "Sunday Bubbly Brunch" with their creamy flavorful tiramisu name after the restaurants head chef. The Chef Ivan’s Tiramisu is a guilty pleasure that makes the trip to the tucked away hotel all the more worthwhile. The new brunch menu was unveiled in December 2014 and offers two, three, and four course dishes at RMB 198, RMB 278, and RMB 338 respectively. 

The bubbly part of the brunch is in the form of a complimentary Italian sparkling wine, for those who want a non-alcoholic drink then there’s the option a virgin grapefruit inspired mocktail, that was a little on the sweet side. we had mixed reviews for the different foods, firstly was the appetizers, we ordered a duck breast with duck liver pate and roasted eggplant that was rather dry. The French mussels were fine and finally a cream of mushroom soup that was a bit oily due to olive oil sprinkled. 

As for the mains, we ordered the amberjack that came with a cauliflower puree, florets, and a red wine syrup that was flat and did not leave much of an impression. The other was a Barolo red wine braised short rib with garlic cream and truffle polenta that was very good. Lastly, we order the saffron tagliatelle (type of pasta) with wagyu beef bolognese that was spicy to give the dish a new dimension but not overpowering. 

There isn’t a special kids menu but families can choose the less fancy dishes on the menu for their children like the carbonara and soups. 

As for the other dessert we ordered, the panna cotta  and marsala creme brulee were good but still did not measure up to the tiramisu. 

Photo: Nimo Wanjau