Silvermine Beach Resort proves that far from the maddening crowd isn't so far from downtown Hong Kong. Only 30 minutes by ferry from Central to the Mui Wo pier, the 128-room hotel offers a private beach plus cycling by temples and waterfalls, water-cycling and boating on the bay and a seasonal pool. Guest rooms are in two 3-story wings and have beach, garden or mountain views. Dining options include fresh seafood, a sampling of Asian cuisines and in-house specialties like barbecued suckling pig. It can also be reached by road from Hong Kong International Airport and Tung Chung on the western coast of Lantau.