In a city that powers through every 24hrs as if it was its last, Lanson Place offers a peaceful escape for the traveller who seeks some quality down-time but still wants to be part of the action.
There’s no shortage of luxury accommodation in Hong Kong but there is a shortage of peace, quiet…and space. With space at such a premium on an island of finite size, it’s inevitable that hotels go higher but rooms don’t seem to get any bigger.
The view from the peace of our room into the busy Causeway Bay area
We’re spending three days and nights in this fascinating hub of the Orient and therefore seek the ability to escape into the calm of a quality hotel but that’s still very much part of the action. We’ve chosen Lanson Place, in the heart of Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. It’s away, but only a stone’s throw (or heritage tram ride) from Wan Chai and Central where the noise of its financial, food and fashion machine seems to generate ceaselessly.
You could easily miss the entrance to Lanson Place, on Leighton Road as the 133 and ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ sign are discrete. Once you’ve identified the building however, cast your eyes skywards to see the classic stone frontage capped by 28 floors of glass.
You might wonder why Lanson Place is classed as a boutique hotel with 194 rooms (especially as it’s the only one in Hong Kong).
As soon as you step into the stylish café-style atrium and pop up to the reception on the 1st floor, you’re immediately invited into an atmosphere that seems more homely than hotel.
We’re slightly wrong-footed by the décor, which whilst being minimalist, clean and smart, nods to several eclectic styles that strangely seem to work together – in the same way that an art gallery contains many varied works within a unique environment.
The slightly austere interior springs into life at every glance as each new view is enlivened with individual cameos of colour.
Cast your head around to the ornate Murano glass Venetian chandeliers, the colourful painted mural behind the bar, the padded wall and bright cushions of the lounge area and the gleaming black baby grand piano, standing in wait for its keys to be caressed.
We’re immediately ‘taken in hand’ by a charming receptionist, Melvis, who completely unbidden assumes a personal responsibility for our welfare and enjoyment – both at Lanson place and in Hong Kong! Over the next few days she’ll guide us, cajole us, tease us and generally prove invaluable for general information, good places where ‘locals’ eat and the best way to go about things generally. All of the staff are exceptional but Melvis shines as our own personal mentor.
Our room is like a small apartment, with its own kitchenette and lounge area, as well as the expected en suite, desk and dressing table. The floor to ceiling windows with automatic blinds that can turn day into night at the flick of a switch (invaluable if you’re just off a long flight and want to re-adjust to a new time zone) give the whole room a sense of space, even though its actual dimensions are already quite generous.
The thoughtful addition of a smart phone with complimentary Wi-fi hot spot, internet and local/international calls means that you can go out and about in Hong Kong with GPS accuracy and still stay in touch with those at home without abusing your own data package. An adjacent usb hub on the desk means your appliances will stay fully charged even while you unwind.
Breakfast seems to offer choices from around the planet, whether you fancy Chinese, Continental or somewhere in between – all of it displayed in the lounge area. We have to say it’s the only slightly uncomfortable element of our whole Lanson Place experience – eating whilst sitting in a comfortable low lounge chair with a coffee table that is just beyond reach.
It’s a compromise that we mention because it’s the only one you’ll need to make at Lanson Place.
Self-catering isn’t frowned upon if you choose to bring your meal back to your room to cook or heat it in your kitchenette – but why would you do this when you’ve got one of the biggest collections of international cuisine on the planet just outside your door?
The hotel offers its own shuttle buses to the airport and various locations around town but its only around the corner from the highly efficient MTR underground system that links all places of note and is also near to the charming old tram network that seems to carry as many locals as it does tourists.
We headed out in all directions on the tram and discovered several new sights that we’ll share with you at a later time.
Lanson Place is an excellent base from which to explore fantastically frenetic Hong Kong but you always know that you can return to your own share of sanity with your charmingly chic room at Lanson place. We’d definitely return to our new home away from home in Hong Kong.
If you simply want more information about this unique hotel then follow the links here – Lanson Place Hotel website – but why not ask us to arrange your own tailor-made travel throughout the Far East?
Let us plan your own inspiring journey to the Orient and Far East
Why not download the TLC World guide brochure or give us a call today on 01202 030443, or simply click ‘enquire’ to submit your own personal itinerary request
