Lanson Place Causeway Bay, reopened last year following a $50 million facelift, still has that new car smell. But instead of leather seats, the scent wafting through this pristine boutique hotel is Golden Bamboo, featuring notes of Tahitian limes, satsuma mandarins, fuji apples and golden roses that abet a cozy, cosmopolitan glamour in the heart of Hong Kong.

The renovation by renowned French designer Pierre Yves-Rochon melds country charm with big-city refinement. A modern glass spire befitting the city’s bustling Causeway Bay neighborhood tops the hotel’s original, Neoclassical grey stone façade, which boasts grand columns and arched windows.

© Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Getting to the hotel, tucked down a side street at the foot of Victoria Park, entails a drive through one of the world’s highest retail-rent districts and its attendant mix of malls, bars and neon-lit squares. But cross the threshold into the bas-relief lobby, and the high-end bouquet of citrus and wood coursing through the air signifies a rarefied realm.

Rochon sought to recast Lanson Place, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World network, as a blend of Hong Kong hospitality and French sensibility. Salon Lanson, the centerpiece of the hotel, evokes Parisian townhouse sensibilities, featuring pieces from the personal art collection of the hotel’s chairman, light oak furniture and colorful coffee table tomes sprinkled throughout. Its bistro serves elevated Asian and Western comfort food, such as Hainan chicken rice, Malaysian laksa and classic beef bourguignon. A curved bar serves as a high-end watering hole.

© Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

The hotel emerged from its 16-month renovation to feature 188 serene, light-filled rooms and suites, with floor-to-ceiling, panoramic views stretching across Hong Kong. The neutral palette, rich textures and luxe amenities are designed to soothe after a day of sightseeing or client meetings. (Proof: A pillow menu with 11 choices.) Six chic penthouses designed for long-term living offer ample space for families. The top two floors feature a pair of Grand Penthouses — 2,000-square-foot, two-bedroom abodes with a full slate of kitchen and laundry appliances.

© Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Whether traveling for business, leisure or a blend of both, what matters most is location, location, location. Inside, Lanson Place is a relaxing retreat away from the city. Step outside, and it’s a launchpad into Hong Kong’s frenetic energy, especially on weekends and at night. It’s an easy walk from the lobby to Causeway Bay’s landmarks.

Lanson Place Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

133 Leighton Rd
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
tel 852 3477 6888