Lanson Place Hotel

While Causeway Bay is well known for the bright lights of Hong Kong's Times Square and its shops, the Lanson Place Hotel is in a much quieter part of the of neighborhood, near a park, elementary school, and library. And given the amount of neon in Causeway, the Lanson facade's stands apart. Its first three stories, with columns and stonework, have a distinctive Old-World flavor, a reminder of Hong Kong's days as a British colony. But above that, a soaring glass-and-steel high-rise brings the expected modernity. Inside, a grand piano, numerous paintings, and built-in blond-wood bookshelves make the Lanson Place lobby resemble a tony apartment building more than a typical Hong Kong luxury hotel. Several of Lanson Place's other properties are long-term residencies, and the company establishes an upscale yet inviting atmosphere in this big city setting.

Lanson Place is located in Causeway Bay, a major urban center of Hong Kong. But it's in a quieter more residential section around apartment buildings and cafes. Many of the neighborhood's shopping destinations and restaurants are within a 10-minute walk. The 12-story SOGO Causeway Bay, the largest Japanese department store in Hong Kong, is a six-minute walk away. Tiny shops that offer local Korean, Chinese, and Japanese fashion and trinkets fill the Island Beverly Center, also six minutes away on foot. Victoria Park -- with its tennis courts, skating rink, and bowling green -- may be the most interesting destination near the hotel; it can be reached in four minutes by foot. Guests complain that, given Hong Kong's streets, taxi drivers can struggle to locate the hotel. But larger landmarks in Causeway Bay can help direct drivers. Hong Kong International Airport is a 45-minute drive away. 

Guest rooms range widely in terms of size, from 400 to 2,000 square feet. On the lower end space-wise, Premier Rooms can feel a bit hemmed in, with cushy queen beds, writing desks, and kitchenettes (with burners, microwaves, mini-fridges, and dishes and utensils) wedged into its footprint. But they are tastefully decorated with tufted headboards, striped wallpaper, and marble-topped nightstands. Still several guests note that upgrading to a room category with more space is worth it. For example, the Prestige Suite includes a couch for lounging and a larger kitchenette. Much of the in-room technology nicely interfaces with smart phones, including docking stations. And many of the rooms on upper floors of the hotel have views of Victoria Park and the bay. Bathrooms are surprisingly decently sized, even in the lower room categories, with vessel sinks, preppy blue-striped tiles, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, toiletries, and walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads.

Lanson Place really excels with its facilities that appeal to long-term visitors. The hotel provides loaner smart phones with free international calls -- a relief for anyone who has struggled to use their phone internationally. Business travelers can make use of the conference rooms or The Leighton, a courtyard space decked out in wrought-iron cafe tables and chairs, inspired by Parisian avenues. The on-site gym is small, yet it has a nice selection of newer cardio and weightlifting machines, free weights, and a bank of windows providing natural light. Lanson Place also doesn't have an on-site restaurant, expecting guests will dine out in the Causeway Bay neighborhood or use their in-room kitchenettes. There is a breakfast buffet, but it's a cause of concern for some guests as it doesn't offer a wide array of selections. Self-service laundry machines are also available. Wi-Fi is free throughout.