“Our renovation respects the DNA of this institution, which is a private, personal hotel, a warm place, a sanctuary within the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. The key principle has been to respect its soul, creating a timeless address whose character is inspired by nature,” shares Rochon, via a press statement. When designing the project, a big challenge was having limited natural light on the ground floor. Rochon’s solution was then to have a bronze-framed, raised mirrored ceiling which amplifies light throughout the L'orangerie and reflects the room’s decorative elements.

Vintage chandeliers, complemented by ample natural light, illuminate the soft earthen tones of terracotta, red brick and sandstone within the room. A curated series of artworks, design-led books and lush citrus trees help spruce up the space. Rochon’s designs also evoke the zeal of the Mediterranean with style references that remind of the historic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France—a luxury hotel that is favoured by Cheng Wai Sun, deputy chairman and chief executive of Wing Tai Properties.

The retreat to our room was smooth with a swift introduction to how the encompassing amenities of the rooms may be controlled via your smartphone. Across its 188 rooms and suites, including six penthouses, we stayed in the XL Guest Room, a 43 sqm room with a modest living space, and a chic marble-clad bathroom with a rain shower—and Dyson-branded hairdryers, for those who insist. Each room bears iconic French-led designs: amalgamating detailed lines and arched curves with intricate patterns and textiles; and variating in soothing pastel colour palettes of either powder blue, dijon yellow or pale green.

In case you missed it: Neighbourhood Guide: Where To Eat, Drink And Shop In Causeway Bay

Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sleek interiors are accentuated by ample natural light. If situated on higher floors, we would have been treated to charismatic cityscape views that sprawl from the concrete jungle of Causeway Bay to the verdant Victoria Park—witnessed on a brief peek during the property tour. The bed is both plush and structured while window-facing—perfect for those who enjoy waking up to the sunrise. Larger rooms, dedicated to extended stays, are also available and are all equipped with a modest kitchenette with induction cooking equipment.

But it is the little touches that truly define the Lanson experience. A bosom pair of boh loh yau (pineapple buns), sandwiching a cold slab of butter and accompaniments of pineapple jam, greets me at the work desk under the guise of a glass dome upon my return. Holistic essential oils to relax or refresh and invigorate are left bedside after every round of housekeeping—who we commend for being thoughtful enough to untangle and neatly coil up every single wire left lying around. Even the option to choose from a catalogue of over ten pillows helps ensure a good night’s rest.

Fancy a workout? The newly minted gym, located on the fifth floor, is made up of a combined size of three deluxe rooms, which is generous in these parts. Equipment wise, it is made up of a modest selection of brand-new weightlifting machines that will facilitate a full-body workout. While there isn’t a chest press bench or a squat rack for heavy lifters, there are free weights that allow you to customise your exercises. For cardio, new exercise bikes and treadmills are also available. There are also fitness and yoga classes conducted by professional instructors that one can sign up for during the stay.

At the Salon Lanson, the property’s only restaurant and bar located on the first floor, all-day dining is a serious affair and the ambience, ethereal. Every morning, the breakfast spread runs semi-buffet style and depending on your mood, your plate can vary: from a light Hong Kong-style breakfast of traditional dim sum and velvety congee to a hearty full English breakfast with sausages, bacon, eggs and potato hashbrowns. Guests could also graze from the menu where dishes are freshly cooked upon order. After a prompt by the maître d', we simply couldn’t pass up on a piping hot bowl of wonton noodle soup which arrived with succulent dumplings, each stuffed liberally with fresh prawns.

Before the sun sets, it is cocktail hour and Salon Lanson transforms into a suave cocktail lounge when the curtains are drawn. There, bartenders present a trio of tipples that rotate each day.

The menu arrives as postcards designed to showcase the iconic Hong Kong districts through a beautiful watercolour medium. Our favourite expression was the Little Ginza, a homage to Causeway Bay’s storied past, combining the likes of sake, bourbon, umeshu and aromatics of sakura and a sprinkle of salt. The result springs to life a savoury sake martini, salaciously redolent of floral notes and finishes clean with a smidge of minerality.

After wetting our beaks, dinner is in session and Salon Lanson is sticking to comforting French classics. Our starters saw prawns, grilled till tender with finesse, and parked atop velvety parsnip mash while a balsamic reduction brightens the dish. The main course spotlights Norwegian salmon, well seasoned and pan-fried till crisp on the outside and faintest pink in the middle. It is then crowned on a creamy bed of braised lentil ragout and perked up by bursts of umami from roasted cherry tomatoes. While it isn’t the most groundbreaking spread in the Hong Kong dining scene, we appreciate that dishes are skilfully executed.

Over some chatter with the ultra-hospitable concierge team, we managed to uncover and explore an unassuming building right across Haven Street (look out for a 7/11 sign for the entrance). It is a gritty time capsule that ensconces away all kinds of fascination—think cool vintage stores, Harajuku shopfronts and cult tattoo parlours among busy workshops, grocers and underground hawkers. Popular bakery Bakehouse is only a stone’s throw away if in search of the viral egg tarts that took over the internet. Or walk a couple of blocks to Little Bao (Causeway Bay), for some unpretentiously progressive bar grub by award-winning chef May Chow—note to self: don’t sleep on the fried three yellow chicken.

If you have the whole morning to yourself, consider making the trek to Tai Hang, a quaint neighbourhood that is widely known for its magnificent mid-autumn celebrations. A notable sight includes the Lin Fa Kung, aka the Temple of Lotus, which at one point in time was situated on the banks of Hong Kong before its land reclamation exercise. Along the streets and corridors, you’re most likely to find city dwellers hanging out in cosy restaurants and trendy cafes. But if you’re into fresh flowers, wander the back alleys and you might just stumble upon En Fleur, a hole-in-a-wall boutique flower studio that imports fresh flowers from Europe.

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