The Langham, Hong Kong

The original Langham, in London, calls itself the first “grand European hotel,” and the brand does much to preserve that legacy, even as far away as Hong Kong. The Langham, Hong Kong sits in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, in a shopper’s paradise of luxury malls that pervade the contemporary city. But stepping into the lobby, a sense of Old World grandeur is immediately palpable in the service — which is exceedingly patient and polite — and the setting, with its neoclassical detailing, hand-painted ceiling; marble floors; massive chandeliers; and velvet upholstery in opulent shades of gold and burgundy.