The St. Regis Hong Kong

The long-awaited arrival of the St. Regis marks a serious injection of luxury for Wan Chai, a bustling area of centuryold tong lau and modern office blocks that may finally be ready to shake off its reputation as Hong Kong’s red-light district. All the brand’s hallmarks are here — the 24-hour butler service, the posh St. Regis Bar with its bespoke mural and local twist on the Bloody Mary — but the clear standout are the interiors by André Fu, whose work on the Upper House in neighboring Admiralty a decade ago cemented his reputation as a local design wunderkind. The secondfloor lobby is bedecked in cool gray Italian marble, deco-like bronze frames, and calming moss-green furnishings. Rooms and suites — 129 in total — are equally warm and soothing; a discreet celebration of Hong Kong culture with geometric lanterns and rich lacquer paneling echoing the city’s old shop fronts. Elsewhere, there’s an outdoor swimming pool fringed by cabanas, an impressively equipped gym, and a small but sensational spa. Elevating the property further is its superb dining. Flit between the romantic pearl-and-gold-toned L’Envol, with its eight-course French tasting menus, and the more subdued Chinese restaurant Rún, which is already being hailed for serving some of the best dim sum in town. — 852/2138-6888; marriott.com; doubles from US$450