OARING above the Kowloon bustle, Langham Place, Mongkok, Hong Kong is a unique eyrie for breezy views married with artistic whimsy, a cheerful reminder that travel can, and should be, fun. Joined at the hip to the 200-store Langham Place Mall with a direct link to the MTR train line, this is an address for both business travellers and shopaholics, for him and her, as well as well-groomed metrosexuals who will never feel out of place amidst the red-star realist bronze statues of workers boldly striding forth, and eye-catching paintings.

With brisk, attentive service and a fully wired hi-tech set-up – think 5km of fibre-optic cables – it has earned recognition as one of the best Hong Kong business hotels. The 665 rooms, kitted out in a classic manner yet with a soothing contemporary feel, cater effortlessly to suits, with large flat-screen TV, DVD player, Cisco phone, iPod dock, and peek-a-boo glass-wall bathroom with soaking tub and separate rain shower. Families will find their ‘place’ in a Trio Place or Quad Place room set up for three to four.

The Club L floors seriously up the ante with Lounge access, gourmet refreshments, and free flowing Champagne. For après-work, there’s the rooftop alfresco 20m heated pool with underwater music and the Chuan Spa with nine darkly enticing treatment rooms and an arsenal of wellness menus drawing from traditional Chinese medicine. Expect custom-made massage oils and spa products. Enjoy a scrub, wrap or a simple pedicure.

Regularly featured in local Michelin Guides, Ming Court is a gourmet retreat for flavourful Cantonese morsels while Japanese aromas waft from Tokoro – Robotayaki & Whisky Bar. Sample The Place for international fare, The Backyard for outdoor barbecues on weekends, and Portal – Work & Play with its convivial mix of stand-up bar and deep seating with live music. Langham Place is no slouch when it comes to MICE and Men and its pièce de résistance is the high-ceilinged Langham Ballroom. There are five meeting venues, including the Star Room on the 42nd floor with Cinemascope views. Don your party duds and stride forth waving your red flag.