2 minute read
e Langham London
The Langham, London
BACKGROUND The Langham, London, was hailed Europe’s first “Grand Hotel” when it opened in June 1865 and its reputation for luxury, personalised service and hospitality excellence remains evident today. Part of Hong Kong headquartered Langham Hospitality Group, the property continues to evolve, with the recent addition of deluxe suites, British tavernstyle dining venue, The Wigmore, and a new spa, Chuan Body + Soul.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? It’s grand, but welcoming, with friendly, personable sta and a relaxed atmosphere. The décor is elegant and refined with a sense of place and careful consideration to preserving the history of a building that was once a city mansion.
WHERE IS IT? On Portland Place, Regent Street, in London’s West End, arguably one of the most coveted addresses in the city. It’s a five-minute walk to the capital’s prime shopping district – Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street – as well as cultural attractions such as The British Museum. ROOMS The Langham, London, features 380 rooms across several categories, from Superior Rooms to a selection of large residential-style suites. I stayed in an Executive Room, which unfortunately was not one of the recently refurbished accommodations, however, the room was very spacious, if a little dated, o ering a king-sized bed, a table with two chairs, a large work desk and a closet with lots of extras, such as slippers, robes, an umbrella, ironing board and iron, etc. The bathroom was a good size with bath, powerful shower and amenities including guest sanitisation kits in Langham’s signature pink packaging. I personally loved the floral pink Langham pens too. The décor was subtle in neutral tones, but in need of a refurbishment.
BEST FOR Location, service, after-work drinks/dining
DON’T MISS The famous Palm Court afternoon tea
PRICE From £320 ($443) per night in September
CONTACT 1C Portland Pl, London;
langhamhotels.com
FOOD AND DRINK I dined at The Wigmore, a modern British Tavern housed in a former banking hall and serving classic pub snacks and meals with the twist. The menu, overseen by Michel Roux Jr, included a delicious Masala spiced scotch egg with dahl relish, plus tasty bites such as smoked chicken croquetas with aioli and fat chips with Bloody Mary salt. If you fancy something heartier, the options include minced lamb pie, a cheeseburger, lobster roll with buttermilk onion rings and if you’re vegan, a plant-based burger. If you like to dine al fresco, the tree-lined outdoor terrace is a great spot with a buzzy atmosphere. It’s ideal for a casual afterwork meet up with colleagues or clients. Another dining option is Palm Court, where I ate breakfast and the service and quality of food were of a very high standard. This venue is famed as the place where the tradition of afternoon tea was born more than 150 years ago.
BUSINESS The Langham o ers multiple meeting and event venues, including a Grand Ballroom with a 375-person capacity and its own garden courtyard.
LEISURE Include the new Chuan Body + Soul Spa, a 16-metre indoor pool and a fitness centre open 24 hours a day.
VERDICT A destination hotel in central London is tough to find, but The Langham has nailed it, with business and leisure facilities under one roof in a convenient location, enhanced by friendly and professional service. Gemma Greenwood
