The popularity of the British staycation is on the rise, creating the ideal opportunity to make the most of our glorious capital city. With so much to offer in terms of history, diversity, open spaces fused together with world-class gastronomy and retail therapy, London is waiting to be explored this summer. With that in mind, Â may I introduce our review of The Langham, a legendary hotel situated right in the heart of our ever-beating magical city.
Amanda Bernstein
Travel Editor
THE pillared arched frontage of The Langham creates a grand entrance into one of London’s most historic hotels. Its regal steps remain almost identical to when the hotel was first opened for business on June 10, 1865 by the then heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales (later to become Edward VII). The Langham was originally built as London’s first grand dame of a hotel as the city’s largest building, with opulent features including 15,000 yards of Persian tapestries and hand-painted textured wallpaper.
The most recent £35 million refurbishment was completed in 2018, delivering new signature suites and a club lounge. Since its opening, the Langham has continued to play host to royalty, foreign dignitaries and celebrities from all around the globe. Â
The spacious white and grey marble-columned entrance hall is adorned with the grandest colourful floral displays. The Langham was London’s first hotel to offer afternoon tea, which today is served in the elegant surroundings of Palm Court, filled with contemporary leather and velvet furnishings, cascading crystal ceiling lights and mirrored walls. The champagne-fuelled afternoon tea, under the culinary direction of Michel Roux Jnr, is available daily from noon until early evening.Â
Lobby at The Langham Hotel
From its beginning, the hotel has been considered a pioneer in the hotel industry. It was the first hotel in the world to use hydraulic lifts, install air conditioning, provide hot and cold running water, and guarantee en suite bathrooms in every bedroom. This commitment to innovation is still evident today with the Langham’s industry-leading sustainability initiatives.
It was also the first hotel in town to be repeatedly awarded the EarthCheck Gold certificate, which certifies and benchmarks environmental standards across the travel and tourism industry. Their revolutionary food waste digester system ensures a zero waste-to-landfill policy, and the hotel works closely with a local charity which distributes food to the needy. The Langham is also on target to phase out single-use plastic by the end of 2019.Â
Club Lounge at The Langham Hotel
The ideal location for a London Staycation, this property is situated within the quadrant of the city’s most fashionable neighbourhoods of Fitzrovia, Marylebone, Mayfair and Soho, providing access to the best shopping in the city and only a short stroll away from the tranquil pastures of Regent’s Park, famed for its boating lake and open-air theatre.
Opposite the hotel is BBC Broadcasting House, from where Winston Churchill would make his live broadcasts to the nation during the Second World War and which is still the centre of the BBC. Although the Langham remained closed to the public during the war period, it still operated as a hotel for journalists and guests of the BBC, with the restaurant frequented by Churchill after his addresses to the nation.Â
The Langham has 380 guest rooms and suites, with contemporary interiors which also reflect the Victorian heritage of the property. Elegant curtains, classically styled furniture and modern pieces of art create a timeless appeal in every room. The hotel also has five fully equipped apartments that have been designed for long-stay guests who are seeking a home-away-from-home experience.Â
Executive Room at The Langham Hotel
The south-facing manicured courtyard at the rear of the building is the only hotel courtyard in the centre of London available for exclusive hire, hosting up to 250 guests for an al fresco celebration. This expansive outdoor area with the architecturally imposing hotel as its backdrop leads directly into the recently renovated Grand Ballroom, a Grade II listed space with a capacity of 220 seated guests.
Every facet of the room is tastefully decorated in neutral shades of creams and beige, while still retaining its former splendour with authentic dazzling crystal chandeliers, carved intricate coving and hand-painted golden decorative detailing.Â
The Courtyard Garden at The Langham Hotel
Building on the Langham’s fame for the finest cuisine, a dedicated on-site cookery school, Source, has recently been opened, where Informal masterclasses are delivered by industry experts. The Langham has been enshrined in London’s history for the past 150 years and, as a member of the Leading Hotels of The World organisation, it will remain one of the capital’s legendary hotels for many years to come. Â
Kitchen detail at The Langham Hotel
By Amanda BernsteinÂ
Rooms at The Langham, London start at £450 per night room only, including VAT. To book or for further information, call +44 (0)20 7636 1000 or visit here