“The Langham is back, looking even more beautiful than when she first opened in 1865, and once again, we have spared no expense to ensure the highest level of comfort with service the way it was always meant to be” adds Katie Benson, The Langham, London’s new Managing Director and Regional Vice-President for Europe and North America.
History – Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’
On 17 July 1863 the foundation stone of The Langham, London was laid and from the outset many thought the proposed Langham was too ambitious to be a success. However, on Saturday 10 June 1865 The Langham, London enjoyed its grand opening presided over by HRH The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). This London luxury hotel (http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/) was not only the capital’s first purpose built ‘Grand Hotel’, but also the first in Europe. When it opened it had the accolade of being one of the largest public buildings in London with seven floors, 600 rooms and over 300 water closets. Other innovations that were introduced included the first-ever hydraulic lifts, London’s first hotel with air-conditioning and a 365-foot deep artesian well beneath the hotel for an ample fresh water supply.
Having suffered bomb damage at the start of the Second World War, and then a period of ownership by the BBC, The Langham was operated by the Hilton Group from 1991 until 2004 when Langham Hotels International took control of the property and began the ambitious 5-year refurbishment of the hotel, leading to this year’s unveiling of the jewel in Langham’s crown.
An Unrivalled Location
From the very start, The Langham advertised an unrivalled location in London, being “95 feet above Thames high water mark, much healthier than the peat bogs of Belgravia”. Today, The Langham stands at the epicentre of the West End between theatreland and the bustling retail of Regent Street and Bond Street to the south as well as the professional and residential communities of Marylebone and Fitzrovia to the north and only a short stroll down Portland Place to leafy Regent’s Park.
Destination Restaurants and Bar
These venues epitomise the remarkable transformation of The Langham, London. With a new entrance on Portland Place, the striking, sweeping façade now conceals a jigsaw of fresh and contemporary spaces designed by David Collins Studio including the elegant The Landau (http://www.thelandau.com/) restaurant, Postillion, its 16-seat private dining room, and Artesian (http://www.artesian-bar.co.uk/), a glamorous cocktail bar with an exclusive list of over 70 rums.
Passing through the dazzling new hotel lobby, imposing white and burgundy Italian marble columns heighten the sense of grandeur. Hand-cast iron gates lead to Palm Court, the historic centrepiece of the hotel and the home of the original Afternoon Tea for over 140 years. This timeless ritual can be savoured with delectable delights and a few new twists including the Bijoux Tea, an indulgent tea with delicate pastry selections inspired by the collections of top jewellery designers. At 18.65 hours (five past seven – a nod to the hotel’s birth year), guests enjoy a complimentary soupcon of Champagne with canapés whilst they peruse the list of over 40 Champagnes available by the glass.
Guest Accommodation
Fulfilling the design concept of an English residence, Richmond International created five new schemes for the new Grand Rooms and Suites, blending a sense of traditional style with contemporary elements. The desire to create an oasis of calm is reflected in the colour palette based on precious stones with therapeutic properties such as jade, topaz, amethyst and ruby, which have been mixed with greys, ochre and soft whites. Guestrooms feature bespoke furniture pieces, accessories and specially-commissioned artwork. The evocative warmth and residential feel created sets this five star London hotel apart from other London luxury hotels. Every detail has been considered including the extravagantly comfortable Langham Blissful Bed.
In keeping with The Langham’s reputation for innovation, all rooms have been fitted with new flat screen televisions, a state-of-the-art in-room entertainment system and MP-3 player connectivity. To aid communication, The Langham was the only hotel to originally have its own post and telegraph office. In the twenty-first century, wireless internet access and a new IP telephone system are the new communication aids.
Meetings and Events
The Grand Ballroom, the perfect London wedding venue (http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/en/weddings/hotel_wedding_package.htm) has been hosting lavish celebrations since the Victorian era, when it was tradition to lay a red carpet for brides from All Souls’ Church across to Langham Place to the hotel’s entrance. Accommodating up to 375 persons, the listed Grand Ballroom has been lovingly restored, the sparkling chandeliers and delicate period details echo its rich heritage.
With a dedicated new entrance on Portland Place, Langham House was originally a separate residential property which has now been seamlessly integrated into the hotel and it now houses a business centre and four new contemporary meeting venues for 10-60 people. A further seven Private Carriage Rooms (named after horse-drawn carriages used in town by affluent Victorians) build on the theme from The Landau restaurant.
Enchanting Hospitality
With a service tradition that spans three centuries, The Langham, London has also upgraded its frontline service standards describing it as “natural and engaging”. This culture of service with poise provides guests with a graceful yet confident and unobtrusive service that anticipates their needs.
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Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when The Langham in London originally opened as Europe’s first Grand Hotel. For over 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality.
