WorldTravel

The Langham – A Grand, Luxurious Hotel in Central London

Gulf Insider’s Nick Cooksey stays at what may be London’s best located luxury hotel.

When travellers from the Gulf visit London, they typically tend to stay as close to Central London as possible, and this grand and classically designed hotel is only a minutes’ walk from Oxford Street, London’s most famous shopping street. Regent Street, Mayfair, Hyde Park, Museums, and all the upmarket parts of central London are a short walk away. The Langham also offers levels of luxury and service to satisfy even the most discerning guests.

The Langham, I understand, opened 150 years ago on 10 June 1865 and the grand opening was a big society event attended by senior royalty and Victorian high society.

The hotel’s light and high-ceilinged lobby is filled with marble, classical pillars, chandeliers, and vases filled with fresh flowers.  As you enter, you tread where many famous people have trod before you.

Many significant historical figures and celebrities have stayed at this hotel including the Prince of Wales who was present at the opening in 1865, the Duchess of Bedford, Arthur Conan Doyle, Hetty Green, Oscare Wilde, George Orwell, Ouida, Wallace Simpson, Arturo Toscanini, John Nash, Mark Twain, Anna Neagle, to name a few.

There are three categories of room; Superior, Deluxe and Executive, as well as a range of suites and five apartments.

Book an Executive Room or above, and you’ll enjoy access to the Langham Club. This gives lots of complimentary extras including butler and concierge service, meeting rooms, clothes pressing, breakfast, light lunches and evening dishes in the club lounge, Champagne cocktails – available all day long, and 25% off the menu at the hotel’s Palm Court which offers afternoon tea and all-day dining.

During my 3 days stay, I was invited by the hotel to sample their afternoon tea. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to take up this offer as every day I was out exploring London, and believe me there is so much worth exploring.

Other restaurants at The Langham include Artesian, a four-time winner of The World’s 50 Best Bars Award, and The Wigmore, an award-winning gastropub serving delicious, reasonably priced food where I dined with a friend. We were impressed by their real ales and traditional fare offered with a culinary artistic twist. If you like seafood, I can definitely recommend the roast Cornish cod with asparagus and “hen of the wood” mushrooms. The place has a great atmosphere with excellent and friendly service. We dined while in comfortable armchairs around tables spaced just the right distance for private conversations.  

There are Spa facilities and various health and beauty treatments available. While staying, I enjoyed a relaxing massage from one of the hotel spa’s highly trained staff.  There’s also a small but well-equipped gym, and a fifty plus foot indoor swimming pool suitable for laps.

In conclusion, this is a grand and luxurious hotel in the best part of central location. I found the service at all times first class; attentive and friendly. Well worth a visit.

Address: 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 20 7636 1000

Website: langhamhotels.com/London

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