The Langham London — Spoiled Splendid

The Langham London

11 C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA, United Kingdom
+44 20 7636 1000

http://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/london/

My Rating: 80%
Price Rating: $$$$$

Summary of Stay: The Langham is steeped in deep history having originally opened it's doors in 1865. It is one of the best known traditional hotels in all of London. You may recognize it from James Bond's Goldeneye or a variety of other films. Perfectly situated just blocks from the Oxford Circus tube station, it is in the heart of all the best shopping.

Upon arrival, you enter into the lobby that is flanked and adorned with beautiful flowers—mostly roses when I was there. The scent and pop of colour are impossible to ignore in the cool marble entrance. A few steps away, check-in was efficient even though my room wasn't yet ready. My luggage was stowed and was waiting for me in my room when I returned.

The Langham has undergone extensive renovations over the past years. All the common areas have been thoroughly modernized and great care has been taken to restore the hotel to its original glory.

My room was comfortable but disappointingly less interesting than I had hoped for. It was basic and on the small side. The bathroom seemed disproportionately large compared to the rest of the room. The toiletries were oversized and delightfully pleasant. The hallway carpets just outside of my room were dirty and there were food scraps there that remained for several hours. Otherwise, the property was pristine.

I also visited Artesian—the hotel's cocktail bar that has won the title of "World's Best Bar" for 4 consecutive years. That is a pretty lofty title to live up to but it did not disappoint. The drinks are pricey but worth it. I fell in love with my first choice: a gin concoction that was served in a box. When you opened the wooden box, a cloud of smoke came out and your glass was illuminated from below. Here, presentation and taste are everything.

Highlight of the Hotel: It is rare to find a hotel in London with a pool, nevermind a stunningly beautiful one. While the fitness facilities and spa are extremely tricky to get to, they are worth the hunt. The pool is an oasis and I was the only one there when I visited. Another bonus is that hours for younger guests are regulated. So if you want to have quiet time you don't have to worry about sharing it with children.

Highlight of the Stay: The only reason I would return to the hotel is the Langham lounge—a private lounge for hotel guests. The service is better than many Michelin starred restaurants. The cocktails never stopped. The variety of the food was elegant and tasteful. The lounge attendants would stop by and ensure you had everything required to have an amazing day or evening. It was the perfect mix of having a trusted bartender and caring concierge—all wrapped into one.

Gilded desserts adorned with flower petals

Drawbacks: Besides the cleanliness of the hallway and the smaller hotel room, the hotel is what I expected. Did it leave a huge impression on me? No. Was I disappointed? No.