How did The Langham Hotels begin?
The Langham's legendary story began on June 10, 1865, when The Langham, London opened as Europe's first "Grand Hotel" – a revolutionary concept that sought to transform the luxury hotel experience. Designed by architects John Giles and James Murray and built by Lucas Brothers, the hotel was constructed between 1863 and 1865 at a cost of £300,000 (equivalent to £36+ million today), making it then the largest and most modern building in London. The foundation stone was laid on July 17, 1863, and nearly two years later, the grand opening ceremony was performed by HRH The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), attended by much of Victorian high society. Rising 156 feet tall with seven stories above ground plus three underground levels including cellars, the hotel featured upwards of 600 rooms including both public and staff spaces. It was technically a tour de force with innovations never before seen in a hotel: 100 water closets with hot and cold running water, 36 bathrooms, the world's first hydraulic lifts (known as "rising rooms"), an artesian well 365 feet deep providing the purest water in London, and an early form of air-conditioning. Public spaces were lavishly decorated with marble, silks, 15,000 yards of Persian tapestries, and hand-printed wallpaper. Skilled Italian craftsmen were brought to London to design and cast the plaster relief ceilings and lay intricate mosaic flooring decorated in white, gold, and scarlet. Writer Edward Walford later described the hotel as "not a monster but a leviathan of its kind." The Prince of Wales himself hailed the hotel at opening as having "everything a man, woman or child could desire under one roof."
Who were The Langham's famous guests?
After the original company was liquidated during an economic slump, new management acquired the hotel for little more than half its construction cost, and it soon became a tremendous commercial success. In 1867, an American former Union Army officer named James Sanderson was appointed general manager, and the hotel developed an extensive American clientele which included Mark Twain and financier Hetty Green. The hotel also became the accommodation of choice for European royalty, artists, and musicians from around the world, including Napoleon III (who spent much of his last enforced exile from France at The Langham), Oscar Wilde, composer Antonín Dvo?ák, conductor Arturo Toscanini, and composer Jean Sibelius. In Victorian times, to stay at The Langham was a mark of having arrived in the social world. Romantic novelist Maria Louisa Ramé (pen name Ouida) took rooms at the hotel in 1867 at age 28 and visited for long periods until 1887, receiving visitors while lying in bed and writing manuscripts by candlelight – her novels "Under Two Flags," "Idalia," "Tricotrin," and "Puck" all originated from The Langham. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle famously set Sherlock Holmes stories including "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Sign of Four" partly at The Langham, and in August 1889, the hotel hosted the legendary meeting between Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, and publisher Joseph Marshall Stoddart, who commissioned both men to write stories for Lippincott's Monthly Magazine (commemorated by a City of Westminster green plaque). In more recent history, HRH Diana, Princess of Wales, was a regular visitor to the hotel.
What happened during World War II and the BBC era?
The Langham was hard hit by the Great Depression, and the owners attempted to sell the site to the BBC, but Broadcasting House was built across Portland Place instead. During World War II, the hotel was used in part by the British Army until it was damaged by bombs and forced to close. After the war, the BBC occupied it as ancillary accommodation to Broadcasting House, and the corporation purchased it outright in 1965. One notable BBC employee who stayed at The Langham was Guy Burgess, one of the Cambridge Five spy ring that supplied official secrets to the Soviets during the Cold War. The historic Palm Court became the reference library, and the restaurant became a staff bar and refreshment room. From the building, the BBC broadcast "Grand Hotel" – an iconic radio programme featuring soothing classical sounds of the Palm Court Orchestra. In 1980, the BBC unsuccessfully applied for planning permission to demolish the building and replace it with an office development. The hotel reopened in 1991 after being purchased by The Ladbroke Group four years earlier and undergoing major refurbishment to once again accommodate a glittering guest list. In 2004, when the Hilton Group's contract expired, management passed to Langham Hotels International, the hotel arm of Great Eagle Holdings based in Hong Kong. Under this new management began the hotel's re-awakening as one of London's most important and stylish 5-star hotels and one of The Leading Hotels of the World.
What exclusive perks do I receive when booking Langham through WhataHotel
Booking through WhataHotel grants you access to Couture by Langham benefits at no additional cost – our rates match Langham's best available flexible rate. You'll receive complimentary daily breakfast for two guests per room (American or English breakfast for US and UK properties, buffet breakfast for Asia-Pacific and Oceania properties, served in any hotel outlet including in-room dining), a property credit that varies by property and length of stay (typically up to $100 USD per stay for dining, spa, or resort activities – tiered by booking nights with local currency varying by property), priority for complimentary one-category room upgrade based on availability at check-in (certain room categories may not be eligible for upgrade), early check-in and late checkout based on availability, a personalized welcome note from the Managing Director or General Manager, VIP recognition throughout your stay, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. There is no minimum stay requirement – benefits apply to single-night stays and longer reservations alike. The Couture rate reflects the flexible/standard rate and can often be combined with existing hotel offers such as "Advance Purchase" or "Third Night Free" depending on individual property policies. Benefits are combinable with benefits offered in other packages, but the same benefits cannot be repeated. Back-to-back stays within 24 hours at the same property are considered as one stay only for credit purposes. All bookings earn full loyalty points and benefits through The Langham's 1865 loyalty program.
What is the £80 million transformation?
In 2009, The Langham, London unveiled the magnificent results of its five-year-long, £80 million refurbishment – one of the most extensive restoration programmes in the hotel's history. This transformation included a stunning new lobby that captures the grandeur of the hotel's Victorian heritage while incorporating contemporary elegance, the beautiful Wedgwood Suite named after the famous porcelain manufacturer, and the restoration of the historic Palm Court – the famed birthplace of traditional afternoon tea, which has served afternoon tea continuously since 1865. The refurbishment brought new life to all 380 luxurious and exquisitely appointed guestrooms and suites, ensuring guests experience genuine service that reflects all the hallmarks of the hotel's rich heritage while enjoying modern conveniences. The hotel also added the Artesian bar, designed by the acclaimed late David Collins, which became a glamorous social hub for chic Londoners. The bar is named after the hotel's original 365-foot-deep artesian well that provided the purest water in all of London, and its award-winning head mixologists conjure up classic and innovative cocktails. Artesian received the accolade of "World's Best Bar" for four consecutive years from Drinks International. On June 10, 2015, The Langham, London turned 150 years old, and to celebrate this grand occasion, the hotel opened an exclusive Regent Wing, a luxurious Sterling Suite (a six-bedroom suite), and The Langham Club – a redefined club concept offering exclusive home-away-from-home residence spread across two floors with tempting food created in collaboration with celebrity chefs Albert Roux OBE and Michel Roux Jr.
What dining and wellness experiences are available?
The Langham, London offers exceptional dining experiences that honor its rich culinary heritage. Mimosa is the hotel's signature restaurant opened in 2024, serving contemporary European cuisine with British influences. The Wigmore is a Great British pub designed by Michel Roux Jr, serving a carefully curated drinks list from the team behind Artesian, including fine wines, cask ales, and craft beers including The Wigmore's very own house "Saison" brewed in partnership with Bermondsey's "Brew by Numbers," with a food menu overseen by Michel Roux Jr that defines quintessential British pub dining. The historic Palm Court continues to serve traditional afternoon tea in the same space where this British institution was born in 1865, offering an elegant setting with multi-million-pound restoration bringing original grandeur to life. For wellness, Chuan Body + Soul spa opened in 2017, encompassing philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine based on the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water. The spa features three treatment rooms and lifestyle facilities including a gymnasium equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, steam room and sauna facilities, and a 16-meter swimming pool. Properties worldwide offer Michelin-starred dining, including the three-Michelin-star T'ang Court in The Langham, Hong Kong, and the one-Michelin-star Ming Court in Cordis Hong Kong. In 2019, The Langham, London opened Sauce by The Langham, a cookery school for guests to learn culinary skills from expert chefs.
What is Langham Hospitality Group today?
Langham Hospitality Group is a wholly owned subsidiary (as Langham Hotels International Limited) of Great Eagle Holdings, a Hong Kong-based company founded in 1963 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Great Eagle invests in, develops, and manages office, retail, residential, and hotel properties in Asia, North America, and Europe, and is also active in property management and maintenance services. Today, Langham Hospitality Group encompasses a family of distinctive hotels under The Langham Hotels and Resorts and Cordis Hotels and Resorts brands, covering four continents with properties in key major cities and resort destinations across Asia-Pacific, North America, UK, and Europe. Each Langham property reflects today's interpretation of Sincere Service, Innovation, Captivation of the Senses, and Exceptional Design – values that all originate from the exceptional legacy established in London since 1865. The group not only oversees operations and performance of its own hotels but also provides professional management services to developer and owner partners. Properties maintain the philosophy of elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service, and captivation of the senses that has defined the brand for over 155 years. The Langham's innovative spirit and playful pink heritage continues to captivate guests worldwide, with the brand constantly evolving while staying true to its legendary hospitality roots.
What are booking terms and loyalty benefits?
Couture by Langham bookings through WhataHotel are made at Langham's best available flexible rate and are fully prepaid, including a $10.95 booking fee. There is no minimum stay requirement – benefits apply to single-night getaways and extended stays alike. The property credit varies by property and length of stay, with credits typically tiered by the number of booking nights (for example, some properties offer different credit amounts for 1-2 nights versus 3+ nights). Room upgrades are to the next category based on availability at check-in, with certain premium room categories potentially not eligible for upgrade depending on property. Early check-in and late checkout times are provided based on availability. Cancellation policies follow standard Langham flexible rate terms, which vary by property and season – check your specific booking confirmation for exact terms. The Couture rate is equal to Langham's best standard flexible rate, and discounted promotional rates typically cannot be combined with Couture benefits, though Couture benefits can often be combined with some existing hotel offers depending on property policies. Back-to-back stays within 24 hours at the same property are treated as one stay for credit purposes. All bookings are eligible for The Langham's 1865 loyalty program, where you'll earn points and benefits for your stays. Properties worldwide accept the Couture by Langham program, providing consistent VIP treatment whether you're staying in London, Hong Kong, New York, Chicago, Sydney, or any other Langham destination.
Langham Properties Available Through WhataHotel:
United States: The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles (California - famed Pasadena landmark since 1907, 23 acres overlooking San Marino, only AAA Five Diamond hotel in Pasadena), The Langham, Chicago (Illinois - 52-story landmark tower designed by Mies van der Rohe, downtown location), The Langham Boston (Massachusetts - luxury downtown retreat), The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue (New York - 60 stories above Fifth Avenue, architectural jewel complementing Manhattan's luxury thoroughfare)
United Kingdom: The Langham, London (London Marylebone - Europe's first Grand Hotel since 1865, faces Portland Place toward Regent's Park, 380 rooms, £80 million restoration, historic Palm Court birthplace of afternoon tea, Artesian World's Best Bar, Chuan Body + Soul spa, The Wigmore British tavern, Mimosa restaurant, member of The Leading Hotels of the World)
Australia: Langham Hotel, Melbourne (Melbourne - centerpiece of Southgate complex, panoramic city skyline views overlooking Yarra River, 387 lavish guestrooms, sophisticated cultural heart location), The Langham, Sydney (Sydney - historic Rocks district overlooking Walsh Bay, timelessly elegant reminiscent of grand 19th century Australian home, short walk from city and King Street Wharf), Langham Gold Coast & Jewel Residence (Queensland Gold Coast)
New Zealand & Oceania: Cordis Hotel Auckland (Auckland - Langham's Cordis brand offering contemporary luxury)
Asia - China & Hong Kong: The Langham Hotel, Hong Kong (Hong Kong Kowloon - only member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Hong Kong, five minutes from Star Ferry, MTR subway, KCR railway, shopping malls and major tourist attractions, home to three-Michelin-star T'ang Court restaurant), Cordis Hong Kong (Hong Kong - Langham's Cordis brand, home to one-Michelin-star Ming Court restaurant)
Asia - Indonesia: The Langham Jakarta (Jakarta - contemporary luxury in Indonesia's capital city)
Historic Significance: The Langham, London (1865) is Europe's first Grand Hotel and one of the world's most iconic hotels. The Langham Huntington, Pasadena (1907) is a famed California landmark. All properties maintain the legendary hospitality heritage and innovative spirit established by the flagship London property over 155 years ago.