Luxury Hotel Review: The Langham, Hong Kong

Where Is It: Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Why Go: It has a great location in the heart of Kowloon.

Best For: Couples with a preference for traditional luxury.

Three Things We Loved: T’ang Court, the Mediterranean style pool, The Langham Club.

The Ultimate Factor: Tradition meets modern.

Overview:

This European-style hotel evokes a bygone era of travel, where tuxedo-clad staff members greet you on arrival in a formal, yet friendly, manner and take it upon themselves personally to make sure every aspect of your stay is perfect. The Langham, Hong Kong, is one of those rare places where there is a meticulous attention to detail throughout the hotel from the classic furnishings and strategically placed flowers in the lobby, classical music played live and a subtle hint of perfume in the air. Located in the heart of the shopping and entertainment district of Tsimshatsui smack bang in the middle of Kowloon, The Langham is a stone’s throw from Nathan Road, the “Rodeo Drive” of Hong Kong, and is surrounded by a slew of fashion designers. It’s also just a few minutes walk from the Star Ferry terminal and a 10 minute crossing to Hong Kong Island and the Convention Centre, as well as the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) which connects to all the suburbs of Hong Kong, and the railway line which connects with the airport and mainland China.

The Accommodation:

The 495 rooms and suites all feature top-of-the-range king size beds, luxurious fabrics, hardwood floors and silk drapes and have modern bathrooms with separate shower and bath tub and the latest high tech amenities. They’re divided into roughly seven categories: Classic Room, Deluxe Room, Grand Room, Grand Langham Room, Premier Suite, Vogue Suite and The Langham Suite. The Classic is a modest but comfortable room designed for businessmen on-the-go, while the Deluxe offers a decent sized closet space with city views. The Grand Room and Grand Langham Rooms are designed for both holiday makers and business travellers and these feature larger bathrooms with shuttered windows that open up over the bedroom and they also have a dedicated work desk.  The Premier Suite is a presidential-style space with a big dining area and a separate bar and a guest bathroom, along with a separate study area. The Vogue Suite is another step up in style and its jacuzzi tub is one of the highlights along with a walk in wardrobe, custom-made bar and flat screen TV with iHome audio deck. The Langham Suite is effectively a one bedroom apartment with an innovative layout that makes it perfect for travelling families.

What Else Is There:

There are five main dining venues, including the Michelin starred Cantonese restaurant T’ang Court, and they offer a wide range of cuisines from classic Chinese to western and international cuisine. The Health Club is located on the 15th floor, with the Mediterranean style pool arguably the centrepiece of this section of the hotel. There’s a fully equipped gym and the spa offers a full range of massage and beauty treatments. A highlight of The Langham’s facilities is The Langham Club. It offers a high quality Continental and Asian breakfast, eggs to order and speciality coffees made to order, snacks and light refreshments throughout the day, and in the early evening there’s a happy hour featuring vintage French champagne, great wines, and elegantly presented canapés. It’s also a stunning space divided into seven separate rooms and is decadently decorated in a creative fusion of classic European elegance with an over-the-top flair that fits in with the fashion designer mood of the immediate area around the hotel.

The Verdict:

From the moment you step inside the opulent lobby, there is a real sense of elegance combined with peace and tranquility. It’s the perfect respite from the neon-lit retail madness of Tsimshatsui and Nathan Road and even though it’s a serious silver service establishment, there is a sense that you’re encouraged to have fun with it and embrace a throwback to the golden age of travel.