Top Banner

Hotel Review: The Langham, Hong Kong

 
by Ben Hall
 



This European-style property 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 which provides 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 Rooms:

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.

Dining:

There are five main dining venues, including the two-Michelin starred Cantonese restaurant T’ang Court, and they offer a wide range from classic Chinese to western and international cuisine. T’ang Court is a lavish venue which showcases the very best Cantonese cuisine and it has five private dining rooms all named after Tang Dynasty poets - Tai Bai, Le Tian, Zi Shou, Bai Yu and Zi Mei - and these can only be accessed by a spiral  staircase.  L’Eclipse serves an eclectic combination of Chinese, Asian and western food and features an open plan kitchen so you can watch the chefs working away at their culinary delights. The restaurant has an a-la-carte menu and there’s also a buffet option if you can’t decide on what to try.  The Bostonian is renowned for its lively atmosphere and is a classic American restaurant where Boston lobsters are the specialty and watch out for the portion sizes - they’re truly American-sized. The Main Street Deli is a slice of the Big Apple is designed to replicate a traditional New York Deli while the Palm Court is a discreet venue where the live classical music is played and this is where you can take The Langham’s legendary Afternoon High Tea.

Other Facilities:

The Health Club and pool are located on the 15th floor and the Mediterranean style pool is perhaps the centrepiece of this part of the hotel. There’s a fully equipped gym and the spa offers a full range of massage and beauty treatments. But the highlight of The Langham’s facilities is The Langham Club which underwent a major refurbishment in July 2010. Apart from serving high quality Continental and Asian breakfasts with every conceivable taste catered for, they also prepare eggs to order and speciality coffees made to order. Throughout the day snacks and light refreshments are available for a bit of peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle outside but the real highlight is the early evening happy hour featuring vintage French champagne, great wines, and elegantly presented canapes. The Langham Club itself is one of those places that has to be seen to be believed - it’s a stunning space that is 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. That’s why there’s classic museum pieces interspersed with ornate chandeliers and plush chairs and lounge suites in lime green and rich purples. You can easily spot the guests who’ve never been here before - they usually sit down, and spend about 10 minutes staring at the intense detail before they’re capable of saying anything.
 
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.

 

 

We're here to offer you holiday competitions and other free stuff to win as the only competition magazine in Australia. Our free competitions will also feature as Facebook competitions and we'll also provide you with travel guides and travel advice as a hotel advisor and we'll be reviewing spa day packages, food and gourmet reviews, reviews of cruises and check out spa day hotels. Keep checking back for our regular travel reviews for first-hand accounts and photography from some great destinations, hotels, cruises and airlines, along with our reviews on must-have travel accessories.

Send To A Friend - Share the Love!

 
Your Name:
*
 
Your Email:
*
 
Friend Name:
*
 
Friend Email Address:
*
 
Message:
 
*
Enter the text in the box
Top Right Rectangular Banner

FAST FACTS

 

The Langham, Hong Kong

8 Peking Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Phone: (852) 2375 1133 or visit The Langham.

 

 

 

Getting Around:

One of the many blessings of Hong Kong is that it’s easy to get around thanks to a simple and cheap transport system of ferries, a subway, and buses. And as a fairly compact city, most of the main attractions are comfortably walkable - visitors are never too far from shops, restaurants or major sights. 

When To Go:  

Boasting a sub-tropical climate, Hong Kong is a year-round destination. The most popular time to visit is from mid-September to late February, when the weather is cooler. At its coolest (mid-December to February), the temperature may fall to 10C; at its warmest (late May to mid-September), it averages 28C, but may also reach 33C.

What Should I Bring With Me?: 

The shopping in Hong Kong is so abundant and such good value, just bring an empty suitcase and plenty of energy. 


Tourism Information: www.discoverhongkong.com/australia/index.jsp

 

For the latest exchange rate on the Hong Kong Dollar, visit our partners at XE.com
Bottom Right Rectangular Banner
 

Marseille, Mon Amie

Featured Destination
Selection by: Ben Hall
1.Marseille-Harbour-Panoram
2.MarseilleFanny
3.MarseilleHarbour-Ferry
4.MarseilleFishmonger
5.L'Abbaye-Saint-Victor
6.Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde
7.Les-Panier-Cat
8.MarseilleSnails
9.MarseilleHarbour
It’s long been considered the rough diamond of France, but Marseille has been polished into .....
 
 
Bottom Leaderboard Banner