The Langham, London, is a five-star hotel nestled in the heart of the city, in the elegant Marylebone district. Standing tall on Langham Place, its imposing facade faces the picturesque Regent’s Park, offering guests a breathtaking view.
This iconic hotel, with its rich history, has been a witness to London’s evolution, welcoming royalty, celebrities, and prominent figures from across the globe. The Langham embodies a captivating blend of grandeur and history, attracting travelers seeking a luxurious and memorable stay.
A Majestic Birth
The Langham was born in 1865, the brainchild of architect John Giles and constructed by the Lucas Brothers. It was a groundbreaking project, costing a staggering £300,000, equivalent to a whopping £36 million today! This remarkable feat of engineering became the largest and most advanced hotel in London. It boasted an array of modern amenities, including 100 water closets, 36 bathrooms, and a revolutionary innovation for its time, the first hydraulic lifts in England! The Langham’s grand opening was a prestigious affair, graced by the presence of the Prince of Wales himself.
The Langham’s initial success was short-lived as economic turbulence forced the original company to liquidate. However, this didn’t deter the hotel’s fate. New management acquired it for a fraction of its construction cost, paving the way for its remarkable ascent to commercial triumph.
A Gathering Place for the Elite
The Langham quickly established itself as a preferred haven for the crème de la crème of society. In 1867, James Sanderson, a former Union Army officer, took the helm as general manager, attracting a prestigious clientele from across the Atlantic. The Langham became a magnet for American luminaries, including the renowned author, Mark Twain, and the formidable financier, Hetty Green.
But the Langham’s appeal extended far beyond American shores. It hosted a captivating array of prominent figures from various walks of life, including Napoleon III, the enigmatic Oscar Wilde, the celebrated composer Antonin Dvorák, and renowned conductors like Toscanini and Sibelius. It became a melting pot of creativity, a meeting ground for the world’s brightest minds.
A Touch of Modernity and Literary Inspiration
The Langham embraced innovation, becoming one of the earliest adopters of electric lighting in 1879. This progressive step illuminated the entrance and courtyard, further enhancing its allure.
The hotel’s aura of elegance and mystery captivated the imagination of the renowned author, Arthur Conan Doyle. He chose the Langham as the backdrop for two of his iconic Sherlock Holmes stories, “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The Sign of Four,” adding a touch of literary magic to the hotel’s already captivating history.
A Legacy of Grandeur
The Langham’s reputation as a favored destination continued to flourish throughout the 20th century. It welcomed members of the royal family, including the beloved Diana, Princess of Wales, and prominent politicians such as Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle. Its guest list reads like a who’s who of history, including renowned figures like Noël Coward, Wallis Simpson, and Don Bradman. The Langham became a symbol of elegance and refinement, attracting the most influential figures of the time.
A Resilience Through Trials
However, the Langham, like many others, faced challenges during the Great Depression. The owners attempted to sell the hotel to the BBC, but fate had other plans. The BBC opted to build Broadcasting House across Portland Place. During World War II, the Langham was requisitioned by the British Army. It endured damage from air raids, forcing its temporary closure. After the war, the BBC took over the hotel, using it as auxiliary accommodation to Broadcasting House, eventually purchasing it outright in 1965.
A New Beginning, A Familiar Name
The Langham’s association with the BBC took an unexpected turn. One BBC employee, Guy Burgess, a member of the infamous Cambridge Five spy ring, made headlines for his daring escape from the hotel. During a late-night escapade, Burgess found himself locked out of his room and resorted to using a fire extinguisher to break down the door! This audacious act added a touch of intrigue to the Langham’s already colorful history.
The Langham, once a beacon of luxury, found itself transformed into BBC offices. The Palm Court, once a symbol of refinement, became a reference library, and the restaurant, a staff bar. In 1980, the BBC attempted to demolish the hotel and replace it with a modern office building. However, the plan was met with opposition and ultimately failed.
In 1986, the BBC sold the Langham to the Ladbroke Group, who embarked on a monumental £100 million refurbishment, restoring the hotel to its former glory. The hotel reopened in 1991 as the Langham Hilton, breathing new life into its iconic heritage.
A New Era of Luxury
The Langham’s journey continued, changing hands once again in 1995, when it was acquired by Hong Kong-based Great Eagle Holdings. The new owners invested heavily in the hotel, adding a new wing and undertaking extensive refurbishments. Between 2004 and 2009, a remarkable £80 million renovation project restored the hotel to its original grandeur. The Langham, once again, stood as a symbol of luxury, a testament to its enduring appeal.
Great Eagle Holdings, impressed by the hotel’s resurgence, extended the “Langham” brand to other hotels in its portfolio, creating a subsidiary, Langham Hotels International, solidifying the Langham’s position as a global symbol of hospitality.
A Timeless Icon
Today, the Langham, with its five-star status, boasts 380 rooms, a restored Palm Court, a bustling business center, and 15 function rooms, including the magnificent Grand Ballroom. The hotel offers an array of culinary experiences, featuring the new Mimosa restaurant, replacing The Landau, and the Wigmore, a British tavern by the acclaimed chef Michel Roux Jr.
The Langham is home to The Good Front Room, a popular long-term residency by Dom Taylor, the winner of the Five Star Kitchen TV show. Guests can also indulge in the sophisticated ambiance of the Artesian cocktail bar or enjoy a private dining experience. In 2019, the Langham expanded its culinary offerings with the opening of Sauce by The Langham, a state-of-the-art cookery school.
A Cultural Legacy
The Langham’s rich history has left an indelible mark on London’s cultural landscape. In 2010, a City of Westminster green plaque was unveiled to commemorate the historic meeting of Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Joseph Marshall Stoddart in August 1889. This meeting at the Langham sparked the creation of two literary masterpieces, “The Sign of Four” by Arthur Conan Doyle and “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde, solidifying the Langham’s place in literary history.
The Langham has also graced the silver screen, appearing in films such as “GoldenEye,” “Wonderland,” and “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties.” The hotel’s restaurant is the central setting for the culinary drama “Burnt,” starring Bradley Cooper, showcasing its timeless elegance and charm.
Today, the Langham continues to be a symbol of elegance and sophistication, a beacon of history and luxury, attracting guests from around the world who seek an unforgettable experience. The Langham, London, is more than just a hotel; it’s a living testament to London’s enduring spirit, a place where history and luxury intertwine to create a truly magical experience.
