I had the privilege of staying at The Langham Residences, which is part of the iconic hotel bearing the same name and located just a stone’s throw from Oxford Circus. This first post-covid overnight stay in the heart of the capital has revived my opinion that ditching the city for the countryside is definitely not in my long-term plans.
I have always enjoyed the vibe of Central London, not solely because I adhere to Samuel Johnson’s famous saying that “when one is bored of London, one is bored of life,” but maybe even more so in this post pandemic era when the buzz of the British capital is back with a vengeance.
‘Welcome to our Residences Sir; I do hope that you enjoy your stay with us.’ With such a genuinely friendly greeting which is neither too familiar nor too formal, one already has this warm inner feeling that one is at a place which can easily become a home from home, and I was not mistaken.
As the charming butler showed me to my 1608 sq ft two-bedroom apartment, I got the impression of having stepped into the centrefold of a famous interior design magazine where luxury and sobriety make up the perfect combination which could easily apply to a home. With its cossetted ambiance, homely atmosphere, stylish bespoke furniture and clever lay-out, it is very easy to forget that one is actually in a hotel. The well-equipped private kitchen is integrated to the living-room and dining area where one can dine or laze on the plush sofa and indulge into one’s favourite TV entertainment after shopping on Regent Street.
Each apartment in the Langham Residences is extremely well-designed with a modern twist while keeping with its Georgian heritage; a perfect option for those wishing to be independent while benefitting from all the facilities of a 5* Luxury hotel. Walking into the spacious en-suite bathroom with its immaculate cream marble, one can easily step into the shoes of some celebrities or even royalty and imagine them immersing themselves into a hot tub with essential oils, surrounded by candles, after a night at the BAFTAs or Buckingham Palace. It seems that my butler was a bit of a psychic since she offered to run me a bath before discreetly disappearing. An hour or so later, I was still soaking blissfully in the bath, sipping my Taittinger champagne to the sound of Mozart in the background, while imagining that I could, without any second thought, move permanently into The Langham Residences if I was offered the chance.
The Langham has gone the extra mile when it comes to making those choosing their Residences feel at home, and this by offering to all their guests the ‘Langham’s Locals’ Programme’ which offers a wide range of extra services, thus giving the opportunity to those wishing to engage in the local community to do so. Apart from having access to the exclusive Langham Club as well as a 24/7 butlers service on demand, one can opt for a range of services and get acquainted with very quintessentially British experiences connected to renowned local brands like Fortnum & Mason. This very private touch is much appreciated by their international clientele who are already becoming regulars, swapping traditional hotel suites for more spacious homely apartments offering high-end amenities and services during their stay in the capital.
It is solely the idea of tasting the cuisine at The Palm Court restaurant that got me out of my cocoon and, as I joined my colleague who was as eager as I was to get hold of the menu, we were welcomed by the sommelier who talked us through a range of different wines to accompany our meal. The fresh home-made bread served with our entrée was the highlight of my dinner, not to mention the lightness of the French fries that came in every shape and form as we were served our steaks. Everything was fresh, tasty and had the chef’s private imprint when it came to special sauces and spices. We did not have a chance to meet him, but rumour has it that he is an eccentric character, which makes his dishes even more exciting I suspect!
We then made our way to Artesian – a previous winner of the coveted World’s Best Bar accolade. This is the ideal post-dinner hang out place, with a vibrant ambiance and frequented by international residents as well as the local clientele where one can make the most serendipitous encounters. We spent the end of our evening chatting to a group of American business people who had also chosen the Langham Residences for their two-week stay in London and who swore that it was now “our new British home as long as we have breath” – a comment with perhaps a touch of a theatrical tone but which summed up the atmosphere of the place.
It was well past midnight when I decided to call it a night and left the cocktail bar which was still buzzing with a merry crowd. What a lovely feeling slipping into the large comfortable bed and enjoying the idea that I would not be woken up by an alarm clock the following morning.
The Langham group has partnered with the World Sleep Society and is now offering a global sleep wellness programme (Sleep Matters by Chuan) at all LHG properties worldwide, promoting the holistic benefits of a healthy sleep. This does not stop with the comfort of their beds (and they are exceptional) but goes a few steps further by offering access to a specially curated Spotify playlist to relax before bedtime as well as wellness rituals in their Chuan spas internationally which also help in counterbalancing the side effects of jetlag and every day life.
The next morning, I finally opted for the Langham Club experience for breakfast after towing and throwing with the idea of staying in bed and ordering room service. Located on the third floor of the hotel, it has a very ‘private club’ feel to it which is a very British tradition that all foreign visitors hanker to experience. As I sat down to order my scrambled eggs on toast with avocado, the Club Manager reached out to me: ‘a Bellini Sir?’, to which I replied, ‘why not!’
To discover more, visit: langhamresidences.com
All imagery courtesy of The Langham.
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