When The Langham, London opened in 1865, it redefined what a hotel could be. It was the largest and most modern hotel in London, celebrated as Europe’s first grand hotel, and introduced features that were unheard of at the time. Hydraulic “rising rooms” were among the first elevators. Every bedroom featured hot and cold running water.
Innovation alone wasn’t what made it remarkable, however. The hotel’s authentic, intuitive service fostered a sense of belonging among guests. It was an approach that would become the blueprint for modern hospitality.
Palm Court, with its mirrored ceilings and chandeliers, became the heart of this new idea. It was here that afternoon tea evolved into a beloved ritual, drawing writers, politicians, and travelers such as Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and Winston Churchill, who lingered over conversation and fine china.
How The Langham set new service and hospitality standards
The Langham, London
Courtesy of The Langham Hotels & Resorts
As the brand began to expand in the early 2000s, the focus was on preserving a British institution while sharing its sensibility with the world. The aim wasn’t just to open more hotels, but to carry forward the artistry of service and elegant, comfortable spaces that invite genuine connections. From that single London address, Langham Hotels & Resorts grew into a collection that brought its philosophy of refined comfort worldwide.
Langham’s next chapter unfolded in East Asia, where the brand’s British heritage met a region renowned for attentiveness and culinary excellence. The Langham, Hong Kong is a celebrated property and home to T’ang Court, a three-Michelin-star benchmark of Cantonese fine dining with locations in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hefei, Haikou, Jakarta, and Australia’s Gold Coast.
You’ll also find Asian influences at Chuan Spa, Langham’s signature wellness concept inspired by traditional Chinese medicine. The spa designs treatments around five elements to rebalance mind, body, and soul.
Across continents, properties from Shanghai and Sydney to Boston reflect this evolved identity. Each is unique with touches inspired by its location, yet unified by the Langham Way: British heart, Asian soul, and a global mindset.
The Langham, Boston reinvents a historic landmark
The Langham, Boston
Courtesy of The Langham Hotels & Resorts
In the United States, The Langham, Boston was the first property to join the Langham portfolio in 2003, as the group transformed the historic Federal Reserve Bank of Boston building, built in 1922, into a luxury hotel. In 2021, it completed a two-year, multi-million-dollar renovation that honored its classic architecture while introducing a lighter, contemporary feel. The new lobby, elegantly decorated in jewel tones, offers ample seating and a cozy fireplace to welcome guests. Completely redesigned guest rooms and suites all feature New England–inspired décor and brand-new marble-clad bathrooms.
GRANA, set in the former grand banking hall, serves Italian-influenced dishes beneath soaring ceilings and monumental windows. Diners also have the option of The Fed, which blends British and New England influences in a more relaxed setting. The hotel’s wellness area includes a heated indoor pool, fitness center, and access to the Langham Club for all-day refreshments and tailored service.
Stay in the heart of Manhattan at The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
An Executive Room at The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
Courtesy of The Langham Hotels & Resorts
Traveling down the East Coast, The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue is defined by space—a rarity in Manhattan. Set between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building, its suites are among the city’s largest, with clean-lined interiors and, in some cases, private terraces overlooking the skyline. A notable contemporary art collection, including works by Alex Katz, connects the hotel to New York’s creative pulse. The Langham Club here is a peaceful urban retreat, serving elevated breakfast, snacks, drinks, and evening plates in an intimate setting far removed from Midtown’s pace.
Another haven within the hotel is Ai Fiori (or “of the flowers”), chef Michael White’s highly regarded restaurant. It’s known for its modern interpretations of French and Italian Riviera cuisine, signature handmade pastas, and one of the city’s most impressive wine collections.
Savor iconic design and views at The Langham, Chicago
The Club Lounge at The Langham, Chicago
Courtesy of The Langham Hotels & Resorts
Like its sister property in New York, The Langham, Chicago commands a prime address, standing prominently along the Windy City’s celebrated riverfront with sweeping views of the Chicago River. Housed in the former IBM Building—the last office building designed by renowned German architect Mies van der Rohe—it’s the first hotel in the world to reside in a Mies building. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows flood every room with light, blending industrial lines with soft palettes and natural textures.
The design narrative extends to the hotel’s culinary experiences. Its signature restaurant and bar, Travelle, features David Rockwell-designed interiors with wood and metal finishes. Pavilion pays homage to van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion with its red-and-orange granite tones. It sets the stage for The Langham’s signature afternoon tea, featuring a wide selection of teas and a changing selection of sweet and savory bites. Guests staying in Langham Club rooms can access the Club Lounge—an elegant retreat with river and lake views, butler service, curated dining, and spaces for quiet work or conversation.
Wellness at the hotel spans an impressive 22,000 square feet, including a 67-foot indoor pool, a vitality pool, a Himalayan salt sauna, an herbal sauna, and steam rooms. Chuan Spa offers a restorative counterpoint to the city’s energy, with dedicated sensory relaxation lounges.
Hollywood glamour meets modern oasis at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles’s Royce Pool
Courtesy of The Langham Hotels & Resorts
Over on the West Coast, The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles, serves as a timeless backdrop to Hollywood history. Opened in 1907 as Hotel Wentworth and part of The Langham since 2008, it was Los Angeles’ original getaway serving as a playground for screen legends and a backdrop for countless film and television productions. Boasting 23 acres of gardens with mountain views and the historic Picture Bridge, the hotel offers a nostalgic journey through California’s storied past.
Building on that legacy, The Langham Huntington is currently undergoing a significant transformation that will update its guest rooms, key dining and public spaces, and eight private cottages, as well as enhance signature outdoor spaces, including the Horseshoe and Japanese gardens, and the historic Lanai Pool. The revitalization extends to the dining experience, where California’s landscape-driven cuisine takes center stage. The signature Afternoon Tea remains a beloved ritual—a leisurely escape featuring savory bites and exquisite sweets enjoyed against a backdrop of blooming roses.
A comprehensive wellness destination, the property features two outdoor pools, a fully equipped fitness center with daily classes, and the tranquil Chuan Spa—home to 12 treatment rooms, TCM-inspired signature treatments, sauna, steam, and whirlpool facilities.
The global future of Langham Hotels
Looking ahead, Langham Hotels is set to unveil a collection of new openings around the world that will continue its legacy of blending heritage with timeless elegance and modern luxury.
In Thailand, The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok, is due to open in late 2026 in a restored 19th-century landmark along the Chao Phraya River, featuring distinctive dining and wellness experiences, including outposts of T’ang Court and Chuan Spa. Meanwhile, The Langham, Venice will occupy beautifully restored buildings, such as a 16th-century casino and a former glassmaking factory on the island of Murano. The property will boast gardens, courtyards, and a lagoon-facing restaurant. Additional hotels are planned in Kuala Lumpur and Diriyah, a historic district just outside the capital of Riyadh, each designed to reflect the character of its city while remaining unmistakably Langham.
