There are countless luxury hotels in London, but when it comes to ranking, one hotel is certainly not far behind: The Langham, London. Founded in 1865 as Europe's first luxury hotel, The Langham, London has long been a legendary example of luxury accommodation and service excellence.
Opened by the Prince of Wales himself, The Langham, London has time and time again led the way for hotels of its time by its own practices. Electric lighting, hydraulic lifts, hot and cold running water, air conditioning and other innovations were all introduced first at this legendary hotel, which has undoubtedly become the benchmark for luxury hotels.
In addition to the constant refinements in hardware, The Langham, London also offered more social possibilities for the British high society of the time. From its opening in 1865, the hotel offered a luxurious English afternoon tea at the price of one shilling and six pence, with black tea served with cakes, bread and sweets - not quite the same as today's afternoon tea, but at the time, it was a popular choice for businessmen and ladies to socialise in London.
Over the course of the brand's nearly 160-year history, The Langham has left many distinctive symbols in the minds of consumers. In addition to the aforementioned afternoon tea, the 'pink hotel' name has long been a hallmark of The Langham. Pink is an unmistakable presence in the public areas and guest rooms of The Langham, and the pink roses placed in the lobby are sweet, flamboyant and distinctive, making a lasting impression on all guests.
Another impressive symbol of Langham hotels is the authentic British elegance of service that originates from the UK, with each Langham hotel having a 'Service Ambassador' position, who brings the classic tradition of British hospitality to the service, creating a unique and memorable experience for guests.
At the end of the last century, the Hong Kong-based Eagle Group ventured into the luxury hotel business, acquiring The Langham, London in 1996 and establishing The Langham Hotels Group at the turn of the century to expand its hotel business. 2003 saw the grand opening of The Langham, Hong Kong, which opened a new chapter in the development of The Langham in China, and 2010 saw the grand opening of The Langham, Xintiandi, Shanghai. Today, the hotel remains a landmark in the region.
