One Bedroom Residence Suite at The Langham London with sitting room and BBC views

Review: The Langham London | London’s Original Grand Hotel (2025)

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The Langham London is one of the most historically significant luxury hotels in Europe, opened in 1865 as the continent’s first purpose-built grand hotel and still regarded as one of London’s finest addresses over 160 years later. Reviewed in August 2025 by Steve Michailidis, a London-based luxury travel advisor and Couture by Langham and Virtuoso affiliated agent — and someone who has personally visited over 50 London hotels — this Regent Street landmark earns its reputation through exceptional suite design, the world-ranked Artesian bar, an extraordinary spa, and a level of thoughtful personal service that sets it apart from every other five-star hotel in the city.

As someone who lives in London and has personally stayed at or visited more than 50 of the city’s luxury hotels, I approach a Langham review differently to most. I’m not discovering London through this stay — I’m measuring The Langham against everything else the city offers at this level. And it holds up.

The Langham London — At a Glance

  • Location: Regent Street, London — walking distance to Marylebone, Bond Street, Regent’s Park and Soho
  • Category: Five-star historic luxury hotel
  • Founded: 1865 — Europe’s first purpose-built grand hotel
  • Distinctions: Couture by Langham, Virtuoso property
  • Best for: Staycations, city breaks, special occasions, couples, business travellers
  • Standout features: Artesian bar (world’s best bar rankings), ESPA Life spa, Residence Suites with BBC view, banana bread at breakfast
  • Current promotion: 3rd Night Free — stay three nights, pay for two
  • Booking perks: £125 hotel credit, daily breakfast for two, VIP welcome amenity, room upgrade, early check-in/late check-out
  • Booking fees: None
  • Reviewed by: Steve Michailidis, Couture by Langham and Virtuoso advisor, August 2025

The Langham London Location: Regent Street and What’s Nearby

The Langham London enjoys a prestigious position on Regent Street, making it perfect for exploring some of London’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. Marylebone High Street is just a short walk away for boutique shopping and artisanal cafés. If you love the outdoors, Regent’s Park is ideal for a morning run or a leisurely stroll. Fancy a shopping spree? Bond Street’s luxury boutiques are within easy reach, and for an evening out, Soho’s vibrant dining and nightlife is just around the corner.

For a touch of history, rooms facing the BBC building offer an iconic London view that feels truly special.

Staycations like this give you the chance to experience a different side of the city without the hassle of transportation—and The Langham makes that experience extraordinary.

For visitors to London from overseas, The Langham pairs beautifully as the opening or closing night of a wider UK itinerary — Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is the natural companion for anyone combining London with Scotland.”

If you’re coming to London for the Marathon, my guide to London hotels for the Marathon covers several properties I work with across the city. You can also check out how to explore London like a local.

The Langham London Rooms and Suites: What to Expect

I originally booked a Deluxe Room at The Langham London but was delighted to be upgraded to a Residence Suite. From the moment I walked in, the attention to detail was evident:

A welcome bottle of Taittinger Champagne (prestigious French sparkling wine) , Lauden Chocolates (artisan chocolatier) , and a fresh fruit bowl (which was replenished the next day).

  • A tin of buttery shortbread as an extra treat.
  • Fresh flowers throughout the suite creating a homely yet refined feel.

The suite itself was beautifully appointed with everything a discerning traveller could wish for:

The fully equipped kitchen was a highlight. Complete with Miele appliances, a KitchenAid coffee maker and kettle, this would be ideal for a long-term stay. Jing tea bags (my personal favourite, reminiscent of Cathay Pacific First Class lounges) and Nespresso capsules were also provided.

Interested in a Residence Suite with those BBC views? Get in touch for a free quote — I’ll check suite availability, confirm the 3rd Night Free promotion for your dates, and ensure the £125 hotel credit and breakfast are locked in from arrival.

The Langham London Breakfast, Artesian Bar and Dining

Breakfast at The Langham is an experience in itself. The first day we arrived at peak time (10am on a Sunday!) and experienced a short wait (10–15 minutes), but The Wigmore brasserie is available immediately if you prefer no delay.

On our second morning, we were seated right away and received exceptional service from the team member looking after us, who was warm, attentive, and professional throughout.

The à la carte menu offers an impressive selection of sweet and savoury dishes. The only item not included in the breakfast-inclusive rate was the Lobster Thermidor.

Highlights for me included:

  • Eggs Royale with Caviar – indulgent and beautifully presented.
  • Chia pudding, avocado on toast, and a hearty porridge with the largest bowl of fresh berries I’ve seen.
  • The pastries were exceptional, with the banana bread standing out as one of the best I’ve ever had.

Great hotel breakfast is one of my personal benchmarks — alongside The Langham’s, the breakfast at The Sukhothai Bangkok and the Verandan at Grand Hôtel Stockholm are the ones I find myself recommending most frequently to clients.

In the evening, don’t miss Artesian, the hotel’s award-winning bar that’s consistently ranked among the world’s best. Indulge in their signature cocktails, served with the elegance one expects from a true London icon. My recommendation? Try the Kale Martini—a cocktail you won’t forget.

The Langham London Spa, Pool and Fitness Facilities

The Langham’s wellness facilities are superb. Here’s what stood out:

  • Swimming pool with a serene atmosphere (ideal for swimming laps, though note there are no poolside loungers—just chairs for seating).
  • Steam room with the most incredible aroma I’ve ever experienced.
  • Single-sex saunas and steam rooms, plus well-appointed changing rooms.
  • Gym featuring two Peloton bikes (interactive fitness platform), a wide range of weights and cardio equipment, and a relaxation area with water and snacks.

he only hotel spa steam rooms I’d rank alongside it are at Grand Hôtel Stockholm — which has a similar Nordic commitment to the hydrotherapy experience — and Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, where the facilities are genuinely extraordinary.

For runners, a Regent’s Park jogging map is thoughtfully provided in the room, featuring 2.5 and 3.8-mile routes.

Prefer to work out privately? The hotel offers complimentary use of items such as a yoga mat, yoga ball, and a TechnoGym Fitness Kit (foam roller, resistance band, mobility ball).

Service at The Langham London: The Details That Stand Out

From check-in to check-out, the service was warm, polished, and genuinely attentive. Communication was effortless, with the option to contact reception via WhatsApp or Telegram.

One detail that truly impressed me: I left my glasses in the bathroom one morning. When I returned, a Langham-branded microfibre glasses cloth in their signature pink had been placed next to them. It’s these thoughtful touches that set The Langham apart.

Evening turndown service was flawless, with curtains drawn, slippers placed by the bed, and bottled water refreshed.

How to Book The Langham London With Couture by Langham Perks

As a Couture by Langham and Virtuoso advisor, I can unlock exclusive luxury benefits at The Langham London and over 6,000 hotels worldwide through our elite privileges partnerships. Right now, there’s an incredible ‘3rd Night Free’ offer—when you stay for three nights, you’ll only pay for two.

The Langham London - Warm Welcome

Alongside this promotion, you’ll also enjoy*:

  • VIP welcome amenity
  • £125 hotel credit
  • Daily breakfast for two
  • Room upgrade, early check-in, and late check-out (subject to availability)

If you’re planning a stay at The Langham London, let me handle every detail and ensure you unlock this exclusive offer with all the added luxuries.

FAQ

Q: Is The Langham London the best luxury hotel in the city? A: As someone who has personally visited over 50 London luxury hotels, Steve Michailidis considers The Langham among the very finest in the city — particularly for its combination of historic grandeur, genuinely personal service, and the world-ranked Artesian bar. Whether it is the single best depends on what you’re looking for: The Langham is the strongest choice for Regent Street access, a classic grand hotel aesthetic, and the full Couture by Langham and Virtuoso perks package.

Q: What is the history of The Langham London? A: The Langham opened in 1865 as Europe’s first purpose-built grand hotel, setting standards for luxury hospitality that shaped the entire industry. Over 160 years later it remains one of London’s most iconic addresses, with a guest history that includes royalty, heads of state, and some of the world’s most celebrated writers and artists. The BBC building directly opposite — visible from several suite windows — is itself a London landmark dating to 1932.

Q: Where is The Langham London located? A: The hotel sits on Regent Street, one of London’s most prestigious addresses, within walking distance of Marylebone High Street, Bond Street, Regent’s Park, and Soho. The location makes it one of the most practical as well as the most elegant bases in the city — whether you’re shopping, dining, running in the park, or exploring the West End.

Q: What is Artesian bar at The Langham London? A: Artesian is The Langham’s celebrated cocktail bar, which has appeared multiple times in the World’s 50 Best Bars list and held the number one position for four consecutive years — a record unmatched by any other bar globally. The Kale Martini is the signature order and genuinely lives up to its reputation. An evening at Artesian is worth building an entire London visit around.

Q: What perks do you get booking The Langham London through a Couture by Langham advisor? A: Booking through Steve Michailidis as a Couture by Langham and Virtuoso advisor includes a VIP welcome amenity, £125 hotel credit, daily breakfast for two, a complimentary room upgrade subject to availability, and early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. A current 3rd Night Free promotion means a three-night stay is charged at the rate of two nights — one of the strongest value propositions currently available at a five-star London hotel. There are no booking fees.

Q: Is The Langham London good for a staycation? A: It is one of the most rewarding staycation hotels in London, precisely because it offers experiences that are difficult to replicate anywhere else in the city — Artesian bar, the spa steam room, and a breakfast that includes Eggs Royale with Caviar and what Steve considers the finest banana bread served in any London hotel. The Regent’s Park jogging map provided in rooms, the Peloton bikes in the gym, and the option to contact reception via WhatsApp make it as practical as it is indulgent.

Q: What is the spa like at The Langham London? A: The spa at The Langham is one of London’s most distinctive hotel spa experiences. The steam room in particular is remarkable — described by Steve as having the most incredible aroma of any steam room he has encountered. Facilities include a swimming pool, single-sex saunas and steam rooms, a well-equipped gym with Peloton bikes, and a relaxation area. Complimentary in-room fitness equipment is available for those who prefer to work out privately.

Is The Langham London Worth It?

London has no shortage of five-star hotels. Having visited over 50 of them, I can say with confidence that The Langham sits in a very small group at the very top — not because of any single feature, but because of the consistency of everything it does.

The pink microfibre cloth placed next to my glasses is a detail I still think about. Not because it’s expensive or elaborate, but because someone noticed, cared, and acted — quietly, without being asked. That is the essence of what The Langham does better than almost anywhere else in the city.

Add the world’s most decorated cocktail bar. Add a steam room that smells amazing. Add Eggs Royale with Caviar at breakfast and the finest banana bread I have eaten in London. Add a Residence Suite where the BBC building fills the window and Taittinger is waiting on arrival. And add the fact that three nights currently costs the same as two.

For a London staycation, a special occasion, or a city break that you want to remember, this is where I would send you. Get in touch and I’ll handle every detail.

* Perks and promotions are subject to terms & conditions. Please get in touch to confirm availability.


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Steve Michailidis Avatar

About the author

Steve Michailidis is a travel advisor, global citizen, miles & points enthusiast, as well as an inquisitive and passionate traveler.

Living in London, but always at home wherever his travels take him. Steve has visited 57 countries and loves discovering exciting new destinations as well as planning return trips to old favourites.

Steve is a Four Seasons Preferred Partner advisor and Fora Travel 2025 Community Award winner, with direct access to exclusive rates and perks at over 6,000 luxury hotels worldwide.