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HONG KONG
Hailing from London, The Langham, Hong Kong is the luxury hotel group's venture into the city, offering European sophistication and grandeur as inspired by its flagship. Preserving its legacy, The Langham, Hong Kong stays true to its sister property's key highlights – the elegant interiors, top-notch dining options and classical aura backed by over 150 years of experience. We checked in for a two-night staycation with club access, an Alice in Wonderland themed afternoon tea and more.
We checked in on a Sunday afternoon which was, as expected, rather busy – but still difficult to ignore. The Langham, Hong Kong is accessible by MTR with a 10 minute walk from the exit or a taxi that takes you directly to the door. Guests are greeted with the signature grandiose of Langham's character, which begins from the moment you step into the lobby, boasting high ceilings, impressive chandeliers and velvet upholstery. It feels like a neoclassical chant, while the open Palm Court makes the room so much bigger and plusher with its romantic sumptuous furnishings. Check-in was simple and efficient and we were led to our room – the Superior Room with Club Access.
The Langham, Hong Kong is home to 471 guest rooms, including 27 exclusive private suites. We stayed in The Superior Room, which was comfortable and cosy, fitted with a lavish plush chair and work desk and a quaint sofa to sprawl out on. The king bed was a particular highlight, while the bathtub – a rarity in many Hong Kong flats – made it a welcoming abode for in-room pampering. A point worth noting though is the view isn't spectacular – in fact, there isn't much of a view, but if you keep the curtains closed and keep the focus on the swish design, you won't even notice.
Image courtesy of Adam Thompson | CSP Times
The bathroom had a bathtub and shower, both equipped with Chuan amenities – the hotel's spa brand and a luxe perk to take home.
After checking in and exploring the hotel, we headed back to the lobby with an appetite, ready to try the Alice in Wonderland-themed afternoon tea in celebration of the hotel group's 150 years of heritage. Although it's only available until the end of July meaning it will be changing soon at the time of writing, we very much enjoyed the interactive element to the seasonal offer, which included DIY painting on the dessert and quirky pipettes filled with sweet treats.
Based on Lewis Carroll's ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ classic literature, the inspiration behind the magical ‘Afternoon Tea with Alice’ themed tea experience was written in 1865, the same year when The Langham’s flagship hotel in London was opened.
Image courtesy of Adam Thompson | CSP Times
Our favourite dessert was undoubtedly the traditional British sticky toffee pudding, while the 'Paint Me & Pick Me' sugar daisy invites guests to paint with chocolate and added to the experience.
After a few hours of settling the afternoon tea indulgences, we wandered over to The Langham Club, perched on the same floor as our room. Unfortunately, it was very busy and the food selection wasn't very inspiring, but we found the total opposite the following day, a weekday, which had more enticing options and was far less crowded. That being said, although the club was full on the Sunday, we were escorted to one of the designated club rooms down the aisle for a more intimate experience away from the crowds to ensure that all club guests have somewhere to lounge. Champagne and alcohol are included which makes it an excellent deal.
Another highlight of The Langham, Hong Kong is the sleek, Roman-style outdoor pool which is a frequented backdrop for photo-seekers looking for an idyllic shot. The pool, though small, is a delightful treat and is lined with pool lounges where you can order refreshments, the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. On your way back to the lift, the Chuan Spa is a holistic retreat for spa-goers and offers a luxurious escape amid the hustle.
There are multiple restaurants at the hotel, including the three-Michelin-starred T'ang Court, which we have tried before – a showstopper. Since we were rather full from the club lounge and the afternoon tea, we waited for breakfast for our next meal at The Food Gallery. Breakfast is a dealbreaker for me, but Hong Kong hotels rarely disappoint, often showcasing a vast plethora of Eastern and Western delicacies to start the morning right. The buffet impressed, with its mix of fresh dishes from different cuisines, but I opted for a healthy, hearty congee while my partner picked up all the necessities for an English breakfast.
We headed back to Palm Court for lunch the following day to try the scrumptious Malaysian and Singaporean hawker menu. It may seem like an oxymoron to put gourmet and hawker as a title, but we were told that the ingredients took an upscale approach replacing premium recipes with lobster and wagyu, while the cooking methods remained traditional. Chef Ng's tender wagyu beef rendang used succulent wagyu beef cheek braised in lemongrass and galangal, and infused with aromatic spices, complemented with steamed coconut rice, traditional sambal chilli sauce, hardboiled egg, peanuts, fried anchovies, and fresh cucumber slices. Meanwhile, the elevated Singapore laksa was cooked with Boston lobster cooked in laksa gravy, served with rice vermicelli, prawns, tofu puffs, bean sprouts, fish cake, and hardboiled egg, all served in a spicy coconut milk-based broth. It was as mouthwatering as it sounds. The menu deserves a special mention itself and is absolutely worth trying, whether you're a hotel guest or not.
There's a lot to live up to with The Langham, Hong Kong, comparing to its flagship that holds 150 years of heritage, but we were pleasantly surprised at the attention to detail focused on by the staff. The interiors in themselves are a warm-toned splendour of British elegance that meets neo-classical fare and transported us to another era from the moment we walked, without it feeling outdated thanks to the modern touches like the contemporary bedrooms adorned in the hotel's signature pink or blue pastels. Our main quibble would be that the view wasn't spectacular but as noted, it can be overlooked when the room interiors are welcoming and sophisticated enough. All the necessities are checkboxed – an outdoor swimming pool, a luxury TCM-inspired spa, Michelin-starred dining options – to make a memorable stay. Plus, its prime Tsim Sha Tsui location adds the temptation, especially for shoppers, party-goers and foodies alike, while downtown Central is only a ferry away from the nearby pier and the MTR only minutes away, for further city exploration.
The Langham, Hong Kong, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 852 2375 1133
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