THE LANGHAM, LONDON ANNOUNCES A MAJOR UPGRADE TO ITS LUXURY SUITES INCLUDING THE CREATION OF A NEW £1 MILLION PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL SUITE – THE REGENT SUITE

Following The Langham, London’s re-awakening in June 2009 after an £80 million programme of restoration and refurbishment, the hotel has quickly re-established itself as a destination for the discerning business and leisure traveller.

Interest in The Langham’s return has been particularly strong in the demand for suite accommodation from international corporate chieftains, affluent families and long stay guests. Just five years ago, The Langham opened the much heralded Infinity Suite, which at 235 square metre, was London’s largest and most sought after two bedroom suite.

“We have been delighted at how quickly The Langham, London has re-bounded after our re-launch last year, despite the challenging global economic environment,” comments Katie Benson, The Langham’s Managing Director and Regional Vice President for Europe and The Americas. “Particularly noticeable has been the renewed interest in our luxury suites, especially The Infinity Suite”.

So much so that The Langham has committed over £4 million to further upgrade its 25 suites, most significantly, a £1.1 million investment to create a second presidential level suite to complement The Infinity Suite.

The Regent Suite will be an expansive 166 square meter suite, boasting two bedrooms, each with their own private sitting rooms plus a private salon that can be adapted into a third sitting room or a private dining room or boardroom. Located atop the hotel’s main entrance in the most historic part of the hotel, the suite will benefit for the original high ceilings and large bay windows affording beautiful views down Portland Place to Regent’s Park beyond. The grand sense of arrival begins even before entering as the suite’s wide approach corridor is a legacy of the Victoria era when corridors were created to allow two ladies to pass each other dressed in their fineries, without one lady having to the face the social dilemma of having to defer to the other.

The suite’s name is a direct link to the hotel’s long history, being named after The Prince Regent (later King George IV), the original developer of Regent Street, the sweeping boulevard connecting The Prince Regent’s London residence, Carlton House in St James, to his new private estate, Regent’s Park to the north, on which The Langham was subsequently built.

The Regent Suite offers a more classic décor than The Infinity Suite, with traditional fabrics and furnishings with some modern accents and specially commission artwork, to evoke a warm residential feel. State-of-the-art technology has been discretely installed and lavish new bathrooms have also been created. .

The Regent Suite is likely to appeal to diplomatic visitors and high profile guests requiring an extra level of privacy and security as the suite has a number of guestrooms opposite and adjacent to its entrance for support staff, and has the capability of being isolated by easily restricting corridor access from the main lifts and stairwells.

Residents of the new suite will benefit from:

•		24 hour personal butler for round-the-clock valet, catering and concierge services
•		Full stocked complimentary wet bar and food presentations
•		Access to a personal appointment with the Style Service at Liberty, London’s unique and best loved luxury emporium.

A pre-arrival menu from your butler will enable guests to enhance and personalize their stay further with options that will include: personal exercise equipment, private in-suite dining and hospitality, qualified nanny services, exclusive casino membership and private chauffeur services.

The Regent Suite will be completed at the end of May 2010 and will available at £5,000+VAT per night.

In addition to the creation of The Regent Suite, The Langham is also further embellishing its remaining one and two bedroom suites. The suites will be renamed after London squares, a nod to the hotel’s historic past as the city’s oldest ‘Grand Hotel’: The Trafalgar Suite, The Hanover Suite, The Fitzroy Suite to name just a few. All the suites will receive fully renovated bedroom and sitting room accommodation with the overall design concept of an English residence, combining contemporary and traditional elements with bespoke pieces reflecting the individual character and layout of each suite. Touches such as paisley throws, decorative accessories from the Far East and Europe and a colour palette of soft whites create an oasis of calm.

The project is being overseen by Richmond International, the leading hotel and restaurant interior design specialists and the creative force behind the hotel’s refurbishment that was completed last year. At the same time, some adjustment work is also being carried out to increase flexibility, creating two and three bedroom suites options, ideal for families.

One exception, is The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Suite, located over two floors in the hotel’s dramatic roof top tower, on its north-eastern corner, overlooking BBC Broadcasting House. This quirky garret-style suite is thought to have once accommodated the famous author, who often frequented the hotel in the late 19th century, during the period when he created the famous Sherlock Holmes mysteries. This suite is traditionally furnished in a Victorian style and is a unique one-off suite at a nightly rate from £1,000.

The new suites at the Langham will be priced at:

•		Grand Suites, eighth and ninth floors suites with views over London rooftops, average 48 sq. m., from £750.
•		Classic Suites, with views over Langham Place and Portland Place, average 55 sq. m., from £1000.
•		Langham Suites, the hotel’s signature suites, on floors 3-5 with views over Langham Place and Portland Place, average 58 sq. m., from £1250.

Rates are for one bedroom suites, per suite per night exclusive of VAT. When paying Best Available Flexible Rate, guests also benefit from access to The Langham Club Lounges which serve all day light meals and refreshments, including breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails and canapés.

The Langham, London was originally opened in 1865 as Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’ and from the outset it advertised an unrivalled location in the heart of London. This remains the case today with its position at the top of Regent Street and a short stroll to Bond Street, it still rightly claims to be the most centrally located luxury hotel in London.

Bookings may be made on-line at www.langhamhotels.co.uk, by calling the hotel directly on +44 (0) 20 7973 7503, by e-mail: lon.resv@langhamhotels.com, or via The Leading Hotels of The World or guests’ preferred travel agent.

For further information contact: