THE LANGHAM, LONDON UNVEILS ITS NEW REFURBISHMENT DIRECTED BY INTERIOR DESIGN SPECIALISTS - RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL

This April The Langham, London unveils the impressive results of a painstaking and very substantial programme of restoration and refurbishment, which has taken five years and £80 million to complete.

Richmond International, the leading hotel and restaurant interior design specialists, have undertaken this challenging project. Richmond have been responsible for the transformation of the interiors of this historic building, including the impressive entrance lobby, new reception, Palm Court, extensive conference and banqueting facilities in Langham House including the listed Grand Ballroom, along with the luxurious bedrooms and suites.

Built in 1865, The Langham was designed to capture the graciousness and elegance of the Victorian era by combining the styles of the grand country house, the sophisticated town house and the comfort of an English gentleman’s club.  At that time, its sumptuous décor included an eclectic mix of influences from all over the world, including Italian plaster relief ceilings and intricate mosaic flooring; Moorish murals inspired by designs in Constantinople and Spain; and over 15,000 yards of Persian tapestry carpet. 

All aspects of the design combine modern elements and traditional methods and crafts, with many items, from the furnishings, carpets and fabrics to the light fittings, accessories and artwork, bespoke are unique to The Langham, London.  Specially commissioned pendants and chandeliers of hand-blown Murano glass feature in the Lobby and Palm Court, together with richly figured marbles and timbers.  References to the heritage and style of the hotel are evident throughout the public areas with decorative details incorporated into custom-made bronze and glass gates and metalwork feature panels in the Reception.

Reflecting the Asian and Eastern influences on English Society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a hint of the Orient is evident in today’s design, mainly in the form of specially-commissioned artwork by leading contemporary artists from Hong Kong, China and the UK but also as decorative elements in the new guestrooms.

A key part of the design concept is the reinstatement of Palm Court as the heart of the hotel.  Here the sophisticated design sees contemporary materials and feature finishes mixed with the classic sparkle of cut mirrors and crystal.  The rich colour palette of the soft furnishings and vibrancy of the timbers and marbles help to create an environment that is glamorous and elegant without being too self-conscious.  An element of enchantment is added by the sculptures that are set in the recesses of one of the entrances from the Lobby.

Reorientation of the reception, which now includes a new lounge area, has allowed the original bay windows to reveal the views down Portland Place with its heritage architecture and to create a more welcoming arrival experience for the guest, which clearly defines the character of the Hotel. 

Five new bedroom schemes have been introduced, which reflect a period English residence, combining contemporary and traditional elements.  Touches such as paisley throws, decorative accessories from the Far East and Europe, hint at the eclectic mix of styles that would traditionally have been found in heritage domestic interiors, resulting from the European Grand Tours of the 19th century.  

The colour palettes for the guestrooms  are based on precious stones with therapeutic properties such as jade, topaz, amethyst and ruby, which have been mixed with greys, ochre and soft whites to create a welcome ‘oasis of calm’ for the guests away from the hustle and bustle of Regent Street.  In all the new bedroom schemes, artwork has been specially commissioned that is individual to that scheme.

“In keeping with Richmond’s philosophy of making every project individual and specific to its location and structure, the interiors at The Langham, London re-capture the original personality and status of what was the first grand hotel in Europe,” says Jane Wickings, associate, Richmond International.

For further information contact:

Editor’s information
Richmond International has been designing the highest quality hotel interiors for over 40 years.  Based in London, it has a team of 50 people.  The company has designed hotel interiors in more than 40 countries and has worked for most of the world’s leading luxury hotel operators.  Their philosophy is that there is only one standard but never one style. 

Previous hotel and restaurant assignments have included Le Trianon Palace, Versailles; Boca Beach Club at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Florida; Murano, London; the London Marriott Park Lane; The Sandy Lane Hotel Barbados; The Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire; The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest; The Four Seasons Hotel Amman, Jordan; and the London Marriott West India Quay, London.

For further information, please contact:
• Caroline Murdoch, Redworks PR, 01869 810 443, caroline@redworks.co.uk
• Trevor Cotterell, Managing Director, Richmond International, 0207 490 1901, trevor.cotterell@richint.com

Background Notes:

Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when the Langham Hotel in London originally opened as Europe’s first Grand Hotel.  Over 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality.  Today, all Langham Hotels worldwide inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses creating a truly unique hotel experience.

Two distinctive brands are managed by Langham Hotels International (LHI) – The Langham and Langham Place.  The Langham offers Enchanting Hospitality – a classic, timeless luxury that one will never forget.  Langham Place, the younger sibling of The Langham, delivers Stimulating Hospitality that exemplifies inspirations with an individual sense of vitality and flair.

About Langham Hotels International & Its Affiliates

Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when The Langham in London originally opened as Europe’s first Grand Hotel. For over 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality. Today, all Langham Hotels worldwide inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses creating a truly unique hotel experience.

The group is pursuing an aggressive portfolio growth strategy using its distinctive brands and affiliate – The Langham, Langham Place and Eaton. Currently 15 hotels, including affiliates, are open or in the pipeline across four continents.

The Langham is where guests can enjoy service with poise and be enchanted by our innovation and traditions while Langham Place, the fun sibling of The Langham, is about living the 21st century through design, technology and attitude, epitomizing stimulating and artistic hospitality

Eaton, a premium four-star affiliate property, aims to surprise and delight our guests with a value-for-money proposition that delivers a stylish, modern level of comfort with spirited, can-do service.

Langham Hotels International is a wholly-owned company of Great Eagle Holdings (Stock Code: 0041) which was founded in 1963 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.

Reservations for Langham hotels can be made by logging onto langhamhotels.com or eatonhotels.com.