Langham Hotel

The Langham is a five-star hotel in Marylebone, facing Portland Place towards Regent’s Park. Designed by John Giles and built by Lucas Brothers between 1863 and 1865, it was once the largest and most modern hotel in London. The building introduced 100 water closets, 36 bathrooms and England’s first hydraulic lifts. Its opening in 1865 was attended by the Prince of Wales. After financial difficulties, new owners turned it into a commercial success by attracting an American clientele under manager James Sanderson. The hotel became a favourite of writers, musicians and royalty. Mark Twain, Hetty Green and Napoleon III stayed there, as did Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and composers such as Dvořák. In 1989, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and Joseph Marshall Stoddart met in the Langham to plan stories for Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine. Sherlock Holmes stories were partly set here, and the Palm Court has served afternoon tea since 1865. Today the Langham has 380 rooms, a restored Palm Court for tea, 15 function rooms and a business centre. The Grand Ballroom hosts events while the cocktail bar Artesian offers private dining. Mimosa, the new restaurant, replaced The Landau, and next door is the Wigmore tavern from Michel Roux Jr. A cookery school, Sauce by The Langham, opened in 2019. The hotel has also appeared in films such as GoldenEye and Burnt.