Sydney is, without question, one of the world’s top cities. The Pacific Ocean facing city down under is known for its iconic opera house, the picturesque waterfront and marinas and of course its thriving business community.
Sydney is a great destination for a host of reasons from the dining, culture and art scene to just getting lost for hours in its many city parks. The world’s well- heeled travellers have found a favourite respite of fine accommodations there; and it is the Langham, Sydney.
The Langham, Sydney is located along a tree strewn street in the centre of the Miller’s Point neighbourhood, which includes a few shops, eateries and historical residences dating back to the 1800s. The neighbourhood is Western Harbour which was once a thriving fishing port, but is now the new hot spot with waterfront bistros and seafood eateries.
The hotel is also located in the area known as the Rocks, which is Sydney’s most trendy and oldest neighbourhood with cobblestone roads, sandstone cottages, colonial era taverns, and walkways filled with boutiques, historical sites, restaurants and a smattering of bars and nightclubs.
Fronting the Edwardian era hotel buildings is a peculiar pink 1945 vintage London taxi. A doorman with top hat and tails greets the hotel’s nattily dressed guests as they pass. Beyond the glistening white marble foyer is a lovely drawing room well-lit with sparkly pendant chandeliers, elegant furnishings and immediately impressive artworks setting an environment as one would a living room in a fine home.
There is a relaxed and graceful elegance that sets in as you realize that you’ll be staying at one of the top 100 hotels in the world, as voted by the Robb Report, and a hotel that holds a permanent place among the top lists of purveyors of fine hotels such as Conde Nast and Travel and Leisure.
Sydney is the largest and oldest city in Australia and its ocean front location with sailboats and ships crossing the harbour, the many ports and marinas, and waterfront areas make it one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
It is a sophisticated city much like Singapore or Dubai with so much to do from the wonderful plays and operas put on at the iconic Sydney Opera House to the endless parks, museum, and attractions such as the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Observatory, Susannah Place Museum and Circular Quay. The epicurean scene is also one for the cultivated palate with some of the top Michelin starred restaurants in the world located in the city.
The Langham, Sydney is a grand and opulent hotel and although this is Australia, one can’t draw the comparison between a proper British countryside estate. The hotel recently underwent an extensive renovation by London-based GA design to create a completely contemporary environment that seamlessly pays homage to the building’s old world heritage.
The concept was to create a space that was light, intimate and that would give their guests a feeling of being at home in an elegant yet relaxed environment. Guests will instantly pick up on how noticeably bright and airy the décor is with light and fresh interiors in white and gray interrupted by pops of salmon pinks, turquoise, and deep reds to create a cheerful environment that uplifts the spirit.
There’s one other element that one must notice and that is the collection of stunning artwork that adorns the hotel. The collection of art was curated by Sotheby’s who brought together the works of renowned Australian artists such as Brett Whitely, Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker.
Each of the 98 rooms is exquisite with a tasteful décor of fine furnishings and intriguing objects d’art. Guests are spoilt with their uber comfortable Langham Blissful beds, elegant marble bathrooms with separate bath and shower.
Parisian-style shutters cover large arched windows and when open flood the rooms with natural sunlight. The accommodations vary in size and layout, with many having expansive terraces and others with Juliet balconies overlooking Sydney’s skyline or the boats coming and going in the Western Harbour.
The one bedroom suite is ideal for an extended stay with 840 sqft of living space with opulent wood-panelled walls, a high domed ceiling and arched windows with lovely views of the harbour. Many also have large outdoor terraces with comfortable furnishings ideal for reading a book or having breakfast en-suite.
The dining experience at the Langham is what one would expect from one of the finest hotels in Australia. The Palm Court provides a fine-dining experience led by Executive Chef, Dave Whitting, who curates a menu of innovated haute Australian cuisine using local products supported by an extensive and eclectic wine list.
The Langham Sydney is also where you’ll find Sydney’s high society gathered with their hotel guests in a smart and opulent setting that could as easily be set in London’s Mayfair.
It is the Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood made the more special with the Langham’s custom range of Wedgwood afternoon tea ware designed with an iconic carmine rose. Their tea sommeliers, trained and certified by the Wedgwood tea academy, serve a selection of 14 tea varieties.
At some tables, bubbles of Laurent-Perrier, in rose or brut, seem to be the preferred choice over tea. A parade of high cake trays enter the room served with full pastries and tea cakes made at their in-house patisserie.
Scrumptious favourites are the Australian dish of cherry lamington and fluffy scones, or finger sandwiches like the prawn, shallot and dill or caviar.
The Palm Court is also the setting for cocktails at the long bar and the perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail while listening to live jazz piano music.
At the hotel there are plenty of options to enjoy from playing a game of tennis to enjoying their 20 metre subterranean indoor pool.
Next door is the Chan day spa providing a range of treatments from massages to facials. There’s also a state of the art health club with Jacuzzi, saunas and steam room.
The Langham, Sydney is a true hospitality gem. The hotel’s stunning décor, accommodations, services and the perfect location make it the preferred option for a stay in this mesmerizing city down under.
Address: 89-113 Kent St,Millers Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9256 2222
