The Langham, Sydney

The Langham's opulence is apparent as soon as guests enter the
hotel's lobby through huge glass doors. There's white marble almost everywhere, from the steps to the fireplace and floors to the coffee table surrounded by blue velvet
armchairs in the lobby. There's a sharp, almost vintage vibe that's set off by details like a dramatic floral arrangement in front of the reception desk. The
hotel has an elegant and refined atmosphere, but is still inviting and
comfortable. This is one of the few pet-friendly hotels in Sydney, so some guests travel with their cat or dog,
although they are not permitted to be left alone in the room at any time. Many
guests relax in the hotel’s drawing room or Palm Court area which serves
afternoon tea by day and cocktails in the evening. The vibe throughout is distinctly high end, and clientele are mostly couples, families, and business travelers with cash to spare.

The Langham is located in The Rocks -- a historic and trendy area of Sydney's
city center with a huge array of shops, restaurants, and pubs. The Rocks Market
operates every weekend and has over 100 stalls. Just across the street, a
minutes' walk from the hotel, is the Sydney Observatory and Observatory Hill
Park. There are great views across the quay to the Sydney Opera House, and it
takes around 20 minutes to walk there. There are also a large
number of art galleries in the neighborhood. The S. H. Ervin Gallery is just a
two-minute walk from the hotel, and the Museum of Contemporary Art is a
10-minute walk. The King George V Memorial Park is an eight-minute walk from
the hotel, and it's around 10 minutes to the shops on Pitt Street. Sydney Zoo
and Sydney Aquarium are both a 15-minute walk, and for getting farther afield,
Wynyard train station is an eight-minute walk away. Sydney Airport is a
15- to 20-minute drive depending on traffic.

The
luxurious guest rooms and suites at the Langham are spacious and match the elegance of the hotel’s public areas. They are decorated in soft, muted colors
and have wainscoted walls and high ceilings. Expect to see handsome rugs with bold blue patterns, white marble accents, and contemporary furniture in chic neutral tones. Beds are made with white duvets and sit under tufted antique-style headboards. Rooms have fabulous views over the city
or the harbor, and some have a private terrace. All have air-conditioning, a
flat-screen TV with satellite channels, iPod dock, minibar, DVD player, free
mineral water and newspapers, work desk, safe, and robe and slippers. There are
also upscale touches like a Kuerig coffee maker. Suites have the addition of a
separate living area, and some have a kitchenette, dining area, or bar. The
sumptuous tan marble bathrooms have deep bath tubs, a separate shower with rainfall
shower head, and designer toiletries.

There
are two restaurants at the Langham, both with excellent reputations. Kent
Street Kitchen offers modern European fare and is open for breakfast and
dinner. Palm Court serves high tea during the afternoon and cocktails in the
evening, with live music provided from the grand piano. The cocktail bar is
staffed by a mixologist from Europe who crafts interesting (although expensive)
concoctions with unusual ingredients such as liquid nitrogen or smoke from the
bark of Peruvian trees. Twenty-four-hour room service is available, but breakfasts are not included in room rates. The hotel offers a fitness center, tennis court, steam room, and full service spa
offering a range of treatments in its 10 treatment rooms, such as massage,
aromatherapy, and manicures. There’s an indoor heated pool that's surrounded by cushioned wooden steamer chairs and has a dramatic ceiling
painted like the night sky, complete with twinkling stars. There are five meeting rooms for business guests, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.