Your Story, Our Legacy: The Langham Experience
What do Lady Gaga, Winston Churchill, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Emperor Louis Napoléon III have in common? An appreciation for the finer things in life. That’s exactly why they all chose to stay at The Langham Hotel in London.
For over 150 years, The Langham has set the standard for luxury hospitality, hosting some of the most influential figures of every era. More than just a hotel, it has become a destination where history and modern elegance meet.
Today, The Langham continues to redefine luxury for a new generation of travelers and investors. As a brand under Langham Hospitality Group, it’s pursuing a bold expansion strategy in some of the world’s most dynamic markets. With new properties planned across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, The Langham remains committed to delivering an experience that blends timeless grandeur with modern hospitality.
Yet, beyond its iconic locations and elegant spaces, The Langham’s true distinction lies in the people who bring its philosophy to life.
“Luxury isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about how a place makes you feel,” says Langham Hospitality Group CEO Bob van den Oord. “We had a guest write to us and say, ‘Every time I stay in London, they call me by name. I get my Belvedere martini. When I go to the lounge, they know exactly how I want my eggs cooked. It’s marvelous.’ The guest engaged one of our colleagues in a conversation about the experience. And he simply told him, ‘Well, it’s The Langham Way.’”
While the food, drinks, and atmosphere set the stage, it’s people who bring The Langham experience to life. The Langham Way isn’t just about service—it’s about passion, intuition, and the small moments that turn a stay into a story worth telling.
Luxury Without Limits: The Langham’s Expansion
When Bob joined The Langham in Boston, the group operated just five hotels. Today, it has grown into a global hospitality company with 32 locations across four distinct offerings.
Alongside its flagship Langham Hotels & Resorts, the group includes Cordis Hotels and Resorts, which focuses on locally inspired, wellness-driven experiences; Eaton Workshop, a mission-driven hospitality brand known for its commitment to social and environmental causes; and Ying’nFlo, a modern, select-service concept designed for a new generation of travellers.
With demand for luxury hospitality on the rise, The Langham aims to nearly triple its portfolio to over 100 properties [1], focusing on high-growth destinations with strong tourism and business travel markets.
The latest milestone is The Langham Customs House Bangkok, set to open in 2026 along the Chao Phraya River in the city’s historic Bang Rak district, positioning the brand at the heart of Bangkok’s evolving luxury hospitality scene. Further ahead, The Langham will make its mark in Venice, Riyadh, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and beyond—offering prime opportunities for investors seeking exposure to premium hospitality real estate in strategic global locations.
China remains a key pillar of The Langham’s long-term strategy, accounting for half of its current portfolio and eight of its 12 hotels in development. With growing domestic travel and increased demand for premium hospitality, The Langham sees China as a prime market for investment, targeting strategic Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities with strong economic growth and rising affluence.[2]
As The Langham expands, one question looms: How do you replicate something as intangible as The Langham Way—an experience defined not by architecture or amenities, but by the people who bring it to life?
“Building a hotel with great design, amenities, and service is, in a way, the easy part,” Bob says. “But making sure that we bring The Langham Way experience to each new location is the real challenge. It’s about finding the right people and nurturing them to become part of our Langham culture.”
To ensure their success, The Langham has built a network of high-end academies designed to instill its philosophy across the globe. The Chuan Academy trains Langham therapists in the art of Chuan Spa. A dedicated Chinese Cuisine Academy ensures chefs master the heritage and signature dishes of T’ang Court and Ming Court. And a company-wide initiative ensures that every team member—from the kitchen to the concierge—embodies the Langham Way approach to hospitality.
That philosophy extends to one of The Langham’s most cherished traditions: afternoon tea. As the first hotel in the UK to serve it, The Langham treats tea not as a mere refreshment, but as an experience. A dedicated Afternoon Tea Academy ensures every detail—from the pour to the pastries—upholds the ritual’s legacy around the world.
Bob makes it a priority to meet with teams around the world, listening to their challenges and supporting their success. “I travel quite a bit to meet with the team and just listen to them,” he says. “What are their challenges? What are they looking for? What do they need to be successful? While I set the direction for the group and share my vision, it’s really about empowering them to deliver it.”
A New Take on Timeless Elegance
The Langham was Europe’s first grand hotel, bringing innovations like elevators—then called rising rooms at the time—and running water. But luxury isn’t about standing still. Each generation arrives with new expectations, and as the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history unfolds, The Langham continues to evolve.
“I often talk with the team about how we can sex up the brand a little bit,” Bob says. “In London, for example, we had this vacant space and weren’t sure what to do with it. I suggested turning it into a quintessentially English pub. At the time, people thought, A pub? Is that really luxury? But we went with it. It’s called The Wigmore, and it’s now an iconic neighborhood bar.”
Designed by renowned Swedish interior architect Martin Brudnizki, The Wigmore redefines luxury through warmth and authenticity. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a pint of Guinness and a toastie or a perfectly crafted gin and tonic—all in a beautifully designed setting. In an era where younger generations favor quiet luxury over ostentation, The Wigmore embodies a new kind of indulgence: understated, inviting and effortlessly elegant.
“We don't take ourselves too seriously,” Bob says. “We just want to make sure that people are happy where they are and enjoying themselves. Particularly in restaurants and bars, there's nothing worse than having a great meal until the check comes that’s out of your expectations. It's important that we deliver on our promise to create great memories.”
That doesn’t mean The Langham has abandoned grandeur. At both its flagship hotels and new locations, luxury is felt the moment guests step inside—not just in the design, but in the energy of the space.
“We want people to walk into our lobbies and hear the buzz of the bar, where people are laughing and having a good time,” Bob says. “They should hear the clinking of teacups in Palm Court, the soft hum of music, the warmth of our staff greeting them the Langham Way. It’s about more than opulence—it’s about life and soul.”
As The Langham continues to grow, it remains committed to balancing heritage with innovation, ensuring every new property delivers not just luxury but long-term value. With ambitious expansion plans, a strong pipeline of properties and a hospitality experience that blends legacy with modern luxury, The Langham is poised to remain a defining force in the next era of premium travel.
“If you’ve been with a group for 25 years, of course, you take everything personally because you care about it so much,” Bob says. “Growth is necessary in business, but what really excites me is seeing everything come together—ideas, teams and experiences that make each Langham hotel truly special.”
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