BACKGROUND

The Langham opened its new Regent wing last month (see news, March 26).

Comprising 44 rooms and suites, it is a refurbishment of the former Club wing, adjoining the main building, and is the first stage of renovation work at the hotel, which will celebrate its 150th anniversary on June 10.

The wing’s Regent suite has also been relaunched as the Wedgwood suite, while a new Club lounge and six-bedroom Sterling suite are set to open in the main building in early June.

WHERE IS IT?

On Portland Place, at the top of Regent Street.

The Regent wing is located in the same part of the hotel as the Chuan spa so you can access it directly from the spa’s Regent Street entrance — a handy shortcut.

ROOM FACILITIES

The six-floor wing is mainly made up of Grand Executive rooms and a smaller number of Grand Langham Club rooms (Club rooms are now located across the hotel) and Grand Club Junior suites. A lift provides direct access to the ground floor spa.

Richmond International has designed the new rooms, which have a more contemporary feel than the classic décor in the main building, while retaining some traditional touches.

They are elegant and bright with a calming colour scheme of pale grey and white punctuated by bright purple armchairs and headboards, with subtly patterned wallpaper and carpeting. Artworks are a mixture of modern and historic.

Attractive dark-wood furniture includes a large desk with a media hub and international plug sockets (a small plaque above it has a quote from former hotel resident Noel Coward – “Work is more fun than fun”). My king bed was dressed with luxurious white linens and was very comfortable.

Rooms come with free wifi, Nespresso machines, tea facilities, LG Smart TVs, Bose docks/CD players, large safes, minibars, adjustable air conditioning, iron/ironing boards, robes, and slippers in large and small sizes.

Some rooms, such as my fourth-floor Grand Executive (average 31 sqm), have great views on to All Souls church and BBC Broadcasting House, while others look towards Regent Street. Windows are large and can be opened, with a secondary sliding screen providing good soundproofing. I had a peaceful night’s rest.

Several bathrooms in the wing have been upgraded, although mine hadn’t. Decked out in cream and green marble, it was large with a separate tub and shower, and good-size Chuan spa toiletries, although the sink didn’t drain properly.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Roux at the Landau is a partnership between Albert and Michel Roux Jr, with Chris King as chef de cuisine.

I had a fantastic meal here, enjoying succulent Crisp Blue prawns with blood orange, fennel and radish salad to start (£23.50), followed by the best grilled Dover sole I’ve ever had — beautifully smoky, melt-in-the-mouth and served with charlotte potatoes, wilted spinach and rich béarnaise sauce (£48). My companion also loved his vibrant, flavoursome pea soup with lovage and Ticklemore croquettes (£9) and butter-roast Scotch beef sirloin with wild garlic champ and white onions (£31). Service was impeccable and the setting lovely.

We had a good a la carte breakfast here too – a buffet breakfast is also served in the Palm Court, but it was full the morning we were there.

Artesian bar is well known for its cocktails and was very busy on the Saturday night we stayed, although hotel guests get priority for tables and we didn’t have to wait long to be seated.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES

There are several spaces, including the Grand Ballroom, which accommodates 275 delegates theatre-style or 375 for a reception.

LEISURE FACILITIES

The Chuan spa’s facilities include six treatment rooms, a 16-metre pool, vitality pool, sauna and steam rooms.

It was great to be able to have a swim and go straight up to my room afterwards instead of having to use the changing room. There is also a gym.

VERDICT

The refurbished Regent wing is a great addition to an already impressive hotel. Luxurious, elegant and spacious accommodation, with direct access to the spa an added bonus.

FACT FILE

  • PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in the Regent wing in May started from £406 for a Grand Executive room.
  • CONTACT The Langham, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street; tel +44 (0)20 7636 1000; langhamhotels.com