Photography: The Langham Melbourne
The Langham Melbourne
Reviewed by Joeri Van Overloop
Set the scene
Introducing The Langham - a mesmerizing hotel in Melbourne that exudes luxury comfort from every corner. The moment you step inside, you are greeted with a spectacle of grandeur that would put even the grandiose opulence of English manors to shame. Generously sized sparkling chandeliers, regal staircases, plush carpets, and walls adorned with timeless art pieces – all come together to form an ambience of unparalleled elegance and opulence.
Now, picture this. The afternoon sun gently piercing through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, basking the high-ceilinged lobby in a warm golden hue. Serene views over the Yarra River and the city skyline that seems to change color with each passing hour.
The scene is lively, yet unhurried, as guests unwind in sumptuously furnished lounges, enjoying high tea or a choice cocktail. The atmosphere is a perfect mélange of tranquility and genteel, slightly reminiscent of an English suave, giving The Langham a distinct personality that sets it apart from its contemporaries.
What can we expect in our room at the The Langham Melbourne
Infused with calming tones of cream, gold, and beige, the rooms are equipped with rich mahogany furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows boasting panoramic views of the city and Yarra River, refined marbled bathrooms, and plush signature Langham Blissful Beds. The extraordinary aesthetic appeal of the rooms is well augmented by practical details such as minibars, coffee machines, and spacious closets, all present to mollify your comfort during the stay.
Varying in size, the Langham Melbourne offers rooms that run the gamut from standard superior rooms to palatial signature suites, depending on your preference and budget. Grand and Residences provide extra space for those who crave it, while the uniquely designed Chairman Suite is rich in furnishings that suggest exclusivity.
Some rooms also come with an additional benefit of access to the Langham's Club Lounge, an exclusive retreat by the river offering gourmet delights, refreshing beverages, and excellent service. You'd be pleased to know that the sleek, modern technology adorns every room, thus ensuring both leisure and business guests can stay connected.
How about the food and drinks
The Melba Restaurant introduces guests to an impressive global buffet with exquisitely prepared offerings from different kitchen stations including a dedicated seafood bar, Asian specialties, and an array of desserts too tempting to resist.
In contrast, for a more relaxed setting framed by spectacular city views, guests often opt for the Aria Lounge and Bar. This is the perfect venue for indulging in a refined afternoon tea, sipping on one of the masterfully mixed cocktails, or sampling some of the finest wines from the extensive wine list.
What is the service like
With a well-earned reputation for going above and beyond to ensure every guest’s comfort, the hotel staff make sure that your experience at The Langham feels personalized, be it a courteous concierge attending to your tour bookings or your dietary needs being swiftly noted by detail-oriented dining staff. Their deep knowledge of Melbourne and prompt assistance in planning your itinerary ensures that your vacation is navigated with effortless ease, every step of the way.
What’s the neighbourhood scene like?
Located on the vibrant Southbank Promenade, the hotel is in the heart of Melbourne’s busy arts and leisure district. Within walking distance, places like the National Gallery of Victoria, the Arts Centre Melbourne, the Melbourne Recital Centre, and the bustling shopping destination that is the DFO South Wharf can be easily explored.
A couple of steps further, you are in the renowned central business district of Melbourne with its blend of historic colonial-era architecture and ultra-modern skyscrapers. In this part of town, internationally-renowned coffee houses exist alongside exquisite restaurants serving up the very best of Melbourne's famed food and wine scene.
Chic boutiques by local designers are interspersed with the iconic laneways, covered in vibrant street art; these are a joy to stroll around and pack a cultural punch, ensuring you feel the pulse of this thriving city.
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What’s the backstory
It all began in 1865 in London, with the mission to offer unparalleled hospitality. This tradition quickly spread across continents, finally making its way to the city of Melbourne. Setting up its infrastructure amidst the relaxed riverfront area, the hotel rapidly gained a reputation for bringing a touch of European luxury to the heart of Australia.
The first few years of its establishment witnessed swift transformations, embodied through substantial refurbishments that were aligned with the goal of amplifying comfort. Each transformation sought to strike a balance between Victorian-style architecture and modern luxury, bringing a unique experience to its guests. Over the years, it has hosted a multitude of acclaimed personalities, dignitaries, and artists, all while crafting a rich tapestry of tales about their grand experiences.
Price Range
The rooms at The Langham property range from around AUD 290 for the basic Superior Rooms to a staggering AUD 3000 for the opulent Chairman Suite.
Guests who fancy a bit more opulence may choose to book one of the residences or suites. These are offered from AUD 530 onwards, and depending on size and view, can climb up to AUD 2000 a night. Keep in mind, these prices fluctuate depending on the season and availability.
Amenities & Facilities
Be ready to be spoilt for choice, with access to the Chuan Spa, an ultimate tranquility haven featuring signature treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine. The indoor fully-heated swimming pool, flanked by the breathtaking Eastern-style ambiance, offers an ideal relaxation spot. Furthermore, the fully equipped Fitness Centre allows fitness-conscious guests to continue with their exercise routine.
The hotel also offers superb facilities that cater to diverse needs, ensuring you feel right at home. Feeling peckish? Take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Need to look sharp for an important meeting? The hotel's laundry and dry cleaning services will have you sorted. There's also a foreign currency exchange for international guests and a business center equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, color copiers, and conference call facilities for those on corporate visits.
How to get to the The Langham hotel in Melbourne
Melbourne’s public transport system is both straightforward and efficient. Opt for the Skybus, which runs 24/7 with services approximately every ten minutes. The Skybus takes you to Southern Cross Station in the city center. From here, you can jump on the 109 tram heading towards Port Melbourne and alight at stop 125, which is a mere 7 minute walk from The Langham Hotel.
There's also the option of grabbing a taxi from the airport. Taxis are in abundance at the Melbourne airport taxi ranks outside the domestic and international terminals. An average fare to The Langham Hotel would cost you around 60 to 70 Australian dollars and will take approximately 30 minutes. However, remember that traffic during peak hours could influence your travel time.
What Customers Have To Say
All staff members were genuinely friendly and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. The service was top-notch.
The only minor feedback is regarding the transparency of the billing process. While we couldn’t view the invoice at checkout, we later discovered a line item we hadn’t used. This required some additional follow-up, which was a bit inconvenient.
Overall, our experience at the Langham Melbourne was fantastic, and we highly recommend it for a luxurious and comfortable stay, we loved the pool, spa, the buffet breakfast, friendly warm and welcoming staff, the location, the views of Melbourne from the pool area and the eco friendliness of the amenities.
Wir hatten insgesamt vier mal nach einem Spa-Termin gefragt, jedoch nie eine Rückmeldung erhalten.
Die Reinigung der Zimmer und Wechsel der Handtücher wurde ebenfalls mehrfach angefragt, daraufhin versprochen, aber nie erledigt.
Auf eine sehr deutliche Beschwerde - und das muss ich dem Haus lassen - wurde dann nicht mehr mit einer Entschuldigung, sondern mit einer kostenlosen Massage für mich und meine Frau reagiert. Das ist schon eine starke Leistung, verbunden mit einer persönlichen Entschuldigung der Managerin.
Das Frühstück ist überschaubar, das Personal dort aber sehr freundlich.
Oooooh boy I loved staying here! Everyone was very nice and polite checking in and out of the hotel. Entering the main floor there eis a beautiful fountain followed by an exquisite staircase with fresh pink flowers. Definitely take photos! There is a fun pink telephone booth to take pictures with on the lobby level and I was greeted with some welcome fruit and water in the room because of AmEx which was nice. They also have cute pink bicycles outside as well as a cute store. Every time I called for ice (to ice my knee) they were very fast and prompt. Sent out some laundry to and four hours later it was pretty much ready which was amazing! I went up to the 25th floor and they must have set it up for a conference because it wasn’t that great at the time being... It’s also in a great location on the water and central to everything. This place is worth staying at for the breakfast alone. It’s a buffet breakfast but they have an omelette station (or however you want to make your eggs) but the best part is they have a juice bar where you can pick all the fruit and veggies you want and put it in a juicer and make your own juice! For me, that was really cool as I do not have my own juicer at home and it allowed me to experiment each morning trying different types of combinations. The room was lovely with a view of the city and the bridge with the Merry Christmas sign at the time. There was a fully stocked snack bar and bar which was cool, but I did not use and they had an extra converter plug which was nice in case you forget yours, an umbrella to use if you need, bathrobe and slippers, and even an old school telephone holder which was a different touch. I did not get to explore the club which was
disappointing but maybe next time. The restaurant/bar at night was good though the service was slow (but the burger and wine was very tasty) and they had the buffet open for dinner which to me does not look like it is worth the $150 they charge you for it. (I snuck in and looked around at the food they were serving. I’ve seen better for your bank in Vegas) This was a great place to stay during the week that I was here and I would stay here again
Recommendation River view King bedroom
The only downside is the average receptionist.
All staff members were genuinely friendly and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. The service was top-notch.
The only minor feedback is regarding the transparency of the billing process. While we couldn’t view the invoice at checkout, we later discovered a line item we hadn’t used. This required some additional follow-up, which was a bit inconvenient.
Overall, our experience at the Langham Melbourne was fantastic, and we highly recommend it for a luxurious and comfortable stay, we loved the pool, spa, the buffet breakfast, friendly warm and welcoming staff, the location, the views of Melbourne from the pool area and the eco friendliness of the amenities.
Contact:
Address: 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Phone: +61 3 8696 8888
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed within this article are the author’s alone, not those of any travel/leisure company, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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