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LANGHAM HOTELS CELEBRATE 140 YEARS OF LUXURIOUS HOSPITALITY
(Hong Kong – June 2005) – With a luxury hotel heritage dating back to the 19 th century, the Langham brand celebrates its 140 th anniversary in June this year.
The Langham legend began as the original Langham Hotel was opened in London by the Prince of Wales on 10 June, 1865. The Langham was Europe 's first truly ‘grand hotel' – preceding The Savoy by 23 years and Claridges which was rebuilt between 1895 – 1899.
With its seven floors and 600 rooms, Langham Hotel was one of London's largest buildings and was the first hotel in London to have hot and cold running water and hydraulic lifts. Throughout its 140 years, the hotel has been a magnet to the great names of the times...
The place to be
Langham Hotel, London has always attracted royalty, statesman, artists, writers and musicians from around the globe. Napoleon spent much of his enforced exile from France at the Langham, taking extended residence in a first floor suite. Novelist Ouida took rooms at the hotel for four years and other famous guests included Oscar Wilde, composers Dvorak and Toscanini, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American writer Mark Twain and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. Langham Hotel, a favourite society venue of London 's elite, attracted the high society of the 1920s and 30's. Just some of those who stayed included playwright and novelist W. Somerset Maugham, actor and playwright Noel Coward, actor Charles Laughton, actresses Anna Neagle and Gracie Fields and the exiled Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassi. Mrs Wallis Simpson also stayed at the hotel during her controversial courtship of Edward VIII.
For 140 years, our flagship Langham London has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality and now, every Langham Hotel glow s with that certain traditional elegance. You can see it, in the style and the décor. You can feel it, in the quality of the service and you will find it, in every room of each fine Langham Hotel. Traditional elegance captivates the unique Langham blend of prestige and tranquility. Langham Hotels provide a sophisticated haven from the pressures of the world outside.
“Langham made a quantum leap when it opened London's first luxury hotel in 1865. Many of the comforts and luxuries found in all five-star hotels were pioneered by the first Langham and to this day, we are dedicated to providing the same commitment to innovation in luxury and hospitality.” stated Brett Butcher, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing of Langham Hotels International.
Butcher went on to s ay that “Most importantly, the foundation of Langham Hotels is formed by our associates whom we groom to exhibit energy, confidence and a natural friendliness. Langham associates master genuine hospitality that meets the every need of our discerning guests.”
Currently, Langham Hotels International operates Langham hotels in six gateway cities across the four continents in the cities of London, Boston, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Auckland.
An array of celebration programmes have been launched for Langham's birthday including our 140th Anniversary Packages. These gracious accommodation and breakfast package s present a unique opportunity for guests to experience Langham's luxurious hospitality at great values. (Click here to see the attachment)
Other delights at our six fine hotels during the month of June include guest cocktail parties, wine tastings, nostalgic afternoon tea sets and food and beverage promotions. Please contact your local Langham Hotel for more details.
Background Notes:
Langham Hotels International (LHI) is a dynamic, modern hospitality ownership and management company which operates the luxury Langham Hotels brand and other hospitality interests in prime locations within Hong Kong and overseas.
LHI is wholly owned by the publicly listed Great Eagle Holdings Limited (HKSE: 41), which was founded in 1963 and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.
The Great Eagle Group is one of Hong Kong's leading property and hotel companies. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Group develops, invests in and manages high quality office, retail, residential and hotel properties in Hong Kong, North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Its commercial property holdings include 2.36 million square feet of Grade-A office space in the prime commercial districts of Hong Kong. In the United States, it owns three office buildings with a total floor area of 685,000 square feet.
In the fourth quarter of 2004, the Group opened Langham Place, a 1.8 million square feet complex in the prime shopping district of Mongkok, Hong Kong. It consists of a 600,000 square feet shopping mall, a 770,000 square feet intelligent office tower and the five-star Langham Place Hotel, Mongkok, Hong Kong.
LHI's extensive international hotel portfolio currently comprises eight properties with over 4,760 rooms in six gateway cities across the four continents, namely, London, Boston, Hong Kong, Toronto, Melbourne and Auckland.
In Hong Kong, LHI owns, manages and operates the luxury 490-room Langham Hotel, Hong Kong, the all new 665-room five-star Langham Place Hotel, Mongkok, Hong Kong, and the newly refurbished four-star 468-room Eaton Hotel Hong Kong. Internationally, it owns and operates four luxury hotels, including the 429-room Langham Hotel, London, the 325-room Langham Hotel, Boston, the 387-room Langham Hotel, Melbourne, the 410-room Langham Hotel, Auckland. In Canada, LHI owns and asset manages the four-star 1,590-room Delta Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.
Under the ownership and management of LHI, five Langham Hotels, namely the Langham Hotel, London, the Langham Hotel, Boston, the Langham Hotel, Hong Kong, the Langham Hotel, Melbourne and the Langham Hotel, Auckland, are accredited by the prestigious “The Leading Hotels of the World” being some of the world's finest luxury hotels.
LHI's Hong Kong portfolio also comprises three Eaton House furnished apartment buildings and two Yat Tung Heen Chinese Restaurants.
For information of Langham Hotels International, please visit www.langhamhotels.com
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Sherona Shng
Director of Public Relations
Langham Hotels International
Tel: (852) 3552 3938
Fax: (852) 3552 3902
Email: sherona.shng@langhamhotels.com |
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