Langham Place, New York, Fifth Avenue

BACKGROUND Opened in May 2013, this five-star luxury hotel is the Langham Hospitality Group’s fifth property in North America; the four others are in Pasadena (Los Angeles), Boston, Chicago and Toronto. WHAT’S IT LIKE? The 214-room hotel boasts an unbeatable location on Fifth Avenue – ideal for business and leisure travellers alike. The property merges the brand’s modern British allure with the colourful and fashionable qualities that embody New York City. This is immediately apparent in the lobby, with the selection of classy marble, varnished wood fixtures and thoughtfully placed spotlights. WHERE IS IT? It’s situated at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 36th Street, placing it among one of the world’s most exclusive shopping areas, with the Empire State Building and New York Public Library nearby. The nearest subway stop is Herald Square, and Grand Central Station is a nine-minute walk away. ROOM FACILITIES My stay at the 101 sqm one-bedroom Residence Suite was a very positive one, and I was suitably impressed by the suite’s contemporary furnishings and the amenities provided. The term “luxury” is thrown around too often nowadays, but walking through the spacious living room that delivered views of midtown Manhattan was an experience I won’t forget.

The large walk-in wardrobe highlighted the abundance of space, while the marble bathroom with a deep tub and separate glass rainfall shower served as a reminder of the attention to detail at this hotel. The in-built television on the bathroom mirror was the icing on the cake – although I did wonder if there was truly a need for such a feature.

For many of our readers, the bed represents a major defining feature of a quality hotel, and I’m happy to report that Langham Place Fifth Avenue does not disappoint. My journey from Hong Kong to the US took well over 15 hours, so I was delighted with the Swedish Duxiana bed and Italian linens by Pratesi, which helped me recover from the jet lag in comfort.

The hotel’s wifi system provided seamless connectivity and I was able to charge my mobile devices via the many universal power outlets. A fully equipped kitchenette with Miele appliances is also offered, though I did no cooking during my stay. Guests staying at the Residence Suite are entitled to a number of extras including flexible check-in and check-out and access to the hotel’s house car, a Quattroporte Maserati, when available. RESTAURANTS AND BARS There are two dining options at the hotel – Measure and Ai Fiori. The former is a fashionable, comfortable lounge that serves up American and British comfort food. I would highly recommend the tomato carpaccio served alongside king crab and avocado, and the beetroot risotto – a modern twist on an Italian staple.

The dining playground of chef Michael White, Michelin-starred Al Fiori delivers an excellent menu of Mediterranean favourites. Along with the ever-popular lunch and dinner services, there is also a superb semibuffet breakfast. BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Currently under renovation and due for completion by the end of the year, there is a single large designated space for events, which can be split into three independent meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 250. There’s also a boardroom that seats 14, while pre-function area The Gallery can host up to 110 for a reception. LEISURE FACILITIES The Langham Place Spa has 11 private treatment rooms, and a particularly impressive Aqua lounge featuring hydrotherapy showers, a vitality pool plus hammam and sauna. Other noteworthy facilities include a hair and beauty salon from French celebrity hairstylist Julien Farel. VERDICT Even within New York’s highly competitive hospitality market, Langham Place Fifth Avenue is truly remarkable, delivering topnotch accommodation and facilities to provide guests with the ultimate luxury experience.