The Langham New York’s Empire Suite
Photo Courtesy of Langham Hotels International Limited
It’s easy to love Forbes Travel Guide Four Star The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue, a property that feels a lot more like our New York home away from home than a hotel. There is a host of reasons to adore this pristine yet under-the-radar spot perched in the heart of Midtown, but here are five that stand out:
The rooms
By New York standards, even in the luxury hotel realm, the rooms at The Langham are large and modern. This makes for modern conveniences like average unit sizes of 750 square feet, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in sweeping skyline views from the upper floors. You’ll also find posh perks such as Duxiana beds, deep-soaking tubs, amenities from the hotel’s soon-to-reopen Chuan Body + Soul spa, in-room Nespresso machines and gratis soda and water. Complimentary beverages are set out in the morning and afternoon in the lobby as well. Traveling on an extended stay? Book one of the residential-style suites, equipped with full-size washer-dryers, Miele appliances in well-equipped kitchenettes and separate living areas.
Ai Fiori, Photo Courtesy of Langham Hotels International Limited
The food
If you don’t come for the rooms, drop by for the food, specifically Michael White’s Mediterranean hot spot Ai Fiori, a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star pick. The intimate restaurant (it’s only 52 tables) blends French and Italian Riviera cuisine in a contemporary yet classic ambience. Snag a seat at the bar and feel transported an ocean away by the photographic scenes of Italy and France as you nosh on dishes like crudo di passera (fluke) topped with caviar and Meyer lemon before moving on to pastas like agnolotti of rich veal with a butternut squash caponata and pumpkin seeds, and mains of bouillabaisse or pan-roasted venison. Tables are well-spaced, giving the establishment a bigger feel than it actually has. It’s also a perfect power dining spot for breakfast and lunch; it’s quiet enough to talk shop but never empty, filled with just the right mix of guests and businessmen.
The design
Soaring 57 stories above the Manhattan skyline, The Langham originally opened as The Setai Fifth Avenue in 2010 and then joined the Langham family in 2013. We love the hotel’s sleek vibe with its shades of gray, chocolate brown and white marble popped by rich metallic accents that simultaneously feels modern but never unwelcoming.
We also appreciate that much of the New York City hotel is relegated to areas most frequently seen only by guests — not “lobby browsers” — like the second-floor restaurant and sleek, modern Bar Fiori. Plus, the hotel offers the third-floor gallery, a multi-million-dollar art collection featuring original works by contemporary artist and New Yorker Alex Katz.
The Lavish Lobby, Photo Courtesy of Langham Hotels International Limited
The location
If you’re in town for shopping or Midtown meetings, The Langham has a central Fifth Avenue location just blocks from Penn Station and Grand Central along with Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building and Times Square. Need to go somewhere local? Pass on Uber or the subway; instead, ask for the hotel’s house car, a Jaguar XJL, that is available on a first-come basis, to ferry you across town as needed.
The service
The Langham is the kind of hotel where we wouldn’t hesitate to book our picky in-laws. Service is discreet yet friendly, and pre-arrival concierges ask if they can provide anything from show tickets to restaurant reservations. On a recent one-night stay, front desk and door staff remembered our names by the first time we’d headed down from the elevator, a true feat for a short stay in a 214-room property.
