The Langham New York Delivers Quintessential Modernity

Man of Many, 5 Oct 2018

Located smack in the heart of midtown Manhattan–an area rife with attractions–the Langham New York is a veritable destination unto itself. Indeed, between its elegant decor, celebrity clientele, luxurious spa, Michelin-rated restaurant, spacious rooms, and action-packed surroundings, this hotel pretty much has it all. Oh, and did we mention how the Langham Group does some of the coolest collaborations, such as when it teamed up with Hunter for a pair of limited edition gumboots? Suffice to say, it’s these small details that brought the Langham near and dear to our hearts before we even arrived.

Meanwhile, our recent stay in New York was quite simply the stuff that vacation dreams are made of. To that end, we ate well, drank well, slept well, and shopped well, as one is apt to do when visiting the Big Apple. Read our review below and start planning your next trip because the city and Langham Hotel alike are spectacular.

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Tennis legend Andy Murray was checking in to the Langham New York upon our late night arrival, which was a pretty good sign, to say the least. Accordingly, the hotel–which stands 59 stories tall and emanates with modernity–delivers a quintessential five-star experience from the first moment to the last. True to its legendary surroundings, the interior is awash with visual sophistication, underscored by a multi-million dollar art collection featuring the works of Alex Katz. Just as worthy of note is the expedient and professional service, which always comes with a smile.

If you’ve ever been a tourist in New York City, then you already know that the majority of hotel rooms are little more than oversized shoeboxes. By contrast, the rooms at the Langham New York are spacious, refined, and dressed in a premium, minimalist aesthetic. Naturally, the beds were nothing short of heavenly, and we drifted into a euphoric slumber, jet lag be damned.

The next day featured an extraordinary combination of indulgence, activity, and relaxation. First, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Ai Fiori, the Michelin-starred restaurant that ranks among the city’s best. While the food was exquisite, the restaurant itself is really more of a dinner destination, so we’ll go into more detail further below (i.e. when we came back for dinner on day two).

After breakfast, we hit up the city for some shopping. As we mentioned above, the Langham New York is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, home to Broadway, Times Square, and some of the city’s most iconic buildings. Traversing the area, we encountered the full spectrum of designer stores, from big names to small labels to everything in between.

We caught a quick bite for lunch and then returned to the Langham for a mid-afternoon Harmony Massages at the Chuan Body + Soul Spa. Stretched out across three commodious rooms and a lounge area on the fourth floor, the state-of-the-art spa is an absolute oasis, where time more or less stands still. At the hands of an expert masseuse, we experienced what might only be described as pure physical bliss.

On the first night, we ate dinner at Dante’s, a historic restaurant in Greenwich Village that serves delectable Italian fare and creative cocktails in a festive atmosphere. It’s owned by Australian restaurateur Linden Pride, while the bar program is overseen by Naren Young, a legendary mixologist. As one might expect, the food and drinks were amazing.

On day two, we took an Up Close Walking Tour of Broadway, going backstage at a range of historic theatres. That was followed by lunch at Sardi’s in the Theater District, massages at the hotel, and drinks at Bar Fiori. At long last, it was time for dinner at Ai Fiori, the Langham New York’s Michelin-starred restaurant, where classic French and Italian dishes are reimagined by chef Michael White.

In addition to a menu full of hand-made pasta and Instagram-worthy entrees, Ai Fiori features an acclaimed wine list of over 1000 bottles. Meanwhile, service goes down inside a strikingly modern, sophisticated decor, which comes decked out in various flower arrangements (the restaurant name translates to “Among the Flowers” in Italian). Between the restaurant’s elegant ambience, attentive staff, and unforgettable food, it’s no wonder that numerous celebrities–including Sarah Jessica Parker–are frequent guests.

If you haven’t heard the news, Manhattan has undergone dramatic changes over the past few decades. Whereas the city was once defined by its breakneck pace and somewhat brutish character, it’s now a classy combination of timeless tradition and vital modernity. Epitomising the city’s newfound temperament is the Langham New York, where prestige, quality, and minimalist style converge to stunning effect.

Visit The Langham, New York

Man of Many travelled to Hong Kong and New York as a guest of Cathay Pacific and Langham Hospitality Group.