The Luxury Travel Directory

The Langham, London was completed in 1865 at a cost of £300,000 and formally opened by the Prince of Wales. At the time it was the largest and most modern hotel in London, featuring the first hydraulic lifts (elevators) in England, a hundred water closets and thirty six bathrooms. The Langham, London has enchanted royalty, dignitaries and celebrities since 1865, when it opened as Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’.

In April 2009, major refurbishments to the hotel were completed. The Langham now has 380 rooms, a restored Palm Court, famous for serving afternoon tea since 1865, a new business centre and 15 function rooms including The Grand Ballroom which holds up to 375 guests for a reception. The hotel has a five star classification.

Notable guests include: Mark Twain, Hetty Green, Napoleon III, Oscar Wilde, Antonín Dvořák, Arturo Toscanini, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Princess Diana, Noel Coward, Wallis Simpson, Don Bradman, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and Ayumi Hamasaki. In August 1889 Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde and Joseph Marshall Stoddart met at the Langham. Stoddart commissioned the two other men to write stories for his magazine. Doyle wrote The Sign of Four and Wilde wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray.

The Langham, London Address:

1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London, W1B 1JA

Tel: +(44) 20 7636 1000
Fax: +(44) 20 7323 2340

Website: http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk/

The first Lord Cowdray made a gift in 1918 to provide a permanent building to house the Royal Air Force Club (RAF Club) ; and by the middle of 1919 the buildings which make up the present Club in Piccadilly were acquired. In 1922 the Club was officially opened by HRH The Duke of York. On 12th March 1922 the Club was visited by Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Club’s Patron.

The RAF Club has 8 rooms to accommodate any type of function, including Wedding Receptions, Cocktail Parties, Luncheons, Dinners and Conferences.

RAF Club Membership is open to all persons who hold, or have held, a Commission in the Royal Air Force, Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service, The Reserves, The Auxiliaries and in Commonwealth and friendly Air Forces. Spouses of Full Members can also enjoy Associate Membership and make full use of the Club’s facilities.

The Royal Air Force Club
128 Piccadilly
London W1J 7PY
Tel. 020 7399 1000
Fax. 020 7355 1516
Official Website

The Absolut Icebar London is London and the UK’s first permanent ice bar. Everything inside is made out of crystal clear ice transported especially from the Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden and is kept super chilled at minus 5 degrees all year round. The walls, bar, tables, and even your own personal glass is made out of the purest ice. Absolut Icebar London is operated in 40 minute time slots and you will be given a designer thermal cape with a hood to keep you warm during your visit.

Every six months the Icebar is resculptured and the latest design will be unveiled on Wednesday 4th March 2009.

Opening Hours

Mon – Weds 3:30 pm – 11:00 pm,
Thurs 3.30pm – 11.45pm,
Fri 3.30pm – 12.30am,
Sat 12:30 pm – 12:30 am,
Sun 3.30pm – 10.15pm

Address

31-33 Heddon Street
London
W1B 4BN

Tel: 020 7478 8910

Official Site

The former site of a royal residence, the InterContinental Park Lane, offers an excellent position ‘twixt Mayfair and Knightsbridge and commands views of another royal residence, Buckingham Palace.

Neo-classical and contemporary designs fuse to create a comfortable and stylish location from which to see the best of London.

Featuring "simple rustic dishes" from acclaimed chef Theo Randall, the restaurant of the same name won the "Italian Restaurant of the Year" in the 2008 London Restaurant Awards.

The InterContinental is available for events including wedding functions.

1 Hamilton Place, Park Lane
London
W1J 7QY

Tel: +44-20-74093131
Fax: +44-20-74933476

Official Site