The Langham, London

"The flagship hotel of the Langham Hospitality Group, known for its historic significance as one of Europe’s first hotels with running water, elevators, and air-conditioning when it opened in 1865. It embodies the 'Langham Way' by celebrating great architecture, spending time with family, and offering personalized guest experiences." - Jennifer Flowers

"If it feels as though The Langham has been there forever, that's because, in hotel terms, it pretty much has. But a century and a half on, it's looking grand, as sophisticated and elegant as it did when Napoleon III spent the night. These days the Victoriana and chinoiserie are offset by smooth, occasionally quirky contemporary elements—notably in the award-winning Artesian bar, with its timber chandeliers, imitation-snakeskin flooring and resin-topped tables. It would be difficult to name a finer hotel restaurant than Roux at the Landau, where father-and-son dream team Albert and Michel Roux Jr have been casting their culinary spells. Price: Rooms from around $917 per nightAddress: 10 Air St, London W1B 5ABClosest tube station: Piccadilly Circus" - Condé Nast Traveller, Steve King

"The Langham has kept up with the times admirably, adding a stylish pub and cooking classes while maintaining a reassuringly old-school swish of palm-court elegance. This great big castle of a building is less than five minutes' walk from Oxford Circus, but still far enough away for the noise of crowds to have dissipated. The Langham first opened in 1865, so it’s self-assured, yet more modern than most hotels of its age. The vibe is opulent without being ostentatious—the lobby is all dramatic marble columns and a dripping chandelier—while the Artesian Bar next door has a touch of Alice in Wonderland about it, with purple sofas and work-of-art cocktails." - Nicholas DeRenzo, CNT Editors

"How did it strike you on arrival?This great big castle of a building is less than five minutes' walk from Oxford Circus, but far enough for the noise of crowds to have dissipated. The Langham first opened in 1865, so it’s self-assured, yet more modern than most hotels of its age. The vibe is opulent without being ostentatious—the lobby is all dramatic marble columns and a dripping chandelier; next door, the Artesian Bar has a touch of Alice in Wonderland about it, with purple sofas and work-of-art cocktails. What’s the crowd like?Shoppers, entrepreneurs, and luxury lovers. The BBC building is across the street, so you’ll find news anchors and soap stars propping up the bar. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.This is a big hotel—there are 333 rooms. One-hundred-eighty-eight of these are Superior Rooms, the smallest category, which are elegant and traditional, if a tiny bit nondescript—lots of cream with sage flourishes. Naturally, the more you pay, the fripperies increase. Ask for a room facing Cavendish Square on the seventh floor and above and you’ll have views stretching to the London Eye. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?Nespresso coffee machines in all the rooms are a welcome touch. Book an Executive Room or above and you’ll have access to the Langham Club—two floors of extras, including butler and concierge service, access to meeting rooms, complimentary breakfast, light afternoon tea and evening canapés, and, best of all, complimentary Champagne cocktails all day long. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Bathrooms in the standard rooms are all creamy tiles and black marble with showers over the bathtub. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Free. Room service: Worth it?The extensive room service menu is pricey—$26 for a burger. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The drinking and dining offerings are top of their game. Roux at the Landau is the big one. It has a more informal menu devised by Michel Roux, Jr. The Wigmore opened in 2017, and is very much its own entity, a very luxurious pub with emerald walls, parquet floors, and its own locally brewed beer. The food, also overseen by Roux, Jr., is both delicious and affordable—try the masala spiced scotch eggs. In the spa, the nearly 53-foot-long swimming pool is long enough to do laps. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Five-star hotels don’t come more luxurious or better-located than this." - Laura Goulden

"Many consider the Langham, built in 1865, to be the most haunted hotel in London, and most of the paranormal buzz comes from Room 333. Only the bravest (living) souls check in here, and they have seen the spirits of everyone from the Victorian-era doctor who allegedly killed his wife and himself while on their honeymoon to the German prince who jumped from the fourth floor and still dons his military-style jacket in death. A shoeless butler, a footman in a powdered wig, and emperor Napoleon III have also made ghostly appearances." - Travel + Leisure Editors