This year marks a remarkable milestone for Langham Hospitality Group as it celebrates 160 years since the opening of The Langham, London—widely regarded as Europe’s first grand hotel.
Since debuting in 1865, the brand has become synonymous with refined luxury, impeccable service, and a pioneering spirit in hospitality. Today, the group’s portfolio spans the globe, from its flagship in London to celebrated properties such as The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue; The Langham, Chicago; The Langham, Sydney; and The Langham, Hong Kong, alongside its contemporary Cordis brand and other distinctive offerings. At the helm is Chief Executive Officer Bob van den Oord, guiding the group through a landmark year that honours its storied past while charting a course for future growth. In this conversation, he reflects on Langham’s heritage, its most iconic addresses, and how the brand continues to evolve for the next generation of travellers.
The Langham Hotels and Resorts (The Langham) celebrates 160 years in 2025 – congratulations. What does this milestone mean to you personally, and to the brand as a whole?
It’s deeply meaningful on both a personal and professional level. I first encountered The Langham, London – the brand’s first hotel – in the early stages of my career. Even then, its legacy and stature were unmistakable. To now lead Langham Hospitality Group as it marks the 160th anniversary of the iconic institution – and the global name it gave rise to – is a profound privilege.
What began in 1865 as a single groundbreaking hotel has grown, over the decades, into a collection of properties spanning four continents. Each new opening has built on that original spirit of innovation and elegance, adapting it to new destinations and cultures while staying true to the hallmarks that made The Langham an industry pioneer. For me, this anniversary is not only a celebration of the past, but a reminder of how far we’ve come – and how much potential lies ahead.
How is Langham Hospitality Group marking this historic anniversary across its global portfolio? Any special experiences or initiatives planned for guests?
We marked the occasion by introducing a series of one-of-a-kind guest packages across The Langham’s global portfolio. The packages included everything from stays at our top suites to cultural experiences, adventurous excursions, and distinctive dining offerings.
The anniversary also prompted the launch of our first-ever Langham Pink Run campaign. The international initiative, which was held across 10 of the brand’s destination cities, saw over 1,600 guests, colleagues and partners taking part in runs and walks to raise funds and awareness for local charities dedicated to health, education or environmental causes. The campaign was not just a celebration of the brand’s legacy but its longstanding commitment to the communities that have helped shape and support its growth.
In your view, what defines an iconic hospitality brand in today’s competitive landscape?
At its core, an iconic brand must transcend trends. It must deliver consistency without becoming predictable, and innovation without compromising character. The best brands also have a point of view – an ethos that guests can connect with emotionally.
Each of our four brands reflects these attributes through a synthesis of design, culture, service and story. We don’t just accommodate guests; we host them in spaces that reflect a defined sense of place and purpose.
The Langham is rooted in history but continues to evolve. How do you strike the balance between honouring heritage and catering to the expectations of the modern traveller?
We’re acutely aware that history alone doesn’t ensure relevance. Our job is to protect our legacy while making it resonate with today’s – and tomorrow’s – travellers. In practice, that means combining old-world grace with new-world utility. You’ll see this in everything from our thoughtfully restored properties to guest services that blend high-touch attentiveness with discreet technology solutions. Even as we explore the introduction of new tools like AI-assisted concierge systems, we’re mindful that these must enhance – not replace – the intuitive and approachable in-person service the brand is known for.
Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue has long been considered a flagship. What, in your opinion, makes it an iconic property?
Located in Midtown between 36th and 37th Streets, the hotel offers some of the largest and most inviting guest rooms and suites in the heart of the city. They include two spectacular penthouses and a presidential suite designed by Roche Bobois.
Beyond accommodation, the property is also home to a museum-worthy art collection and a host of top-notch amenities, including award-winning restaurant Ai Fiori, gorgeous function rooms, and our Big Apple edition of The Langham Club – a cosy private lounge where guests can unwind or catch up on work.
What is your current vision for the Langham Hospitality Group under your leadership?
Our vision of a company dedicated to building great memories is more than just a guiding principle – it’s a commitment I deeply believe in. To me, it means creating meaningful moments for our guests that linger long after their stay – no matter where they travel.
Bringing this vision to life requires us to continually evolve, adapt and expand – all while staying true to the genuine guest servicing approach that defines our legacy. To achieve this, we’re aligning our strategy around three key pillars: brand, team, and growth orientation. Elevating our brands ensures we remain relevant and compelling in competitive markets, and building and retaining high-performing teams is essential to executing our vision. Underpinning these elements is a deliberate focus we’re placing on growing our hotel and residence portfolio. This centres on ensuring every team, department and individual is accordingly empowered and incentivised.
Are there any exciting new projects or openings in the pipeline you can share with us – particularly in the Middle East?
In North America, we’re now in the final stages of refreshing The Langham, Pasadena through a sweeping renovation that covers almost every aspect of the hotel, from its 362 rooms and eight cottages to its grounds, gardens, swimming pools, and also its food and beverage outlets.
In Southeast Asia, The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok continues to be on track for a 2026 opening. Set within a beautifully restored heritage building on the Chao Phraya River, key amenities will include an outpost of our three-Michelin-starred restaurant, T’ang Court, a standout destination bar, a world-class pastry outlet, and a spectacular wellness retreat.
The following year will see us make a further expansion in the region through the launch of The Langham, Kuala Lumpur. Located in the Malaysian capital’s Golden Triangle district, the hotel will offer panoramic city views, spectacular guest rooms, and luxurious amenities that include a stunning sky pool that’s due to be one of the highest in the country.
In what’s shaping up to be a busy year for us, 2027 will also see us open the doors to The Langham, Venice. Set within a historic former glassmaking atelier on the Venetian Lagoon, the hotel will blend heritage architecture with refined Italian charm.
As for the Middle East, we continue to work towards the 2029 opening of The Langham, Diriyah in Saudi Arabia. Situated a short drive from the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage site and the scenic Wadi Safar area, guest experiences there will offer a unique blend of cultural richness and natural beauty.
Closer to home, we’ll also be expanding steadily across mainland China, where we have several new hotels under development.
Will we see Langham expand its footprint in the Middle East? Are there any specific markets in the region you’re targeting?
While we continue to place our focus on The Langham, Diriyah, we are actively exploring the potential for a second property in the Kingdom for both The Langham and our upscale brand, Cordis. Future representation in cities such as Jeddah is also something we’re keen on.
Looking further afield, we also see promising prospects for The Langham brand in the UAE. We additionally see strong potential for the brand in Oman and several other countries in North Africa, underscoring our commitment to cultivating a robust presence across the region.
We’ve seen The Langham collaborate with artists, chefs, and designers in the past. Are there any new celebrity or brand partnerships on the horizon?
Absolutely! The Langham’s Your Story, Our Legacy brand campaign – for which we’ve partnered with leading personalities from the worlds of sport, fashion, architecture, and gastronomy – will soon be entering its next exciting chapter. The global initiative, launched earlier this year, celebrates the lives of cultural icons and pays tribute to the many luminaries who have gathered at our hotels over the decades, helping to shape the identity of our flagship brand.
Building on that spirit at the hotel level, we’ve recently collaborated with brands such as Guerlain, Laura Ashley, and Porsche Indonesia, to name a few. Going forward, we’ll very much continue to forge tie-ups that not only bring unique experiences to our guests but that reflect The Langham’s enduring connection to culture, creativity, and excellence.
In such a saturated space, how does The Langham differentiate itself in terms of service, guest experience, or innovation?
By staying resolutely human in everything we do. Luxury is evolving – it’s no longer about formality, but about relevance and connection. The Langham Way, our unique approach to interacting with guests, colleagues and the world around us, ensures that every touchpoint is thoughtful, unscripted, and genuine. Guests today don’t want a performance; they want authenticity.
Of course, that doesn’t mean there isn’t ample room for innovation – we continue to expand rapidly on that front, albeit with care. So whether it’s AI-powered scheduling tools, guest preference mapping technologies, or enhanced property management systems, the aim is the same: to create seamless, deeply personal experiences that let our colleagues focus more on people and less on process.
Can you tell us more about the Langham loyalty platform – how is it enhancing the guest experience, and how is it evolving?
Brilliant by Langham, our Group-wide loyalty and experiences platform, has acquired over 900,000 members since its launch last year. Building on this strength, we’re now focused on ramping up its experience offerings.
Recent engagements of note include exclusive preview access to the Coco Chanel exhibition at London’s V&A Museum and special entry to the IM Pei exhibition at Shanghai’s Power Station of Art. We’ve also had great success with our culinary member experiences, our Brilliant Eats programme – which offers discount privileges for some of our foremost restaurants – being a key standout.
How would you assess the global hospitality industry today – what are the greatest opportunities and challenges you foresee?
It’s a fascinating time. The industry has rebounded with vigour post-COVID, but guest expectations have fundamentally shifted. Experiences are valued over amenities, and purpose matters as much as polish.
Our opportunity lies in offering something meaningful and memorable – not just luxurious. The challenge? Doing this consistently, across geographies and cultures, while attracting and retaining the talent that makes it possible.
For us, it’s about staying agile, building with intention, and keeping the guest – not the process – at the centre of every decision.
What trends do you see shaping luxury hospitality in the next year or so, and how is Langham Hospitality Group preparing to stay ahead of them?
The appetite for authentic, curated, and multi-generational travel continues to grow. Travellers are also embracing “shoulder season” travel, blending business and leisure, and seeking out brands that align with their personal values.
In response, we’ve launched initiatives that speak directly to these behaviours. From flexible, immersive packages to purpose-led campaigns and more agile sales and marketing strategies – we’re preparing for a guest who doesn’t just want accommodation, but a sense of connection.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in your position today, and how do you overcome it?
Balancing the demands of scale with the essence of our identity. As we expand, it becomes ever more important to preserve our cultural integrity – ensuring that each property, team member, and guest experience reflects the values and spirit that define Langham Hospitality Group. We achieve this through consistent leadership engagement, hands-on training, and comprehensive frameworks that empower our teams to deliver distinctive, memorable experiences wherever we operate.
