The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles

The Langham Huntington has an exceptional setting on 23 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens. The atmosphere here is exclusive, which some can find stuffy, but the hotel and grounds have an Old World ambiance that provides a sense of escape and retreat. Interiors are decorated in a classic style, featuring crystal chandeliers, old-fashioned furniture, patterned rugs, oil paintings, and rich fabrics. 

This historical property dates back to 1907 when it first opened as the hotel Wentworth. After it was sold to railroad tycoon Henry E. Huntington, it was renovated and reopened in 1914 as The Huntington Hotel, with bungalows being added later, as well as California's first outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool. The hotel changed many hands and reopened after a major reconstruction in 1991, before being renamed The Langham Huntington in 2008. The hotel and its grounds have featured in many Hollywood movies and US TV series. The Langham Huntington caters to a high-end clientele, and its restaurants and on-site features command high prices. This is a popular retreat for families as well as couples, and a frequent venue for weddings. The hotel also gets a good share of business travelers who choose to stay here instead of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

The Langham Huntington is located in a leafy, upmarket residential area of Pasadena. The area is quiet and secluded, but downtown Pasadena is easily accessible by car, and so is the Rose Bowl Stadium and downtown Los Angeles (depending on traffic). Still, for travelers looking to do Hollywood sightseeing or tap into LA's nightlife scene, the Langham may feel a little too sleep and removed from the action.

• 10-minute drive to downtown Pasadena
• 14-minute drive to Rose Bowl Stadium 
• 20-minute drive to downtown Los Angeles
• 22-minute drive to Hollywood 
• 23-minute drive to Universal Studios Hollywood 
• 23-minute drive to The Hollywood Bowl
• 34-minute drive to Santa Monica Beach
• 34-minute drive to Beverly Hills
• 34-minute drive to Rodeo Drive
• 38-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport
• 39-minute drive to Disneyland
• 50-minute drive to Malibu

Decorated in earthy tones of browns and beiges, the guest rooms and suites at The Langham Huntington display a classic and understated version of elegance that's refreshing among the flashier Los Angeles properties, although some travelers may find the decor old fashioned. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of natural sunlight, and rooms are generously spacious. Floors are covered in beige patterned carpets, and matching blue and beige curtains hang at the windows. Handsome furniture is finished in dark hardwood, and the urn-shaped lamps and plush blue armchairs and ottomans complete the refined aesthetic. Most rooms have scenic views of the hotel grounds and nearby mountains.

Flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars are standard in-room amenities, and wardrobes are stocked with bathrobes, slippers, and irons. Note that there have been many complaints regarding the air-conditioning. Bathrooms in gray or beige marble feature shower/tub combos, with separate showers in the upper-category rooms. These are equipped with elegant chrome fixtures, magnifying mirrors, bathroom scales, telephones, toiletries, and adapter plugs for foreign guests -- a thoughtful extra. 

Guests staying in Club Rooms have access to the exclusive Langham Club located on the eighth floor, where they can enjoy free continental breakfast, light snacks, afternoon tea, cocktails served with hors d'oeuvres, and cordials and after-dinner sweets. A range of free services is also provided, including concierge services, computer and internet access, a selection of newspapers and magazines, and free ironing of three garments.

The Langham hits all the highs of an urban luxury hotel. There are four restaurants on-site, serving a variety of different cuisines -- though menus are pricey. An a la carte breakfast is served at The Terrace (for an extra charge), with dairy- and gluten-free options, as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes on offer. There's also a buffet option made up of eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, cereal, pastries, smoked fish, cheese, fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee, and tea. On Sundays, there's a dim sum brunch on offer. Several guests have complained that breakfast gets busy, however, and can entail a long wait to be seated. Lunch and dinner are also served here from a California bistro-style menu. Open for dinner only, The Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse features a menu of steak dishes. The Lobby Lounge continues the British tradition of afternoon tea (first served in 1865 at The Langham, London), with a signature “Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood” of selected teas, sandwiches, scones, and pastries, all served with tailor-made “Langham Rose” Wedgwood teaware. The Tap Room is the in-house bar serving cocktails, craft beers, a variety of wines, and bar snacks, plus it offers live jazz music on certain nights. The Chef’s Table provides private dining and a personalized seven-course tasting menu for up to eight guests.

The hotel's outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool is heated and filled with saline water, and there's an adjacent pool bar and bistro serving drinks and food in the summer. Other sports facilities include three tennis courts, bicycles for rent, and lawn games like bocce, croquet, and badminton. There's also a spacious, bright, and well-equipped fitness center with TechnoGym cardiovascular and strength training equipment, including treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bicycles, weight machines, and free weights. Personal trainers are on hand, and classes are also available in yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates. Other wellness facilities include the on-site Chuan Spa, which offers a variety of beauty and health treatments. It has 12 treatment rooms, including a couple's suite, as well as locker and shower facilities, a sauna, herbal steam bath, and a whirlpool. 

Business travelers are catered to with over 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces. The hotel is also a popular venue for weddings. Parking is available on-site but is charged an expensive daily fee. The hotel also offers a convenient shuttle bus service to Old Pasadena. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel. Pets are welcome.