Hotel Of The Month: Langham Place, Xiamen

This month, Langham Place, Xiamen, officially throws open its doors to the public. Upon entering Langham Place, Xiamen, the modern and stylish cousin of the traditional Langham brand, you are greeted by a sophisticated, marble grand lobby, beautifully scented aroma and helpful, inviting staff. During your stay, you might be hard pushed to leave the sanctuary of the hotel. However, you really must, as Xiamen has so many exciting things to see and do.

This is the ninth hotel for the Langham Hospitality Group in Mainland China and it is located in an up-and-coming part of the city; a new development full of business and lifestyle brands. Langham Place, Xiamen embodies luxurious style and understated sophistication. With designled, modern luxury at the heart of every aspect of the hotel, Langham Place, Xiamen offers 327 spacious and stylish guest rooms and suites, four food and beverage venues, famed Chuan Body + Soul Spa, Fitness Centre, Club L Lounge and state-of-the-art MICE facilities. The hotel is in within easy reach of many tourist and business travellers’ destinations. Located on Xianyue Road in the heart of the city centre, the hotel’s enviable location makes it a 15 to 20 minute drive from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen Conference and Exhibition Centre, Software Park and the main railway station as well as a short stroll away from Wanda Plaza, the city’s newest luxury fashion and shopping destination.

The 327 spacious rooms and suites offer guests the utmost in modern luxury and comfort. Thoughtful touches include signature Dream Beds, a personalised pillow menu and a creative ‘Dream’ themed turn down service inspired by the local culture of Xiamen. Located on the top two floors, the Club L guestrooms allow guests to enjoy the exclusivity of the two-level Lounge with stunning views of the city skyline. In addition, Club L guests may also enjoy an extra level of personalised service and privileges including complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and the use of the boardroom. The Club Lounge offers unparalleled views out towards the coastline and lets guests admire the clear blue skies, renowned in Xiamen. In order to make the hotel your home away from home, everything has been thought of in the unique Club L Lounge, including a gaming room, where guests are able to unwind and play the latest video games, and massage chairs perched in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

With innovative cuisine, creative cocktails and stunning décor, each of the hotel’s three restaurants will leave a lasting impression on gourmands. All-day restaurant, The Place, features interactive show kitchens with cuisines from around the world, buffets and a-lacarte selections. Guests may also watch the talented chefs prepare dishes a-la-minute on the Mongolian barbecue grill. It is by far the best buffet in town and also offers outdoor dining. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Ming Court, reminiscent of its Michelin-star namesake at Langham Place, Hong Kong, specialises in modern and authentic Cantonese cuisine and has nine private dining rooms that are ideal for entertaining business clients or friends and family.

Other outlets to tantalise your palates are the livecooking teppanyaki station at T2, which offers delicious tapas, whisky and sakes, and L Bar, which serves tasty bites, along with creative cocktails and fine wines from it twostorey wine cellar. The lobby level bar also boasts a resident DJ who spins the latest tunes in the DJ booth during the evenings to create a "change of day" ritual.

The hotel also offers nine meeting rooms ranging from 60 to 768 square metres. The pillar-free grand ballroom can cater for up to 655 guests, with state-of-the-art audio, visual and lighting systems and equipment. The Gallery is a suite of specialty meeting venues designed in an all-inclusive environment incorporating food and beverage areas and break-out or lounge spaces. Finally, a fast favourite for memorable occasions and high-powered meetings, the 200- square metre Star Room on Level 26 is the highest function room in Xiamen and offers panoramic city and sea views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Wedding couples may also enjoy direct access from the Honeymoon Suite to the Star Room.

Xiamen is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, so it is only right that you venture out to experience the beautiful city and stunning coastline. A short taxi ride away from Langham Place, Xiamen is Gulangyu Ferry Terminal for the short crossing to Gulangyu Island. Only electric buggies are permitted on the island, but it is easy to cover the entire landmass in a few hours. Once an international settlement, Gulangyu is still home to Victorian style architecture and is awash with food stands and tourist trinkets. Take a leisurely walk around the town or paddle in the water on the beach, you are guaranteed to have a good time.