THE HOTEL
With 169 hotel rooms and 170 residences, The Langham, Gold Coast occupies three ‘towers’, offering a variety of rooms and suites overlooking either the Pacific Ocean or inland to the region’s hinterland. Its modern skyscraper appearance from the outside combines with a relaxed style and elegance on the inside.
THE BACKGROUND
Situated between Surfers Paradise and Broad beach, this major development opened in November 2022 as one of several properties transforming the Gold Coast skyline – but as the first new beachfront luxury hotel to arrive in one of Australia’s popular holiday centres in more than 30 years. It is conveniently located between Brisbane International Airport – about an hour’s drive – and the Gold Coast airport (30 minutes).
THE CHECK-IN
I arrived early on a quiet Friday morning and was greeted at the revolving door that was the entrance to the hotel. I the only guest in an expansive cool and airy lobbyand was dealt with swiftly, with a smile and plenty of chitchat. I was handed a map of the property and walked to the futuristic elevators. The lobby features a UK phone booth – painted baby pink and dressed with flowers.
THE ROOM
My Superior room on the ninth floor didn’t benefit from those glorious views of the ocean but was spacious and very comfortable. Features included a king-size Langham Blissful Bed (very comfortable) with soft-down pillows and duvet, a work desk and a Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee pod machine.
I had fun trying to master the motorised sheer and block out curtains, which seemed to have a mind of their own, opening and closing at random times. The oversized walk-in marble bathroom featured a separate oval-shaped bathtub and rain shower and Parisian brand Diptyque toiletries. There was a balcony with a couple of chairs. The complimentary water in my room came in a recyclable stainless steel bottle.
THE FACILITIES
Tang Court is a fine-dining restaurant offering Cantonese cuisine. More casual is Akola, which served up one of the best and most extensive buffet breakfast I have seen anywhere, with separate Western and Asian dishes and two chefs manning an omelette station. Outside tables offered views of the ocean and passing joggers and dog walkers. It also serves lunch and dinner. The lobby bar was busy each time I walked past and felt understaffed the evening I walked in. Drink prices were reasonable for a five-star hotel, although oddly Australian wines were anent and they had “run out” of sparkling wine.
Guests have access to a Spa, Health Club and Wellness Centre featuring a pool. There is also a swimming pool outside, and with the beach boardwalk, jogging path and sparkling ocean just one step away from the hotel there are no shortage of options to exercise.
THE BUSINESS
The hotel is hoping to establish itself as the ‘go-to property’ for anyone with a business meeting in the Gold Coast area. It offers 10 ‘breakout rooms’ of various sizes for meetings, another 11′ event venues and lots of lobby and restaurant ‘enclaves’. There is superfast Broadband throughout the hotel and free parking on site.
THE VERDICT
This is a hotel that pulls off the not-so-easy trick of combining luxurious sophistication with a cool coastal vibe. Unsurprisingly, the hotel felt sparkling new and fresh, but also discrete. The customer service was mostly excellent.
THE DETAILS
Superior room rates start from around $600 (about £300). 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise, Queensland 4217, Australia. langhamhotels.com
