Toronto Star

A shimmering newcomer on the hotel scene

The Langham has opened its first address in Southeast Asia

- PATRICIA KAROUNOS SPECIAL TO THE STAR

When you walk into a Langham hotel, you can expect plenty of luxurious details and opportunit­ies to indulge. You’ll find both in spades at the company’s newest location, its first in Southeast Asia: the Langham, Jakarta, which just opened its doors in the Indonesian capital’s Sudirman central business district.

In the lobby, guests are greeted by a massive chandelier of 3,000 crystal butterflie­s. Created by the Czech lighting design company Lasvit, the intricate piece was inspired by Indonesian rainforest­s — which are full of the fluttering creatures — to set the mood at the 65-storey spot.

The grandeur continues in the hotel’s 223 guest rooms and suites (from $267), all of which feature marble-clad bathrooms, free-standing soaker tubs and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city. For a real splurge, check into the 3,617-square-foot Presidenti­al Suite, which includes access to a private elevator, a spacious outdoor terrace, and an inroom gym with an on-call personal trainer.

There’s no shortage of fine dining options, starting with Tom’s by Tom Aikens, led by the celebrated chef known for Michelin-starred spots like London’s Pied à Terre and Muse. The seasonal menu is a fusion of British and French styles, featuring dishes like bone marrow pie and 45-day Himalayans­alt-aged prime rib, cooked on a wood-fired grill.

Enjoy afternoon tea — a longtime Langham tradition — and bubbles at Alice, named after Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Or have a drink at the rooftop bar, Artesian (the concept originated at the Langham, London, where it’s been ranked one of the World’s 50 Best Bars).

Still to come is T’ang Court, an outpost of the three-Michelinst­arred restaurant at the Langham, Hong Kong; it will serve up Cantonese-style dishes, such as baked seafood rice with cream sauce in crab shell, starting next year.

Up on the hotel’s 59th floor is the Langham Club, a private lounge with panoramic views, a cosy writer’s corner, a reading library and personal butler service.

For quiet R&R, take a dip in the 16-metre heated indoor swimming pool on the 63rd floor (the city’s highest indoor infinity pool), or visit the Chuan Spa, which offers rejuvenati­ng treatments, such as gua sha facials, inspired by traditiona­l Chinese medicine.

 ?? THE LANGHAM JAKARTA PHOTOS ?? Enjoy afternoon tea — a longtime Langham tradition — and bubbles at Alice, named after Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
THE LANGHAM JAKARTA PHOTOS Enjoy afternoon tea — a longtime Langham tradition — and bubbles at Alice, named after Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
 ?? ?? The hotel’s lobby features a shimmering chandelier made with 3,000 crystal butterflie­s.
The hotel’s lobby features a shimmering chandelier made with 3,000 crystal butterflie­s.
 ?? ?? A soak in the Executive Cityscape room comes with a stunning view over the city.
A soak in the Executive Cityscape room comes with a stunning view over the city.
 ?? ?? Enjoy all-day refreshmen­ts at the Langham Club’s lounge on the 59th floor.
Enjoy all-day refreshmen­ts at the Langham Club’s lounge on the 59th floor.
 ?? ?? The cosy, modern living room of the one-bedroom suite.
The cosy, modern living room of the one-bedroom suite.

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