On June 10, 2008, The Langham hotels around the world will pay homage to a quintessentially British institution - the afternoon tea - by turning back the clocks to 1865. On the anniversary of the original opening of Europe's first grand hotel, all Langhams will serve afternoon tea for 1 shilling 6 pence.

Noble History

The luxurious ritual of Afternoon Tea was created in 1840 by Anna Russell, 7th Duchess of Bedford, who served it to ward off hunger pangs in the long hours between lunch and dinner. Soon, her personal indulgence grew into an experience to be shared with her friends. As hostesses started to host afternoon tea events, a timeless luxury institution was born.

The Langham, London Serves Up World First

Acknowledged as one of the most elegant and sophisticated of dining occasions, the first afternoon tea at The Langham, London, was served in the Salle À Manger, or general dining room for Ladies and Gentlemen for the princely sum of 1 shilling 6 pence. This translates into 15 US cents, 7 English pence and just over 1 Hong Kong dollar.

Billed as Teas, Plain - the first afternoon tea simply consisted of simple but dainty items including cakes, sweets, bread and butter and, of course, tea. The Langham, London, which was opened by the leading royal of the day, the Prince of Wales, was also the largest hotel in the city. In 1865, it boasted the latest innovations of Victorian England and one which had the correspondents of the day waxing lyrical about the luxuries of the hotel.
Authentic Experience Today, The Langham offers enchanting hospitality in Auckland, Boston, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne and now Pasadena. As the first proponent of Afternoon Tea in a luxury European hotel, The Langham continues to offer an authentic afternoon tea that is as much about the stately ritual as the luxurious dining experience.

Brett Butcher, Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing for Langham Hotels International said: "In a world where we focus on coffee with heads buried into wi-fi connected laptops, The Langham is taking a step back in time to captivate the senses, restore the art of conversation and indulge in a timeless tradition which is about friends coming together for a genteel afternoon ritual."

Background Notes:

About Langham Hotels International

Langham has a legendary hotel heritage dating back to 1865 when The Langham in London originally opened as Europe's first Grand Hotel. Over 140 years, this flagship hotel has been at the forefront of sophisticated and gracious hospitality. Today, all Langham Hotels worldwide inherit the same philosophy that reflects elegance in design, innovation in hospitality, genuine service and captivation of the senses creating a truly unique hotel experience.

The group is presently pursuing an aggressive portfolio growth strategy using its two distinctive brands - The Langham and Langham Place.

Langham Place, the fun sibling of The Langham, is the epitome of stimulating and artistic hospitality. Two Langham Places are open - Hong Kong and Koh Lanta, Thailand. Three new Langham Places are scheduled to open in 2008/9 in Beijing (2) and Changchun.

Six hotels on four continents are branded The Langham where guests can enjoy timelessly elegant service. Be enchanted by our innovation and traditions in Auckland, Boston, Hong Kong, London, Melbourne and Pasadena. The Langham, Yangtze Boutique, Shanghai is due to open in 2008.

Langham Place, the fun sibling of The Langham, is the epitome of stimulating and artistic hospitality. Two Langham Places are open - Hong Kong and Koh Lanta, Thailand. Three new Langham Places are scheduled to open in 2008/9 in Beijing (2) and Changchun.

Langham Hotels International is a wholly-owned company of Great Eagle Holdings (Stock Code: 0041) which was founded in 1963 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1972.

Reservations for Langham hotels can be made by logging onto langhamhotels.com.

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