The Langham Huntington, Pasadena Is A Welcome Respite From The World

There’s something about The Langham Huntington, Pasadena that makes you feel like you’re coming home even if you’re visiting for the first time. Maybe it’s the warm welcome from the valet when you pull up. Maybe it’s the way the attendants in the Langham Club remember your name and your food preferences. Maybe it’s the thoughtful details in your room.

Any of these by themselves would be enough for a solid recommendation but The Langham Huntington is all of these and so much more. A Forbes Four-Star resort, it’s been holding court on 23 beautiful acres of Southern California for more than a century and is an active and beloved member of the Pasadena community.

My husband and I fell in love with the hotel years ago so when he was recently asked to do a poetry reading in Malibu, we immediately booked a couple of nights. It was in the middle of a stressful November and we felt that we needed to hunker down somewhere where we knew we’d be well taken care of, we’d be surrounded by art and nature and could just practice a little self-care. The Langham may only be an hour from Malibu but it feels a million miles away from the bustle of Los Angeles and the craziness of the world. It was exactly what we needed.

In February 2025, the resort will begin an extensive renovation that will encompass redesigned interiors of all 362 guest rooms and suites, enhanced outdoor spaces and innovative new dining concepts. We can’t wait to see the result but know we’ll be back sooner because it was so rejuvenating.

Whether you’re looking for some holiday cheer or everyday luxury, here’s why you should consider planning a stay at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena.

Rooms and Suites at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

As New Yorkers, we can’t help comparing The Langham to an historic Park Avenue apartment building. Fine art casually adorns the hallway walls and there’s a quiet grandeur to the atmosphere although there’s not even a touch of stuffiness. Luxury is naturally built into everything and there’s nothing pretentious or ostentatious about any of it. It’s all about comfort.

Because all Executive Rooms and Suites include access to the amazing Langham Club – probably our favorite lounge in any hotel – we booked an Executive Room overlooking the Horseshoe Garden. The room itself was light and airy and I loved that there were books on the table, complimentary bottles of water and a fridge that came in handy for the Diet Cokes we brought back from the Langham Club.

The resort offers a variety of lovely accommodations, including a collection of eight private cottages, like the Ford Cottage named after frequent guest President Gerald Ford. The piece de resistance, though – which I’ve got my eye on for a special occasion stay – is the Tournament of Roses Suite. The two-story penthouse features a baby grand piano, two Italian marble bathrooms with hot tubs and panoramic views. It’s why the word “wow” was invented.

The Langham Club at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

I adore hotel lounges and I don’t think there are any that beat The Langham Club. In fact, it’s the reason my husband and I are thinking of returning to the hotel in January to spend a few days just reading and writing in luxury.

The Langham Club has a homey, intimate feel, with lots of sofas, tables and chairs inviting you to sit and relax with a little (or a lot of) something to eat. There’s food available almost all day and I’m talking a wide variety of excellent, restaurant-quality dishes. We were tempted to eat all our meals there because everything was so good.

We loved starting the day with breakfast in the Langham Club and ending the day with dessert there. I also appreciated the always-present giant glass jar filled with my favorite fun-sized chocolate bars and that we could always grab a water or soda.

Even better than the food – and that’s saying a lot – is the phenomenal staff. I have to give a big shout out to Eva, who, as we were heading out to my husband’s reading, quietly told him she was going to save him a couple of sandwiches for lunch. She remembered that he had asked her the day before if there were any sandwiches without mayonnaise and wanted him to know they’d be waiting in the back for him whenever we returned for lunch. He was blown away by her thoughtfulness.

Restaurants at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

The only reason we didn’t eat every meal in the Langham Club was because the hotel’s restaurants were too irresistible not to try. Each one was stellar in its own way.

The Royce Steakhouse

One of the best dinners we’ve had in a very long time, our Wagyu Ribeye at The Royce Steakhouse was absolutely cooked to perfection and made us moan in happiness. Accompanied by a Loaded Baked Potato and preceded by Thai Lobster Bisque, the whole meal was a feast for the senses. Adding to the experience was the well-designed restaurant itself, which made us feel like we were in our own private space by the window, and our wonderful servers, Sullivan and Sergio, who were so personable and knowledgeable. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, The Royce Steakhouse is a must-visit destination.

The Tap Room

The Tap Room is a historic and luxurious bar with a clubby feel. A popular hangout for the local community, with its live jazz and cozy outdoor patio, we decided to make a dinner out of their small bites menu. We had sliders and dumplings and pommes frites, oh my.

The Terrace

We had lunch here and almost – almost – didn’t have room for dinner because the portions were so generous. Overlooking the beautiful courtyard, The Terrace features soups, salads and sandwiches along with top-notch fish and chips and a totally unique Crispy Lollipop Kale starter. My corn chowder, a seasonal favorite, was rich enough to be a very satisfying meal.

The Lobby Lounge

Afternoon tea in The Lobby Lounge is a hotel tradition which you’ll definitely want to honor. The popular indulgence features tea, scones, finger sandwiches and pastries in a lovely setting. The Lobby Lounge was filled with friends, couples, moms and kids enjoying each other’s company along with yummy treats and beautiful views.

Chuan Spa at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

Like everything else at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Chuan Spa is a perfect blend of tradition and modern convenience. Here, treatments are inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine and carried out using the most cutting edge technology.

I had the OTO Balancing CBD Massage and it was heavenly. It’s designed to help you sleep better and I did sleep like a baby that night but, honestly, that could also have been because I was sated and content from our delicious dinner.

In addition to facials and massages, The Langham Huntington, Pasadena offers a variety of fitness classes, sound baths and the activity I am definitely coming back for – puppy yoga! Now, that’s what I call self-care.

Royce Pool at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

Last summer, the Langham introduced a brand new pool concept – and world class resort pool. The expansive Royce Pool, located near the tennis court at the far end of the property, is stunning, surrounded by cushy loungers and daybeds as well as palm trees and private cabanas that can be rented for the day.

To get there, you walk across the beautiful Picture Bridge – an artistic celebration of California that deserves some time to take in and appreciate. You’ll pass the Japanese Garden, where you’ll want to stop and take a selfie or two.

The Royce Pool joins the Lanai Pool, which was California’s first outdoor Olympic-size pool when it debuted in 1926. Almost a century later, it will be restored with a design celebrating the Golden Age of Hollywood — an appropriate theme for The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, a hotel that makes its guests feels like stars.