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The Langham, Sydney: Traveler Reviews

5.0 of 5
89 - 113 Kent Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia (Formerly The Observatory Hotel )
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The Langham, Sydney
Ranked #9 of 189 hotels in Sydney
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770 reviews from our community

Traveler rating
    556
    125
    44
    17
    28
See reviews for
Families
84
 
Couples
435
 
Solo
41
 
Business
115
 
Rating summary
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
195 reviews 195 reviews
23 hotel reviews
Reviews in 53 cities Reviews in 53 cities
114 helpful votes 114 helpful votes
“Well placed, very comfortable but a few let downs.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 26, 2012

We have stayed here under previous management but not much has changed. The position is excellent for The Rocks and Circular Quay and the CBD. The room was large, comfortable and had all the amenities we would want. We even had free wifi though reception said there would be a charge. The bathroom is also large and well fitted out in marble. Water pressure is, however, so low we did not have the time to fill the bath.
The public areas are really well decorated and art works - both original and in fine quality historic prints - are excellent with even a few Sidney Nolans (though not his best) in the main long lobby lounge. The drawing room is also comfortable though it was used for meetings at least once during our stay.
On the whole the room was well serviced though on one day not cleaned until 4pm even after we requested it be made up. The pool is large and pleasant though the male changing room with its over 100 wee box lockers is too small and crowded with only two changing in it. And it could be kept cleaner with all three floor mats dirty. A blood stained cover to the locker room bench was off-putting.
Concierge varied from attentive helpful and friendly to, mostly, indifferent. So a lovely comfortable hotel that needs to tighten up on staff and a little in house keeping.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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See 7 more reviews by Kirkcaldylad for Sydney
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sonia L, General Manager at The Langham, Sydney, responded to this review
November 30, 2012
Dear valued guest,

Thank you so much for taking time to write a review of your recent stay at The Langham, Sydney. Guest feedback both positive and negative is extremely important and on this occasion provides management with an opportunity to address areas of concern and make improvements.

I appreciate the feedback you have provided. We do have very high standards for both customer service and our overall guest experience and I am disappointed to hear that your experience did not meet your expectation. I have discussed your comments with the team and we have put measures in place to ensure we do not receive similar feedback in the future.

I do hope we can welcome you again to The Langham, Sydney.


Have a delightful day.


Kind Regards,
Sonia Lefevre
General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Top Contributor
167 reviews 167 reviews
63 hotel reviews
Reviews in 55 cities Reviews in 55 cities
69 helpful votes 69 helpful votes
“Old World Elegance and Charm”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 26, 2012

This is a beautiful hotel with old world charm and service.
Recently renovated, everything is new, elegant and beautiful.
The breakfast menu is excellent and the food tasty.
The rooms are large and the bathroom huge with a massive bath. I could not find any cosmetic pack in the bathroom with the usual toothbrush and bathroom kit found at the other Langham hotels.
If you are a 1865 member, don't expect an upgrade. This hotel is so fully booked that faithful 1865 members will go to the back of the line and hardly ever will get an upgrade.
Standard rooms overlook a busy road...
The location is a bit far out, with a fair walk to the rocks and a long walk to Darling Harbour.
If you are looking for a central location, you will find this a little out of the way, but worth a visit.
The gym and pool are excellent although no natural sunlight as it is in the basement.

Room Tip: Try to get a room overlooking the water, mine overlooked a busy road.
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  • Stayed November 2012, traveled on business
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sonia L, General Manager at The Langham, Sydney, responded to this review
November 28, 2012
Dear valued guest,

Thank you so much for taking time to write a review of your recent stay at The Langham, Sydney. Guest feedback both positive and negative is extremely important and on this occasion provides management with an opportunity to address areas of concern and make improvements.

In relation to the bathroom amenities, I do apologise you could not find these during your stay. All Langham amenities can be found behind the mirror in the bathroom. Should you require any further items, our Concierge team would be delighted to assist with any requests.

As a valued 1865 member, I am disappointed to hear that we were unable to upgrade you for your stay. Traditionally November is a very busy month in the hotel and we do try our best to upgrade our members.

I look forward to welcoming you back on your next stay in Sydney.

Have a delightful day and best regards,

Sonia Lefevre
General Manager
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New York City, New York
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Elegance and convenience”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 24, 2012

Formerly the Observatory Hotel we booked at a low rate (~$315-340 US) ahead of time based largely on reviews from this site.. The concierge Ryan was completely knowledgable and couldn't have been been more helpful with transportation, reservations, and advice on what parts of Sydney to avoid (yes, even Sydney has a red light district). The major attraction of this venue is the hotel pool, which seems magical. Location is perfect, especially if you are leaving on a cruise as the hotel is minutes from the piers. The rooms were huge, and if you are willing to go for a low floor and no view, this was for us the best five star deal in town.

Room Tip: Rooms to the east have a view of Kent street, but it is a very quiet part of town.
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  • Stayed November 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by KenAndEmNY for Sydney
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sonia L, General Manager at The Langham, Sydney, responded to this review
November 26, 2012
Dear valued guest,

Thank you for reviewing your recent stay at The Langham, Sydney. We are delighted to read your comments and will be sure to share these with Ryan and our other colleagues.

We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to Sydney.

Wishing you a delightful day,
Sonia Lefevre
General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kurrajong
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
“most beautiful hotel in Sydney”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 22, 2012

Having stayed at most of them, the Langham is far and away the superior hotel. Beautiful furniture, paintings decor, design and space, luxury embedded. Also the most lovely pool and health facilities. Helpful charming staff. Perfection.

  • Stayed November 2012, traveled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Review collected in partnership with Langham Hotels

Ask Minnie B about The Langham, Sydney
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sonia L, General Manager at The Langham, Sydney, responded to this review
November 23, 2012
Dear valued guest,

Thank you for taking the time to review your recent stay at The Langham, Sydney. We were delighted to read your positive comments about your experience with us.

At Langham, we pride ourselves on knowing our guests and building great memories. It is wonderful to hear that you leave with your own special memories.

We hope that you are an 1865 loyalty program member and will benefit from the many great advantages this program offers for your next stay at any Langham hotel worldwide.

Have a delightful day and best regards,

Sonia Lefevre
General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Melbourne, Australia
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“It is pretty good!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 21, 2012 via mobile

I must say the Langham (formerly Observatory) Hotel is a little out of my league but I got a good deal so was happy to try it.
The rooms are spacious and very well appointed. The staff were very good. Actually they were quite impressive. Breakfast was fine. Everything in the room worked, was good quality and well serviced and appointed.
The hotel is still beyond my price bracket but if I got a good deal again, I would return without hesitation.
Being price conscious, I warn you not to derive comfort from their best price guarantee - my experience was other websites offer their rooms much cheaper than they do and it takes convincing to get them to honour their own guarantee policy, but ultimately that's a small quibble. Once I got to the hotel, it was very hard to fault.

  • Stayed November 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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See 2 more reviews by Imqaretman for Sydney
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sonia L, General Manager at The Langham, Sydney, responded to this review
November 23, 2012
Dear valued guest,

Thank you for reviewing your recent stay at The Langham, Sydney. We are delighted to read your comments and will be sure to share these with our colleagues.

We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to Sydney.

Wishing you a delightful day,
Sonia Lefevre
General Manager
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Additional Information about The Langham, Sydney

Also Known As:
Observatory Hotel Sydney
Address: 89 - 113 Kent Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia (Formerly The Observatory Hotel )
Phone Number:
Region: Australia > New South Wales > Sydney
Amenities:
Business Center Fitness Center Pets Allowed Restaurant Room Service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
#1 Romantic Hotels in Sydney
#7 Family Hotels in Sydney
#8 Business Hotels in Sydney
#8 Luxury Hotels in Sydney
Price Range: $$$
Hotel Class:5 star (5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
In the heart of Sydney, experience Australia’s most awarded Hotel, where boutique luxury is assured and personalised service unsurpassed. The Observatory Hotel is the ideal base from which to work and explore Sydney Australia's most vibrant city. Superbly located near Sydney's historic Rocks and central business district, nestled near the vibrant harbour and the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, this is an enviable location close to the bustling heart of the city. ... more   less 
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The Langham, Sydney
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