Langham Hospitality Group plans to launch two new hotel brands in London

The Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) is looking to expand its presence in London through the introduction of two new hotel brands.

Simon Manning, vice-president, sales and marketing of LHG, said he hopes to announce "sometime this year" the development of hotels under its Langham Place and Eaton brands. The two brands would join the group's flagship hotel The Langham London, located on Regent Street opposite the BBC.

The expansion of LHG is part of a wider commitment to grow its current portfolio of 22 hotels, with 8,000 bedrooms, to more than 100 worldwide within the next five years.

Manning explained that although the headquarters of LHG, which is owned and funded by Great Eagle Holdings, is in Hong Kong, the central ethos of its core Langham brand is the grand European style.

"The grandeur of the Langham brand is complimented by the more contemporary and minimal, but equally luxurious, Langham Place brand. While the Eaton brand sits below Langham and Langham Place, as a trendy, lifestyle offer."

LHG owns 14 of its 22 hotels, with 13 properties in Asia, five in North America, three in Australia and New Zealand, alongside the 380-bedroom Langham London. Growth will be through both acquisitions and management contracts.

Next year will be the 150th anniversary of the building, occupied by the 380-bedroom Langham London, being launched as a hotel. The property has not been used continuously as a hotel since 1865. After being bombed during World War Two it was bought by the BBC in 1965, before being sold 21 years later to the Ladbroke Group who re-opened the building as the Langham Hilton in 1991. It was later sold to LHG.

To mark the anniversary, the Langham London will spend £25m on launching a second major suite called the Sterling Suite, to sit alongside its top Infinity Suite, and create the Langham Club Lounge, which will incorporate a bar, dining area and concierge service for up to 100 premium club bedrooms.