Langham Hotel, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London, W18 1JA. Tel: 44 (0) 20 7636 1000; fax: 44 (0) 20 7323 2340; website: www.langhamhotels.com

T he Langham is perfectly placed for shopping sprees in the West End. The price reflects its five-star status, though, and is not a cheap option.

We stayed in one of the club rooms, which meant we could use two exclusive club lounges which served complimentary breakfast, snacks and drinks throughout the day, unlimited cocktails and canapés in the evening, and included a "complimentary pressing of one item".

The Langham is in the process of being refurbished. The first phase saw the opening of Artesian, the chic and glamorous bar, and a stylish new restaurant, The Landau. The hotel lobby, Palm Court, the Ballroom, all private function rooms, plus about 260 guest rooms, were closed but are due to reopen after a total transformation early in the new year.

How do you get there? It is a 10-minute taxi ride from Paddington station. It is located off Regent Street so is also easily accessible by Tube or bus.

First impressions: The Langham is a very grand hotel, with a smartly dressed concierge on duty at the doors. It looks the business.

What are the rooms like? Big and beautiful with everything you would expect taken care of. The bed was huge and extremely comfortable. The en-suite bathrooms had high-quality fittings, and everything was clean and tidy.

What else can you do? The hotel has a health and fitness club, with a swimming pool, steam rooms, sauna and state-of-the-art gym.

What's on the menu? We chose to eat out both nights, but the full English breakfast, served with hot drinks and juices, was one of the best I have tasted. There is also a choice of cereals, porridge, fruit, yogurts and a healthy option cooked breakfast. The Landau restaurant has a contemporary European menu with the best British ingredients. It's open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner and private dining.

What else is there to see and do in the area? There are eight multiplex cinemas, 18 independent cinemas, 17 Michelin star restaurants, 40 world-renowned theatres and 30 art galleries and museums plus seven green spaces all within walking distance of the West End.

Any gripes? All the hotel bars were closed by 12.30am on Saturday night.

How much does it cost? Rooms start at £245 per night.

The verdict: The Langham Hotel is a very classy luxury hotel that offers the finer things in life. A stay there is very relaxing and makes you feel special and pampered. If you have the money and don't mind spending it on a night's stay, you won't be disappointed.

SP-W