Leading European hospitality group Langham said it has signed an agreement with Advanced Hotels Company to manage a luxury urban hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Strategically located within the downtown core directly across a new shopping complex and with a 360-degree view of the city and Corniche, The Langham, Jeddah is expected to open in the summer of 2018.

As the wholly-owned subsidiary of Great Eagle Holdings, the group encompasses a family of 20 distinctive hotels under the Langham Hotels and Resorts, Cordis and Eaton brands with more than 30 projects currently either confirmed or in a developed stage of negotiation from Asia, Europe and North America to the Middle East, said a statement from Langham.

The group takes its name from the legendary Langham in London which was widely recognized as Europe's first Grand Hotel, it stated.

“We are delighted to introduce the Langham brand to Jeddah as we have been searching for the ideal location in the Kingdom to add to our portfolio,” remarked CEO Robert Warman.

“The creative design of the hotel’s façade and interiors along with the luxury facilities of The Langham, Jeddah, underlined by our legendary award-winning service, will provide an exceptional destination for our guests,” he stated.

Led by David T’Kint and his team at the Dubai office of the multiple award-winning interior design firm HBA, The Langham, Jeddah will feature classic yet elegantly contemporary furnishings - a stylistic homage to the brand’s heritage as one of the premier grand hotels in Europe.

Each of the 238 well-appointed rooms and 39 suites is equipped with the Langham signature Blissful bed, motorized drapes and separate large format rain showers, remarked Warman.

"Guests who prefer to live the high life may choose to stay in the opulent two-bedroom Royal Suite spanning 295 sq m with separate sitting, dining and cooking areas that allow for private entertaining, he noted.

According to him, the Langham, Jeddah will offer some of the finest dining in the city. 

Headlining the multiple outlets will be a Mediterranean-inspired seafood restaurant with an open terrace; a high-end grill concept with a chef’s table and a dry-aged meat locker display; traditional afternoon tea at Palm Court; a specialty lounge featuring a cigar humidor and a specially designated, air-conditioned smoking room; and the all-day dining restaurant featuring international cuisine and which may accommodate 138 guests.

Mohammed Yousef Al Hasan, the chairman and founder of Advanced Hotels Company, said: "We are proud to partner with Langham Hospitality Group to bring the impeccable service standards and unrivalled heritage from Europe’s first grand hotel to the city of Jeddah."

As the ideal setting for society weddings, high-level conferences, special social events and luxury product launches, The Langham, Jeddah will feature extensive banqueting and meeting space totaling in excess of 3,500 sq m.

These will include a 480-seat grand ballroom that is linked by a private elevator to a 380-seat ballroom that is located directly above the former (both outfitted with private pre-function areas for added exclusivity) a variety of adaptable conference rooms with the latest in audio visual equipment, prayer rooms, and three dedicated bridal and groom suites, he added.-TradeArabia News Service