Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles

A button popped off my clothing during the stay, and a staff member promptly brought me a needle and thread to fix it. That small kindness says a lot about the warm, thoughtful service we received throughout. Even when we tipped, the staff stayed gracious and polite, without making things feel transactional. The elegant, relaxing atmosphere made this a romantic five-star stay. This is the sort of hospitality I expect from a true five-star hotel, and I’d gladly return and recommend it to anyone after a refined, romantic experience.

The highlights were the excellent breakfast buffet, the heated pool that was great for the kids, and the housekeeping team, especially Fami. But several service problems made this a disappointing choice for a special girls’ weekend with my mom and daughter. We expected a five-star experience. I’d called ahead about EV charging and told the hotel I was traveling with my elderly mother, but we were given an upstairs room with no elevator access. Nobody asked about accessibility needs. One restaurant was closed, and dinner at the pool restaurant then took over 80 minutes. Staff said they were short-handed, but it didn’t feel like a luxury hotel. The EV charging issue was the biggest frustration. I asked about it before deciding to drive our EV, checked again at arrival, and confirmed at checkout. After we left, I found the car hadn’t been charged, so I had to change plans to find and chathr. I drove back, and Valet then told me charging wasn’t guaranteed. If I’d known that earlier, I could have planned around it. There were smaller misses too. I was told there were no scavenger hunt prizes left for my daughter, but after I asked around, the concierge was able to find one right away. The property has good amenities, and some staff were excellent, but poor communication and follow-through shaped the stay.

The rooms may not have top-notch amenities, but the service certainly makes up for it. We had a fantastic 3 day weekend gateways at this beautiful hotel, and everyone we met was helpful and nice. Special thanks to the valet drivers, who greeted us warmly at every drop-off and pickup and made us feel welcome each time.

I wish there were some storage in the bathroom. Otherwise, I love staying at the Langham. The rooms are lovely, clean, and comfortable, the pool areas are pleasant, and the grounds and public spaces are beautiful. Restaurants are easy to get to, with plenty of good food options.