Classy, Charming, and the Perfect Pasadena Getaway
Image Credit: filminglangham.com
Father of the Bride, a great 90’s movie starring Steven Martin and Diane Keaton, depressingly seems to have become more outdated as the children of the 90’s grow up and Gen Z sticks to streaming services and Netflix docu series. For those of us that do know the classic, you may or may not know that the house filmed in the movie is located in South Pasadena, on the gorgeous tree lined streets filled with houses just like theirs. It’s a privileged area to say the least, but when you’re in need of slow long drive in a pretty area, it’s most definitely your place. And the perfect place to end your drive for cocktail hour on the patio? The Langham Hotel.
Nestled in the winding residential roads of South Pasadena is the historic Langham Hotel. A private 300 room hotel, sitting on 23 acres of gorgeous rolling green land, may be too expensive to stay for the night, but perfect for stopping in for a drink. I’d like to say I found it before everyone else did, as I’ve been going for years now. The newly built parking gates near the spa where our secret *free parking lot was shows us that the story got out on how gorgeous and restful a drink at the Langham. I wish I could tell you there is better parking options but the only way to get in now is $10 valet. Such is life in LA.
A pristine lobby greets you as you enter through the hotel front doors, into a courtyard centered around a beautiful garden. Through another set of doors and around a couple corners (There are signs, don't worry. But also getting lost wouldn't be the worst thing. The whole hotel is stunning!) The spot you are trying to get to is The Tap Room. Inside, the bar looks like your grandfather's library and smoking room. Dimly lit, fireplaces, darker oak and leather tufted chairs welcome you into this classy watering hole. Just outside the bar a small patio with long couch/bench seating around small tables accommodates for larger groups of 6 to 8. Overlooking the long sprawling lawns, all you can see is green as far as the eye can see. In addition to The Tap Room, the Lobby Lounge, located in the room next to it, offers a decadent afternoon tea service in nothing less than a royal palace looking room.