The Langham, Melbourne switches off for Earth Hour

Melbourne, 28 March 2012 - The Langham, Melbourne will officially support Earth Hour 2012 by joining an estimated one billion people in cities around the world in providing a visual mandate for change at 8.30pm on Saturday 31 March. Lights in the hotel’s public areas including the ceiling chandeliers and fountain lights in the hotel’s iconic foyer will be dimmed or switched off – replaced by the soft glow of environmentally-friendly beeswax candles.

Guests will also be invited to participate in the globally significant day with an in-room letter from the hotel encouraging them to turn off all non-essential lights and electrical appliances for the one hour.

Melba Restaurant, with its sweeping views of Melbourne’s skyline, will provide the best vantage point of the city during Earth Hour, as the city turns off its lights for the occasion.

Langham hotels have been involved in Earth Hour since 2008, with Mr. Ben Sington, The Langham, Melbourne’s Managing Director proud of the hotel’s ongoing commitment to raising environmental awareness and sustainability.

“The hotel industry has the ability to make a big impact on environmental awareness by implementing green initiatives into their operations. The Langham, Melbourne is already a leader in green environmental standards, but Earth Hour allows us to take this one step further and showcase our commitment to the cause. It is also an excellent platform to remind our guests of the simple steps they can take in supporting environmental sustainability in their everyday lives,” Mr Sington added.

The Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has a companywide environmental policy that is constantly being refined to increase sustainability efforts. Each Langham hotel has a 'Green Team' among its staff, responsible for implementing programs to assist with energy reduction, recycling waste and reducing water consumption.

Earth Hour 2012 will be held between 8:30pm and 9:30pm on 31st March 2012.

For further information, visit www.earthhour.org

For more information on The Langham, Melbourne, visit melbourne.langhamhotels.com.au

Background Notes:
Situated in the riverside arts and culture precinct of Southbank and offering stunning views of the Melbourne city skyline, the Yarra River and Federation Square, The Langham, Melbourne offers a luxurious and timeless inner-city experience.

The 25-floor hotel has 387 luxuriously appointed rooms including 45 executive club rooms, 46 river view rooms, 11 suites and seven Terrace Rooms with expansive 50m2 private balconies, attended to by the hotel’s signature Service Stylists. Famed for their legendary ‘service with poise’ and enchanting hospitality, the Service Stylists are there to fulfill guests’ every need.

The Langham, Melbourne was voted the top hotel in Melbourne in the region of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in Travel & Leisure USA World’s 500 Best Hotels List (2010, 2011) and the top hotel in Australia in Travel & Leisure USA World’s 500 Best Hotels List, 2012. The hotel is also on Travel & Leisure USA’s World’s Best Awards List (2011), and is placed amongst the Top 20 Hotels in the Oceania region in the Condé Nast Traveler US Readers Choice Awards 2010.

The hotel’s chic Aria Bar & Lounge and interactive Melba restaurant offer guests exciting and sophisticated dining options, including a buffet with live cooking stations, as well as elegant and indulgent Afternoon Teas. Extensive function spaces for special occasions, weddings and corporate conferences are offered by the hotel and the five-star property is home to the highly acclaimed, luxury Chuan Spa. Chuan Spa was voted Favourite Hotel Spa: Australasia & the South Pacific at the Conde Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Spa Awards 2011 and offers treatments founded on Traditional Chinese Medicine and adjoins the sun terrace, pool and hotel’s Health Club.

Find out more about enchanting experiences at The Langham, Melbourne and make a reservation by visiting langhamhotels.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Caryn Ng Tel: (03) 9836 2167 ext 6 Mobile : 0488 664 857 Email: caryn@mediamoguls.com.au