Pasadena’s stunning Langham Huntington Hotel is nestled against the stunning San Gabriel Mountains and is like stepping into another world, a world of grace and cultivated hospitality, reminiscent of another era. This is the ideal escape from life’s stress, a true expression of thee grandeur of a bygone time on 23 acres of lush gardens, with historic ballrooms and spacious guest rooms.

Greeted with a cool glass of watermelon water, you enter a cool marble lobby with its gleaming chandelier and old master paintings, and know instantly you’ve arrived. If classic luxury amidst California’s natural beauty is appealing, this is the place. Our room was large and elegantly decorated, furnished with good taste, so rare today. Furniture was handcrafted of fine woods and the textiles were richly woven. Mercifully, the art on the walls was first class. Suites and cottages are also designed to reflect the grace and beauty of classic Southern California. All accommodations have expansive views of the surrounding landscape and nearby mountains. Every one is a quiet haven and an escape from bustling city life. We especially appreciated the considerate box in the bathroom filled with toothpaste, toothbrushes and shaving kit.

Dining is a treat: exquisite cuisine is served in extraordinary settings, from a modern steakhouse to an upscale California-style bistro, to classic afternoon tea and an artisanal cocktail bar. We reveled in the quality of The Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse with stunning views of the lush hotel gardens and extraordinarily prepared dishes. Here we savored tender and juicy USDA Prime Cuts, Australian Wagyu steaks, and Japanese Kobe Beef, all expertly grilled over an open wood fire with White Oak and seasonal woods to sear in maximum flavor. We could have eaten at The Tap Room, a nod to history in the Prohibition era. The Tap Room is a stylish space with a mixture of classic wood-paneled walls and contemporary furnishings. Enjoy an array of handmade cocktails, artisanal wines, as well as craft beers on tap. For those looking for light bites, the bar also serves traditional bar favorites with an upscale twist. Or there’s The Terrace where one can sip, savour, and enjoy casual all-day dining. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, The Terrace offers a California-bistro style menu using only fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. With views of the Picture Bridge and pool, it is the perfect setting for a business lunch or relaxing dinner.

The new Chuan Spa, a haven of wellness and transformation, features 12 treatment rooms including a couple’s suite and VIP suite, locker facilities with showers, sauna, herbal steam and whirlpool, a fitness center and full service salon. The luxurious spa offers signature treatments inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and cutting-edge skin care technology, including HydraFacial MD®. Product lines including Kerstin Florian, iS Clinical, Turo and Spa Ritual have created custom services that can only be found at Chuan Spa. The Fitness Center offers TechnoGym equipment and scheduled classes including yoga, Tai Chi and both Mat/Reformer Pilates. We experienced unique treatments through the hotel’s exclusive collaboration with the world-renowned Tao of Wellness Pasadena acupuncture center, one of the oldest Traditional Chinese Medicine health centers in the U.S. Chuan Spa now offers authentic Chinese Medical services ranging from acupuncture and nutritional counseling to herbal therapy and meditation. Sadly, we did not have time to visit the pool or Japansese Garden but we heard guests raving about them.

A stay at The Langham is enhanced by the graceful attention of the ladies and gentlemen of the staff. We did not meet one who was not respectful and efficient, a real tribute to the management who seem totally committed to creating a graceful world, here far from the bruising reality of the outside world.

Elevate your stay if you’re there for two nights or more with a spacious Club Room or Suite and enjoy access to The Langham Club Lounge, inclusive of a sumptuous daily breakfast, basic high-speed Internet access, VIP welcome amenity and more including an exclusive hotel credit of $50 per room, per night, which can be used for a variety of dining options, spa treatments, shopping and other privileges.

This Club Lounge is a comfortable as any fine London club, decorated with handsome polished antiques and serving something very good from breakfast to cordials with light snacks, cream tea (their scones with clotted cream and jams were first class) and hors d’oeuvres in between. The Langham Huntington, 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 568-3900, http://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/pasadena