Introducing The Langham

SYDNEY HAS a new 5 star hotel-The Langham on Kent St in The Rocks. It's actually been there a few years as The Observatory Hotel run by the Orient Express people.

Sarah De Bono

The Shuttle has spent many a pleasant evening there for small shindigs. One for Sarah, Duchess of York and another for the Irish actor Gabriel Byrne who lived there while was he was filming Jindabyne . Keanu Reeves called it home for around six weeks and we once lunched with the late and wonderful British actress Susannah York in the hotel's Galilieo Restaurant.

Langhams are a name-in London and Hong Kong so we expect great things from them. They haven't changed much, just the name at present but it was always a wonderfully elegant old style hotel with superb service and that looks like it will continue. Certainly with their launch party last Wednesday, the future looks cosy. Sydney rock oysters and caviar, grilled duck and other such delicacies all washed down with great lashing of Laurent Perrier dispensed by an army of waiters bearing magnums of the stuff.
Megan Gale says she almost lives in The Langham whilst in Melbourne or London so we trust her word.

 One guest we were eager to meet was the gorgeous songbird Sarah De Bono who was such a success on The Voice. See her video below. Check out the unique staff uniforms :lovely pink Jackie Onassis, Chanel style suits with pearls .And full marks for the little gift as we departed, a bunch of lovely flowers.

HRH Prince William's cousin's new modelling career

Camilla Franks (centre)

Alesha Makim, daughter of Jane Ferguson and niece of the Duchess of York has established a new career as a model during the Rosemount Fashion shows at the Sydney Town Hall this week.

Jane Ferguson & daughter Heidi

Alesha Makim-William's cousin

At a special parade at the Paddington Inn as part of the Paddington Alive Festival, Alesha strutted the catwalk to show off some of Camilla Frank's wondrous caftans. Camilla has just opened in Paddington a few doors from the hotel and is one of Australia's low key fashion success stories with her caftan creations now available in 500 outlets throughout the world. 

Particular hot-spots : the South of France, the Mediterranean and the Greek Islands where hardly a luxury yacht or gin palace cruises by without a Camilla designer gown being sported by one of the well heeled ladies aboard. And she is opening her own boutique on The World, the ginormous luxury ocean liner.

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Hot news : As Paul Hogan's lawyers negotiate a deal with the Australian Tax Office that would allow him to return to LA,  various reports have surfaced about the bill the ATO has presented the Aussie larrikan-between $31 to $110 million dollars!