London is a city of illustrious contradictions. History meets modernity, opulence courts edge. And nowhere does this tension dance more gracefully than within the hallowed walls of Hotel Cafe Royal. Located at the confluence of Mayfair’s refined sophistication and Soho’s creative pulse, this regal retreat commands a rarefied corner of Regent Street that has borne witness to centuries of British glamour, wit, and grandeur.
Millennial Magazine had the distinguished privilege of experiencing this crown jewel of London hospitality, a destination that blends rich cultural heritage with exquisite contemporary luxuries.
Originally opened in 1865, Hotel Cafe Royal has evolved from an illustrious café and cultural haunt, once graced by the likes of Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, and Princess Diana, into a palatial five-star hotel that redefines contemporary elegance.
Officially launched as a hotel in 2012, it continues to serve as an elite destination for locals and travelers alike. This is not merely a place to stay; it is a curated lifestyle veiled in gold. And if you are fortunate enough to reside within its pinnacle offering, the Grand Regent Suite, you are not just a guest, but a monarch of momentary majesty.
The Grand Regent Suite: A Symphony of Space and Splendor
From the moment the door of the Grand Regent Suite swings open, the world recedes. The space feels less like a hotel suite and more like a stately home suspended above Piccadilly Circus. With 12-foot ceilings and three Juliette balconies revealing a panorama of Regent Street’s famed hustle and bustle (including, at the time of our stay, the street’s famed Christmas lights), the suite radiates a cinematic allure.
A sprawling salon fitted with a dining table for six whispers refinement. A kitchenette discreetly flanks the dining space, tucked into a hidden alcove. Two 65-inch televisions, one in the salon and one in the master bedroom, underscore the suite’s seamless blend of historic elegance and technological comfort.
But it is in the finer details that the suite exudes its aristocratic charms: a generous walk-in closet tucked just off the foyer, a guest powder room that discreetly complements the suite’s layout, and a sense of spatial drama that is both grand and intimate.
Yet, it is the bathroom that steals the show. This palatial sanctuary is entirely clad in marble, from the gleaming heated floors to the opulent walls and sleek countertops, enveloping you in a cocoon of elegance. A walk in rainforest shower sleekly jets off the side, while at the center, a freestanding marble bathtub, regal in scale and sculptural in presence, serves as the pièce de résistance.
Designed for two to luxuriate together, it invites romantic indulgence under soft candlelight.
When we arrived, we discovered a lavish welcome awaiting us. Veuve Clicquot on ice, a mountain of fresh fruit, a tiered dessert tower, a pistachio-chocolate medallion, and a personalized mirror greeting that set the tone for our stay.
Turn-down service, as it turns out, is no mere routine here. Returning from dinner, you may find your bathroom was taken over by rose petals artfully arranged around a pre-drawn bath, its water still warm and flickering under the glow of candlelight. This is not service, but seduction by hospitality.
Suite Life Elevated: A Suite Journey Experience
As part of its “A Suite Journey” program, Hotel Cafe Royal now includes an elite array of privileges for suite guests. Chauffeur-driven Rolls Royces, Bentleys, Range Rovers, and Mercedes vehicles await, available for up to 10 hours of personal use per day.
Day trips to the countryside, city meanderings, or even just some basic errands can all be done from the comfort of a private car. Fancy a self-drive spin through London in an Aston Martin DB11 or Ferrari 488? The hotel hands you the keys…that is, if you are staying in a Signature Suite.
Signature Suite guests are further indulged with butler service, luggage unpacking, pressing, champagne, and even a three-course dinner served en suite should they prefer. It is a gesture not just of generosity, but of genuine grandeur. All of this within a hotel that remains steps from theatreland, shopping promenades, and cultural landmarks.
Dining Under Gilded Glory: The Resplendent Cafe Royal Grill
If the Grand Regent Suite is a palace in the sky, the Cafe Royal Grill is its culinary throne room. Reopened in celebration of the hotel’s 160th anniversary, the restaurant now offers lunch and dinner in addition to its storied afternoon tea. The space is an ode to Versailles: mirrored walls, gilded moldings, and ceilings that appear brushed with sunlight.
Chef Kevin Gratton, a virtuoso of seasonality and provenance, leads the kitchen. Every dish at the Hotel Cafe Royal’s Cafe Royal Grill feels like an homage to time: both past and present.
We began our evening with the Apry and Capetown cocktails, which balanced botanical finesse with modern mixology, before the meal unfolded as a narrative.
A cloud-like cheese soufflé arrived first, airy and complex, paired with a surprisingly seductive dish of autumn greens: cabbage and spinach folded into a tangy mustard wine sauce that nearly stole the show.
The octopus, cooked with impeccable tenderness, offered a maritime interlude before the showstopping Côte de Boeuf appeared. Served on-the-bone and cooked to a carnal perfection, this dish was enhanced by golden French fries, a crisp garden salad, and a deep, peppery pour of Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Dessert, of course, remained delightfully rooted in British tradition. The sticky toffee pudding, served with crème fraîche, was a finale of sultry sweetness. Each bite was an echo of the Grill’s rich culinary lineage.
The Green Bar: A Literary and Liquid Tribute
Tucked just off the lobby, the Green Bar is no ordinary hotel lounge. Still proudly serving as one of the finest Absinthe Bars in London, it remains a haven for the bohemian crowd and the botanically curious.
Once frequented by literary giants like Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf, who famously wrote from these very quarters, this emerald enclave continues to pay homage to their genius. Green-hued accents wash the room in an elegant glow, a nod to the mythical muse of absinthe itself.
Though absinthe is the centerpiece, the Green Bar is a full-service cocktail haven with a masterfully curated menu that extends far beyond its signature spirit. It is a watering hole for the creatively inclined, the culturally curious, and those who appreciate a well-crafted drink steeped in history.
The Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Retreat: A Sanctuary Below the City
Hidden below the hotel’s polished stone surface lies Akasha, a 13,000-square-foot oasis dedicated to physical renewal and spiritual balance. At its center, a serene lap pool glistens in near-silence, flanked by curtained cabanas that evoke the languid luxury of a Mediterranean resort. It’s a signature centerpiece that draws both swimmers and loungers alike.
Equally impressive is the Finnish sauna, a half-barrel haven that comfortably fits up to 12 guests. With its multi-level benching, it radiates a warm, enveloping heat that encourages both stillness and social ease.
Nearby, the marble hammam impresses not only in its size but in its sheer opulence. Designed to accommodate multiple guests without sacrificing a sense of privacy, it exudes old-world grandeur with contemporary comfort.
Signature massages, steam rooms, and a Technogym-equipped fitness center complete the wellness suite. Like the rest of the hotel, Akasha is both a nod to ancient rituals and a leap into modern self-care. Here, tranquility isn’t merely promised, it’s masterfully delivered.
Hotel Cafe Royal: A Living Monument to Modern Luxury
Beyond the suites and spas lies a history rich with eccentric chapters. Post World War II, the current grand lobby once served as an actual boxing ring, a spirited space of camaraderie and combat. Today, the hotel is exploring ways to revive this chapter with new programming that fuses heritage with hospitality.
To mark the festive season, the hotel is transforming its halls with a Nutcracker-themed celebration, an elegant tribute to yuletide magic with refined decor, seasonal dining, and curated experiences for all ages.
Hotel Cafe Royal is more than a five-star hotel, it is a living monument to the golden eras of London, artfully reimagined for a discerning, design-conscious generation. The juxtaposition of restored historic grandeur with sleek contemporary refinement makes it singular even among the capital’s most prestigious properties.
Every element of the stay, whether the flame of a bath candle, the clink of a crystal flutes, or the echo of footsteps on heated marble, feels orchestrated to indulge. And perhaps that is what sets this property apart: the ability to anticipate not just needs, but desires.
FAQ
Where is Hotel Cafe Royal located?
The hotel sits prominently on Regent Street in central London, between Mayfair and Soho, within walking distance of the city’s top shopping and cultural attractions.
What amenities are offered in the Grand Regent Suite?
The Grand Regent Suite features a guest bathroom, salon with dining for six, three Juliette balconies, heated marble floors, a showcase marble bathtub, rain forest shower, kitchenette, walk-in closet, and two 65” TVs.
What dining options are available at Hotel Cafe Royal?
Guests can enjoy the Cafe Royal Grill, The Gallery, The Grill Room for afternoon tea, Cakes & Bubbles by Albert Adrià, and Alex Dilling’s two Michelin-starred experiences.
Does the hotel offer spa or wellness services?
Yes. Akasha Holistic Wellbeing offers a lap pool, gym, steam rooms, treatment rooms, and signature spa therapies.
What is the “A Suite Journey” program?
This exclusive suite guest offering includes personal chauffeur service (including Rolls Royce, Bentley, Range Rover, and Mercedes), butler service, champagne, garment pressing, and other high-touch amenities for guests in Junior Suites and above.
