At one of the United Kingdom’s most beloved addresses, elaborate fantasies come to life. In its 160 rooms and 49 suites, echoes its lustrous history spanning 154 years. It tells tales of the space that once housed an upscale restaurant frequented by literary giants such as Oscar Wilde and Virginia Wolf. It’s Hotel Café Royal, spread across three Grade II-listed historic buildings and sensitively restored between 2008 and 2012 by David Chipperfield Architects, who worked alongside restoration specialists Donald Insall Associates to sustain the property’s original charm.
Famed architect and interior designer Piero Lissoni is credited with redesigning the lobby space, which includes a grand entrance that has become the hotel’s pièce de résistance. A wondrous marriage of traditional decadence and modern amenities, the hotel’s centerpieces are its seven signature suites, Club Suite, Tudor Suite, Célestine Suite, Empire Suite, Dome Penthouse, Presidential Suite and Royal Suite, all akin to works of art. Each suite boasts sweeping views of the surrounding neighborhood; there’s Mayfair to the west, Soho to the east and St James to the south, so you’re staying just a stone’s throw from some of the swankiest lifestyle destinations in the city.
In addition to these sumptuous accommodations, the hotel comprises a string of restaurants, a meeting and events center, and a new-age urban retreat, Akasha Holistic Wellbeing, which features a gym, Watsu pool and private hammam. For a rejuvenating treat, guests can indulge in a range of signature treatments featuring luxe skincare brands Valmont and Aromatherapy Associates.
If you’re in the mood for exquisite fine dining, the Oscar Wilde Lounge, formerly known as the Grill Room, is worth a visit. Restored to its original Louis XVI décor, this celebrated dining space is the ideal spot for a delightful afternoon tea to satiate your palate. With its polished and urbane setting that’s quintessentially London, it’s hard to miss this historical gem with a modern twist.
Images Courtesy of Hotel Café Royal
