HotelChatter

Let's start with the decidedly modern 159 rooms and suites, and a bathroom that's so nice we wanted to show you its photo first. We love the cool pale marble and minimalist design, especially with the separate soaker tub and rain shower in the Junior Suite we toured. Like we expected a few months back, the grey stone from the façade comes right through to the suite’s interior and we can attest to the fact that soundproofing is excellent; we didn’t hear a peep of the hubbub of Piccadilly Circus outside.

While most floors boast high ceilings, we think the entry-level Mansard Rooms on the top floor, with their under-the-eaves coziness, are particularly charming. Six historic suites boast original features, like the blue relief of Napoleon you see in the gallery (a figure referenced throughout the hotel), and include the terraced Dome Suite on the roof.

The Domino Room

Stepping into the Grill & Domino Rooms is like stepping back in time to the days when Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, and Virginia Woolf frequented Café Royal. Both have been completely restored, and the Grill Room features particularly extravagant Louis XVI décor akin to the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.

Aside from these historic rooms, there is a range of public spaces, including all-day dining venue the Ten Room right when you step through the entrance off of Regent Street. One floor up, overlooking the Ten Room from its balcony position, is private members’ Café Royal Club. Those with a sweet-tooth should head to specialty cake and pastry outlet Café 1865. A bar and a number of private dining and function rooms are available as well.

We’ll have to wait until early next year for the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre, which will have a lap pool and four designated areas: spa/water, gym/fire, yoga/air, and organic bar/earth.

A celebratory opening offer, available until end of March next year, starts at £340 ($548) in a Portland Room and adds a chilled bottle of bubbly upon arrival, late check-out and VIP Regent Street card entitling you to concessions in participating stores. Guests in Junior Suites and above (starting from £580 ($934) also receive a complimentary three-course dinner for two and a bottle of house wine.

[Photos: Café Royal / JasonD/HotelChatter]