HotelChatter

There will be 104 rooms and 55 suites in total; with the pictures of a Junior Suite show a very restrained aesthetic, almost a little sparse, with mainly straight lines. We’re surprised to see what looks like the exposed grey brick of the façade coming clean through in the room, and not a painting or wall treatment in sight. We hope that there’s been investment in some triple-glazing and black-out curtains to keep the constant buzz and neon-light of Piccadilly Circus away when desired. Bathrooms continue the understated design, with pale white/grey marble throughout.

Chef Andrew Turner will overlook fine dining in the famous Grill and Domino rooms, with modern European cuisine in The Ten Room Lounge. There is also reference to a Private Members Club, but whether that is just by title or indeed members-only we will have to see. Like the future Firmdale next door, there will be a Screening Room on-site.

The Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre will offer an indoor pool, gym, spa, as well as yoga and meditation studios. The spa not only has a public hammam, but even a wet treatment room with its own private hammam.

Browsing around the reservation system, we saw only two regular room types: Portland and Mansard rooms. Both appear at £360 ($565) for a Saturday night early December, with Mansard rooms being on the 6th and 7th floors and 36m2 versus 37m2 for Portland rooms. Rates include a welcome seasonal fruit platter, free Wifi, a newspaper, and mineral water, but exclude another 20% in VAT. For the same rate, an opening offer throws in a bottle of champagne, concessions at Regent Street stores, and a late check-out.

No less than ten types of suite start at 52m2 for a Junior Suite, all the way through to the 212m2 Empire Suite, which will set you back £4,020 ($6,311). Special opening offers for suites include the same amenities as the rooms, but throw in dinner for two with a bottle of house wine.

[Images: Café Royal Hotel]