The Top Hotels in London: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards
"You wouldn’t suspect the likes of Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, and David Bowie to have much in common, but it turns out all three have passed through an institution where writers, politicians, and rockstars alike have been fraternizing ever since the 19th century. This five-star hotel on Regent Street in Piccadilly lives up to its past even after a modern redesign in 2012. Legendary features like the helical staircase and notorious, rococo Grill Room—now called the Oscar Wilde Lounge—remain where they belong, even alongside the shiny, new 700-plus-pound Murano glass chandelier that cascades from the lobby ceiling like a glimmering sun shower. Rooms live up to expectations, with beds dressed in Frette linens, Carrara marble bathroom floors, and Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems. A stay at Hotel Café Royal isn’t just about travel. It’s about living in the now for today and being part of history come tomorrow." - Nicholas DeRenzo, CNT Editors
