Hotel Café Royal
"What was your first impression?Everything is very polished and glossy—the lobby has a massive 700 pound Murano glass chandelier to welcome you as you check in. Surfaces are exceptionally pristine, and filled with cozy dark corners to tuck away into with a spot of tea and a book. The side entrance off of Piccadilly leads to a staircase that sweeps up to the old-school and very rococo Oscar Wilde Lounge. What's the backstory?Café Royal is the third hotel in The Set (that's capital T, capital S)—a hotel group that includes The Lutetia in Paris, The Conservatorium in Amsterdam, and HCR. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?I stayed in the Grand Regent Suite—a spectacular set of rooms in a far corner of the hotel with four massive windows overlooking Piccadilly Circus. It's super swanky—Carrara marble covering every surface of the bathroom, leather-lined walls, a Bang+Olufsen sound system that was a little too complicated for my needs. One of the best parts was the multi-paned glass on the windows—central London was 20 feet away and it was silent inside. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?The beloved Laurent is now closed, but new options have arrived in its place. First, the dessert-focused Cakes and Bubbles, which also offers an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy its extensive offerings of sparkling wine. Green Bar specializes in high-end cocktails. Among the other bars, the best of the lot is Ziggy's—an homage to David Bowie's famous alter-ego. And the service? Service didn't miss a beat—my luggage was in my room (and in my closet) before I could finish checking in. Most of the suites are staffed with a butler, which was a little overwhelming for this low-key traveler, but made getting a reservation at a tough restaurant easy. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?The hotel blends seamlessly into Mayfair—it's right on the edge of Piccadilly Circus, and is so integrated into the surrounds, I was actually surprised when I arrived and realized what the entrance was. Is there anything you'd change?The Do Not Disturb sign is built into the tech, so I forgot to turn it off and was surprised to see my room unmade one afternoon—totally on me, and housekeeping came practically when I clicked it off, but it was a little too seamless—easy to miss! Any other hotel features worth noting?The spa is AMAZING. Even if you're not staying on site, just go for a treatment—there's a beautiful pool, and steam and sauna rooms—all on their basement level, which doesn't feel dark so much as cozy. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Rooms are pretty pricey, but about what'd you'd expect in that part of London—but it's absolutely worth it. You're close to everywhere to want to go (or a tube stop that can take you there) and you're taken care of from the moment you walk in the door." - Paulie Dibner
