Another glimpse at Café Royal...

Hotel Café Royal , London

 

Once famous as a West End meeting place for artists and intellectuals, the Café Royal is reopening in the summer of 2012 as a hotel of The Set. This is the return of a London institution that, throughout its 150 year history, has periodically reinvented itself to define the moods, social mores and style of the capital.




The new 159-room luxury hotel is striking in the bold simplicity of its conception and true to the glamorous spirit of the Café Royal. It offers an Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre, including pool, gym, spa, yoga and meditation studios, as well as restaurants, bars and the famous Grill Room and Domino Room to be presided over by one of London’s leading chefs.
Interpreting this famous establishment on Regent Street and translating it into the modern context is David Chipperfield Architects. The result is a perfect balance of 21st century style with the famous Grade I listed 1860s and 1920s public rooms of the original, which have been preserved. The development has taken three years to complete.


 

CAFE' ROYAL ONCE AGAIN...

The Cafe Royal Hotel, London.



The hotel is located in the heart of the West End. Close to everything.






If you are not familiar with Cafe Royal, this is actually a very old and well known venue.
Opened as a true cafe in the 1800′s it soon became the epicenter of London culture and cool. Patron’s included Oscar Wilde, Rudyard Kipling, Arthur Conan Doyle and all manner of other illuminated
locals.






The tradition and popularity continued through the 1940s and 50s….
A fine couple enjoying a lavish dinner at the Cafe Royal in 1953.





Through the 60′s and 70′s it was still “the” place to be.
In a historic moment in rock and roll history, Bowie threw a retirement party for his Ziggy Stardust persona with a few famous friends (Lou Reed, Mick et al). I’m sure that was boring.





The tradition of importance in London continued into the 1980s. Here Princess Diana departing a
lunch date at Cafe Royal.




In the 1990s the venue and hotel was sold and a few years back a massive and comprehensive restoration of the building was started.
and it’s not quite done yet….




That said, during the hard hat tour we were able to visit all of the function space and see some mock up rooms and this property had us all (18 jaded LHW sales staff) oohing and ahing the entire time


The hotel is slated to open later this year (but early next year is more likely..)
159 total keys (49 suites) and some of the coolest outdoor and ballroom space in London.
The presidential suite is actually round, with a dome ceiling and has 360 degree views of the neighborhood. Yes, they will sell it for cocktail receptions for groups.
Here is a mock up room image….




So ridiculously tasteful and refined. The photos don’t do this property justice.





For more images and information click on the links below for e-brochures:


http://hotelcaferoyal.com/view-brochure
 

What is the best part about the opening?

Teamwork and camaraderie is without a doubt the best part about an opening. There is a huge

amount of shared pride and achievement in realising a vision and creating a culture that will

continue for many years to come.


Close working relationships develop among pre-opening teams and many eople often create life-long friendships.