Soho London, United Kingdom
Renovated
2018
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe HeritageOutside the door
The house
Dorchester CollectionGilded West End stage
Gilded nineteenth-century ceilings meet quiet Portland stone and contemporary grandeur right where Regent Street sweeps toward Piccadilly Circus.
“Chipperfield’s team restored the original 1860s and 1930s features of the listed Domino and Grill Rooms, which will reopen…”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
David Chipperfield paired minimalist Portland stone walls and fumed oak with restored nineteenth-century gilded moldings throughout the salons.
Remarkable
Personalized butler service in signature suites complements hand-carved solid Carrara marble bathtubs and soundproofed triple-glazed windows.
Remarkable
Restored 1860s gilded rococo boiseries frame the Grade II listed Oscar Wilde Lounge where historic literary figures gathered.
What they say
Two Michelin Keys
Michelin
Forbes Four-Star
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
UK Readers' Choice Awards – The best hotels in London
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in Wallpaper* and AFAR.
Hotel Café Royal seamlessly spans the years, from the Regency to the mid-20th century — the interiors are timeless, though with a contemporary sheen
“the 160 rooms and suites are warm and streamlined, crafted with materials like Carrera marble, English oak, and Portland stone, and outfitted with Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems...”
In a lively part of town
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Step directly into the West End, with Mayfair's bespoke tailors to the west and Soho's buzzing theater scene to the east.
The rooms
Interiors feature fumed English oak, solid Carrara marble bathrooms, and acoustic glazing that keeps central London completely silent inside.
Spa, pool, and gym
Bring a swimsuit.
An 18-meter heated lap pool sits underground beside private treatment suites and a spacious gym.
The sauna and hammam
Underground thermal facilities include a spacious timber sauna, steam rooms, and two private marble-clad hammams.
Dogs stay too.
Restaurant
Oscar Wilde Lounge
Afternoon tea is served to live piano music beneath painted ceiling panels and ornate 1860s gold leaf moldings.
The façade may be staunchly Georgian, but the guest rooms are thoroughly modern with price-is-no-object design details like marble bathtubs...
Green Bar
Cocktails drawn from the 1937 Café Royal Cocktail Book are poured under a sculptural branch chandelier.
At the table
Two-Michelin-starred Alex Dilling prepares modern French tasting menus. Downstairs, Cakes & Bubbles specializes in signature cheesecakes and Champagne.
How it began
Opened in 1865 by French wine merchant Daniel Nicols, the storied institution once hosted Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, and David Bowie.
“Everything is very polished and glossy—the lobby has a massive 700 pound Murano glass chandelier to welcome you as you check in.”
Good to know
Stay here
Hotel Café Royal
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.