Café Royal, London, is an address steeped in history with flair. Walking through the halls you feel a sense of storytelling in the making. For over 150 years, its iconic Regent Street location has drawn cultural icons—Oscar Wilde, Princess Diana, Winston Churchill, and David Bowie among them. Today, it remains a place where the past whispers through every corner, setting up quite a scene, should you care to pay attention.
From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere feels carefully composed, as though designed for the silver screen. The historic elevator stands as a testament to the hotel’s storied legacy, with restored brass and copper details that catch the light just so, while sleek, contemporary interiors add an understated grandeur. Every detail feels intentional, every step through the property, a scene unfolding.
Our favorite was the library. A masterpiece of design and curation. Maison Assouline’s expert touch fills the shelves with volumes on fashion, film, photography, and art—each book as carefully chosen as the room’s furnishings, each with a personal tale of its own. It’s the kind of space that brings out the main character in all of us. With its impeccable symmetry, vibrant warmth, and subtle whimsy, the library feels cinematic in its own right, like a still from a Wes Anderson film …and we are the characters.
The interplay of its storied past and sharp modern edges creates an ambiance that feels both grounded and alive. Strolling through its spaces, you sense its dual identity—one steeped in history and art the other embracing forward-thinking design.
We knew Café Royal as a London landmark, but now we understand it as a cultural beacon, and an immersive work of art. We’ll certainly be back soon.