I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels, to finally see London “alive and kicking” again! How I have missed her – and everything that this beautiful city of mine has to offer! Last weekend my family and I stayed at Hotel Cafe Royal in the very heart of London… An unforgettable staycation, that was hard to capture in photos and words, but here goes…

Hotel Café Royal is an iconic luxury 5-star hotel in the heart of central London

The hotel is situated on Regent Street (Mayfair and Soho) and within 1 miles from Theatreland, Buckingham Palace, Westminster and the British Museum. This is also the perfect choice if you like shopping as Bond Street and Oxford Street are only few minutes away

A London landmark, the hotel features 160 contemporary guest rooms, including 54 suites and 7 signature suites. Each is designed with careful detail and features complimentary WiFi, Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems, media hubs and luxury bathroom amenities

Bonus-info: The establishment was originally conceived and set up in 1865 by Daniel Nicholas Thévenon, who was a French wine merchant. He had to flee France due to bankruptcy, arriving in Britain in 1863 with his wife, Célestine, and just five pounds in cash. He changed his name to Daniel Nichols and under his management – and later that of his wife – the Café Royal flourished and was considered at one point to have the greatest wine cellar in the world

By the 1890s the Café Royal had become the place to see and be seen at. Its patrons have included Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, D. H. Lawrence, Winston Churchill,  Brigitte Bardot, Mick Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor, Muhammad Ali and Diana, Princess of Wales

Welcome to the Grand Regent Suite at Hotel Cafe Royal… This is probably one of the most luxurious places, I have ever been – with a view that takes your breath away!

We were spoiled with champagne by the lovely hotel staff… Clara wanted some too. She might have to wait a few more years!

The bedroom..

 

– with this view! This must be what heaven feels like!

The Grand Regent Suites overlook the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus, up the sweep of Regent Street and down to Westminster just beyond. Crafted in rusticated Portland stone and featuring a separate living room, kitchen, walk-in wardrobe and spacious guest room, Grand Regent Suites are a calm and luxurious space

We absolutely loved the Carrara marble bathroom, which includes mirror TV screens, under floor heating and rainfall showers – not to forget the stunning free-standing oversized bath tub!

It didn’t take Clara long, before she was in the bathtub… With as many bubbles as possible and her own kids size robe and slippers! So cute!

Happy times…

 – and before I knew it, Frenchie went in to join her. It made me so happy seeing the two of them having some quality time together

You never get too old for jumping in the bed…

– or relaxing with the most spectacular view of the entire city of London! (I am still completely stunned every time I see these photos from our suite! It’s almost unreal!)

I was really excited about our Van Gogh Afternoon Tea in The Oscar Wilde Lounge (formerly The Grill Room Est. 1865)

Did you know that… It is in this very room that Oscar Wilde fell in love with Lord Alfred Douglas, Aubrey Beardsley debated with Whistler, David Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust and Mick Jagger, the Beatles and Elizabeth Taylor danced the night away. If only walls could talk…

Champagne again… This is as luxurious as it gets!

 – but the best part was, that you could bring curious little ones too, and everyone was totally ok with it!

The Van Gogh Afternoon Tea is a beautiful partnership between Hotel Cafe Royal and “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” (a 360 degrees digital art exhibition in London that invites you to step into the awe-inspiring universe of Van Gogh). We absolutely loved everything and I can’t recommend trying out this delicious Afternoon Tea enough!

It’s time for some fun!

The Hotel Cafe Royal Urban Resort Programme is absolutely amazing and packed full with events and activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy whilst staying here. The programme includes a selection of masterclasses which range from wreath making to champagne and mocktail making, a cinema lounge and toy room along with baking experiences for the little ones…

Clara and I enjoyed helping each other decorating cookies…

 – and the lovely Jodie and Clara became good friends and had a lot of creative fun together. Have you ever seen anything so brilliant in a city hotel? I haven’t! Another 5 stars to Hotel Cafe Royal from me! Well done!

Dinner time. Clara was all dressed up (and decided to borrow my Mulberry bag for the occasion. They start early!)

In case you haven’t noticed, they do love champagne at this place! No complaints from us! This is Cake and Bubbles!

Bonus-info: After his successful pop up at Café Royal in 2016, famed chef Albert Adrià is back in London. Voted The World’s Best Pastry Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and having built a gastronomic revolution alongside his brother, Ferran, at the legendary Michelin three-star elBulli, Cakes & Bubbles marks his first permanent establishment outside of his native Spain. I was so excited to be here!

There is a great kids menu here…

 – and we really enjoyed the food too. (Cakes and Bubbles are currently serving the hotel menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner), but if you visit from Regent Street, you simply MUST try the desserts here. They really are to die for!

As Clara was really tired, we decided to have our desserts in our room. So here I am eating the most famous cheesecake in London with a view, that takes your breath away… Life is good!

Good morning from our Grand Regent Street! It surely was!

When you don’t want to leave your room, so breakfast comes to you! Clara and her new friend Mark, who served us the most amazing breakfast dishes… 

I really, really did not want to leave Hotel Cafe Royal… We simply had the best time here. I can’t find enough superlatives to describe how wonderful we were treated, and how much we will miss this and the lovely staff

 – but it was time to move on, as Clara had a “date’ with Mike from Hamleys of London…(5 mins walk from the hotel)

If you don’t know Hamleys, it is about time!  Hamleys is London’s oldest and largest (7 floors) toy shop founded in 1760

Bonus-info: Hamleys is much more than just a shop. You’ll find live demonstrations of the toys and games on every floor, and plenty of staff on hand to answer questions and help you choose the perfect gift. You might even get to meet a superhero or favourite cartoon character at regular in-store events!

We got “the grand tour” of Hamleys and Clara was over the moon. Mike was a real entertainer and made as laugh over and over again

Clara even met “The Queen”…

 – and took home some of her favourite toys from Barbie, Playmobil and Play-Doh. No wonder she slept well Sunday evening

Clara didn’t want to say goodbye to Mike, so he actually took her some of the way back to Hotel Cafe Royal… Now if that isn’t excellent service… I will never forget this weekend!

A big thank you to Hotel Cafe Royal for having us… 

 

 

We were invited as guests at Hotel Cafe Royal, but all opinions are as always my own