Hotel Cafe Royal Spa: Reviews, Prices & Facilities

Beneath the historic facade of Hotel Café Royal on Regent Street lies Akasha, a 1,200-square-metre wellness complex that travel editors consistently rank among the best hotel spas in London. This guide examines Akasha’s facilities, treatments, pricing, and how it compares with other luxury hotel spas in the city, drawing on official listings, editorial reviews, and aggregated guest feedback.

Last checked: 2026-07-17

Hotel: Hotel Café Royal · Spa: Akasha · Pool: 18-metre lap pool · Location: Central London

Does Hotel Cafe Royal have a pool?

Yes. At the heart of Akasha is an 18-metre lap pool surrounded by marble-lined alcoves and daybeds, described by Condé Nast Traveller as part of a spa that is “one of the best in London – and it’s vast.” The pool operates within a temperature-controlled environment and is flanked by a jacuzzi, eucalyptus steam room, and dry sauna. Good Spa Guide confirms the pool is complemented by a dedicated relaxation room and meditation studio. The pattern: the pool’s length and quiet, ambient lighting set it apart from smaller plunge pools found at several competitors like The Connaught or Claridge’s.

Pool details at Akasha spa

The 18-metre pool (approximately 60 feet) is built for lap swimming, with lane discipline enforced during adult-only hours. SpaSeekers notes junior swim times are restricted: family windows run 09:00–10:30 and 16:00–17:30 on weekdays, and 09:00–11:00 and 16:00–18:00 on weekends; spa packages require a minimum age of 16.

Other spa facilities

Beyond the pool, Akasha offers a 300-square-metre gym equipped with LifeFitness machines, a private hammam, Vichy shower, yoga and meditation studios, and a relaxation room. The Telegraph’s Spa Spy describes the complex as a “proper urban retreat” spanning the entire basement level.

How much is afternoon tea at Café Royal?

Afternoon tea at Hotel Café Royal is priced separately from spa access, typically around £65–£85 per person based on published menus, though exact pricing fluctuates seasonally. The Oscar Wilde Lounge serves a traditional afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Several spa day packages bundle afternoon tea with spa access, pushing package prices to £150–£279 per person according to SpaSeekers listings. The trade-off: adding afternoon tea lifts the total cost significantly, but reviewers note it rounds out a full-day luxury experience.

Afternoon tea pricing

Time Out lists Akasha spa experience sessions from £195, while standalone afternoon tea starts lower. SpaSeekers packages like the “Opulent Escape” (£150 per person) and “Indulgent Spa Day” (£279 per person) include spa access plus afternoon tea or a light meal.

What is included

Spa packages that bundle afternoon tea typically include pool access, use of thermal facilities, a treatment, and the tea service. Some packages also include a glass of Champagne. My Premium Europe offers an “Akasha Spa and Stay” package from £395 per room per night (double occupancy), covering an overnight stay, full Akasha access, two 50-minute treatments, and juices or Champagne.

What is Café Royal’s signature dish?

The Café Royal Grill, relaunched in 2024 under the direction of Executive Chef Jeff Cutfield, emphasizes a “Nostalgic” theme with a focus on modern British classics. While no single dish is officially designated as a signature, the Grill’s menu highlights dishes such as roast côte de boeuf for two and a rotating selection of seasonal seafood. The implication: the Grill positions itself as a destination for refined British fare rather than a one-dish house.

Signature dish at Café Royal Grill

The Grill restaurant occupies the hotel’s ground floor and was unveiled in 2024 after a redesign. Reviews note the emphasis on wood-fired cooking and a menu that changes with the seasons. The “Nostalgic” branding signals a return to the restaurant’s mid-20th-century heyday.

Culinary highlights

Beyond the Grill, the hotel operates the Oscar Wilde Lounge (afternoon tea), the David Collins-designed Green Bar (cocktails), and private dining rooms. This variety lets guests combine a spa day with multiple dining options.

When did Café Royal open?

Hotel Café Royal first opened its doors in 1865 as a café and meeting place on Regent Street. The property was extensively restored and rebranded as a luxury hotel in a project reported to cost £200 million, reopening in 2013. The Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre was created as part of that refurbishment. What to watch: the hotel’s long history and the 2012-2013 renovation are frequently cited by reviewers as adding a layer of character that purpose-built spas lack.

Original opening date

The building opened as Café Royal in 1865, quickly becoming a favoured haunt for artists, writers, and political figures, including Oscar Wilde.

Recent renovations

The £200 million restoration converted the property into a five-star hotel with 159 rooms and suites. Akasha’s creation in the basement was a centrepiece of the project. This Spa Life notes the spa was built from scratch, not retrofitted, giving designers freedom to plan the 1,200-square-metre layout.

Pricing at Akasha: What to Expect

Akasha sits at the upper end of London hotel spa pricing. Individual 60-minute massages start around £150, according to This Spa Life, while a 50-minute Watsu session is similarly priced. Day spa packages on SpaSeekers range from £150 (Opulent Escape) to £265 per person (Royal Treat), with a couples “Time for Us” package at £699 per package including private Watsu. Overnight packages via My Premium Europe start at £395 per room per night. These figures align with pricing at other five-star hotel spas in the city.

Who owns Cafe Royal hotel?

Hotel Café Royal is owned by a consortium that includes the Reuben Brothers and a sovereign wealth fund from Qatar. The hotel is managed by the Preferred Hotels & Resorts group. The current General Manager is Jean-Luc Betra, who assumed the role in 2024 following the departure of David Taylor. Betra previously served as general manager at The Dorchester.

How Akasha Compares with Other London Luxury Hotel Spas

Akasha competes directly with ESPA Life at Corinthia London, The Spa at The Connaught, and The Spa at The Savoy. Key differences emerge around facility breadth and pricing.

Akasha offers the longest lap pool among these four (18 metres) and the only Watsu pool. ESPA Life at Corinthia has a larger thermal floor with multiple steam rooms and experiential showers, while The Connaught focuses on minimalist, bespoke treatments. The bottom line: Akasha is the strongest choice for guests who prioritise hydrotherapy and a full gym alongside treatments, while The Connaught and Corinthia may suit those who want deeper treatment menus or thermal experiences.

Best for Which Traveller?

• Couples: The “Time for Us” package (£699) includes private Watsu and a couples treatment room, making Akasha a strong option for romantic spa days.
• Wellness seekers: The yoga, meditation, and martial arts classes (karate, boxing) integrated into the membership programme broaden Akasha beyond a traditional treatment spa.
• Luxury travellers: Priced at the high end but offering rare facilities (Watsu, 18m pool), Akasha fits a premium, self-care focused itinerary.
• Spa day enthusiasts: The range of day packages (from £150 to £699) gives flexibility, though the lower end limits thermal facility access.

“Ignoring the mumbojumbo attempt to shoehorn earth, water, fire and air in the different areas of the spa like we’re in some hippie commune, the facilities on offer here are world class and amongst the best of any London hotel.”

— Dorsia Travel reviewer

Timeline of Akasha and Hotel Café Royal

• 1865: Café Royal opens on Regent Street.
• 2012: £200 million refurbishment begins, including creation of Akasha.
• 2013: Hotel Café Royal reopens; Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre launches.
• 2023: Akasha wins England’s Best Hotel Spa at the World Spa Awards.
• 2024: Café Royal Grill relaunches under Chef Jeff Cutfield; Jean-Luc Betra appointed General Manager.

Alternatives to Akasha in London

For travellers weighing other options, three hotels offer comparable—though different—spa experiences:

• Corinthia London (ESPA Life): A 3,500-square-metre spa with a 15m pool, extensive thermal suite, and a strong emphasis on hydrotherapy, starting at £180 per person for day access.
• The Connaught (The Spa at The Connaught): A smaller, more boutique facility with a 12m pool and a focus on Aman-style bespoke treatments, starting around £200.
• The Savoy (The Spa at The Savoy): A more accessible luxury option with a 12.5m pool and day packages from £120, though with fewer thermal features.

“The Akasha Spa, squirrelled away in the basement, is one of the best spas in London – and it’s vast.”

— Condé Nast Traveller

Our Pick: Akasha at Hotel Café Royal

Frequently Asked Questions

Selling Points and Considerations

Location and Getting There

Hotel Café Royal is at 10 Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, London W1B 5DY. The nearest tube stations are Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines) and Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria, and Bakerloo lines). The location places Akasha within walking distance of Mayfair, Soho, and the West End theatre district.

Sources and References

• Condé Nast Traveller – Hotel Café Royal review
• The Telegraph – Spa Spy review
• Good Spa Guide – Akasha directory
• Time Out London – Akasha Spa listing
• This Spa Life – Akasha Spa review
• Tripadvisor – Akasha attraction page
• SpaSeekers – Akasha packages
• SpaBreaks – Akasha venue listing
• KAYAK – Hotel Café Royal listing
• My Premium Europe – Akasha Spa and Stay package
• The Points Guy – Hotel Café Royal review
• Tripadvisor – Hotel Café Royal hotel page