Opened in 1865, Café Royal was originally a wine store, restaurant and the space for the city’s most illustrious events. The haunt of famed patrons, from royalty and celebrities to the creative and the notorious, it was an established and iconic landmark on the British capital’s social scene for a century and a half. In its recent reincarnation as the luxurious Hotel Café Royal, it remains an established favourite for locals, while becoming a global destination.
Located at the heart of Regent Street, with elegant Mayfair to the west and creative Soho to the east, the hotel is perfectly positioned within walking distance of London’s fi nest shopping streets, tourist attractions and theatreland. Within the hotel, grand historic areas have been sensitively restored, while 160 guestrooms and suites (including seven signature suites) have been created in a contemporary, yet refi ned, style. Continuing its celebrated legacy of excellent hospitality and dining, the hotel offers a selection of restaurants and bars.
For those seeking some respite from the stresses of everyday life, or simply a special treat, Hotel Café Royal’s award-winning Akasha Holistic Wellbeing off ers a range of specialist hydrotherapy treatments that are the fi rst of their kind available in London’s hotels. These unique experiences include Watsu, or water shiatsu, held in an especially designed private Watsu pool, Vichy shower treatments and private Hammam experiences.
An urban retreat in the heart of London, Akasha Holistic Wellbeing leads in its holistic approach to wellbeing by harmoniously uniting the four basic elements of nature; earth, water, fire and air. All of the hydrotherapy treatments are designed to allow guests valuable time to restore the body’s essential balance, decreasing the effects of stress and allowing the body to return to optimum health.
With nine treatment rooms, including a double treatment suite, Akasha offers a wide variety of signature treatments that marry innovative Western practices with ancient Eastern traditions. The extensive facilities include a private Hammam for purifying scrubs and massages, a Vichy shower for cleansing hydrotherapy rituals, an 18-metre large lap pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. Akasha also boasts London’s first Watsu pool, for tailored hydro-treatments and guided meditation carried out by certified staff.
Akasha is also home to a number of wellness specialists, completing its 360-degree approach to personal wellbeing. Their areas of expertise range from nutrition to intuitive counselling, and Reiki to Watsu.
For those focusing on fitness, Akasha also houses a large and spacious gym area, spanning more than 300 square metres. Tailored fitness programmes combine a variety of disciplines, with each overseen by experienced instructors. Fitness classes at Akasha include calisthenics, bodywork and TRX, alongside a wider offering of holistic courses, such as yoga and Pilates. Gym visitors can enjoy cutting-edge technology, including LifeFitness equipment, personal entertainment centres with 19-inch touch screens and iPad docks, complemented by a ceiling of changing LED lights to enhance and motivate.
For one-on-one sessions and personalised classes, private studios provide calming and relaxing spaces for disciplines ranging from yoga, Pilates and meditation to TRX, boxing and cardio classes.
After enjoying spa treatments or getting active in the gym, guests can relax in the serenity of Akasha’s lounge bar, which offers a selection of healthy and nourishing dishes. Designed in collaboration with a nutritionist, the Four Elements Menu incorporates ingredients reflecting the four elements upon which the concept of Akasha is built. Herbal teas, cold pressed juices and energising drinks are also served.
Become immersed in the world of Akasha for a day of complete rejuvenation and luxury. The Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre indulges each sense and day spa options include access to the four elements of Akasha; earth, water, fire and air. Guests can enjoy nourishment in the lounge bar, full use of the large lap pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room and gym with leading fitness equipment.
A selection of spa packages is on offer, created to allow visitors to make the most of their time at Akasha, all of which include access to the facilities.
Enjoy a weekday escape packed with award-winning experiences at Hotel Café Royal. Your spa day will include a 90-minute Ultimate Aromatherapy Associates massage or Ultimate Aromatherapy Facial and relax by the pool complete with sauna, Hammam and Jacuzzi. Enjoy the spa facilities, with access for 90 minutes before or after you enjoy a delicious two-course lunch with champagne.
The Four Elements spa package at Akasha is an immersing full-body journey designed according to the four elements of nature. Firstly ‘water’ – a therapeutic treatment performed in warm water, whilst being supported by your therapist. This is followed by ‘earth, fire and air’ – a combination of soothing foot massage, restorative heat for your back and a relieving scalp massage.
The Fitness Reset package includes a 60-minute bespoke personal training session with one of Akasha's top personal trainers, using cutting-edge gym facilities. This is followed by a relaxing 90-minute deep-tissue Theragun or Aromatherapy massage to ease any aches and pains. You will also be able to enjoy all the spa facilities and re-boost with a two-course light lunch and an Optimum Nutrition protein shake.
Those who would like to enjoy Akasha Holistic Wellbeing in the company of a loved one or friend can escape the hustle and bustle of the city together and submerge into pure bliss. Your experience will begin with a relaxing whirlpool bath for two with champagne and a fresh fruit platter, followed by a 60-minute personalised Ultimate Aromatherapy and a 60-minute Aromatherapy Associates facial, all in the privacy of our double treatment suite. Thereafter, you will enjoy full access to all elements of Akasha.
Experience the vibrancy of the capital and the serenity of Akasha Holistic Wellbeing with a spa treatment of your choice and an overnight stay at Hotel Café Royal. Luxurious accommodation ranges from Deluxe and Grand Deluxe double guest rooms to a variety of suites, where contemporary style and modern technology are balanced against classic design features to create a sumptuous and peaceful retreat in the heart of the city.
