The Cafe Royal, Regent Street was once the meeting place for artists and intellectuals, so TLTB might pop down to do some people watching when it opens as a hotel.

After a three year renovation the 159 room hotel strikes a balance between modern style and the original Grade I listed 1860s and 1920s public rooms which have been preserved. Guests will also be able to make use of Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre, including pool, gym, spa, yoga and meditation studios and restaurants and bars.

The new hotel is part of new luxury hotel group, The Set. Created by Alfred and Georgi Akirov, the group also includes Conservatorium, Amsterdam and Lutetia, Paris (Coming Soon).

The hotel was originally due to open in Summer 2012 ahead of The Olympics, but was postponed due to the 'complex and sensitive' nature of the listed building's refurbishment. It reopened on December 5th 2012.