I had hesitated before because of the card’s $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), but I decided to go ahead with it because of an incredible welcome offer. 

I figured I could pay the annual fee and then give myself a year to see if I could take advantage of enough of the card’s many upscale perks, including statement credits for things like Hilton stays (up to $200 annually), airline fees (up to $200 annually) and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($120 every 4years for Global Entry or up to $85 every 4 1/2 years with TSA PreCheck). Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Depending on whether I could leverage those perks, I could decide if it made sense to pay the fee for a second year.

Turns out I was able to recoup the value of the annual fee with a single two-night stay at one of my favorite hotels in the world, The Peninsula Hong Kong, thanks to one of the card’s money-saving benefits.

Here’s how.

Getting the Amex Business Platinum Card

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is currently offering a two-component welcome bonus (you can earn one or both of these offers, which end June 30): 

• Earn 150,000 points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership.
• Earn a $500 statement credit after spending $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel within the first three months of card membership.

That’s a lot of spending, but 150,000 American Express Membership Rewards points are worth around $3,000, according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations. Throw in the $500 in statement credits after the qualifying flight spend, and that’s a whopping $3,500 in value you could get just for meeting those minimum spending requirements.

Beyond the welcome offer, though, I was both interested in and curious to know whether I could maximize the card’s other ongoing perks, which include:

• Annual airline fee statement credit of up to $200 on charges by the airline you select each calendar year
• Statement credits for purchases made directly from any U.S. wireless telephone provider (up to $10 per month)
• Up to $199 per year in statement credit toward an annual Clear Plus membership for expedited airport security (subject to auto-renewal)
• Statement credit for Global Entry ($120) every four years or TSA PreCheck (up to $85) every 4 1/2 years
• Up to $50 per quarter statement credit (so up to $200 per year) for eligible purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio (Hilton for Business program membership is required)
• Up to $200 statement credit semiannually (so up to $400 per calendar year) for U.S. Dell purchases
• Complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
• Access to Amex Centurion Lounges, as well as Delta Sky Clubs that you can enter when you have an eligible same-day flight on that airline (up to 10 times per year, unless you spend $75,000 on purchases), Priority Pass lounges (excluding restaurant locations), Escape lounges and Lufthansa lounges when you have a same-day flight on that airline
• Cellphone protection*, for a maximum of $800 per claim with a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period 
• Access to the Cruise Privileges Program and the International Airline Program
• A 35% airline bonus when you use Pay with Points to cover a first- or business-class ticket on any airline or an economy ticket on one airline of your choice (up to 1 million points back per calendar year)

Enrollment required for some benefits.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. 

I travel so regularly and extensively that I knew I would have no problem leveraging the vast majority of these perks. However, it does take some organization to ensure you’re getting the full value of all those quarterly, semiannual and annual statement credits.

Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts perks with the Amex Business Platinum

The one benefit I was really hoping to take for a test drive was American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, which you can use for booking select participating properties as an Amex Business Platinum Card member.

Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts reservations come with all kinds of benefits in and of themselves, including:

• Noon check-in, when available
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available at check-in (properties may exclude some room types, and some may only give you a room with a better view)
• Daily breakfast for two people
• Complimentary Wi-Fi (when a property includes Wi-Fi in a mandatory resort fee, you’ll receive a daily credit equal to the Wi-Fi cost)
• Experience credit (the experience should be valued at $100 or more and usually consists of a property, dining or spa credit)

I regularly stay at hotels in the Fine Hotels + Resorts portfolio, so I thought that this one benefit might be the main tool I could use to get enough value from my card to justify its steep annual fee. By trying it out on a few stays, I could see if I was coming out ahead.

As it turned out, just one hotel stay was enough to offset the card’s annual fee.

Here’s how a recent two-night stay at The Peninsula Hong Kong got me over $800 in value and cemented the Amex Business Platinum as a fixture in my wallet.

Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts perks and savings at The Peninsula Hong Kong

I took a recent trip around the globe that had me stopping in Hong Kong for a few days. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world, thanks in no small part to how many fabulous luxury hotels are available there.

Among the most storied of them is The Peninsula Hong Kong, which originally opened its doors in 1928, becoming one of the world’s most famous hotels. 

On my very first trip to Hong Kong, when I was just 11 years old, my mother took me to The Peninsula Hong Kong for its legendary afternoon tea, and I still remember the lavish spread of pastries, the classical live music and the awe-inspiring lobby lounge. 

Since then, I’ve had the chance to stay at the hotel a few times, but this would be the first time I have booked it using Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts.

I carefully tracked the value-added perks I enjoyed thanks to booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts. Here’s how they added up.

Room rate rebate: $320

At the time of my trip in March, the hotel was offering 25% off rates for standard rooms. Instead of paying $690 per night for a standard deluxe room, my rate came to just $530 per night. That meant a savings of $320 on a two-night stay.

A 2-category room upgrade: $460

When I checked into the hotel, the agent who assisted me — and basically acted as my personal concierge throughout my stay after that, arranging restaurant reservations at the hotel and out in the city, among other details — informed me that, thanks to my Fine Hotels + Resorts booking, I had received a two-category room upgrade to the grand deluxe king room category, which would have cost $230 more per night (it was not available at the 25% discount).

That meant I enjoyed slightly more spacious accommodations (about 20 square feet more than an entry-level deluxe room), plus a higher floor location and better city views. Of course, the best rooms at the hotel have harbor views, but the panorama of Kowloon’s skyscrapers and hills through my windows was still fantastic.

The room itself was also quite elegant, with a toned-down palette of cream, taupe, bronze and brown, a welcoming king-size bed that looked out toward the window and a large entertainment system. Like other Peninsula properties, the Hong Kong outpost also featured Peninsula-branded in-house technology, such as tablets that control all the room functions.

I especially loved the classic (and palatial) white and green marble bathroom with its enormous soaking tub. It came complete with an in-wall TV, dual sinks — one at either side of the room — and custom-blended bath products from local parfumier Angel Cheung.

Daily breakfast for 2: $260

Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings include complimentary daily breakfast for two. 

At The Peninsula Hong Kong, breakfast is served in the sunny Verandah restaurant (with spillover into the Swiss-themed Chesa restaurant that is decorated like an Alpine chalet) and includes an extensive buffet of Western, Japanese and Chinese dishes, plus made-to-order omelets and all-you-can-drink coffee and tea selections.

The hotel normally charges $65 per person, per day for breakfast, so my two morning visits with a friend equated to a whopping $260 in value.

Dinner at Felix: $100

I could have used my $100 on-property experience credit at the hotel’s various restaurants or spa. In the end, my dedicated concierge was able to secure me a table at the top-floor restaurant, Felix, with prime harbor views.

The menu features contemporary European cuisine with heavy Mediterranean influences. For my dinner, I tried a rich but delicate starter of Japanese king crab with avocado puree and a delicate coriander tuile, followed by hearty lamb from France’s Aveyron region with spring vegetables and herbaceous za’atar sauce as my entree. To conclude the meal, I ordered the signature deconstructed Hong Kong milk tea dessert, which was creamy and light. 

My bill, which also included two glasses of wine, came to around $230, but thanks to my Fine Hotels + Resorts credit, I saved $100.

My grand total in savings: $1,140

All told, I calculated my value-added benefits due to booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts at $1,140. That comes with a few caveats, though.

First, I probably would not have paid the upcharge to the grand deluxe room, considering how high that would have been with my discount. These rooms sometimes are just $60 to $100 more per night than standard deluxe rooms, so the upgrade value was inflated by the 25% discount I was able to enjoy on my booking. Still, that 25% was a lot of savings, and it was also available for a significant portion of the year.

Second, though I did save $100 on my dinner, the overall bill was still expensive, at more than $200 for a single person, so this benefit only comes in handy if you’re splurging anyway.

Finally, hotel breakfast prices tend to be relatively high, and you can enjoy plenty of great Hong Kong breakfast spots for much cheaper than $65 per person. So, if you tend to skip breakfast, that might not come in handy.

Still, for my needs, I felt like I got tremendous value from this single Fine Hotels + Resorts booking. I’m going to try to do the same on other stays throughout the year. 

Other amenities at The Peninsula Hong Kong

My stay at The Peninsula Hong Kong this time was short, but hopefully I’ll get back there again soon. I love the hotel and its many amenities, so here are a few things you should try to experience there if you get to stay.

The Peninsula Hong Kong’s tony afternoon tea is still the stuff of legend, taking place in its ornately gilded lobby with live music drifting down from the minstrel’s gallery, so be sure to book a table and settle in for quite the afternoon affair.

The hotel’s many restaurants are each worth a visit. My favorite are Gaddi’s, which is in the former grand ballroom and has a Michelin star thanks to chef Anne-Sophie Nicolas’ meticulous French cuisine (be on the lookout for the famous Christofle silver duck and lobster press); and Spring Moon, also with a Michelin star, for sumptuous Cantonese banquets in a space that feels like an emperor’s summer palace. 

A dip in the hotel’s sprawling indoor pool feels like swimming at Hearst Castle, thanks to the Greco-Roman theme and incomparable harbor views. 

Meanwhile, there’s also an extensive fitness center with locker rooms featuring saunas, steam rooms and bath circuits. 

The hushed spa offers treatments incorporating all-natural Irish Voya products and Margy’s Monte Carlo skin care line. 

If your budget allows, there’s no experience like being chauffeured in one of the hotel’s bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantoms — in the hotel’s signature green color, of course — on private drives through the city or to and from the airport (transfers cost around $200 each way).

Although Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings include availability-based noon check-in and guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, the point is pretty much moot at The Peninsula since Peninsula Hotels offer a “Peninsula Time” benefit where you can check in as early as 6 a.m. and check out as late as 10 p.m., depending on your particular travel plans.

Finally, The Peninsula is renowned for its service — just picture those white pillbox-hatted doormen — and my stay proved the rule. Not only was I greeted by name by practically every staff person I met, but all I had to do was ask for help with everything from restaurant reservations to museum tickets to suggestions for an inexpensive foot massage on nearby Nathan Road. In short, I felt taken care of but not chaperoned, and it created a balanced and beautiful sense of hospitality.

Bottom line

The Peninsula Hong Kong is still one of my favorite hotels in the world, even after all these years, and my recent stay there was just another wonderful memory I’ll have of the property.

What made it even better was the fact that I got well over $1,000 out of my stay by booking through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts with my new Business Platinum Card from American Express.

Of course, you have to be staying at expensive luxury hotels and spending money on things like meals and spa treatments in order to maximize the benefits of the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program. But if that fits your travel needs, then there’s no question you can reap hundreds of dollars in value out of each and every hotel stay you book through the program.

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.

Hotel La Compania del Valle provided TPG with a complimentary two-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and were not subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.

Just two hours from Panama City, the town of El Valle de Anton, a popular weekend getaway spot among locals, sits within a volcanic crater. The lush valley is home to rushing waterfalls, hiking trails, chirping birds — and now a brand-new hotel with a massive spa. The best part? It’s bookable on points.

Hotel La Compania De Valle’s stone buildings and tile roofs look like they have always been there, nestled beneath the surrounding mountains. But a walk around the hotel’s grounds reveals modern sculptures and curated art installations of all different styles, as well as three restaurants that highlight health and local ingredients. And, once construction on the more than 18,000-square-foot spa finishes in July, this Hyatt hotel is sure to put Panama on the map as a nature-centric wellness destination like its northern neighbor, Costa Rica.

First impressions

As soon as I entered the lobby, I knew the hotel would be a treat in terms of design and contrast. The space is serene: think natural light, calming instrumental music, a casual dining area and windows overlooking a pond full of ducks and lily pads. But it’s also funky, with bright patterned floors and ceilings, deep blue velvet furniture and a huge wooden sculpture of human faces.

The front desk sits right beside a coffee bar, so a staff member took my order and prepared an iced latte for me while I checked in. I then headed for my room, strolling leisurely through the halls, sipping my coffee and examining all the artwork along the way.

The rooms

The hotel’s 70 guest rooms and suites highlight outdoor space and offer views of either the mountains or the pools. So, upon entering my mountain-view king room, I breezed straight past the modern bathroom and four-poster bed to reach the balcony, where I found a huge daybed as well as a wooden table with chairs. It was separated from my neighbors’ balconies with wooden walls, offering a nice private place to enjoy the sunset. (The balconies are covered, which is a key feature if you’re visiting during the rainy season.)

Back inside my 375-square-foot room, I found a chair with a small table, a well-stocked minifridge, a Nespresso coffee machine and plenty of places to store my luggage and hang my clothes. The bed and its linens were luxurious, and when paired with the room-darkening window shades, allowed for a great night of sleep.

The bathroom was light and bright and had all the amenities I expected, including a hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, tons of towels and Molton Brown products. It also had some extra special touches I didn’t anticipate, such as a towel warmer, a jetted bathtub and a window that I could turn from opaque to transparent with the flip of a switch.

There were a few small things I felt were missing from the room, namely an iron and some kind of deadbolt on the door — a safety feature I always look for as a solo female traveler. These easy updates would take the room from great to excellent.

During my visit, I also had the opportunity to tour one of the hotel’s suites (pictures above). I can confirm that they offer an elevated experience with a European flair, thanks to plush furniture, large living spaces, chandeliers and thoughtful artwork.

Dining at La Compania del Valle

The three hotel restaurants — Tiempo, Terra and Fuego — serve inventive dishes that draw inspiration from nature.

Tiempo

The open-air restaurant Tiempo is attached to the lobby and is open from 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Guests can come here to sip coffee, watch birds float in the adjacent pond and enjoy a breakfast buffet brimming with eggs, fruits, pastries, juices and some Panamanian classics. They can return later for dishes with international flavors like ceviche ($14), pork pad Thai ($22), chicken tikka masala ($19), prawn pasta ($24) or an amazing creme brulee ($10).

Terra

Terra sits in the middle of all the hotel’s action, and it serves a full vegetarian menu alongside views of the hotel’s large outdoor gathering space. Its inventive, Mediterranean-inspired dishes — such as tomato tartare, mushroom risotto and basil panna cotta — will surely impress even the most hesitant vegetable-eaters. Note: There may be some changes to the menu as the restaurant is still in the first phases of opening, but you can currently select a three-course dining experience for $39 or a four-course experience for $46. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.

Fuego

After a light lunch at Terra, those in need of a hearty dinner can find it at Fuego. This is the spot for steak lovers, wine enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys an entertaining dining experience. One of the rooms has an open kitchen concept, so diners can watch through the smoke as the chefs grill up all kinds of meat and seafood. Grilled short rib ($40), sirloin carpaccio ($12), provolone cheese dip ($16), grilled octopus ($24), salads ($10 to $14) and an array of international wines round out the menu here. It’s open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.

Amenities and services

• Service: Everyone I met in Panama was warm and friendly, and the staff members at Hotel La Compania del Valle were no different. As with any newly opened hotel, it takes a bit of time to find a flow, but if this valley hotel is anything like its sister property in Panama City, I know everything will be polished very soon.
• Pools: The hotel has two large pools situated beside each other, one heated and one not. There are plenty of loungers around the pools, as well as interesting sculptures to look at while relaxing.
• Fitness: There is a well-equipped fitness center by the lake, next to the spot where the hotel plans to install pickleball courts. There are also many ways to stay active outside of the hotel, such as by hiking the famous India Dormida trail or taking a bicycle tour around town.
• Cultural events: The hotel plans to bring live music and performances into its outdoor theater-esque event space sometime in the future, according to a representative. I would also like to see the hotel implement some sort of informational tour for guests to learn more about the artwork, which is such a draw.

Spa

When it opens in July, the more than 18,000-square-foot Elysium Spa will be a destination in and of itself. It’s set to offer state-of-the-art treatments, a saltwater pool, sound healing therapies and sensory experiences. The inside will offer a dimly lit, almost cave-like atmosphere, and the architecture will be reminiscent of a Roman bath house, with its stone archways and marble columns; plus, the rooftop lounge area will provide panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. You don’t have to be a guest to use the spa, so it’s sure to become a popular draw for city dwellers or anyone in the area looking for a bit of relaxation.

Location and logistics

El Valle de Anton is about a two-hour drive (75 miles) from Panama City. The roads to get there are nicely paved and would be fine to navigate in a rental car. Otherwise, a private transfer from the city to the valley will likely cost between $75 and $100 one-way.

The closest airport is Tocumen International Airport (PTY), and Hotel La Compania del Valle can provide transportation from the airport to the hotel upon request. If you’re interested in spending a few days Panama City before heading to the valley, consider booking La Compania’s “Experience Both Hotels” package: It offers preferred rates for a stay in the brand’s city hotel and valley hotel, and the package includes a private transfer between the two (in addition to other perks).

What it costs to stay at Hotel La Compania del Valle and how to book

Hotel La Compania del Valle is part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, so you can book this Category 5 World of Hyatt property directly through Hyatt’s website using your points. I stayed in a king room with a mountain view, which costs $300 to $350 per night (or 17,000 to 20,000 points per night), depending on the day of the week and time of year you stay. If you opt for a larger suite, prices can climb to between $600 and $2,000 per night. At the moment, there are no points options available for booking the suites.

If you are a World of Hyatt member and you stay here before September, you can enjoy a “grand opening offer” which includes breakfast for two at the restaurant Tiempo.

When booking a stay at Hotel La Compania del Valle, you’ll want to use a credit cards that earns points for Hyatt stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits for every $10,000 spent each calendar year.

Accessibility

The accessible room at Hotel La Compania del Valle has two queen beds, a roll-in shower, emergency strobe lights, a strobe-light smoke detector, a cordless phone, wide doorways, a lowered thermostat and light switches, and a lowered peephole and door latch. Unfortunately, there is only one accessible room on the property, so finding availability could prove difficult.

The property’s elevators are fast, and the hallways are wide. However, there is no pool lift, and some of the stone pathways around the pool area could be difficult to maneuver if you have mobility issues.

Bottom line

El Valle de Anton has long been a popular vacation spot for Panamanians, but the opening of this new La Compania hotel and spa is sure to attract wellness-seeking travelers and Hyatt loyalists from around the globe. Although the spa, pickleball courts and a few other amenities aren’t ready quite yet, it’s still worth visiting for a relaxing rainforest getaway full of art and delicious food — just be sure to book another stay once everything is open.

Related reading:

• Best Panama Canal cruise excursions from Colon and Panama City
• Why this new luxury hotel in Panama should make you excited about Sofitel
• The best time to cruise the Panama Canal
• From city sanctuaries to desert retreats, these are the best luxury hotel spas for every type of traveler
• The best all-inclusive wellness resorts and packages for a postholiday reset

Editor’s note: Hotel Cafe Royal provided TPG with a complimentary two-night stay so that we could get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.

Is it a hotel? Is it a cafe? Is it royal? You might be wondering all those things as you wonder, “what is the Hotel Cafe Royal”? The truth is, it’s a mix of all three.

You see, this particular establishment began way back in 1865 as the Cafe Royal, an event hall where Londoners both lauded and louche would come to dine and dazzle. 

The space only added “hotel” to its name in 2012 when it was taken over and reopened by The Set Collection, an upscale assemblage of European (and now global) hotels, after a four-year renovation that also saw the incorporation of two other historic buildings into the complex (it was renovated again in 2018).

Yet despite that long history — not to mention its location at what is practically the very center of London — Hotel Cafe Royal remains a relatively under-the-radar gem among the city’s most elegant hotels, the epitome of “if you know, you know.”

The good news is: Now you know. 

Here’s what a stay at the Hotel Cafe Royal, one of London’s most distinctive luxury hotels, is like. 

Hotel Cafe Royal location

It simply doesn’t get more central than this. Hotel Cafe Royal is located right on Piccadilly Circus, one of London’s busiest crossroads. That means getting here from Heathrow Airport (LHR) is a breeze (and inexpensive), since you can just take the Tube’s Piccadilly Line directly to its doorstep. A one-way fare costs 5.80 British pounds ($7.70) and takes around 50-70 minutes, depending on the time of day. An Uber from the airport will take around the same time, again depending on traffic, but cost anywhere from $70-$90. 

Hotel Cafe Royal booking details

Hotel Cafe Royal is not part of any of the major hotel loyalty programs. However, it is part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts — so if you have an eligible card to book through that portal, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll receive perks like availability-based upgrades, up to a $100 credit (varies by property) to use on the property during your stay for extras like drinks and meals, complimentary daily breakfast for two and guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.

The hotel is also part of Chase’s The Edit, which is their collection of high-end hotel partners. If you have an eligible card and make your booking through Chase Travel℠, you can expect perks such as daily breakfast for two, availability-based room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout based on availability, a $100 property credit to be used during your stay and a welcome gift.

Those with Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for stays booked at The Edit properties; other cards you can use for The Edit bookings include: 

• United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees)
• United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees)
• United Quest℠ Card (see rates and fees)
• United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees)

Rates at Hotel Cafe Royal start at $755 per night in the coming months for accommodations in the starting category of Superior Room — though the Westminster Suite, in which I stayed, starts at $2,240 per night. 

Standout features

•  An unbeatable location near many of London’s top attractions
• Elegant, unique spaces, including its gilt-filled, glamorous Grill restaurant
• One of London’s top spas — and a gorgeous underground pool

Drawbacks

• Hordes of tourist await as soon as you step outside
• Unfortunately, there aren’t great ways to earn or redeem points here
• The high price point is a very real barrier to entry

The vibe

If you didn’t know Hotel Cafe Royal was there, you might walk right on by, since you have to wade through the crowds traversing ever-hectic Piccadilly Circus — and dodging dodgy street performers — to find yourself on its doorstep (either the main one on quieter Air Street, or the blink-and-you-miss-it one on bustling Regent Street, though it’s worth detouring through this one to see the stunning stained-glass windows and marble embellishments). 

Once inside (your luggage being toted by a devoted doorman, of course), the ambience is decidedly more hushed. Why not accept a complimentary welcome coupe of Veuve Clicquot to celebrate as you take care of check-in formalities in the art deco-inspired double-height lobby? 

While you do so, you’ll blend right in with the international crowd coming and going through the lobby, either from a busy shopping day on Regent Street, or debating the merits of the latest exhibition at the Tate Modern (seriously, that’s what we heard). 

You might even have a moment to slip into one of the welcoming sofas and peruse an Assouline art book before you’re whisked to your room on one of the upper floors. 

The room

With just 159 rooms and suites, each stay here feels individualized. I lucked out with one of only three 678-square-foot Westminster Suites looking right out (through enormous, soundproofed, double-pane windows that let nary a beep or boom in from the street below) over Piccadilly toward the Houses of Parliament.

Walls of Portland stone blocks and floors of English oak provided a magisterial feel somewhat softened by blush pink leather armchairs and the oversize bed dressed in monogrammed Frette linens. 

Among the suite inclusions was a cheesecake from Cake & Bubbles and a demi-bottle of Veuve Clicquot on ice. Westminster Suite guests can also count on a chauffeur-driven Mercedes S-Class or van service for up to five hours per day (excluding departure), a choice of experiences such as dinner for two or a couple’s massage at the hotel’s Akasha Spa, and more.

Through the open dressing area, which also included a minibar stocked with local gourmandises, the gleaming, white Carrara marble bathroom awaited. After a delayed all-night flight, I looked forward to a restorative soak in the deep tub, carved from a single piece of stone and provisioned with delicately scented Chopard Miele d’Arabie products.

First, though, I had my choice of two sinks at the mirrored vanity for a quick shave, while after my ablutions, I rinsed off in the enormous separate walk-in shower.

Then I was ready to get dressed (thanks to a pressed shirt and trousers taken care of by the suite butler) and take on the city.

Food and drink at Hotel Cafe Royal

Start your day lording over the lobby and its unmistakable cascading Murano glass chandelier (which reportedly weighs nearly 800 pounds) from a perch at The Gallery — one of London’s low-key power breakfast spots. 

You can’t go wrong ordering from the Royal Breakfast set menu ($56), which comes with plates of fresh fruit, pastry baskets and choices of a la carte dishes like buttery scrambled eggs served with luscious slices of smoked salmon.

Not to miss is the lavish afternoon tea (starting at $105 per person) at the Cafe Royal Grill, which is a listed historical landmark in its own right: the gilt-adorned galleries used to be frequented by luminaries like Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, Winston Churchill and Princess Di. It serves rich continental fare such as steak and seafood throughout the afternoon and evening, and is a popular pre-theater spot.

Those looking for a more casual pick-me-up should duck into Cake & Bubbles by famed Spanish chef Albert Adrià, which serves, as the name implies, a variety of specialty pastries and sparkling wine, though you can also get small plates, savories and seafood including caviar. The one thing you must order, however, is the signature savory-sweet cheesecake made with creamy Baron Bigod cheese, hazelnut and white chocolate ($25).

Meeting colleagues for a predinner drink? Look no further than Green Bar, which is devoted to reviving the sometimes slandered spirit of absinthe (there are at least 14 varieties to try). Cocktails like the seductively strong Mirror Sazerac ($29) with Glenmorangie scotch, Hennessy V.S. Cognac, Peychaud’s bitters, Jade 1901 absinthe and bourbon syrup go down surprisingly easily in the moodily lit swanky space. 

Finally, if you can score a reservation at the Michelin two-star restaurant from chef Alex Dilling, don’t miss out on multicourse menus inspired by the best of French gastronomy. Just beware that it might be closed for an event from time to time, so make your booking when you reserve your room to ensure you can dine there. 

Amenities and service at the Hotel Cafe Royal

Accessible via both guest elevators as well as a separate entrance on Regent Street, the hotel’s wellness complex includes an outpost of its partner, Akasha Spa, and a fitness facility located a few levels below the street.

The spa has nine treatment rooms where guests can indulge in experiences like facials incorporating classic Swiss Valmont products and U Beauty’s technologically advanced line of skincare, as well as Ayurvedic body treatment and massages with Sundari products.

The centerpiece of the space, however, is a dramatically lit 59-foot lap pool, featuring cozy marble alcoves with daybeds where you can decompress between sessions in the hammam or sauna. 

The gym is compact, but has a robust enough array of cardio and weight equipment to keep up your fitness routine while on the road.

Service at London luxury hotels can feel stilted at times — overly formal and fusty. Not so at Hotel Cafe Royal. Whether it’s a friendly doorman who will walk you to the end of the block and set you off in the right direction for your dinner reservation, a solicitous server checking that your breakfast eggs arrived to your specifications, or a congenial bartender making suggestions to get you outside your cocktail comfort zone (with good reason), you’ll leave Hotel Cafe Royal feeling like the most doted-upon guest in London.

Accessibility

The hotel is housed in historical buildings, but has made accessibility-friendly updates throughout the public spaces and with various accommodations.

The main door on Air Street is wheelchair-accessible thanks to a no-step entrance and two nonrevolving doors. The reception area and Green Bar are both accessible through here without steps.You will need to use the street entrance to Cake & Bubbles — but both Alex Dilling and the Gallery are elevator-accessible. There are also wheelchair-accessible bathrooms on both the ground and second floors. 

The hotel offers eight rooms with accessibility features, reachable and navigable via wheelchair and featuring roll-in showers, lowered sinks, mirrors and toilets, and grab bars in the bathrooms, in addition to service cords in case of emergency. 

As for the spa, guests can reach the reception area, treatment rooms and pool via elevator. There is also an accessible changing room with a shower and toilet, and although there is no chair lift into the pool, guests can request assistance if needed. 

Checking out

Hotel Cafe Royal boasts everything a luxurious London hotel should have — a pedigreed history, grand public spaces, buzzy restaurants and opulent accommodations — but without the usual pomp and circumstance you find at other storied properties throughout the city. It is exactly that unique combination of poshness and privacy that makes it utterly worth a stay on your next visit to the British capital. 

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