Cafe Royal to be given a six-star makeover in £90m hotel deal

The historic Cafe Royal is to be transformed into a "six star" hotel after the Regent Street building changed hands in a £90 million deal.

Israeli developers Alrov Properties plan to turn the 142-year-old site into a 160-room hotel after signing a 125-year lease with owners The Crown Estate.

Cafe Royal has been a London landmark since 1865 and was the haunt of figures such as Oscar Wilde and the venue for black-tie boxing matches. Its patrons have included Edward VIII and George VI and, more recently, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Diana and the Queen Mother.

Celebrities and politicians who have frequented the restaurant and bar include Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Noel Coward, Virginia Woolf, Muhammad Ali and Frank Bruno.

The venue has also played host to glittering events such as the Bafta Interactive Awards and National Sporting Club boxing meetings.

The deal is part of the regeneration of Regent Street being undertaken by the Queen's property company.

Alrov is in the process of buying landmark buildings around the world to create a new hotel brand.

It already owns hotels in Amsterdam and Jerusalem.