Worth the Wait: Renovated Hotel Royer Brings History with Modern Amenities

The long-anticipated Hotel Royer opened less than a mile from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It took more than three years to renovate the boutique hotel, which had closed its doors under the previous owners in 2016. I had the pleasure of being one of the first to stay there. I found it worth the wait for this Hilton Tapestry property.

Hotel Royer originally opened in 1923, adjacent to the Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana. The was designed by Joseph W. Royer and known for its unique woodwork throughout. The rooms and public areas have all the modern amenities you could dream of. I was also impressed with how wheelchair accessible they were able to make this historic hotel.

Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.

Why You Should Stay At Hotel Royer

• The History: From the grand piano in Lloyd’s to the Writer’s Room restaurant, the hotel is filled with classic souvenirs of the first venue.
• Entertainment: The twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, separated at the university, are filled with culture, such as the Virginia Theater and Krannert Center for Performing Arts. This home of REO Speedwagon is also filled with local music.
• Foodie Town: Both Midwest Living and The New York Times have recognized this area for its diverse food scene.
• Proximity to University: It’s less than a half mile to the University of Illinois for Big Ten sports and parents’ weekends.

SheBuysTravel Tip: For stays during university events, be sure to book well in advance.

Dining At The Writer’s Room

The Writer’s Room is an exquisite display of just how historic Hotel Royer is. You enter the door and right above you are portraits of famous writers, such as Edgar Allen Poe. The décor includes sculptures and beautiful woodwork. The comfortable chairs and warm atmosphere make it cozy rather than formal. It also has semi-private areas for groups, families and couples.

I ate at the Writer’s Room restaurant three times, with various friends. You won’t find huge menus here. Instead, Chef Marielli Terrell concentrates on making a dozen items in each category memorable. I strongly recommend these dishes, but you can’t go wrong with any of the choices:

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Appetizers

• Roasted Beet Salad with goat cheese and toasted pistachios, topped with vinaigrette.
• Hibiscus Flower Tartare prepared with avocado, cilantro and serrano chili peppers, with goat cheese crumbles drizzled with olive oil.

Main Courses

• Poet’s Pearls are handmade pieces of pasta filled with mussels poached in garlic butter. It is covered in a parmesan and Pecorino Romano foam with basil.
• Editor’s Roulade is a chicken breast stuffed with creamy spinach and served with mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and almond green beans.
• Ink & Quill, a.k.a. Cacio E Peppe, consists of hand-crafted fettuccine tossed with Pecorino Romano and cracked black pepper. It is finished with freshly shaved truffles.

Dessert

• La Maria, a dark chocolate mousse on top of passion fruit gel with crispy cocoa sprinkles.
• Adelaide’s Poetic Magic, a cheesecake with flamed apples on a cinnamon crumble. Served with vanilla ice cream and covered in butterscotch sauce.

Breakfast

• Campfire Chronicles: S’mores Pancakes  drenched in dark chocolate ganache, topped with marshmallow cream and graham cracker crumble
• Grandma Royer’s Morning Feast includes scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and pancakes.

SheBuysTravel Tip: While the Poets Pearls was excellent, it is a small portion. Order a starter with it, or consider having it as an appetizer if you have a large appetite.

Many different Accommodations

Hotel Royer has 131 rooms on four floors. Due to the historic design of the building, many of the rooms are unique. Ten distinct types of accommodations are available to satisfy all needs. Some of the rooms are also connecting, but you need to request that when you make a reservation.

I had the opportunity to see four different rooms and settled in for the night in a mobility and hearing accessible spacious suite with a king bed, wheelchair friendly tub and fireplace. Other room options:

• 1 King Room
• 2 Queen Room
• 1 King Studio Suite
• 1 King Fireplace Studio Suite
• 1 King Loft Suite
• 1 King Deluxe Studio Suite
• 1 King Deluxe Studio Suite
• 2 Queen Studio Suite                          
• 1 King Mobility/hearing with accessible tub

More Reasons to Stay at Hotel Royer

Hotel Royer is two hours from downtown Chicago and only eight miles from the Willard-University of Illinois Airport. It offers amenities to make your stay memorable, even if you are physically impaired:

• An indoor pool, with a handicapped lift
• Beautiful marble Ramp from lobby to bar and restaurant
• Lloyd’s Drinking Parlor, with craft cocktails and local Riggs beer
• A lobby store for snacks and drinks
• Free Parking
• A fitness center
• Electric Vehicle Charging on site
• Banquet Rooms for meetings and events, including weddings

SheBuysTravel Tip: Have a drink in the parlor before or after dinner. I recommend the Writer’s Muse Martini (Earl-Grey infused vodka, lavender syrup, and vanilla) or the Urbana 1923 (gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, honey syrup and champagne).

As part of the Tapestry Collection of Hilton Hotels, you can earn and use miles at Hotel Royer. While service animals are welcome, pets are not allowed.