I agree the grand is becoming quite dated , except of course for the new upgraded rooms in the lower floors of tower 2 ,
And has tired and trampled breakfast , busy lobby , poor facilities ....
But my purpose of staying at either place is not for a holiday experience , where breakfast and facilities matter .
Its the mongering experience ...Price , cleanliness , room size , and location.
Both hotels are LB friendly and I have never had a problem with multiple guests.
It was purely the recent price jump at the grand that caused me to switch to the Royal
I have not yet stayed in the suites in the Royal . Just a standard or deluxe , depending on the deals at the time .
But I find the hotels are pretty much the same vintage , Royal slightly less dated ... maybe ?
Main difference is Royal being on soi 15 , is less busy, and more “private “ without the crowds hanging outside clubs and restaurants like you get on 11 .
But some mongrels might prefer that !!