Kochs, who left Claridge's last November after five years in the role, will be responsible for steering forward the 160-bedroom hotel and its bars and restaurants.
Part of hotel company The Set, which owns the Lutetia in Paris and Conservatorium in Amsterdam, Café Royal re-opened at the end of 2012 following major refurbishment work. It had been trading as a bar and restaurant when it closed in 2008, but now comprises a luxury hotel with five dining and drinking spaces, including The Ten Room and the Oscar Wilde Bar.
On his new appointment Kochs said: “I am excited to be joining the team at Café Royal, one of the most beautiful buildings in London with fascinating heritage and history to work with. Café Royal is already ‘London’s Living Room’, a place for minds to come together and creativity to flourish, where guests can connect to and enjoy the hotel’s offering. Café Royal as a hotel is three years young and at this point is clearly ready to take the next step in its journey. There are exciting things to come, which I am thrilled to be a part of.”
The Set chairman Georgi Akirov, said: "We look forward to working with Thomas to continue our journey towards achieving our vision of creating stimulating and ‘beautifully composed’ experiences for our guests”.
Café Royal on London's Regent Street, is currently playing host to Spanish chef Albert Adria's 50 Days by Albert Adria residency and is set to open a dessert restaurant next month.