Envisage the scene from Titanic in which the camera glides through the doors of the first class lounge, inviting you in to a world of elaborate fabrics and mirrored walls and and expensive china. And you’re in The Rubens at the Palace.
The hotel is underpinned by this particular Titanic grandure throughout, magnificence and splendour of a bygone age, it’s utterly unashamed of it’s old world, decadent style with swathes of fabrics and mirrored walls, which the majority of ‘modern’ hotels would have ripped out and replaced with a magnolia wall.
The reception invites you in to the upper class deck and you feel the warm, privileged welcome immediately. The service is as you would expect it to be, attentive, polite with not a hint of boredom.
Be sure to take some time to sit in the intimate Cavalry Bar and enjoy a drink in the refined atmosphere and In the evenings let the dulcet tones of the pianist wash over you.
The Palace Lounge adjoins the Cavalry bar. It’s a bright open space where you can enjoy a relaxed afternoon tea. Other options include gourmet dining in the library restaurant or drinks in the Leopard Champagne & Cocktail Bar.
Accommodation at The Rubens offers 143 deluxe guest rooms, eight royal rooms, and ten luxurious suites. Rooms are spacious and reasonably elaborate, many a cushion and beds you want to dive on, with walls fabric clad they are rather luxurious. The bathroom was a huge space and had all the expected miniature necessities, fluffy bathrobes and slippers, however we felt they could have used the space a bit more sympathetically and included a slightly bigger bath/shower.
One slight disappointment was the room service, the food was absolutely not up the standard you would expect from a hotel of this stature. On ordering nachos, the menu promise of melted cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream unfortunately did not materialise in any form. However the buffet breakfast was varied, filling, fresh and the added bonus of a buffet chef to cook your eggs, however you like them, was a nice touch.
The location of the hotel is absolutely fantastic, just 5 minutes walk from Victoria station and central to most attractions. As you approach the hotel you’ll notice the quite beautiful Living Wall. Standing at 350 square metres and with a total of 10,000 herbaceous plants, the striking Living Wall was designed to provide waves of plants that blossom throughout the year.
Overall we think The Rubens at the Palace is a fantastic, elegant and luxurious place to stay whilst exploring the city. Suitable for couples, professionals and families alike. The service is second to none and staff couldn’t have been more helpful. We would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking to stay in very central London.
Prices start from around £233 with breakfast included.
Take a look at rubenshotel.com for more details