Set at the very heart of royal London on Buckingham Palace Road, five minutes’ walk from Victoria Station, The Rubens at the Palace is positioned in one of the most central locations to best take in all that the great British capital has to offer. We were lucky to have a chance to stay at this absolutely magnificent place and were treated like a true royalty. I must admit, that the wonderful staff at the Rubens hotel made our stay truly unforgettable experience.
Delivering on every level courtesy of an engaging team that takes immense pride in lavishing attentive service on every guest, The Rubens is led by managing director Malcolm Hendry – who has been with Red Carnation Hotels for over 20 years – and general manager Vince Castronovo.
Rooms
After being greeted by liveried doormen and checked-in by the hotel’s warm receptionists, we could retire to one of the 161 individually designed rooms and suites, all of which are decorated with regal flair and feature fabric-covered walls, velvet tapestries and Murano chandeliers. We were staying at the Kings Suite, which, I have to admit, is one of the most beautiful and elegant room I ever stayed at.
Meanwhile, Venetian mirrors, original works of art and royal memorabilia adorn the walls. For a touch of majestic decadence, a sizeable Croxford and Saunders painting of Queen Elizabeth II presides over the ruby accented Nottingham Suite, which is just one of The Rubens’ many monarch-themed rooms.
We were amazed by the high attention to detail in the interior design, including luxury towels, mirrors and bedlined adorned with the regal letter R.
Dining
The New York Bar – with its striking red interior – provides a unique setting in which to hear live music whilst sipping a modern hand-crafted cocktail, or simply enjoy a post-dinner nightcap.
A selection of restaurants at The Rubens satiate guests’ every food desire, including The English Grill for a British gastronomic experience with tableside theatrics, The Curry Room for authentic Indian cuisine served in sumptuous surroundings, and The Palace Lounge for classic British afternoon tea overlooking the Royal Mews.
We had a pleasure to meet The Curry Room chef Kumar, who prepared especially for us a selection of his signature dishes. Personally, I am not a fan of Indian cuisine, but after tasting the most delicious battered chicken, I am officially converted!
After curry tasting, it was time for our dinner at The English Grill Restaurant. Our lovely waiter freshly cut for us H. Forman & Son’s London Cure Smoked Salmon which was literally melting in my mouth.
We couldn’t resist tasting restaurant’s signature Steak Diane, which was flameed by our table. It was absolutely spectacular show and the food iself was unforgettable.
After a late night out in London, there is nothing better than traditional English breakfast or Egg Benedict and freshly squeezed green juice at the very elegant English Grill. That was the cherry on the top of this wonderful stay.
The Rubens is a traditional, full-service five-star hotel offering a wealth of facilities to suit every traveller and a warm welcome for families of all ages. We can’t recommend it more.