Hotel of the Week: The Rubens, London

Few hotels in London have HM The Queen as an immediate neighbour.

A peep from behind the curtains of Room 209 at the Rubens Hotel in Buckingham Palace Road allows a glimpse of the Royal Mews, although over a couple of days I never set eyes on so much as a wandering corgi.

The Queen, being so close, could have popped across the road for a cuppa, After all, The Rubens has one of London’s best afternoon high teas in the appropriately named Palace Lounge, and it welcomes pets with open paws. Even corgis.

At The Rubens, Fido and friends receive a welcome hamper (a toy, a treat and a tag), from Dave, the dog concierge, sleep in a custom made hotel pet bed, choose from a pet menu and are further spoilt with a turndown treat. On checkout guests receive a framed photo of their pet.

While Rubens, a Red Carnation hotel, has a rather royal air, with its antiques, military-themed memorabilia, works of art and fancy chandeliers, it is far from a stuffy hotel.

It even has a director of fun and adventure, who has been at the hotel for 34 years, so he has plenty of tales to tell young guests.
The Rubens also offers a sports buddy service, so if you lack a partner to share early morning exercise why not go jogging with Joanna in St James’s, or cycle to the Serpentine with Erika. Staff members have a bundle of sporting talents, so pick your sport and they’ll probably find you a buddy.Synchronised swimming anyone?

Room 209, a classic double, was comfy and compact. Elegant, too, with its mirrors, muted decor and pictures of Greek gods. The Rubens has a variety of rooms, Singles and doubles, executive kings and eight royal rooms situated in a private wing. Each royal room takes its design cues from great British monarchs of the past from Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Victoria.

Crystal chandeliers, canopies over the beds and other opulent fittings lend these rooms a rather regal air.

Food is a big part of what The Rubens has to offer. For afternoon tea, there are separate tea and scone menus (white chocolate and lavender is a favourite) but the big number is the Dom Perignon Afternoon Tea with a variety of sandwiches and rolls, five sweet things (violet chocolate ganache for me) scones and homemade strawberry preserve and clotted cream.

For under-12s, who in my experience eat twice as much as their parents, there is a good-value Princes’ and Princesses’ menu.

The recently refurbished Cavalry Bar has an extensive menu. Drinks include Joseph Perrier Champagne served by the glass, or an Inverarity 10-year-old single malt whisky (bottled especially for The Rubens in Speyside, Scotland).With a Scotch in hand, you can wind down in the Cavalry Bar by studying the display of military artefacts, recalling key historical events throughout the British Empire.

Other dining options are the safari-themed Leopard Champagne & Cocktail Bar; fine dining in The Library or a carvery specialising in Aberdeen Angus beef at The Old Masters restaurant where a pre-theatre/early dinner menu is available from 5pm until 6.30pm.

Bbar, next door to The Rubens, is another big game themed restaurant with a menu strong on South African dishes from Red Carnation founder and president Bea Tollman’s cookbook.

The Rubens is well placed if you want to be immersed in London’s pomp and ceremony. Buckingham Palace, the Mall, Horseguards Parade and the Royal Parks are within strolling distance.

So too Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Victoria Palace and Apollo theatres.

By TravelMole Asia Pacific editor Ian Jarrett