Overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, the newly refurbished Rubens at The Palace hotel is soon to complete the final finishing touches in a hotel-wide renovation. Sitting proudly between The Palace and the striking new NOVA development, The Rubens embraces great British tradition and heritage whilst being at the centre of London Victoria’s regeneration. Following a multi-million-pound refurbishment, the warm and generous hospitality for which The Rubens is famed now extends to two elegant new restaurant concepts, a vibrant bar, a thoroughly English afternoon tea service, plus new sumptuous guest rooms and suites.
In homage to The Rubens’ rich royal history, the accommodation at The Rubens has received a regal makeover. Each of the 163 rooms, suites and serviced apartments has been lovingly and caringly refurbished. Over 80 new marble bathrooms have been installed, alongside 163 chandeliers, some of which are from Murano; the rooms’ striking décor showcase regal colours and rich fabrics; and guests can enjoy the latest in-room technology.
The Rubens also proudly presents a variety of stunning and exciting new food and beverage venues. The magnificent new The English Grill restaurant offers modern twists on classic English dishes, with ingredients sourced from the highest quality English suppliers, including meats from Aubrey Allen, Royal Warrant holder to Her Majesty The Queen, and freshly, locally-sourced fish from Billingsgate Market. The exciting menu designed by Executive Chef, Ben Kelliher, features daily roasts that are expertly carved at diners’ tables, as well as much-beloved, signature dishes created by The Red Carnation Hotel Collection’s President and Founder, Mrs Bea Tollman. Wines from Bouchard Finlayson, the hotel’s award-winning sister property in South Africa, are part of the extensive wine list curated by Sommelier Vincent Bouin. The newly opened Curry Room features famed Indian dishes from The Oyster Box in Durban, South Africa, which is also part of the luxurious Red Carnation Hotel Collection. The striking red New York Bar provides a vibrant atmosphere in which to enjoy cocktails from a brand new menu, created by the hotel’s dedicated team of mixologists, whilst listening to live music, played nightly. For a truly British institution, look no further than the hotel’s Palace Lounge where the highly popular signature Royal Afternoon Tea is served daily. Utilising the enviable locale overlooking the Royal Mews, the Palace Lounge offers panoramic views from which to catch a glimpse of the royal carriages to-ing and fro-ing whilst enjoying dainty sandwiches, scones and sweet treats in suitably regal surrounds.
In May, the final element to the refurbishment, a brand-new incarnation of the Leopard Bar, will open to guests and visitors, serving over 200 of the finest whiskies, 30 Champagnes and over 50 Champagne cocktails in elegant and uniquely designed surroundings.
Having been neighbour to Buckingham Palace since the 1700s, The Rubens is a bastion of London’s Victoria and has played host to debutantes and notable members of society since the early 1900s. This high society heritage was the source of inspiration for the hotel’s most recent and extensive refurbishment since The Rubens became part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection in 1997. Red Carnation’s family-run design team created the “new-look Rubens” which echoes the building’s storied heritage and prestigious locale with regal colourways and thoughtful touches, whilst aligning with the hotel’s newly revitalised surroundings.
The Rubens’ commitment to sustainability is evidenced by the 350-metre-tall Living Wall adorning the side of the hotel overlooking NOVA. Its carpet of over 10,000 herbaceous plants has been improving the air quality of surrounding Victoria since installation, as well as breathing green life into the surrounding urban neighbourhood. The hotel’s refurbishment has brought the commitment to sustainability indoors, with adaptations of the infrastructure to ensure that The Rubens is now one of the most ‘green’ hotels across the Red Carnation Collection.
Malcolm Hendry, General Manager of The Rubens at the Palace, said:
“We look forward to warmly welcoming guests and visitors through our newly-polished doors to celebrate British heritage with us. Our caring and passionate team have lovingly refurbished The Rubens from top to bottom, embracing our royal connections, and celebrating great British tradition across our restaurants and bars, and our rooms and suites. Now, as we prepare for the launch of our latest venue, our beautiful new Leopard Bar, the final piece in the refurbishment of the “new-look Rubens” will be complete, and I couldn’t be prouder of this incredible hotel.”
Nightly rates at The Rubens at The Palace are available from £249 per night on a room only basis.
For more information about The Rubens at The Palace, or to make a booking please visit www.rubenshotel.com or call +44 (0)20 7834 6600.
