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The Rubens at the Palace is the closest you'll get to a sleepover with the Queen without a state visit invitation. The hotel is directly across from the royal residence on property that enjoys a colorful past – the Duke of Buckingham lived here in the 1600s, followed by an apothecary and a Court dressmaker. The Rubens, which was built in 1912, housed the Polish army during WWII and gave respite to exiled Charles de Gaulle. The hotel's decadent – and often equally colorful – rooms and suites are a comfortable home base in the epicenter of London.
The Rubens at the Palace
39 Buckingham Palace Road
London, England
SW1W 0PS
Nearest Airport: LHR
This is a wonderful hotel that I highly recommend. Yes, the rooms are small as is in many London hotels. We didn't care since we were out most of the time. The staff is friendly, attentive and helpful. The location is excellent: across the Royal Mews and around the corner is Buckingham palace. Lots of restaurants and a pub across the street and near Victoria station. The hotel also has a restaurant and bar with live entertainment. This helped since we walked around London several hours. It was nice to go to bar, get a martini and your room in the same place. Disclosure: There is one elevator and it is small. But anyone can manage. Looking forward to staying here again!
TravelMomWith2Kids - San Francisco, CA
Highly recommend this hotel if you're able to get a room. The rooms are small, but how much time are you spending in your room anyway when you're in London where there is so much to see and experience?? The hotel has a restaurant and bar with live entertainment. The young lady who performs is a wonderful singer. The restaurant offers high tea which unfortunately we didn't have time for. The location is fantastic! across from the Royal Mews, around the corner from Buckingham Palace and St. James Park. There are numerous places to eat across the street including a pub. The service was FANTASTIC! The staff is so helpful. We did have an incident with a tour agency, however, the concierge helped us and we were able to get on another tour for less. They are so attentive and friendly. I plan to stay here again when I return to see other sites I hadn't touched on.
Monica S
The whole place is excellent, the afternoon tea was superb better than the ritz or savoy and no fuss over dress, the grille in the evening was even better the french waiter preparing our beef tarter and Dover sole with such a deft touch and precision was a sight to behold, all in all a wonderful experience we will be back
David M
Excellent stay thanks to impeccable service, fine restaurant and pretty Christmas decor. The rooms are completely soundproof with nicely upholstered walls. Great weekend experience.
Daniele R
I booked a stay for my partners 'postponed' 60th birthday celebrations, i booked direct with the hotel for a 3 night stay, the whisky tasting and a meal at the curry room. We had a fabulous stay, the room was perfect, very comfy and quiet. Our whisky tasting was really enjoyable and Frank was great. The food at the hotel was superb, with a good choice of breakfast options, great to meet Chloe who looked after us very well, and the curry room was outstanding. We really felt very cared for by every staff member and they couldn't do enough for us.
ambersmith123
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We were simply blown away by every single detail.
-M. Otai
I just returned from an amazing 6 nights at The Rubens. My trip was for business and at the last minute, I had to bring my baby along. This worried me greatly, but thanks to the wonderful staff of the hotel, my week went off without a hitch. The staff couldn't have been any kinder, more helpful, or professional. From the moment we arrived, special attention was paid to the baby and any assistance I needed. There is no doubt that I will be returning to this hotel. It has won a special place in my heart.
-Dr. K. Greene
Our package at the Rubens at the Palace let my mother and me live like a queen. From the flowers in the room, the beautiful suite, the daily high tea, the staff - everything was a deluxe vacation opportunity. My previous vacations to London pale in comparison to this experience.
-P. Conway
I stayed at the hotel and found it to be delightful. It was a good, central location with comfortable, well-appointed rooms. The staff was outstanding, and the food was quite good. I would definitely stay there again!
-L. Read
I can't say enough about the amazing service at the hotel. Everyone was so friendly and helpful whenever we had questions or needed help. The concierge was wonderful and went out of his way to come check on us and see how our day our was turning out. It made us feel very welcome and almost like family! The room was very comfortable, the food in the bar was great, service was amazing. We'll stay here again!
-K. O'Brien