Business Details
Luxury Hotel in London Near Buckingham Palace
The Rubens at the Palace stands as a testament to Londons royal heritage, blending historic elegance with modern luxury. Established on a site once part of Buckingham Palaces grounds, our hotel has evolved from 18th-century staff quarters to a five-star destination celebrated for its regal design and exceptional service. Under the leadership of Managing Director Malcolm Hendry and General Manager Vince Castronovo, our team delivers warm British hospitality, reflected in our 161 individually designed rooms, award-winning dining venues, and bespoke guest experiences. We pride ourselves on meticulous attention to detail, from the Murano chandeliers in our suites to the living wall that sustains Londons largest urban bee colony.Recognised with a Forbes Five-Star rating in 2018, we combine historic charm with contemporary comforts, including partnerships with wellness providers and sustainable initiatives that eliminate single-use plastics and reduce food waste. Our strategic location opposite Buckingham Palace places guests at the heart of Londons royal district, offering unparalleled access to cultural landmarks while maintaining a sanctuary of tranquillity. Through decades of experience in hospitality, we empower our team to create memorable stays, whether through culinary experiences like Chef Bens Beef Wellington or the traditional elegance of our Afternoon Tea overlooking the Royal Mews.
Services
Afternoon Tea
Private Events
Fine Dining
Wellness Treatments
Royal Tours
Valet Parking
Sustainable Stays
Family Packages
Wedding Services
Gift Vouchers
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 concierge service for personalised guest experiences
- Our historic location provides direct views of Buckingham Palace Royal Mews
- Award-winning dining includes The English Grill and Palace Lounge Afternoon Tea
- We maintain Londons largest living wall and rooftop beehives for sustainability
- Forbes Five-Star rated for excellence in hospitality since 2018
Associations and certifications
- Forbes Five-Star
What people say
Breathtaking palace views
Impeccable staff
Luxurious ambiance
Award-winning dining
Perfect location
Services
Afternoon Tea
Indulge in our Palace Lounge's classic Afternoon Tea overlooking the Royal Mews. This quintessential British experience features exquisite teas, freshly baked scones with clotted cream, delicate finger sandwiches, and seasonal pastries. Our service maintains traditional elegance while offering modern adaptations like vegan afternoon tea options, all served in a setting adorned with velvet tapestries and Murano chandeliers.
Private Events
Host unforgettable occasions in our elegant venues with dedicated event planning. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, our team ensures meticulous attention to every detail, offering spaces like The Leopard Room and The New York Bar. We provide tailored menus, audio-visual support, and seamless coordination for weddings, corporate events, and private dinners with capacity for up to 100 guests.
Fine Dining
Experience culinary excellence across our four signature restaurants. The English Grill serves refined British cuisine using seasonal ingredients, while The Curry Room offers contemporary Indian dishes. The Palace Lounge provides traditional afternoon tea, and The New York Bar features innovative cocktails. Each venue combines exceptional food with historic ambiance, including views of Buckingham Palace's Royal Mews and St James's Park.
Wellness Treatments
Rejuvenate with bespoke wellness experiences including in-room spa treatments and fitness programmes. Partnering with London Serenity and Aire Ancient Baths, we offer massages, beauty treatments, and relaxation packages. Guests enjoy complimentary yoga mats, fitness videos, and access to jogging trails in St James's Park, complemented by healthy dining options and our Sports Buddies programme for active guests.
Royal Tours
Explore Londons royal heritage with curated tours starting from our doorstep. Our location provides easy access to Buckingham Palace, The Queen's Gallery, and Westminster Abbey. Through partnerships with local guides, we offer expert-led excursions to royal landmarks, West End theatres, and historic sites, including special access to behind-the-scenes locations and seasonal events like the Changing of the Guard.
People
Malcolm Hendry
Managing Director
Leading The Rubens at the Palace since 2023, Malcolm has over two decades of hospitality experience. He has driven the hotel's award-winning restoration and sustainability initiatives since joining in 1997, maintaining its royal heritage while introducing modern innovations like Chef Ben's Beef Wellington experience.
Vince Castronovo
General Manager
With extensive experience in luxury hospitality, Vince oversees daily operations ensuring the hotel maintains its Forbes Five-Star standards. He focuses on delivering exceptional guest experiences while preserving the property's historic character and commitment to British traditions.
Questions
What is The Rubens at the Palace's location?
We are located at 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PS, directly opposite Buckingham Palace's Royal Mews.
What dining options are available?
We offer four signature venues: The English Grill (British cuisine), The Curry Room (Indian dishes), The Palace Lounge (afternoon tea), and The New York Bar (cocktails).
Are there special event facilities?
Yes, we have multiple venues for weddings, private dinners, and corporate events, including The Leopard Room and The New York Bar, accommodating up to 100 guests.
What sustainability initiatives do you have?
We maintain Londons largest living wall, rooftop beehives, and have eliminated single-use plastics. Our partnership with Winnow helps reduce food waste by 30%.
Can I book wellness treatments?
Yes, we offer in-room spa treatments through London Serenity and discounted access to Aire Ancient Baths for massages and relaxation therapies.
How do I access local attractions?
We're within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Victoria Station. Our concierge can arrange guided tours and theatre tickets.
Reviews (4)
Chris J.
Jun 18, 2022
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This place is a must stay, for your time in London! I would say that the best part about this hotel is location, location, location. Yet, location, location, location, is not the only thing that makes this hotel great! How about Afternoon Tea, Afternoon Tea, Afternoon Tea and English Breakfast, English Breakfast, English Breakfast! The Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea, was an awesome experience! Everything tasted great and the service was great!
After tea, how about a nice stroll to Buckingham Palace, it's only a 3-5 minutes walk. The bed at the Rubens is so heavenly and comfortable that you go straight to sleep. The rooms are decorated in a way that you feel that you are sleeping in a room at Buckingham Palace! This will not be my last time staying at the Rubens! My family and I are definitely coming back!
After tea, how about a nice stroll to Buckingham Palace, it's only a 3-5 minutes walk. The bed at the Rubens is so heavenly and comfortable that you go straight to sleep. The rooms are decorated in a way that you feel that you are sleeping in a room at Buckingham Palace! This will not be my last time staying at the Rubens! My family and I are definitely coming back!
Justin Grayston
Jun 03, 2022
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Now this isn't your average vanilla hotel.and the decor may not be for everyone and to be honest it is perfect British opulence for the London tourist. Everything is maintained well and clean. The bathroom was well fitted out and shower was spacious and had plenty of pressure. I slept great and couldn't believe how quiet it was considering the location. Probably something to do with the immensely thick heavy curtains. Talking of location, it's literally by Buckingham Palace. Great for Victoria and the rest of the West End. Service was professional, helpful and polite.,.you can't ask more than that. I will be returning for sure.
Simon McCarthy
May 31, 2022
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All the staff are friendly and attentive and nothing is too much trouble. The bars are relaxed and the Curry House served up the best curry I have tasted. The rooms were clean and extremely well appointed. This hotel and it's staff are more than deserving of 5 stars.
Simon Fawcett
May 12, 2022
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Fantastic hotel, this was our second stay. We were greeted on arrival by name, they even asked about our children. They must have made notes from our first stay. A nice touch. We live just outside London and came across this hotel by chance, but we will be staying every time we come into to town now. The staff are very friendly, they made us feel like the most important people staying there. The hotel is full of character and history.
The food is fantastic! We had afternoon tea this time. We had loads left and they boxed it up for us and had it delivered to the room for later. If you are looking for the proper London experience in a five star hotel then you will not be disappointed. Ps, not bumped into the Queen yet, she has been out of town both times we stayed.
The food is fantastic! We had afternoon tea this time. We had loads left and they boxed it up for us and had it delivered to the room for later. If you are looking for the proper London experience in a five star hotel then you will not be disappointed. Ps, not bumped into the Queen yet, she has been out of town both times we stayed.
