Business Details
Luxury Stay at The Rubens at the Palace in London
Established in the 1700s and part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection since 1997, The Rubens at the Palace combines historic royal heritage with modern luxury. Located opposite Buckingham Palace's Royal Mews, we offer 161 individually designed rooms and suites, multiple dining venues including The English Grill and The New York Bar, and bespoke services tailored to guests' needs. Our team prioritises attentive hospitality, reflected in our Forbes Five-Star classification and commitment to sustainability through initiatives like London's largest living wall and partnerships with environmental organisations. We provide seamless access to London's iconic attractions, including Westminster Abbey and Victoria Station, while offering unique experiences such as Chef Ben's Beef Wellington and children's culinary workshops.Our dedication to eradicating single-use plastics and reducing food waste demonstrates our responsibility to environmental stewardship. With valet parking, 24-hour concierge, and wellness amenities like in-room spa treatments, we ensure comfort and convenience. Our historic significance as a former site for Buckingham Palace staff quarters adds timeless charm to every guest's stay. Through partnerships with local businesses and cultural institutions, we enhance visitors' immersion in London's royal heritage. Our team, led by Managing Director Malcolm Hendry since 2023, continues to refine our offerings while preserving the hotel's unique character. Whether for business travel, family holidays, or celebratory events, we deliver exceptional service rooted in British tradition.
Services
Afternoon Tea
Private Events
Wellness Treatments
Valet Parking
London Tours
Festive Dining
Room Service
Business Travel
Family Accommodation
Wedding Services
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 concierge service for seamless guest experiences
- Our historic Royal Mews views provide unique London vistas
- Award-winning dining with British cuisine specialists
- Sustainability leaders with London's largest living wall
- Direct access to Buckingham Palace and Victoria Station
Associations and certifications
- Forbes Five-Star
What people say
Royal Mews views
Award-winning dining
Bespoke service
Historic charm
Sustainability efforts
Services
Afternoon Tea
Indulge in traditional afternoon tea at The Palace Lounge overlooking Buckingham Palace's Royal Mews. Our offering includes exquisite teas, artisanal pastries, and seasonal variations like the Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea with mulled wine. The experience combines historic British tradition with modern presentation, served on fine china with attentive service. Guests consistently rate this as one of London's most authentic tea experiences.
Private Events
Host exclusive events in our historic venues with bespoke planning services. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, our dedicated team manages every detail including venue decoration, catering, and entertainment. Available spaces include the Leopard Room and Palace Lounge, accommodating 10-200 guests with customizable menus and technical support for corporate or social functions.
Wellness Treatments
Experience in-room wellness treatments through our partnership with London Serenity. Choose from massages, facials, and beauty treatments using premium products. Additional amenities include complimentary yoga mats, fitness videos, and access to nearby jogging trails. Our wellness programme extends to healthy dining options and the HVN Experience partnership for advanced skincare treatments.
Festive Dining
Enjoy themed seasonal dining experiences like Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas lunches, and New Year's Eve celebrations. Menus feature traditional British dishes with modern twists, including Chef Ben's Beef Wellington and vegan afternoon tea options. Reservations include special packages with accommodation and event access, available during key holiday periods with advance booking discounts.
London Tours
Access curated London experiences through our partnership with Evan Evans Tours. Options include royal heritage tours, West End theatre trips, and countryside excursions to the Cotswolds. Guests receive priority booking and expert local guides who provide historical context and insider knowledge of London's iconic landmarks and hidden gems.
People
Malcolm Hendry
Managing Director
Leading The Rubens at the Palace since 2023, Malcolm has over two decades of hospitality experience. He previously served as General Manager from 2004 and has driven the hotel's sustainability initiatives and Forbes Five-Star achievement.
Vince Castronovo
General Manager
Vince oversees daily operations with a focus on maintaining the hotel's historic character while implementing modern service standards. He has worked extensively across The Red Carnation Hotel Collection properties to develop guest experience strategies.
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.
How do I book a room?
Book directly through our website, contact us via +44 20 7834 6600, or use trusted booking platforms for guaranteed best rates.
What dining options are available?
We offer The English Grill for British cuisine, The New York Bar for cocktails, The Palace Lounge for afternoon tea, and seasonal dining experiences.
Are there special event facilities?
Yes, we host weddings, private dinners, and corporate events in our historic venues with dedicated event planners.
What sustainability initiatives do you have?
We maintain London's largest living wall, use rooftop beehives, and partner with Winnow to reduce food waste by 30%.
What nearby attractions can guests visit?
We're 1-minute walk from Buckingham Palace Royal Mews, 2-minute walk from Victoria Station, and 10-minute tube ride from Oxford Street.
Reviews (7)
Andrea Galante
Jan 17, 2022
Report
From start to end, our stay over Christmas 2021 was a delight! The entire team was incredibly helpful and welcoming and the doormen were fabulous with lots of helpful suggestions and always able to get us a quick taxi! The rooms were lovely and super clean! All the restaurants were excellent, but Afternoon Tea was beyond compare! We highly recommend The Rubens for your future stay!
Connie C.
Jan 16, 2022
Report
This review is solely for afternoon tea at The Rueben's at the Palace. Dress code is smart casual, so you don't have to worry about looking like you're meeting the Queen for those laidback dressers. The experience is nice, and across the palace, so the location is convenient. The food is basically all you can eat and drink, and there's just too much of everything to finish everything. I personally preferred the finger sandwiches and the scones. You can have bottomless mulled wine in the Christmas time or bottomless champagne. For non-drinkers, one pot of tea is more than enough
Nora Seb
Jan 07, 2022
Report
In December we had the pleasure to have Afternoon Tea here. The atmosphere and experience was everything we hoped it would be. Our waitress Gabriella was superb and was so kind and attentive really added to the our whole experience.
Culljustin
Dec 28, 2021
Report
Craig the concierge made a good stay turn into an amazing stay. He was Always so happy and enthusiastic, and loved talking to me and my partner about my home country Australia. Unfortunately he went on his break for us to give him a well deserved tip. We will be back to spoil him next time. Bunya mountains big fell
Janice Davies
Dec 24, 2021
Report
Wow just got back celebrated Christmas and our Anniversary amazing staff feels like home so warm and friendly was greeted with mulled wine stollen cake mince pies. The beds and rooms are so comfortable with Christmas trees in our rooms and Christmas morning a stocking on our door our 3rd time here and will be back again
Aaron Wildbore
Dec 20, 2021
Report
Great hotel! Customer service is second to none and always happy to cater to any special requests. Only stayed for the 1 night but thoroughly enjoyed the entirety of my short stay. Would definitely recommend for anyone wanting to stay in a higher budget hotel in London.
Almandine Stidwill
Dec 10, 2021
Report
We had such a wonderful time. The festive afternoon tea was amazing. We had a warm welcome, great service, top quality food. Definately worth the cost. We can't recommend this experience highly enough. Top points all round and extra thanks to Oliver for looking after us so well on my partner's birthday
