The Rubens at the Palace

The breakfasts were fantastic, and the room was clean with all the amenities I could need. Staff were courteous, helpful and easy to find whenever I needed assistance. Robert, the doorman, deserves a special mention for being respectful, pleasant and truly focused on guests. Highly recommended!

We enjoyed two nights in a Junior Suite at The Rubens at the Palace. It's right beside Buckingham Palace, and the historic feel of the building is like stepping into another time. Some parts of the room felt a little dated, but that wasn't a problem for us. When we're in London we're out and about most of the time, so clean and comfortable is enough. The people are what make the stay special. Pascal on the door was always welcoming and ready to help guests, Raj made a point of greeting people and being visible, and the bar staff were friendly and attentive. There are newer hotels in London, but this team was an absolute pleasure.

The breakfast buffet is one of the most limited I've come across. There were only a few bowls of cereal, several kinds of milk, and some yogurt and fruit. On the plus side, you can order hot dishes from the menu, as they explain on the first day, and the portions are generous and well prepared. We didn't try the Indian restaurant because it was closed for renovations, although it looked promising. The English Grill is available, but with such good dining choices nearby, we didn't think it was worth paying the hotel's higher prices, especially for what looked like a limited menu. The facilities are quite dated, especially the lifts, and that shows in the rooms and windows too. Also, the toilet paper was about five feet from the toilet. The views aren't particularly good whichever way your room faces, so I wouldn't pay extra for one. This isn't a luxury hotel, just an acceptable one in the centre, and that's what you're paying for. Its best feature is the location: Victoria Station is a five-minute walk, almost entirely under cover when it rains, and you're close to several top theatres, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, which is under ten minutes away. We'd stay again, but only at the right price.

Our room overlooked the Royal Mews, and we loved the view. The hotel and even the bathroom below the tea room were impressively clean. The thermostat was easy to operate, and the air conditioning worked great. Staff were friendly and accommodating in every way, and we really appreciated the special treatment from every single one of them. We had a very pleasant four-night stay, with the Victoria Underground, Victoria Theater, Apollo theater and great restaurants just minutes away on foot. We'd definitely consider staying again when we're back in London.