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London
Enjoy a weekend fit for a king at the regal The Rubens at the Palace hotel, just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace
When the very charming concierge apologises for not being able to whip the cork off a Champagne bottle with a sword (‘sadly, it’s a little too busy’), you know you’re somewhere very special.
I’m perched in the lounge at The Rubens at the Palace, tucking into what I consider ‘The Best Afternoon Tea in London’: a glass of fizz and a pot of tea accompanying a generous selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones and pastries, served up with perfect people-watching views and live piano music. The hotel changes its menu in line with London events, and was serving a Coronation Special when we visited – think crown mousse cake and the tastiest coronation chicken you’ll find during the reign of King Charles.
CROWNING GLORY
I’m staying for the weekend with my sister, as a celebration for a big birthday (hers, not mine). And it’s just as special as the occasion demands: this part of the city is tourist land, and the place is full of excited visitors having a wonderful holiday. The energy is infectious, and it gives me a newfound feeling of joy for London, which, when you’ve lived in this city for as long as I have, can be hard-won at times. Rooms at the hotel vary in size and scale; we have a small but perfectly formed twin in which we don’t hear a sound from other guests or London traffic.
Everything about this gem of a hotel is special: it’s a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace (overlooking the entrance to the mews where horses clatter out and minor royals drive in); it has unrivalled service from an army of cheerful, helpful members of staff; and it offers an array of food and interesting cocktails. The English Grill offers a classic menu of dishes done right, with perfectly cooked fish and meat served with style and flair – think tableside carving, flambéeing and fish filleting to order. We enjoy scallops and caviar, followed by lamb navarin with creamy mash, and I will be forever sad we are too full for dessert, particularly as there’s a cheese trolley, fit to bursting, doing the rounds. The restaurant is grand, beautiful and just the right side of fancy. I don’t ‘do posh’ very often, but I felt immediately at ease here. If you fancy some heat, book into the hotel’s The Curry Room, which offers a wonderful three-course set menu.
There are loads of things to do in this corner of the capital. Take advantage of the location to enjoy Buckingham Palace, Green Park and St James’s Park, and Pic
