Luxury Hotel · England
The Rubens at the Palace
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
Part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, The Rubens at the Palace occupies one of London’s most enviable addresses, directly opposite the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and a five-minute walk from Victoria Station.
Individually designed rooms and suites range from Executive King Rooms to Royal Suites, with rooms overlooking the Royal Mews among the most sought-after in the collection. The hotel carries a distinctly British character throughout, from its interiors to its dining offer.
Six dining and bar venues cover considerable ground, from The English Grill for British fine dining to The Curry Room and the Palace Lounge. Afternoon tea, served with views of Buckingham Palace, is among the most celebrated in the area.
The hotel also offers cocktail masterclasses, curated tastings and evenings of live music, giving guests reasons to linger well beyond check-in.
Highlights
- Directly opposite the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, five minutes from Victoria Station
- Individually designed rooms and suites including Royal Suites overlooking the Royal Mews
- Six dining and bar venues including The English Grill and a celebrated Royal Afternoon Tea
Accommodation
Executive King Room
The Executive King Room combines luxury with functionality, providing a comfortable and stylish space for guests.
Royal Themed King Room
This room offers a uniquely royal experience with thematic décor – perfect for lovers of English history and the monarchy.
Executive Suite
The Executive Suite is designed to provide both comfort and elegance – perfect for business travelers or those seeking a luxurious stay.
Family Suite
Ideal for family stays, this suite provides ample space and comfort, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay for all family members.
Master Suite
The Master Suite embodies luxury, offering spacious accommodations with elegant décor and top-notch amenities, for a truly regal experience. The leopard print fabrics add a touch of fun to the luxe interiors.
Further information
Dining
The Rubens spans six dining and bar venues. The English Grill serves refined British cuisine using the finest English produce in elegant surroundings, with tableside theatre and a weekend brunch menu. The Curry Room blends Indian and African influence for an altogether different dining experience. Royal Afternoon Tea is served in The Palace Lounge, overlooking the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. The New York Bar, Leopard Bar and sister venue bbar complete a broad and characterful offering.
Wellness
Wellness at The Rubens takes a practical, guest-first approach rather than a traditional spa model. Bespoke treatments are available in-room, with complimentary yoga mats and fitness videos provided as standard. Guests have access to nearby jogging trails and St James’s Park, with Sports Buddies on hand for jogging companionship. The hotel’s menus feature healthy seasonal dishes for guests focused on eating well alongside their stay.
Experiences
The Rubens offers an unusually broad programme of curated experiences. Food and drink options include an immersive cocktail masterclass, a guided gin tasting, a Sabrage Champagne ritual, a Borough Market chef experience and a Beef Wellington cooking class. Beyond dining, guests can join a London tea history walking tour, explore Mayfair’s women-led art scene, or reconnect with nature at OmVed Gardens, making this one of the most experience-rich hotels in the Victoria area.
England
England runs on Greenwich Mean Time, shifting to British Summer Time, one hour ahead, between late March and late October. The country is compact enough that no domestic journey is particularly arduous: London to Bath takes ninety minutes by train, London to York is two hours, London to Manchester just over two.
Our Experts
England is a great destination solely for the diversity of its experiences. You can visit ancient castles, or modern art galleries. Enjoy swanky bars on a Saturday night, or wholesome country pubs on a Sunday afternoon.
England has a quaint, idyllic feel to it that you really have to experience to understand. The lush green of the countryside is a must-see for nature lovers.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.