We’re definitely fans of Ruby Hotels’ ethos that a hotel should be more than just a bed for the night. This is a brand that prioritises stylish, inspiring spaces full of character as well as ensuring you have somewhere comfortable to lay your head. Since the brand launched in 2013 it's launched its personality-driven properties across Europe with 18 hotels and six workspaces in cities from Dublin and Cologne to Vienna and Zurich, and more in the pipeline to open this year.
London’s first - Ruby Lucy - sits in the shadow of Waterloo, with Ruby Zoe hot on its heels in Notting Hill and Ruby Stella set to open its doors in Clerkenwell this spring… but more on those later.
Ruby Lucy is down one of those cool streets behind Waterloo that feels like it should be in a movie. Inspired by the area’s vibrant past, the decor as soon as you step through the door is a mesmerising smorgasbord of bright colours, bold accents, vintage accessories and rides - it feels like stepping into a fairground. Downstairs is all velvet chairs, cosy corners and music-themed memorabilia, while a super speedy check in delivers your key card through its self-service machine in seconds. A 24 hour bar often welcomes up and coming bands and serves up not just a great cocktail list, but Italian-inspired bites for lunch and dinner, while come morning a healthy breakfast spread is completed with excellent barista-made coffee.
Upstairs, rooms are a haven of calm; pale wood floors, crisp sheets, a superbly comfy oversize bed and gorgeous products make it a welcoming space, with five room sizes culminating in the super spacious Loft Room, drenched in natural light and with its own balcony overlooking the city and a huge 180cm-wide, extra-long bed with luxurious linen. What’s more, they’re all sound-proofed - a bonus for such a busy part of town - meaning when you plug in to your in-room Marshall speaker to unwind with some tunes, you won’t annoy your neighbour. If you really want to rock however, you can even hire a guitar at the bar downstairs. One tiny annoyance we found was the lack of tea and coffee facilities in room - while there’s a galley on each floor with water and tea and coffee available, having to leave your room for it in your PJs is a tad frustrating when an early riser.
Each property has its own personality, with Notting Hill’s Ruby Zoe’s communal areas vining a distinctly more Caribbean theme. We can’t wait to hear more about what Ruby Stella has in store, and with its easy proximity to both the city and the West End it's sure to be a hit.
