We stayed at the Rubens for four nights in the first week of April. The visit was a treat for our Belgian grand-daughter to celebrate the fact that she is now ten. In advance we had received and completed a Guest Preference form where we mentioned the birthday and also recalled that my husband had stayed at the Rubens on business many years ago and is still talking about the kidneys on offer for breakfast. When we arrived with Eurostar very early in the morning, we left our luggage at the hotel as our room was not ready. We were greeted by the very helpful Guest Services Manager and had a complimentary breakfast. On arrival in our bedroom later in the day, there was a birthday cake for our grand-daughter, a present for her and a birthday card signed by the staff. For us there was a welcome card signed by the Manager, a big basket of fruit, a selection of soft drinks and chocolate brownies. Sometimes in other hotels these items appear later as additions to the bill. In this case all were included in the price. The breakfasts were absolutely first class: a selection of cold buffet, fruits, pastries, cereals and a cooked breakfast (including a choice of crispy bacon and non-crispy bacon). To cap it all, the Restaurant Manager arrived every morning with two kidneys, specially prepared for my husband! We didn’t eat all of the birthday...We stayed at the Rubens for four nights in the first week of April. The visit was a treat for our Belgian grand-daughter to celebrate the fact that she is now ten. In advance we had received and completed a Guest Preference form where we mentioned the birthday and also recalled that my husband had stayed at the Rubens on business many years ago and is still talking about the kidneys on offer for breakfast.

When we arrived with Eurostar very early in the morning, we left our luggage at the hotel as our room was not ready. We were greeted by the very helpful Guest Services Manager and had a complimentary breakfast. On arrival in our bedroom later in the day, there was a birthday cake for our grand-daughter, a present for her and a birthday card signed by the staff. For us there was a welcome card signed by the Manager, a big basket of fruit, a selection of soft drinks and chocolate brownies. Sometimes in other hotels these items appear later as additions to the bill. In this case all were included in the price.

The breakfasts were absolutely first class: a selection of cold buffet, fruits, pastries, cereals and a cooked breakfast (including a choice of crispy bacon and non-crispy bacon). To cap it all, the Restaurant Manager arrived every morning with two kidneys, specially prepared for my husband!

We didn’t eat all of the birthday cake the first evening, but left a note the following morning to tell the staff we would finish it later. When we arrived back, the cake remains had disappeared. After the Reception staff confirmed that it had not been put in the fridge, the Guest Services manager arrived at our door with a plate of nine freshly-prepared cakes from their traditional afternoon tea selection.

We have never before met such friendly and helpful staff in a hotel – and the breakfasts were absolutely fabulous! We will certainly return.More