Hotel 41

Hotel 41 is a small five-star boutique hotel in central London, situated close to Buckingham Palace. It occupies an entire floor of a historic building adjoining The Rubens at the Palace. The hotel caters to guests who value privacy, a personalised approach and a high standard of service.

General description of the hotel

Hotel 41 opened in 2000 on the site of the former ballroom at The Rubens at the Palace. It occupies the fifth floor of the building and was conceived from the outset as an intimate hotel with the atmosphere of an exclusive private club. The hotel is owned by The Red Carnation Hotel Collection – a family-run hotel company comprising luxury properties in various countries.

Its exterior reflects classic early 20th-century London elegance, featuring a stately Portland stone façade, traditional arched windows and refined Edwardian Baroque architecture. The building blends harmoniously into the historic streetscape of central London, directly opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.

One of the distinctive features of Hotel 41 is the design of its communal areas and guest rooms. The interiors are dominated by black and white tones, mahogany panelling, leather furniture and works of art. The design maintains a consistent style, yet the rooms differ from one another in their furnishings. The décor features works by the French cartoonist Sem and illustrations by René Gruau.

The Executive Lounge deserves special mention – a refined retreat with wooden panelling, a fireplace and comfortable seating. It resembles a club room where guests can relax, work, order drinks or enjoy a light snack. Access to this area is restricted to hotel guests only.

Hotel 41 holds a five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide. It first received this accolade in 2017 and has maintained the highest Forbes Five-Star status for 10 consecutive years (from 2017 to 2026).

Rooms and suites

Hotel 41 features 30 rooms and suites. Each is individually designed, yet the overall concept remains consistent: a black-and-white colour scheme, mahogany furniture, high-quality textiles and attention to detail.

The rooms feature Savoir beds, whilst the bathrooms are finished in marble and equipped with premium toiletries. Certain room categories also include Nespresso coffee machines, seating areas, fireplaces and additional bathrooms.

Main accommodation options:

• Executive Single Room – a room for one guest with a double bed, decorated in the signature black-and-white colour scheme.
• Executive Double Room – a double room with a unique interior, bathrobes, slippers and toiletries.
• Executive King Room – a room with a large king-size bed. Some rooms offer views of the Royal Mews.
• Junior Suite – a two-level suite with a separate living room and bedroom on the upper level. Some suites feature a working fireplace.
• Executive Suite – a two-room suite with a separate bedroom, living room and dining area.
• Conservatory Suite – a unique suite with a glass-roofed ceiling through which you can gaze at the sky.

For families and groups, there are connecting rooms with internal doors, designed to accommodate between four and eight people. Please enquire about this option when booking.

Accommodation rates

The cost of staying at Hotel 41 depends on the season, the length of stay, the room category and the booking terms. There is no single fixed rate: the price is calculated based on the selected dates. In booking systems, the standard price range varies between £500 and £1,500+ per night.

The hotel offers discounts on room rates:

• up to 10% for direct bookings;
• up to 15% for prepayment;
• up to 20% for stays of three nights or more.

Dining

Hotel 41 does not have a large separate restaurant, but guests have access to a full service in the Executive Lounge and 24-hour room service. In addition, the hotel is connected to the neighbouring The Rubens at the Palace, which features restaurants and bars. Guests can enjoy everything from light snacks in the hotel lounge to full-course restaurant dinners.

The Executive Lounge is at the heart of the hotel’s dining concept. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as drinks and light snacks. Guests are welcome to pop in throughout the day for a bite to eat or to relax.

A distinctive feature of the hotel’s service is its complimentary treats, which are regularly replenished throughout the day and culminate in the signature ‘Plunder the Pantry’ spread:

• throughout the day – sweets, nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, crisps, chocolate and Jude’s ice cream;
• from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm – traditional English afternoon tea with warm scones, clotted cream and homemade jam;
• from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm – evening snacks and canapés;
• from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am – a late-night buffet with salads, cheeses, meat and fish appetisers, desserts and the hot dish of the day.

Upon check-in, guests are offered a welcome glass of champagne or a soft drink, and freshly baked biscuits are left in their room.

For a more substantial dinner, you can head to the restaurants at the neighbouring The Rubens at the Palace:

• The English Grill – a British restaurant serving steaks cooked on a Josper charcoal grill, classic dishes and seasonal specialities. The restaurant has been awarded two AA Rosettes.
• The Curry Room – a restaurant whose menu blends Indian and African culinary traditions.
• The Cavalry Bar – a bar serving cocktails in a classic atmosphere.
• The Leopard Bar – a glamorous bar combining understated feline charm with the vibrant energy of London, serving Champagne, seasonal spritzes and signature cocktails in elegant surroundings.

Reviews

Hotel 41 receives high ratings from travellers. On Tripadvisor, it has a rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on over 4,300 reviews. The hotel has been awarded the Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best 2026 award.

In their reviews, guests most frequently highlight several features:

• Staff service: Guests praise the staff’s attentiveness, personalised approach and willingness to help organise their trip.
• Room comfort: Travellers speak highly of the beds, cleanliness, quality of the bed linen and the well-thought-out décor.
• Executive Lounge: Guests appreciate the opportunity to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, have a snack and relax in a peaceful setting at any time.
• Location: The proximity to Buckingham Palace and Victoria Station makes it easy to explore the city and get around London.

Guests also note the little touches: in-room treats, the evening turndown service and the staff’s attention to special occasions. The hotel’s main drawback is the high cost of accommodation.

Mark:

Warm welcome, beautiful hotel, room was outstanding something we will remember for ever, staff very accommodating and great location.

Dino:

Tastefully decorated, impeccable service and spotlessly clean. Delightful polite and helpful. Only positives from us.

Contact details and location

Hotel 41 is situated in the Victoria area, in central London. The entrance is on Buckingham Palace Road, opposite the Royal Mews.

Address: 41 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PS, United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 20 7300 0041

Bookings: [email protected]

It takes about five minutes to walk from Victoria Station to the hotel. Buckingham Palace, the King’s Gallery and the Royal Mews are also nearby. The Victoria Palace Theatre and the Apollo Victoria Theatre are about a five- to six-minute walk away.

A valet parking service is available for motorists. You can hand your car over to hotel staff, who will take it to a secure car park nearby. The cost is £50 for the first four hours or £70 for 24 hours. The service is available daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

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