With a royal baby due in April and a royal wedding taking place in May, royal fever is heating up in the UK. To celebrate, we have compiled a guide to the best royal experiences, teas, exhibitions and accommodation packages travellers can enjoy in London at The Milestone Hotel & Residence, The Rubens at the Palace and Evan Evans Tours.
At The Milestone Hotel & Residences, guests under the age of 12 can sip like royalty during tea at the Park Lounge. The five-star hotel’s Little Prince and Princess Afternoon Tea menu includes kid-friendly finger sandwiches, freshly-baked scones with Devonshire clotted cream, preserves, pastries and hot chocolate.
Kids also get to become members of The Milestone food and beverage team and decorate their very own cupcakes as part of the experience. The Little Prince & Princess Afternoon Tea is priced at US$34 per child. To make a reservation for tea, please call 011 44 20 7917 1000, email [email protected] or visit www.milestonehotel.com.
The concierge at The Milestone will happily arrange tickets to the popular ongoing exhibition “Diana: Her Fashion Story” at Kensington Palace. The Palace, which is located directly opposite the hotel, was Princess Diana’s residence for 15 years, and the exhibit showcases the evolution of her style, from the simple outfits she wore during her first public appearances to the glamorous and elegant gowns she wore later in life.
Kensington Palace is also the future home of the world’s most famous engaged couple, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. To commemorate the royal engagement, The Milestone is offering a “Royal Engagement Package”, which includes the following: two nights in a beautifully appointed room or suite; Royal Afternoon Tea for two; a romantic turndown with pink Champagne; a ride in a chauffeured Bentley to a Hatton Garden jewellery store; a horse-drawn carriage ride around London to celebrate the new engagement; a photography session with Lucy Elliot by Kensington Palace; and a private tour of the palace.
Rates from US$3,795 per room per night inclusive of VAT, based on two adults sharing. Minimum two-night stay required; must be booked 28 days before arrival. Valid through December 31, 2018. To make a reservation, please call 011 44 20 7917 1000, email [email protected] or visit www.milestonehotel.com/offers.
Guests inspired to say their own “I dos” while in London can get hitched at The Oratory, the Milestone’s own wedding venue. Dating back to the 1880s, The Oratory was the original chapel in the building, before it became a hotel, and is currently a licensed venue for civil ceremonies.
Steeped in history, The Oratory is the perfect place for an intimate nuptial celebration of up to eight people, including the wedding couple. The Milestone can put together a complete wedding package for you including ceremony, a bespoke three-course meal, Champagne and canapes, and discounted or complimentary accommodation. To inquire about weddings at The Milestone, call 011 44 20 7917 1000, or email [email protected].
The Rubens at the Palace, another luxury boutique hotel in The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, boasts an enviable location opposite Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s London residence and official office. Guests can treat themselves to The Rubens’ Royal Afternoon Tea, which features delicious, well-researched and much-loved favourites of various British royals throughout the ages.
Served overlooking the Royal Mews, this unique afternoon tea concept features a selection of mouth-watering finger sandwiches and delicious sweet treats, including homemade Jam Pennies – one of the Queen’s favourites. In addition, The Rubens’ own version of the chocolate biscuit cake that William and Kate served at their wedding reception is boxed up as a takeaway gift for guests.
Guests can also choose from a selection of regally-approved beverages including the Queen’s tipple, gin and Dubonnet; Prince Phillip’s favourite English bitter, Boddingtons; and Prince Charles’ 50:50 martini. The Royal Tea at The Rubens is priced at US$54 per person. To make a reservation, please call 011 44 20 7834 6600 or book a table online at www.rubenshotel.com.
The English Grill is The Rubens’ elegant new brasserie-style restaurant, which officially opened its doors last August. Embracing the best of English tradition, design and flavours, the luxurious fine dining restaurant serves an exquisite menu designed around premium, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients.
Meats come from Aubrey Allen, Royal Warrant holder to Her Majesty the Queen, which means guests can enjoy traditional English dishes of the high standards served to the monarch herself.
In keping with the hotel’s rich royal history and ties to traditional English society, diners at The English Grill will enjoy a feeling of grandeur and elegance as they receive warm and impeccable service from tail-coated waiters alongside polished silver, luxurious fabrics and beautiful chandeliers. The English Grill restaurant is now open to residents and visitors alike for daily lunch and dinner. To make a reservation, please call 011 44 20 7834 6600, or visitwww.rubenshotel.com.
The Rubens at the Palace is offering three royal-themed packages in 2018 that let guests celebrate all things royal. “A Royal Weekend” is perfect for couples seeking a romantic weekend getaway in London, and includes two nights’ accommodation plus complimentary Royal Afternoon Tea for two, full English breakfast daily and a US$70 restaurant credit.
Live like Royalty” is valid from July 23-September 30, 2018, and includes two nights’ accommodation, tickets to the State Rooms, a royal cocktail on arrival, Royal Afternoon Tea for two, royal-themed room turndown, full English breakfast daily and a $70 restaurant credit.
A Royal Weekend” is priced from US$381 per room per night. “A Royal Occasion” is priced from $483 per room per night. “Live Like Royalty” is priced from $464 per room per night. All packages require a two-night minimum stay. For reservations, call 011 44 20 7834 6600 or book online at www.rubenshotel.com/offers.
Evan Evans Tours, Britain’s oldest sightseeing company, lets travellers explore the Queen’s two official London residences in one day this summer on the “Buckingham Palace & Windsor Castle with Lunch” tour.
First guests spend two hours discovering Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s central London residence, which is only open to the public for three months every year. Next they head out to Windsor, where they enjoy a delicious two-course hot lunch at the Harte & Garter Hotel before exploring Windsor Castle. Guests will visit the magnificent State Apartments, the 14th century St. George’s Chapel and the beautiful castle grounds.
The tour is priced at US$214 per adult and US$195 per child, and includes round-trip transportation from central London in a luxury Mercedes-Benz coach with complimentary Wi-Fi. Audio guides are available. Available from July 23-Sept 30, 2018. To make a booking, please visit www.evanevanstours.com or call 1-800-422-9022.
Red Carnation Hotels are a collection of family-run, award-winning boutique hotels in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Switzerland and the US. Each hotel is a landmark of history and tradition; from the recently restored Ashford Castle in Ireland to the Milestone, a historic mansion hotel in the heart of London, to the truly iconic Oyster Box in South Africa – the hotels are unique and characterful with a personal approach to hospitality
With a peerless reputation for exquisite fine dining, leading spas and sumptuous surroundings, these hotels pride ourselves on delivering warm, thoughtful and highly personalised service. For more information about these award-winning hotels and the rest of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, please go to www.redcarnation.com
Evan Evans Tours is the longest established and largest sightseeing company in London and has been accompanying visitors on city tours and out-of-town excursions since 1930. Its exciting range of tours brings you the best Britain has to offer, from majestic palaces and castles and quaint country villages to the historic cities of Bath, Oxford and Canterbury
ll tours are operated to the highest quality standard on its new fleet of luxury, air-conditioned coaches and are escorted by professional local guides, whose wealth of knowledge and experience will ensure you have a day out to remember. For more information, visit www.evanevanstours.com.
