The Business Travel Magazine Dec/Jan 2019/20

DEPARTURES
New kid on the block
ruby lucy, london
THE LOWDOWN Munich-based
Ruby Hotels is promising to bring the
carnival to town with its first UK
property, opening in January on
London's Southbank. Defining itself
as 'lean luxury', the brand says it
focuses on the essentials – location,
fittings and design – but keeps it
affordable by cutting out frills like
room service and overpriced
minibars. A three-minute walk from
Waterloo Station, the hotel's
interiors – rich, dark tones with
bright brass, subtle stripes and
carnival-themed touches like drums
and juggling pins – are inspired by
the surrounding markets, galleries,
and theatre scene. There's a 24-hour
bar, communal work station, a
library and 76 bedrooms, from cosy
'Nest' rooms to more spacious 'Loft'
rooms. All come with sleep-inducing
soundproofing, blackout curtains,
posh linen, and extra long and wide
custom mattresses. Ruby Hotels
plans to open a second hotel in the
capital by 2022, so watch this space.
that's a FACT Every room comes
with its own Marshall guitar amp to
plug into. If you don't have your own
guitar, you can borrow one from
reception (thank goodness for the
soundproofing!).
they said it “The model
works because we accommodate
luxury in a relatively condensed
space, similar to luxury yachts, and
we forego unnecessary services.”
rates Rooms start
from around £110 per night.
90 THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.com