Ruby Lucy – lean luxury in the heart of Waterloo
It’s always fun to enter your hotel room and see a few Marshall amps with the invitation to ’grab a guitar‘ from the selection in the bar. You get the feeling there’s a good understanding that this hotel invites a little fun and doesn’t mind a bit of a party.
There’s a lot going on at the Munich-based hotel brand Ruby Lucy – just a few minutes walk from Waterloo Station and the South Bank – the 24-hour bar hints to a circus playground with fun fairground lighting, vintage miss-matched furnishings and low-level music. It’s a perfect place to grab one of the very tasty seasonal cocktail concoctions, and while you’re there you may as well get someone to take your photo in the selfie worthy swinging chair next to reception.
The rooms are, in contrast to the shared spaces; white, bright and neat. Everything feels functional and in its place. This is where the brand’s ‘lean luxury’ philosophy feels like it plays out… But does lean luxury mean missing out on anything?
Well that depends on what you want, need or desire from a hotel. But for two nights, in a great area, there was literally nothing ‘extra’ we needed. Why have a restaurant when there’s plenty of places, spaces, food stalls to choose from in the local area? Who needs a trouser press when there’s a shared iron and board in the gallery space? Why bother with room service when there’s a multi-functional and ingeniously stocked vending machine? Kettle in the room? Don’t bother – hot water and all the teas you need are there for you to take away as you head to the lift.
If you’re in need of morning sustenance (and after the cocktails in the 24-hour bar who wouldn’t be?) then the locally sourced breakfast buffet offer hits the mark. With bread from the local bakery, superfood cereals and Bircher muesli, as well as a decent charcuterie platter and barista-made coffee, you are set to go and explore.
The 75-room property is Ruby Hotels’ first in the UK with a prime position on the Southbank’s Lower Marsh.
“In an area famed for its pleasures – both genteel and guilty – we’ve taken inspiration from the fly-by-night world of markets and fairgrounds.” They say. And our room does indeed look out on to the market stalls and food pop-ups.
Think laid back, chilled out, and good fun – hipster in style but mixed with good service. It’s not revolutionary; if you know ACE, Generator, the Sir or W Hotels then you are getting a feel. Hotels definitely don’t (or shouldn’t) have to be beige and neutral!
WHILE YOU ARE THERE
- The Leake Street Arches is London’s ‘longest graffiti wall’ a fun space to watch the selfie taking, or young kids having their first spray paint experience.
- The Southbank is about a 10 minute walk away so close to theatre shows, exhibitions, street food and loads of attractions.
- Waterloo Station is just around the corner so you can jump on the National Rail Line or underground.
- The Lower Marsh Market is open Monday to Friday from 11am-3pm with food pop-ups and hand made crafts. It’s a great place to grab lunch and watch Waterloo go by.
- Need ideas? The online Ruby Mag can offer up some of the brand’s suggestions on places to eat, things to see, and where to go.
Ruby Lucy Hotel
100-108 Lower Marsh
London
SE1 7AB
ruby-hotels.com
