Rimini's Hottest Hotel: Rubens - Book Your Dream Stay NOW!
Rubens Hotel, Rimini: My Rollercoaster Ride of a Stay (Book Now? Maybe…)
Alright, folks, buckle up, 'cause this review of the Rubens Hotel in Rimini is gonna be… well, it's gonna be a bit of a trip. I stayed there recently, and let's just say it wasn't a perfectly polished, Instagram-filtered experience. More like… a slightly lopsided, charmingly flawed Italian painting. Think of it, a Renaissance fresco where a cherub has a wonky wing.
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First Impressions: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confused
Walking into the Rubens, you're greeted by that quintessential Italian hotel lobby feeling. Polished floors, a vaguely grand chandelier (probably from the 80s, but hey, it works!), and a front desk that hums with a certain… efficiency. The staff, bless their hearts, were generally lovely and tried their best. (More on that "tried their best" later).
Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth (Sort Of)
Okay, so they say "Facilities for disabled guests." And yes, there’s an elevator. Which is a HUGE plus. However, maneuvering in a wheelchair (or even with mobility issues, like my slightly dodgy knee) was… a challenge. The hallways are a tad narrow, and some of the turns are tighter than I’d like. Accessibility score: 7/10. Could be better, but the effort is there, and the elevator is a lifesaver.
My Intensely Personal Experience: The Almost-Spa Day That Wasn't
So, one of the main reasons I chose the Rubens was the promise of a spa. After the journey, the thought of a steam room and a massage was, in a word, heavenly. I booked a treatment, picturing myself slathered in fragrant oils, drifting into blissful oblivion.
The reality? Well… it wasn't quite the spa-tacular experience I envisioned.
First, finding the spa itself was like a treasure hunt. Let's just say the signs weren't exactly crystal clear. I wandered the labyrinthine hallways, my knee screaming in protest. Eventually, I reached what appeared to be the entrance. The decor was… functional. Bright lighting, a slight smell of chlorine… okay, maybe expectations were a little high.
The massage itself was… interesting. The therapist, bless her soul, was clearly trying, but the massage bed squeaked with every movement. And the "body wrap" was more like a "body tuck-in." Don't get me wrong, it was relaxing, but it was also a little… well, anticlimactic. I had built up a lot of anticipation.
The Sauna and the Steam Room were both… serviceable. Nothing wrong with them but nothing particularly special.
Overall Spa experience: 6/10. It's there, and the staff try hard, but it's not a spa destination in itself. Don't go expecting miracles. Go expecting a good massage.
Dining, Sipping, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag of Delights
The Rubens has a few dining options. The Buffet in the Restaurant for breakfast… well, it’s the traditional European breakfast of cold cuts, hard boiled eggs, and pastries. They have A la carte in the restaurant and have Asian cuisine in the restaurant- I didn't have it so I can't say for sure. The Poolside bar was a great place to sit and relax for happy hours after a long day.
I did go for a dinner at the Vegetarian restaurant and it was good. You could order a dessert and they had a variety of salads and soups.
Food score: 7.5/10. Good, not mind-blowing. The friendly staff makes up for anything lacking.
Rooms: Cleanliness and Comfort (with Minor Quirks)
My room was… fine. Air conditioning worked, which was a major bonus, especially for summer. The Extra long bed was a nice touch, and the Blackout curtains were perfect for sleeping in. Daily housekeeping was efficient and friendly, and I appreciated the Free bottled water and the Complimentary tea.
However, there were some minor imperfections. The bathroom, while clean, could've used a little refresh (some dodgy-looking grout, you know?). The Soundproofing was… okay. I definitely heard a few late-night revelers in the hallway at one point. And the Internet access – wireless was a bit spotty, which made working a bit difficult.
Room Score: 7.5/10. Comfortable, functional, but not exactly luxurious.
The Extras: Services and Conveniences – And a Few Surprises
The Rubens offers a decent range of services. I appreciated the 24-hour front desk, the Luggage storage, and the Laundry service. The Car park [free of charge] was a lifesaver. There's also a Convenience store for those last-minute essentials.
One thing that stood out like a sore thumb: The Hotel chain does a lot for services and conveniences. The staff are well trained in many aspects and the hotel chain ensures security aspects in the whole property.
Services and Conveniences score: 8/10. Solid, reliable, and efficient.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… And Perhaps a Few Missed Opportunities
The Swimming pool [outdoor] was lovely – perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing. The Pool with view was great too. The Fitness center was there, but I never got around to using it.
They had a nice Terrace, which was great to lounge around on a relaxed evening.
Could be better - I felt that the hotel could've offered more activities (cooking classes, Italian lessons, anything to bring that more of a luxurious edge to the place.)
Things to do and ways to relax score: 7/10. Decent, but could be expanded, especially to match the 'hottest hotel' claim.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Welcome Focus
In these times, seeing Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Hand sanitizer everywhere was reassuring. They have Staff trained in safety protocol, and the emphasis on hygiene was definitely noticeable. They even had individually-wrapped food options.
Cleanliness and safety score: 9/10. They take it seriously, and that's appreciated.
For the Kids: Family Friendly – With a Few Caveats
The Rubens is, generally speaking, Family/child friendly. They offer Babysitting service, and have Kids meal. I didn't travel with children, so I can't give firsthand experience, but it seemed like a good environment for families.
Family score: 8/10. Seems good, but I didn't experience it firsthand.
Getting Around: Convenient, Mostly
The Airport transfer was a lifesaver. You can use Taxi service for getting on other places. The Car park [free of charge] was great, considering how much parking in Rimini can cost.
Getting Around Score: 8.5/10. Easy and convenient.
The Verdict: To Book or Not to Book?
So, would I recommend the Rubens Hotel? Well, it depends.
If you're looking for:
- A solid, reliable hotel in Rimini
- Easy access to the beach
- A clean and safe environment
- A decent spa experience (with tempered expectations)
- A family-friendly atmosphere
Then, yeah, Book your dream stay NOW! (As the website says).
However, if you require:
- A completely seamless, luxury experience
- A cutting-edge spa
- Perfect soundproofing
Then, this may not be the perfect hotel for you.
My final score: 7.8/10. The Rubens is a good hotel. Not perfect, but it tries hard, and there's a certain charm to its imperfections. It's a solid base for exploring Rimini, and the staff's genuine warmth makes up for any shortcomings.
It's a good choice, folks. Just don't expect the moon. And maybe pack your own spa music. You can thank me later.
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Alright, buckle up buttercup, because you're about to get a taste of what it's like to plan a trip… or at least, what it's like to plan one in my head. And trust me, it's a rollercoaster. We're talking Rimini, Italy, Hotel Rubens, and my sanity (or lack thereof) hanging in the balance.
ITINERARY: RIMINI, OH RIMINI! (And the utter chaos within my brain)
Day 1: Arrival – Jet Lag and Judgement (Mostly Mine)
Time: LET'S NOT EVEN TRY TO PIN THIS DOWN. Flights are a crapshoot, okay? Let's just say "eventually."
Activity: UGH. Flights. Land. Clear immigration. (Why do they always look at you like you're smuggling a small army of hamsters up your… never mind). Find the luggage. Pray it's not in Tokyo.
Transportation: Rimini Airport (if we're lucky – sometimes it's Bologna and a train ride, God forbid). Taxi to Hotel Rubens. (Negotiating the price? Another trial by fire, I’m sure.)
Hotel Rubens: First Impressions. Okay, I’ve seen the pictures. It LOOKS charming. But you know how it is. Instagram vs. Reality is a real damn thing. I'm expecting beige, possibly with a vaguely suspicious stain on the carpet. Pray for me.
What I'm dreading: This whole first day. It's basically a series of potential disasters wrapped in a sweaty travel suit. And the incessant "Ciao! Welcome to Italy!" from the staff. It's charming at first… by hour six of travel, it’s just… loud.
Evening: Okay, so the jet lag has probably rendered me a drooling zombie by now. Maybe a quick walk to see the Adriatic Sea? Just to say I did. Or maybe I'll collapse on the bed and watch Italian TV. (And yes, I'll be judging it critically, even if I don't understand a lick of the language.)
Day 2: Beach Bliss (Or, More Likely, Beach Burn)
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. (Pray for good coffee. BAD coffee can ruin a whole day.) Then, BEACH TIME! This is what I came for, right? Sun, sand, that glorious Mediterranean water… I've already envisioned myself lounging on a ridiculously expensive sunbed with a Aperol Spritz.
- The Beach Dilemma: Okay, I’ve got a few beach scenarios playing through my head (and they're all pretty awful).
- Scenario A: Paradise: I'm effortlessly chic, sporting a perfect tan, reading a brilliant novel, and the waves are whispering sweet nothings. (Highly unlikely, considering my complexion is "Irish Ghost.")
- Scenario B: The Burn: I forgot sunscreen. I writhe in agony. I am a lobster. Everything hurts. (More probable.)
- Scenario C: The Crowd: Too many screaming children. Too many speedos. Too much sand in my everything. (Also probable.)
- Afternoon: Beachside lunch. Obviously, I’m expecting fresh seafood. (And a slightly grumpy waiter. It's Italy. It's a given.)
- The Big Screw-Up: This is when I will undoubtedly screw up. Probably order the wrong thing. Spill something. Make a complete fool of myself at the beach restaurant, all while speaking the worst Italian you've ever heard. (Actually, that's another given.)
Day 3: History and Hideaway
Morning: Let's try some HISTORY, eh? Maybe a visit to the Arch of Augustus? I always love a good Roman ruin. Or maybe I'll get distracted by a gelato shop. (Okay, let’s be honest, it’s happening.)
The Gelato Predicament: This is where everything falls apart. Flavors will be a terrifying gamble. I WILL spill it. It's inevitable. And then I'll feel a distinct lack of joy because I’m clumsy and mess everything up. "I'm not worthy!"
Afternoon: A little exploring. Maybe a wander down some charming alleyways. (Or I'll get hopelessly lost. This is a real possibility.)
Emotion-filled Moment: Finding a hidden gem. A tiny trattoria. A cobbled street. A moment of pure, unexpected beauty that makes the whole trip worthwhile. (Or I'll stumble upon a particularly aggressive pigeon. TBC.)
Dinnertime: This is where I embrace a little self-loathing, that's for sure. I have come to Italy for the food and the wine, but am I really going to get to enjoy it, or will I be too scared of embarrassing myself to ask for anything?
Day 4: The Local Life (And Avoiding Tourists)
Morning: Today, I’m going to try to be… local. (Emphasis on "try.") I'm thinking a visit to a local market. Fresh produce! Italian pastries! The chance to butcher a few Italian phrases and get horribly judged by the nonne!
The Market Mayhem: Okay, let's be real, I'll be completely overwhelmed. The sights, the sounds, the sheer smell of fresh basil. I'll probably accidentally buy something I have no idea what to do with. And I'll definitely look lost.
Afternoon: A bike ride along the coast? Actually, that sounds… terrifying. (I'm not the best with bikes.) Maybe a walk. A very slow walk.
Opinionated Outburst: I’m going to have to say that the tourist experience can be very isolating unless you make an effort to get off the beaten track.
Evening: One last Italian dinner. (If I make it.) Trying to summon up the courage for a whole-hearted "grazie mille" to round off the trip. One last glass of wine. And maybe… just maybe… I’ll start planning the next trip. Even though this one hasn't actually happened yet.
Day 5: Departure – Farewell to Rimini (and My Peace of Mind)
- Morning: One last bleary-eyed breakfast. Attempting a last coffee. Check out. (Probably with a slightly panicked look on my face, hoping I haven't forgotten anything.)
- Transportation: Taxi to the airport. If all goes well, I won't cry. (But let's be honest, the airport is my kryptonite.)
- Emotion: An overwhelming feeling of relief. Followed by a deep sadness. Followed by a sudden craving for pizza.
- Conclusion: That's it! Maybe it will work out. The trip, I mean. Or maybe it'll be a glorious, chaotic mess. Either way, it'll be mine. In the end, it’s the memories - the good, the bad, the gelato-stained - that matter. And the stories. Oh, the stories I'll tell…
Rubens Hotel: Your Rimini Adventure - Unfiltered FAQs (Prepare Yourself!)
Okay, spill. Is the Rubens really *that* hot? Every ad screams "dream stay"!
Alright, let's get real. "Dream stay" is marketing fluff, obviously. It depends on your definition of "dream," right? I went with some seriously high expectations, primed by the photos (which, fair warning, are *stunning* – like, professionally stunning). Look, the Rubens is definitely a *nice* hotel. The location is fantastic, right on the beach practically. Waking up to the sound of the waves? Priceless. But my "dream"? Hmm… let's just say my first day… Well, more on that later.
Honestly, I think it's hot in the sense that it’s *popular*. Booking was a pain (a true sign of hotness, I guess!). You’ll want to plan way ahead, especially during peak season. Don’t expect to waltz in and snag a seaside room the day before your flight. Trust me, I tried (and failed spectacularly).
The photos… they're gorgeous. Is the reality close?
Okay, truth time. The photos? They're pretty damn close. The rooms are stylish, beautifully designed. I booked a room with a balcony overlooking the sea (worth every penny, seriously). The bed? Heaven. Like, seriously, I could have stayed in that bed for a week, just reading and ordering room service (which, by the way, is *decent*).
BUT. There’s always a but, isn’t there? My "balcony" was amazing! Except…the sea view was *slightly* obstructed by a really, REALLY old palm tree that clearly needed a trim. Minor gripe, sure. But it did make me picture a tiny, grumpy gardener who hadn’t been doing their job for about a decade. So, beautiful, yes… but also, real.
Is the food as good as it looks? The breakfast buffet photos!
Ah, breakfast. The ultimate hotel test, right? Okay, here's the deal: the *buffet* is a solid win. Think mountains of fresh fruit, pastries that practically melt in your mouth (seriously, they were dangerous), and a decent selection of hot stuff. The coffee? Hit or miss. Sometimes it was strong enough to wake the dead, other times… well, let’s just say it tasted like dishwater.
But the *real* disappointment? The room service food. I ordered pasta one night. Pre-cooked, over-sauced, like it was clearly the chef’s ‘I don’t wanna bother’ evening. Total bummer, because the ambiance was PERFECT! Lesson learned: stick to the buffet and explore local restaurants for dinner. Rimini has *amazing* food outside those hotel walls, I tell ya!
What about the staff? Are they friendly?
This one's a mixed bag. Most staff is wonderfully friendly. Like, genuine, helpful, *smiling* people. The concierge was a lifesaver! Seriously, he/she arranged a last-minute scooter rental for me AND gave me insider tips on the best gelato in town (a true hero!).
However... there were a couple of… incidents. Let's just say there was a language barrier. And one poor waiter at breakfast... bless his heart, he got my order wrong *every single day*. I eventually just started pointing and grunting. It worked, eventually. It's the nature of hotels.
Is the pool area as relaxing as it seems? (And are there enough sunbeds!?)
The pool area… alright, this is where things get… interesting. Yes, it's gorgeous. Think turquoise water, comfy loungers, and (theoretically) a peaceful atmosphere. BUT... the sunbed situation is a complete bloodbath. It's a total free-for-all! People are up at dawn, strategically placing towels like they're conquering Everest. I'm talking at 6 AM, people with their towels already claiming their spot!
I tried to be civilized. I did. Went down at 8 AM one day. Nope. All gone. So, I became one of *them*. Sorry, fellow travelers. That's the game. Get up early, claim your territory, or resign yourself to sunbathing on the *sand* (which, let's be honest, isn't the worst thing in the world). Oh and the music around the pool was just a tad too loud for my liking.
Let's talk about the "dream" thing again. What ACTUALLY went wrong?
Okay, strap in. This is where it gets… personal. Remember that fabulous balcony? Well, on my first night, I decided to enjoy the sunset. Perfect plan, right? Wrong. I settled in with my book, my wine, everything was idyllic.
Then… the mosquitoes. Oh. My. God. They were relentless! I swear I was being personally targeted. I'm talking dozens of bites. Later on, I discovered my bottle of bug spray at the bottom of my suitcase. Pure agony. I spent the rest of the night scratching and cursing. And the next morning? The palm tree's shadow was blocking the perfect sun.
So, was it a "dream" stay? Not entirely. But did I have a good time? Heck yeah! It's Rimini. The beach, the food, the people… they all eventually make up for the mosquito attacks. And hey, even grumpy palm trees have their charm, eventually.
Would you recommend the Rubens?
Honestly? Yes. Despite the slightly imperfect room service, the sunbed wars, and the mosquito massacre, I would. It's a great base for exploring Rimini. The location can't be beat. Just lower your expectations a *tiny* bit. Don't get caught up in the "dream stay" hype. Go in with an open mind, a good sense of humor, and a *serious* supply of mosquito repellent. And maybe bring your own coffee maker, because the buffet coffee might disappoint.
Ultimately, it’s a solid choice. And hey, even if you have a less-than-perfect moment or two, those usually make for the best stories, right? Go for it. Book your stay (but don’t blame me if you can’t get a sunbed!).
