Dukes Hotel

The cocktail bar needs new leadership and a culture change; the staff have poor attitude to work and their guests and demonstrated poor communication and negative behaviours. The furniture is dated, worn and feels like they purchased from an elderly residential home. Fundamentally the place needs work and the application of some staff development.

Don't look for any other boutique hotels in London: You've already found The One! Nestled in the middle of St. James Place, this hotel is the essence of British hospitality in arguably the most highly-aristocratic neighborhood in London. You're literally sleeping 500 feet from Prince Charles! The tea here was apparently a favorite of Princess Diana & The Queen Mum!

The room I got was very nicely appointed with a very comfy bed. Everything about the hotel speaks to luxurious intimacy, and I immediately felt at home. Dukes Hotel features both Dukes Bar and GBR (The Great British Restaurant). The bar was Ian Fleming's spot, and the Martinis & Vespers attest to that. You'll invariably note the inside joke when you order one of these super-delicious, super-strong drinks. GBR, while I only ate there for breakfast, served up excellent meals every time. Naturally, all this exclusivity and excellence comes at a bit of a premium. But it's worth it!

Stayed here with my girlfriend after she left the Netflix show THTH we really enjoyed our stay everyone was super warm and friendly if the management invite us back I'd love to make a couple of good videos post on my social media soon. Best of luck

Breathe taking! My boyfriend took me for an afternoon tea and he chose this place. We came in and I felt like I was in my dream world! The afternoon tea was expectional, especially our waiter Fabio! I'm definitely coming back, as this is my new favourite place

I have never stayed at a hotel where they close the bar to residents at 11pm. Their only solution was to send us to the Stafford Hotel round the corner. Where they have Less expensive but better rooms and a bar that stays open for its guests! Duke's is a pompous old hotel that treats it's guests like peasants. DO NOT BOOK THIS HOTEL.

I bought an afternoon tea for my boyfriend to celebrate our engagement. We had one normal afternoon tea and one martini tea. It was very cosy in the drawing room and very tasty food. I would definitely recommend. Also the service was amazing, very kind and gave us some little cakes to celebrate our engagement.

Amazing little Oasis in St James place. Famous Gin Martini Cocktail bar The 4th floor Suite (Duke of Albany) is so peaceful and quiet. Service excellent. Christmas food menu amazing. Have a relaxing snack, meal or coffee in the conservatory.or full blow out in the restaurant. Wow!

Stopped here to rest my feet and enjoy a drink in the iconic bar. Terrific location very centrally located. I didn't know it was also a small hotel when I stopped for a drink, so I can't speak of the rooms however the feel of the entire establishment was outstanding.

Fantastic cocktails. Obviously order the Vesper. But the Espresso Martini was so good and not like any other I've ever had. Worth the stop in London.

Every night at around 11:30pm a van comes to collect bottles and glass from this hotel and it disturbs the whole neighbourhood. We tried to communicate with Iain from the reception and asked them to reschedule the collections to a more reasonable time. Iain was nice and promised us that the collections were rescheduled to 5pm. A week later the van started arriving at 11:30pm again. I hope the hotel will start caring about the residents in the area and make noise within reasonable hours.

Staff brilliant, it was like stepping back in time. very relaxing atmosphere

I'm appalled by management's intransigence re cancellation during Covid. They refused even partial refund or future credit on 4 night stay that was booked at discount. While they are correct by the letter of the conditions of the purchase requiring 21 day notice, due to the fluid nature of CV19 conditions for international travel I was forced to cancel a trip planned 6 months ago. Dukes is the only hotel or restaurant who has not been understanding and willing to at least provide partial credit. I find this disgraceful and certainly not in keeping with a long view on customer relations. When I do return to London I look forward to meeting in person with management.

Best martini in London! Amazing service as well. However, because you can't book you'll often end up waiting for a table in the evenings.

After so many wonderful martinis-so many wonderful evenings at Dukes Bar over the years-we finally took the plunge and booked a room for a night upstairs in Dukes Hotel. It's gorgeous! Can't recommend it highly enough. Like the bar, the hotel is a flawless gem. It is the epitome of classic London luxury. Great location, excellent service, outstanding eggs benedict at breakfast. Afternoon tea in the drawing room was superb.

I booked Dukes for an elegant afternoon tea for my sisters' hen party. From start to finish, the service was impeccable; Dukes were able to cater for the dietary requirements of our group, of which there were many. The week of my booking I was contacted to ensure we had no further requests. On arrival, we were greeted with a warm welcome and shown to our private dining area.

The food was delicious and the service was excellent - nothing was too much trouble for the servers and they kept our teas and coffees well topped up. Dietary requirements had been carefully adhered to, and as a vegan myself I was very impressed with the vegan offering. The building is beautiful, and my sister absolutely loved her day. I would certainly choose Dukes again in the future.

From the moment you arrive at Dukes to the moment you leave the treatment at this superb hotel is fantastic. The reception staff are warm and friendly and happy to help, the interior is modern yet tastefully elegant. We had a reservation at the famous cocktail bar amd what an experience it was, drinks carefully made with expert precision and explained in full by the expert mixologists, such a lost art in the modern world.

On returning to our room in the afternoon I was greeted with a hand written card a slice of cake and a bottle of bubbly on ice to wish me a happy birthday, i don't even know how tbey knew it was my birthday, but what a lovely surprise. We will definately be visiting Dukes again, I couldnt praise the experience enough.

Beautiful hotel in the centre of London and still so very quiet

I went to the bar at this hotel on Monday night with a group of friends. We were celebrating a birthday occasion, and only went for drinks. The bar itself is really nice, very ornate and cool blue chairs. The whole place felt really nicely intimate, with a feeling of calm like being at home. The service was really excellent. The staff were very friendly and helpful and highly knowledgable about everything.

We ordered 5 different cocktails and they took the time to explain the origin and history of each ingredient in each cocktail; all whilst making the drinks right in front of our table. We all really enjoyed this experience and it we all said how it was a nice start to the evening. The hotel itself is quite hidden away but just off St. James's St, so the street outside is quite which I think is rare in such a central location. I would really recommend this place to anyone and I hope to visit again soon. Thank you!

Loved staying here one weekend 7 years ago with my lovely man Eamonn who sadly died 5 years ago. Everything about the hotel oozed a sense of unique, elegance and a quiet confidence in its own supremely. accomplished service to all guests. The breakfasts were superb; fresh orange juice that was surely produced in heaven and staff that knew a natural courtesy. We had such a lovely time. An exquisite memory for me Thankyou Mary Kinneavy

Afternoon tea was disappointing - scones had been in the oven too long and the cake selection was uninteresting and tasteless ( also very dry). A real shame as the setting and service was good

Charming small hotel in a great location, n are shopping and Buckingham Palace. The restaurant and high tea are amazing. Very creative food. Rooms are cozy and comfortable. We had a huge tub and beautiful bathroom too.

We didn't stay here at this hotel but the James Bond martini in this hotel's bar and drinking it at their board room is the epitome of class and elegance! Your socks will be knocked out once you try a sip that martini. Good fiends and laughs will always be great here! Again thank you so much Joanne!

Wonderful old-school hotel bar famous for being the place that served Ian Fleming martinis, and therefore the home of the original James Bond martini. Rumor has it that these drinks are so strong you are limited to two. Either way, one (or two) of the best martinis in London.

Whelp. Dukes MarTEAni Afternoon Tea was a bit of a disappointment. I had high hopes, since I had heard the martinis from Dukes Bar were spectacular, but the martinis with Afternoon Tea were barely a step above Gin and Juice. The highlight of the tea was definitely the sandwiches. Scrummy. The scones were a bit biscuit-y for my taste, and the desserts were a strange mix of textures and flavors that didn't really work for me.

The decor is nice, and the service was good.it was just the martinis that really let us down. I would suggest, go with the traditional Afternoon Tea, and stop by Dukes Bar after, for a real martini. Cheers!

Absolutely BEST martinis in London, perhaps even the world. I stop by almost every time I'm in London, the exceptional martinis with the beauty, classic atmosphere makes this place a real gem.

We were going to Hamilton this night, and you have to be there at 6:30, so I thought an afternoon tea would be perfect. I chose Duke's Hotel because the afternoon tea at Brown's is ridiculously expensive. 35 pounds sterling per person is about my limit. It was not worth it. It's not easy to find Duke's Hotel, as it is tucked away in a courtyard.

The hotel itself is charming, but the tea is served on couches in front of a coffee table. That's kind of cute, but not comfortable for eating. The server came with a huge urn and poured tea, which quickly became cold. I couldn't even lift the urn to hot up the tea, but my companion could -- barely. The meal itself was just average. The fillings were okay, but nothing extraordinary, as was the bread.

The scones were fairly inferior -- nothing like those I used to have at the Cambridge Library tearoom. The pastries were fine -- lots of cream. So it was kind of a waste of money.

A friend and I went on a lark - and I'm delighted we did! I had a vodka martini with olives - my friend had a gin martini. Very simple - frigid cold - and amazing! We sat undisturbed (except for the replenishing of martinis and snacks) for hours. The original bar area is tiny, so make a reservation if you're planning ahead. However - there is a larger bar area that serves the same drinks.

"Men are like the canine, they need attention and training, while women are more like the feline. We remain aloof, desiring attention, but not requiring it." It wasn't the first time he had heard this from her, and had tired of the subject, and merely nodded. "What do you think of my finds?" He ask. "Nice, but you over paid." As they walked out of Piccadilly Market and on to Jermyn, he knew this was true, but it didn't matter.

He was there for Crown and Country. He had gotten the list of names that had been the true objective for the whole visit. Overpaying on incidentals was just part of the cover. Just like he knew they were being followed, and that mattered even less to him. It was all part of the game. He was cold, bone chilling cold, and far to sober. Adjusting the collar on his jacket, he pulled her close. "I need a martini." She smiled her knowing smile. Turning the corner from Saint James street onto Saint James place the ivy covered entrance of Duke's Hotel was a welcoming sight, and he hastened by the bellman and up the damp, granite steps to the reception.

Just five more steps up and they departed. "I need to freshen up before dinner, so don't go getting slouched, right?" He smiled. "Eight o'clock at Sake No Hana, do try and be decent." He promised as he rang for the lift for her. Walking past the framed photograph of Sir Sean Connery as a youthful James Bond, he was sure it winked at him, so he winked back. * * * * * * * Dukes bar is internationally know for it's martinis.

It is here that Ian Fleming coined the term, "Shaken not stirred" as he was a regular. Bar manager and martini master Alessandro Palazzi follows a long line of head bar masters at Dukes, all have been Italian. All martinis are premixed, stored cold, pre-shaken, and cart presented by white jacked Italians that have worked for Palazzi throughout his career. Things to know: * It's all very formal.

Though the dress code has been somewhat relaxed, here, easy access will be based on appearance (no jeans, trucker hats, or t-shirts two sizes to small); * The martinis will run about 18.or about $25. This also keeps the riff raff out; * There's a two martini maximum.unless you demonstrate knowledge and sedulity.knowing when to say when; * They carry the Bombay and Tangueray but for the true Dukes experience ask for Sacred or Barry Brothers gin.impress the host! It's all the same price; * and while the frozen glass might seem smallish for the price, each contains five shots of liquor.no ice is used in mixing.

So beware.it's sipping, not guzzling. After finishing his first martini a note is passed to him. After reading, it is crumpled and returned for disposal. He orders a negroni. Then there is some discussion and Palazzi nods and makes what is actually his favorite drink to make. After finishing his drink, the man is led through a secret back door to the Cognac and Cigar Bar where she is waiting. "Took you long enough.

We have been followed, " she says stubbing out a fag. "It's to be expected, " he grins. As they walked out into the cold clear night, the stars winked down their cryptic morse and he smiled having no clue to their meaning, but even that didn't matter. *Have the Martini, hell, order the Vesper, but you should really order the Negroni and make Palazzi smile. Aloha :)

My husband and I stopped in to see what the fanfare was about with the martinis made table side. We came in not knowing where the bar was and so when directed we inadvertently passed many people waiting to get in. When addressed by the matre'd he insisted there were no available tables but we waited anyway. Finally out of more frustration than kindness he told us to take a seat. My husband was quite impressed with the eventual service table side and the resulting gin martini.

This hotel defines luxury. We stayed here in early September, and all expectations we had from seeing the hotel online were totally surpassed. The location is incredible--nestled in a beautiful area, a very short walk from the Green Park Underground station and various other sites and attentions. If using the Underground, ask a local how to find the walking tunnel adjacent to Green Park to get to the hotel in half the time.

Extremely convenient! The staff at Dukes were friendly and went out of their way to take time in answering our questions about the area and provide recommendations. Every detail in hotel has been thoughtfully laid out and arranged for guest comfort. The sitting rooms are a wonderful place to take tea or just rest your feet and read the morning paper.

And the guest rooms--these aren't your average European hotel rooms. Heated towel racks in gorgeously tiled bathrooms, heavenly beds, espresso in the morning, and chocolate cookies delivered in the evening. This hotel does it right. I would stay here a thousand times over.

Came here with my friend for afternoon tea which is 32.50 per person, which was one of the fancier places with a reasonable price. The tea is in a separate area with a few couches, which is both good and bad. Good because it is private and quiet and it was nice to have a comfortable conversation in private. But bad because we had to go looking for our waitress when we needed help, but overall definitely a positive experience. The place is very pretty and the staff is welcoming. The sandwiches, scones, and desserts are all amazing and it was a great choice for my first afternoon tea in London.

I love Dukes martini bar! Such a hidden treasure! It's very old fashioned/English but that is what I liked about it. We had to wait an hour to get in and it was very vague about when we would get in and even if we would get in. That is my only compliant, I had no idea what was going on but I knew we were first in line so I decided to wait it out.

The martini's are soooo strong. I was pretty buzzed after one. They are pricier than your average martini but the buzz you get from one is well worth the higher price. They also give you a bowl of crackers, nuts, and olives which is definitely needed given how strong their drinks are. It's such a cozy atmosphere. Great drinks and friendly service! They make your martini in front of you which is nice to see. Tip: dress nicely as most people are very dressed up in this area/at this hotel.

Very English, Pricey, Small an elegant in a conservative way. GREAT not GOOD but GREAT classic Martini. Have the limit of 2 and enjoy the rest of your night or day.

Hidden away in an area of town you would not expect to find this type of gem. I did not fully appreciate the art of the martini until I came here. Forget shaken or stirred. the proper martini is made here with quality ingredients and a properly chilled glass. I do have to say I felt underdressed coming in jeans but there was no nose turned to the air when I asked for a seat. Truly a classy experience with a little bit of old world charm.

I thought the service at the bar was disappointing despite the high prices. The well advertised cigar garden is very, very tiny. Barely room for a half dozen people. They make clear that one cannot bring their own cigars and much instead purchase them from Dukes. However, ordering one is a time consuming and arduous process.

The casual American in me is disappointed at how much I enjoyed this place. It's traditional, expensive, and arguably stuffy. But as long as you know that is what you'll be getting and you're willing to step a few decades back in time, it's a quintessentially old English experience. The drinks were artfully assembled at our table, with the server (artist? craftsman?

I feel like he deserves a more distinguished title) lovingly describing each spirit as it was used. And when the martinis were complete, they were delicious. I didn't even know I liked martinis until I came here! (I also didn't realize each of these martinis has 5 shots until I stood up afterwards.) 5 stars for uniqueness and quality.

It's pricy, but what quality hotel in London isn't? The rooms are on the small side, especially for American tastes, but they're quite comfortable. The service is high touch, but that is only to be expected. What really makes the Dukes Hotel a win is the location, right in the heart of St. James. It's half a block from the Spencer House. Five minutes from Buckingham Palace. Eight minutes from the Green Park Station. I can't imagine staying anywhere else in London!