Hotel is closed for renovations. But Dukes Bar is in full operations . Dukes bar is an event in itself . Martinis done right ! Great Bartenders . Martinis in a comfortable relaxed atmosphere. When in London visit Dukes Bar for top notch high quality Martinis done right ! read more

Dukes Hotel - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

Always exceptional! Come her for an iconic martini! Classy, upscale, predictable. Ans worth any wait you may encounter! read more

Our second trip to Dukes Bar did not disappoint! My personal choice is the classic martini with Plymouth gin, but the Vesper is very nice too. Big shout out to Claudio for taking such good care of us! read more

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! read more

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There plethora of places to stay in London, but Dukes is by far the only choice for you! Prestigious in its own unique way, you will be enchanted with the decor and experience from the beginning. The daily service was perfect! The bath tub was perfect! The Dukes Martini bar though is an experience all in its own. You must go there! Make sure you tell them for a table time before going to change in your room. This texas man was very happy with my entire stay at Dukes Hotel! read more

We stayed here for about a week and had a wonderful time. It's a short walk to Green Park train station, lots of cafes and restaurants and shopping arcades. Don't forget to stop by Fortnum and Mason for gifts. I had only positive experiences with the staff as there was always someone available to help with questions I had. Our room was a good size with a large tub and plenty of closet space for 2. The TV has all the info you need about the area including the WiFi for the room. The decor is lovely throughout the hotel. We had breakfast everyday downstairs at their Great British Restaurant and although the included meal was continental breakfast only, it has everything you need. The fresh fruit was always tasty and you can order fresh toast or porridge in addition to their pastries selection, yogurt and cold cereal selection. One day we had to leave quite early for a tour and they were able to accommodate an earlier breakfast which I was very grateful for.They have elevators that fit about 2 people plus luggage. We used their gym one of the days and it was well set up with a standard treadmill, rowing machine, weights both free and weight machine. Towels, water station, and a bowl of fruit were available for use. Check out is 12p and the front desk kindly offered to call us a cab. Overall a great place to stay and I'd highly recommend coming here for your London travels. read more

This is always a must whenever I am in London. The atmosphere and cocktails can't be beat!

Had the vegan high tea service here. Everything was excellent and the staff was lovely

This review is for the Afternoon Tea not hotel itself. The food was very tasty, great desserts, but... The experience was so dull, the tea wasn't hot, the second pot of tea wasn't what we asked for. The server was fine, nothing special. The man that actually brought the food was charming. No holiday feel at all. This wouldn't have been a big deal save for the amount of money it cost, on website extolling its greatness. BLAH! Also wrote the hotel, no reply. We were the only ones there, I now know why. Go elsewhere read more

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. read more

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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 décor 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! read more

Dukes Hotel - MarTEAni Afternoon Tea. The martinis looked pretty, but were quite disappointing. Stick with a real one in Dukes Bar. - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

I really want to love this place. Unfortunately the staff was rude and didn't like that we showed up to partake in their lovely bar. They had a table for two and three seats at the bar but were completely rude and said they had not availability. Maybe they didn't but they were definitely annoyed that we showed up and were completely dismissive.0 read more

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!!! read more

Dukes Hotel - James martini again!!! - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

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This review is not for the hotel but for the bar. Duke's martini bar has been shaking up beautiful martinis for some time now. A London staple, the likes of Ian Flemming have enjoyed their rather spectacular drinks. We met up with a friend for a martini & arrived around 6-ish & the place was already packed. We were instructed to wait in the hotel lobby. Oh great, I thought thinking we were in it for the long haul. I was surprised when we were seated within 20 minutes. Not bad considering this is not the place where they can turn tables. People like to enjoy their martini. The tables were a bit tight but the chairs comfy. The martinis are very pricey but worth every penny. H ordered for us & the waiter wheeled over the cart & made our drinks table side. With great flourish. Again, the martinis are worth it. The hotel is located at the end of a wide alley like street so it is quiet when opting to sit outside. I suggest the bar because you want the full experience. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Dukes Hotel - The beautiful entrance to Duke's, Christmas 2019 - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

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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. read more

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! read more

Dukes Hotel - Dukes Hotel from the front - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

"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 :) read more

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To check out more pictures and detailed review on 10 Eats I Still Dream of (London, York, Edinburgh), please refer to my blog: https://laviedeshan.wixsite.com/home/single-post/2017/08/25/10-Eats-I-Still-Dream-of-London-York-Edinburgh Duke's Hotel offers an array of teas, but we tried their specialty (special tea) Duke's Hotel blend and that was delicious! First, they arrange the food on a three-tiered display where you start from bottom to top. The lowest level held some delicately cut triangle sandwiches (salmon, cucumber, and chicken). Personally, I am not much of a sandwich person, but Duke's offered the perfect filling to breading ratio. Each one was so delicious that I wanted more, but then again there's another tier to eat! Up next were the scones (fruit and plain). My biggest fear with pastries is that they are rock hard and dry. This was not the case! The outer shell was hard and buttery, but inside was soft. Eating it by itself exceeded my expectations, but with the addition of their specially made clotted cream and strawberry jam only elevated the taste on a whole other level! Regretfully it was a lot and needed to save room for the last tier. Finally onto the dessert! There were three to choose from and I don't remember the names, but they were pretty good! read more

Dukes Hotel - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

5 stars... out of 10 maybe? Half the staff was extremely rude, furniture was outdated, bed very uncomfortable, shower water pressure was so hard it hurt, but the worst was the AC unit in our room that made an extremely loud buzzing sound (whether on or off) every few minutes that kept us up all night. After mentioning this to the front desk, they did absolutely nothing to help us and even said this happens in every room at the hotel. In what world is that 5 star service? If you value sleep and your dignity - DON'T STAY HERE. read more

* The hotel had the best guest service I ever experienced. The staff was stupendous with Tobias leading the group. I have traveled the world and have never been treated with such first class attention. The hotel was clean, centrally located and they offered delicious food. One example sums it up; we were leaving London on the morning of the Queen's funeral and no cab's were available. Two of the gentlemen escorted us and our luggage by foot to the Tube to show us how to get to airport. Thank you! read more

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. read more

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. read more

Dukes Hotel - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

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Dukes Hotel, in the very heart of London's St. James's Place, is "one of London's most civilized hotels," spelling discretion, intimacy and understated elegance. Owned by David Naylor-Leyland since 1994, Dukes underwent a £5 million facelift in the past five years, which restored it to its former glory. Guests will find the 89 rooms and suites furnished with period furniture, objets d'art, fine paintings and porcelain. All have air-conditioning, en-suite marble bathrooms, private bar, room safes, satellite television and two line telephones with dataport and voicemail. Guest services include 24-hour concierge, butler, valet service, housekeeping, 24-hour room service, secretarial services, airline reservations, theatre bookings, same day laundry and dry cleaning, overnight shoe cleaning, and limousine and car rental on request. Dukes is housed in a preserved Edwardian building, tucked in a tranquil, flower-filled, gas-lit courtyard with Buckingham Palace and Bond Street within walking distance. Dukes Bar is infamous for mixing a stiff, dry martini, but you might want to opt for one of the famous cognacs - some over 150 years old - collected by the hotel. Three beautifully decorated dining rooms are dedicated to private dining, meetings and luncheon or dinner parties for between six and 120 people. An extensive health spa is also available. Single Rooms from £195; Double Rooms from £225; Suites from £350; Penthouse from £550. All rates exclude Government Tax. read more

Dukes Hotel - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

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On a recent hunt for the best hotel bar in London, we were fortunate enough to find this hidden gem of classiness. It's a perfect blend of old world sophistication (think Ian Fleming, Monte Carlo) waiters wearing white dinner jackets, etc. combined with unstuffy, friendly service. I arrived before the rest of my party and the staff handled the situation in a very appropriate, knowing way. They made me feel welcome, accomodated my request for an appropriate table, and brought me my drink, all with a smile. True class. We stayed for a few drinks, and it was initially full but not crowded. When things quieted down, for our next drink the bartender offered to mix our drinks at the table from a portable wheeled cart. One thing that really stood out to me is that when I ordered my drink, he gently suggested an alternative to what I had in mind, and it turned out to be an excellent recommendation. I think it's true that it probably helps to be dressed up to get great service in a place like this, but there's nothing wrong with that if it's going to be a one of a kind experience! read more

Super cool classy English experience. Thanks to Yelp and Google Maps, J and I were able to find this little hidden gem. Just when you think there's no way anything could possibly by down this little side street, you see another even smaller side street opening up to a cul-de-sac and bam there's Dukes Hotel. You walk into this little boutique hotel to see a doorway on the left saying cocktail bar above it and that's exactly what they mean. We quickly learned that there are pubs, bars, and then cocktail bars and this was for sure a cocktail bar. I love Martinis and since that's what they specialize in, J got one too. We asked for a couple vodka martinis and for the server to use his discretion on what to use. So he rolls out this cart with two very cold martini glasses and proceeds to do his thing with a quick flick of something out of a little glass bottle and then a high pour of nearly frozen polish vodka. (no ice, no stirring or shaking) Then to top it all off he peels of a section of lemon, squeezes the rind into the glass and rubs the rim of the glass before dropping it into the drink. Awesome Martinis to say the least, however it was a bit strong for J so she switched to wine, so be warned you must like a strong martini. The service was rounded out with a couple of silver dished of bar snacks. However once J made some conversation with the Italian server we got the best fresh green olives. Granted the Italians next to us had them, but the two other American groups didn't. So I guess it helps to butter up the server with a little small talk about Italy. All in all a great cocktail experience, definitely a place to take a date before a fancy dinner. read more

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. read more

Duke's is my hotel of choice when staying in London. Extremely well located if you are seeing the sights. Quiet elegance on the end of a little closed end street. Bar is good. Service is great. read more

Let me begin by saying I have stayed at Dukes several times before. At one point for several weeks in the 2006-2008 time periods. The hotel and service have declined since then. This time there seemed to be no clear oversight of how to provide the former high standards. At check in we were very early as we arrived on an overnight flight from the US. Our room was not ready which we completely understood. But, at first the lady helping said wait 20 minutes and it will be available. We headed to the restaurant downstairs and had coffee then went back up to the lobby. No room and they said "sorry you will to return at 1400." Which was 3 hours away. But...we accepted that as that is the normal check in time. At 1400 we returned and the room was still not ready. Now we needed to wait until 1500. There was no recovery plan and housekeeping had not been informed we were there. I said "why don't you put us in a different room if one is ready?" One was good to go so they did. But I had to develop the solution! Our room was very tatty and poorly managed. See pictures of large areas of missing caulk And dirty paint. At check out the process is archaic. Most hotels have a cleaner and faster process. I provided a card at check in and then had to rerun it at checkout and sign a bill after waiting in a check out line. Today even the Hilton and Marriott allow you to leave and receive an email. At Dukes you wait to be processed one at a time. Frankly there are better options with much better service in the same area of London. read more

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Friendly advice: make friends with your company's travel agent and good things will happen to you. Staying at Dukes could be one of them. I have traveled to London over 25 times in the last 10 years and I have stayed at some of the best and worst places in Central London, Dukes is definitely on the high end and was fabulous. Our company travel agent hooked me up big time on this one. My room was a good size by European standards and was off the road. Decor was top notch. The bar food was great. I ate the prawn salad and the smoked salmon sandwich on separate occasions. Try a Miss Moneypenny martini--it is more like a cousin to the margarita--but it is fabulous. Location is great with Green Park Tube station right around the corner. If you have the coin, give Dukes a try. read more

Hidden in the depths of St. James's, Dukes Hotel is home to the discreet Dukes Bar, which is still home to the best martini I've known. I feared the renovation of the hotel last year would take a trendy brush to the beautifully old-fashioned bar, but it is, if anything, even more cosy and unassuming these days. It is an honest place, where conservatively dressed patrons are packed in with the dark wood and oil paintings, and the martinis are deferentially mixed at your table (customarily stirred, not shaken). Please do not shame yourself with one of the fruity concoctions - choose the house vodka (frozen Potocki) or gin (Plymouth), both of which come in a chilled glass, lovingly spritzed with extra-dry vermouth and polished with a cut lemon rind. The bloody marys deserve a shout-out as well. Cheap, no - but you could feed a family with the bar snacks (including the dreamy walnut-sized Bella di Cerignola olives), and one dry martini certainly goes a long way. read more

Dukes Hotel - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

Thirty Six (the bar/restaurant in the hotel) got the third star only for the cocktails. The food was too experimental. Pear creme brule was too salty and the venison was over cooked. If you're looking to have cocktails then this might be a good place. Food wise you can find far better place around here. read more

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. read more

I love Martinis, therefore I love Dukes. Probably the best, largest and strongest Martinis in London. Expertly made at your table in the - albeit pokey - lounge, the process is pure theatre. The martinis are extremely expensive - more so than the Stafford round the corner - but it's worth the price just to experience the place. They won't generally serve more than two martinis to each customer, and I found out why when I persuaded them to make me a third. Old school all the way. read more

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. read more

Dukes Hotel - Absolutely amazing martinis - Hotels Near Me - London, XGL

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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. read more

We would live at this hotel if we could afford it. The rooms are beautiful and well-appointed without sacrificing all to modernity. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, the bar makes great martinis, and the complimentary umbrellas have saved more than one outfit. The hotel is nearly impossible to find, unless you know where you are going, but this makes it a quiet, private haven in the center of a megalopolis. The location, in the heart of Saint James, could not be better. We refuse to take taxis when traveling, so quick access to Soho, Regent Street, the theater district, and so forth, is essential. And whenever we're in town, Germyn Street around the corner is the perfect place to load up on Ben's clothes. Speaking of living here, a friend of ours once suffered a personal tragedy and needed a place to hide out for a week or so. The obvious solution was to send her to London and the Duke's. She never left her room, but still counts it as one of the best stays of her life. We're not surprised. read more

This place is expensive. You need to dress smart and be prepared for engaging with a different kind of service. The waiters are very friendly and give an excellent explanation for the infamous martini. My vodka martini was divine. It definitely packs a punch and makes for a fun evening! read more

We went there last night for drinks in the bar. If you love your martinis, this is a must. They make them at the table (straight up). They also have a lovely selection of others. It's not cheap, but it's a lovely place to go for a treat. read more