Word has it there is a secret tunnel that runs under the hotel to the palace, but then, that’s no surprise as this hotel has a rich history that includes royalty, and King Charles III just happens to be a neighbor.
A quaint and discreet 5-star hotel that oozes regal charm, it’s a unique property with a unique history. Located just off St. Jame’s Place, an area within Westminster that’s famed for its Royal Warrant holder purveyors, DUKES London also sits alongside distinguished members clubs, eateries, and galleries that are a firm favorite among writers, musicians, politicians, and royalty.
As well as its location, the hotel is known for its acute attention to detail and heightened level of service that sees guests leave as a friend, and undoubtedly return. Then there are its sophisticated suites, the all-day dining spot in the form of the Great British Restaurant, and the infamous DUKES Bar with its martini that’s said to have inspired Sir Ian Fleming. There’s a lot of history wrapped up in this hotel and it makes for a glorious stay that highlights excellence within the sector, and the best of British.
At the helm of this 5-star establishment is General Manager, Michael James Purtill, who has a wealth of experience with the luxury hospitality industry. Since his role appointment in April, he has been growing the team whilst reinforcing this boutique hotel’s quintessential British appeal, and there’s more to come. Purtill shares his insight into this sophisticated hotel.
What is the hotel’s USP?
Nestled in the heart of historic St. James’s, DUKES London is a sophisticated, luxury hotel. A discrete elegant destination in the center of London, but away from the hustle and bustle, where our guests can create everlasting memories. Only a few minutes walk from Buckingham Palace, and a hundred meters from Clarence House, the current home of King Charles III.
Tell us about its history.
A country house in the heart of London, with Green Park and St James’s Park as its back garden, DUKES London’s Victorian exterior evokes a time when artists and writers rubbed shoulders with royalty in fashionable St. James’s, London.
Our history can be traced back to 1532 when King Henry VIII bought a convent at the bottom of the hill. In this area, he built St. James’s Palace as a hunting lodge and a haven from the feckless gossip from the Palace of Whitehall. The royal family lived in this palace until the mid-19th Century. Nevertheless, British monarchs are still proclaimed from its balcony, and foreign ambassadors are accredited to the Court of St James’s.
It was noted at the time that the courtyard, around where DUKES stands, led to the house of Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, one of King Charles II’s mistresses. After the King’s death, our courtyard was renamed Cleveland Court and contained two houses that formed a small inn. These buildings were demolished in 1885 and replaced with what is essentially the DUKES Hotel of today. The new building was initially used as the London chambers for the sons of Britain’s nobility, but after many knockdowns and rebuilds, the property became a hotel in 1908.
How would you define the guest experience?
Whether you choose to stay in one of our modern or classic style bedrooms or luxurious suites, unwind in the legendary DUKES Bar, savor our Great British Restaurant, or embrace true English chic with Champagne afternoon tea, we promise to all our guests an enthusiastic team, dedicated entirely to making their time here exceptional.
What are your favorite aspects of this hotel?
There is something rather special about the history and heritage of this property, but it is the staff who make DUKES London a unique destination. Some colleagues have been welcoming guests for over two decades.
Who is your target market/who do you cater to?
We serve a variety of visitors, from locals looking for the perfect staycation destination to travelers from overseas who wish to experience London’s rich heritage and modern-day vibrancy, business travelers seeking accommodation in a well-connected area (that is a stone’s throw from the opulent glitz of Mayfair) to lovers of art and antiques and royal enthusiasts, who find in DUKES the perfect spot in the capital.
What are your hotel highlights throughout the year?
DUKES Gourmet Picnics during summer with a classy butler service in Green Park for the ultimate romantic experience, or family gathering. DUKES Bar which is an iconic destination on its own all year round, Ian Fleming was a regular guest, and it is through this connection that the legendary James Bond martini was born. The Christmas season is always a magical time in St James’s area with wonderful displays and a variety of things to enjoy with the whole family, including indulging in our festive menus crafted by our Executive Chef – Nigel Mendham – who has been cooking AA two Rosette dishes for DUKE’s guests for 12 years, based on the best of British produce.
Which is your favorite room and why?
The Duke Of Clarence Suite: On the 5th floor, the luxurious 65 sq. m² Duke of Clarence Suite is beautifully decorated and filled with natural light, featuring a spacious living area with dining facilities for up to 4 guests, a separate guest bedroom, and an additional guest powder room.
The bedroom includes a UK Emperor size bed, while the grand marble bathroom features both a bathtub and a powerful walk-in shower. For larger or private parties, an adjoining separate Superior Room is available on request to extend the space and create a Two Bedroom Suite.
The Duke of Clarence Suite also benefits from its own private balcony which overlooks the Royal households as well as Green Park and the surrounding area of St James’s Mayfair.
What can you recommend in the local vicinity?
DUKES London is ideally located in the heart of historic St. James’s, just minutes from London’s finest restaurants, most fashionable shops, exciting galleries, fabulous theatre productions, and many Royal Warrant Holders, such as Truefitt & Hill for a King worthy grooming session, Lock & Co. home of the finest hats, Berry Bros. & Rudd one of Britain’s oldest distilleries with over 300 years of history, Paxton & Whitfield for those eccentric cheese lovers, to name a few. Shopping on Jermyn Street, Fortnum & Mason, and the exclusive Burlington Arcade are known to be paramount to an ultimate lushness experience in their own right.
Location
DUKES London sits conveniently in the historic area of St. Jame’s close to neighboring Mayfair and Piccadilly, as well as the sights of London including Green Park, Hyde Park, Regent Street, and The Mall to name a few. By car, the hotel is 16.4 miles from London Heathrow, 33.2 miles from London Gatwick, and only 9.5 miles from London City Airport.
Rooms & Suites
An exclusive and thoroughly unique hotel, it exudes old English charm and is very much a country house in the heart of London, where staff endeavors for it to feel like a home away from home. Donning a Victorian exterior, the charm continues with elegant rooms and suites that merge antiques with the latest technology for style and convenience.
It is important to the hotel that each guest room and suite is a welcoming and relaxing environment — an oasis from the hustle and bustle of busy London. As expected, the interiors are in keeping with the heritage of the property and so, are elegant and understated in aesthetic.
When it comes to the bedrooms there is a choice of: Superior, Deluxe, and Executive Rooms along with the Suites. All feature either a double, king, or twin bed complete with 400 thread count bed linen and Turkish cotton bathrobes, along with a marble en-suite bathroom with Penhaligon’s toiletries. As for the technology, there are flat-screen TVs, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth speakers with USB sockets. All guest rooms are available across all the floors of the hotel, so they can accommodate a guest’s personal preference. Also, some guest rooms feature walk-in showers and balconies, which can also be requested and are subject to availability.
All suites come with a super king bed with designated living areas and bedrooms giving it a real homely feeling. As with the guest rooms, there are marble en-suite bathrooms, fine bed linen, and toiletries. Many of the suites are interconnecting, making it possible to link with one of the Superior or Deluxe Rooms — ideal when traveling with family or larger groups. A real highlight is The Duke of Clarence Suite that’s located on the fifth floor; spacious and airy, it also features a balcony and an additional guest powder room.
F&B
Split into five offerings there’s something for everyone, whether you want a world-famous martini, afternoon tea, or some classically British cuisine. Just off the lobby is DUKES Bar, a renowned bar that serves up an infamous martini, thanks to Bar Manager Alessandro Palazzi. A favorite with Sir Ian Fleming, it’s thought that Bond’s “shaken, not stirred” Vesper martini is all down to this bar. Also on the ground floor is the Drawing Room which calls for a traditional afternoon tea. Then it’s onto the secluded, open-air Cognac and Cigar Garden which is in partnership with Rémy Martin and makes for a perfect spot for after-dinner drinks and a fine cigar.
For all-day dining that prides itself on quality, seasonal produce within a relaxed setting book into the Great British Restaurant (GBR). Offering British dishes with a modern twist, with everything from fillet steak to monkfish, Yorkshire free-range chicken, and Cumbrian lamb. The space also dons a 20-seat private dining room and a 7-seat bar for light bites and cocktails.
Lastly, for something to look forward to, DUKES London also puts on decadent picnics in the park that are specially prepared by the Great British Restaurant. Choose from nearby St. James’s Park or The Green Park as the location and take along the hotel’s hamper which contains a selection of picnic food, along with a rug and cutlery. There are various picnic options to cater for all; Perrier-Jouët for the Champagne enthusiasts, Classic, Vegetarian, Vegan, Children’s, Afternoon Tea, and yes, there’s even an option for a pampered pooch.
DUKES London
Address: 35 St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NY
Instagram: DUKES London
Telephone: 020 7491 4840
Website:
This story originally appeared on Upscalelivingmag
