Phrase has it there’s a secret tunnel that runs beneath the resort to the palace, however then, that’s no shock as this resort has a wealthy historical past that features royalty, and King Charles III simply occurs to be a neighbor.
A quaint and discreet 5-star resort that oozes regal appeal, it’s a novel property with a novel historical past. Positioned simply off St. Jame’s Place, an space inside Westminster that’s famed for its Royal Warrant holder purveyors, DUKES London additionally sits alongside distinguished members golf equipment, eateries, and galleries which are a agency favourite amongst writers, musicians, politicians, and royalty.
In addition to its location, the resort is thought for its acute consideration to element and heightened degree of service that sees friends depart as a buddy, and undoubtedly return. Then there are its refined suites, the all-day eating spot within the type of the Nice British Restaurant, and the notorious DUKES Bar with its martini that’s mentioned to have impressed Sir Ian Fleming. There’s plenty of historical past wrapped up on this resort and it makes for an excellent keep that highlights excellence inside the sector, and one of the best of British.
On the helm of this 5-star institution is Normal Supervisor, Michael James Purtill, who has a wealth of expertise with the luxurious hospitality trade. Since his function appointment in April, he has been rising the group while reinforcing this boutique resort’s quintessential British enchantment, and there’s extra to return. Purtill shares his perception into this refined resort.
What’s the resort’s USP?
Nestled within the coronary heart of historic St. James’s, DUKES London is a classy, luxurious resort. A discrete elegant vacation spot within the middle of London, however away from the hustle and bustle, the place our friends can create eternal recollections. Just a few minutes stroll from Buckingham Palace, and 100 meters from Clarence Home, the present house of King Charles III.
Inform us about its historical past.
A rustic home within the coronary heart of London, with Inexperienced Park and St James’s Park as its again backyard, DUKES London’s Victorian exterior evokes a time when artists and writers rubbed shoulders with royalty in trendy St. James’s, London.
Our historical past could be traced again to 1532 when King Henry VIII purchased a convent on the backside of the hill. On this space, he constructed St. James’s Palace as a looking lodge and a haven from the feckless gossip from the Palace of Whitehall. The royal household lived on this palace till the mid-Nineteenth Century. However, British monarchs are nonetheless proclaimed from its balcony, and international ambassadors are accredited to the Court docket of St James’s.
It was famous on the time that the courtyard, round the place DUKES stands, led to the home of Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland, one among King Charles II’s mistresses. After the King’s demise, our courtyard was renamed Cleveland Court docket and contained two homes that fashioned a small inn. These buildings have been demolished in 1885 and changed with what is basically the DUKES Resort of at this time. The brand new constructing was initially used because the London chambers for the sons of Britain’s the Aristocracy, however after many knockdowns and rebuilds, the property turned a resort in 1908.
How would you outline the visitor expertise?
Whether or not you select to remain in one among our fashionable or basic fashion bedrooms or luxurious suites, unwind within the legendary DUKES Bar, savor our Nice British Restaurant, or embrace true English stylish with Champagne afternoon tea, we promise to all our friends an enthusiastic group, devoted fully to creating their time right here distinctive.
What are your favourite features of this resort?
There’s something quite particular concerning the historical past and heritage of this property, however it’s the workers who make DUKES London a novel vacation spot. Some colleagues have been welcoming friends for over twenty years.
Who’s your goal market/who do you cater to?
We serve a wide range of guests, from locals in search of the proper staycation vacation spot to vacationers from abroad who want to expertise London’s wealthy heritage and modern-day vibrancy, enterprise vacationers looking for lodging in a well-connected space (that could be a stone’s throw from the opulent glitz of Mayfair) to lovers of artwork and antiques and royal fanatics, who discover in DUKES the proper spot within the capital.
What are your resort highlights all year long?
DUKES Gourmand Picnics throughout summer time with an aesthetic butler service in Inexperienced Park for the final word romantic expertise, or household gathering. DUKES Bar which is an iconic vacation spot by itself all yr spherical, Ian Fleming was a daily visitor, and it’s by way of this connection that the legendary James Bond martini was born. The Christmas season is at all times a magical time in St James’s space with great shows and a wide range of issues to get pleasure from with the entire household, together with indulging in our festive menus crafted by our Government Chef – Nigel Mendham – who has been cooking AA two Rosette dishes for DUKE’s friends for 12 years, based mostly on one of the best of British produce.
Which is your favourite room and why?
The Duke Of Clarence Suite: On the fifth ground, the luxurious 65 sq. m² Duke of Clarence Suite is superbly embellished and crammed with pure mild, that includes a spacious dwelling space with eating services for as much as 4 friends, a separate visitor bed room, and an extra visitor powder room.
The bed room features a UK Emperor dimension mattress, whereas the grand marble lavatory options each a bath and a strong walk-in bathe. For bigger or personal events, an adjoining separate Superior Room is accessible on request to increase the house and create a Two Bed room Suite.
The Duke of Clarence Suite additionally advantages from its personal personal balcony which overlooks the Royal households in addition to Inexperienced Park and the encompassing space of St James’s Mayfair.
What are you able to advocate within the native neighborhood?
DUKES London is ideally positioned within the coronary heart of historic St. James’s, simply minutes from London’s most interesting eating places, most trendy outlets, thrilling galleries, fabulous theatre productions, and plenty of Royal Warrant Holders, reminiscent of Truefitt & Hill for a King worthy grooming session, Lock & Co. house of the best hats, Berry Bros. & Rudd one among Britain’s oldest distilleries with over 300 years of historical past, Paxton & Whitfield for these eccentric cheese lovers, to call just a few. Buying on Jermyn Avenue, Fortnum & Mason, and the unique Burlington Arcade are recognized to be paramount to an final lushness expertise in their very own proper.
Location
DUKES London sits conveniently within the historic space of St. Jame’s near neighboring Mayfair and Piccadilly, in addition to the sights of London together with Inexperienced Park, Hyde Park, Regent Avenue, and The Mall to call just a few. By automobile, the resort is 16.4 miles from London Heathrow, 33.2 miles from London Gatwick, and solely 9.5 miles from London Metropolis Airport.
Rooms & Suites
An unique and completely distinctive resort, it exudes outdated English appeal and could be very a lot a rustic home within the coronary heart of London, the place workers endeavors for it to really feel like a house away from house. Donning a Victorian exterior, the appeal continues with elegant rooms and suites that merge antiques with the newest expertise for fashion and comfort.
You will need to the resort that every visitor room and suite is a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere — an oasis from the hustle and bustle of busy London. As anticipated, the interiors are in line with the heritage of the property and so, are elegant and understated in aesthetic.
In terms of the bedrooms there’s a alternative of: Superior, Deluxe, and Government Rooms together with the Suites. All function both a double, king, or twin mattress full with 400 thread rely mattress linen and Turkish cotton bathrobes, together with a marble en-suite lavatory with Penhaligon’s toiletries. As for the expertise, there are flat-screen TVs, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth audio system with USB sockets. All visitor rooms can be found throughout all of the flooring of the resort, to allow them to accommodate a visitor’s private desire. Additionally, some visitor rooms function walk-in showers and balconies, which may also be requested and are topic to availability.
All suites include a brilliant king mattress with designated dwelling areas and bedrooms giving it an actual homely feeling. As with the visitor rooms, there are marble en-suite bogs, high-quality mattress linen, and toiletries. Lots of the suites are interconnecting, making it doable to hyperlink with one of many Superior or Deluxe Rooms — perfect when touring with household or bigger teams. An actual spotlight is The Duke of Clarence Suite that’s positioned on the fifth ground; spacious and ethereal, it additionally contains a balcony and an extra visitor powder room.
F&B
Break up into 5 choices there’s one thing for everybody, whether or not you need a world-famous martini, afternoon tea, or some classically British delicacies. Simply off the foyer is DUKES Bar, a famend bar that serves up an notorious martini, because of Bar Supervisor Alessandro Palazzi. A favourite with Sir Ian Fleming, it’s thought that Bond’s “shaken, not stirred” Vesper martini is all right down to this bar. Additionally on the bottom ground is the Drawing Room which requires a conventional afternoon tea. Then it’s onto the secluded, open-air Cognac and Cigar Backyard which is in partnership with Rémy Martin and makes for an ideal spot for after-dinner drinks and a high-quality cigar.
For all-day eating that prides itself on high quality, seasonal produce inside a relaxed setting guide into the Nice British Restaurant (GBR). Providing British dishes with a contemporary twist, with all the things from fillet steak to monkfish, Yorkshire free-range hen, and Cumbrian lamb. The house additionally dons a 20-seat personal eating room and a 7-seat bar for mild bites and cocktails.
Lastly, for one thing to stay up for, DUKES London additionally places on decadent picnics within the park which are specifically ready by the Nice British Restaurant. Select from close by St. James’s Park or The Inexperienced Park as the situation and take alongside the resort’s hamper which incorporates a number of picnic meals, together with a rug and cutlery. There are numerous picnic choices to cater for all; Perrier-Jouët for the Champagne fanatics, Basic, Vegetarian, Vegan, Youngsters’s, Afternoon Tea, and sure, there’s even an choice for a pampered pooch.
DUKES London
Handle: 35 St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NY
Instagram: DUKES London
Phone: 020 7491 4840
Web site: