Classic meets classy at Dukes Hotel.

Dukes Hotel offers discreet luxury in a prime central London location

Nestled into the quiet courtyard of St. James’s Place, Dukes Hotel is a world away from the daily tourist flurries that sweep through nearby Piccadilly.  Entertaining guests for over 100 years, the experience is evident at Dukes where the service is impeccable and the surroundings sublime.

With the nearby Ritz and Stafford London hotels providing healthy competition and with historic connections to St. James’s Palace, it’s not surprising that Dukes is something of a hospitality thoroughbred.

There are 90 rooms in total including eleven suites and a penthouse suite overlooking Green Park.  Recent upgrades have brought Dukes into the 21^st century with room features including controllable air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, interactive flat screen TVs and i-Pod speakers on request.

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The newly-opened Champagne Lounge at Dukes in all its glory

Another new and welcome addition is the hotel’s bright and beautiful Perrier-Jouet Champagne Lounge.  Dukes is famed for its martinis, but for guests seeking something a little more bubbly, champagne is the order of the day in this intimate lounge (champagne lovers are also well-advised to check out the champagne bar at St Pancras station).  Velvet rose pink cushions pop against tealeaf-coloured sofas that are a modern take on the traditional Chesterfield.  Patterns also follow the Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque anemone design down to the gilt picture frames and hand-stitched carpet.

However if martinis are more your style, you can do no wrong at Dukes Bar as they arguably serve London’s best – though Antonio at the Egerton House Hotel in Knightsbridge might have something to say about that.

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Smartly-suited staff wheel the famous Dukes antique cocktail trolley to the guest, prepare fresh tableside Martinis and somehow transfer full-to-the-brim cocktail glasses to the table without spilling a drop.

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Dukes Bar is famous for its martini

Once frequented by James Bond author Ian Fleming, legend has it that Dukes Bar inspired the classic ‘shaken, but not stirred’ line.  Unlike Mr. Bond, current bar manager Alessandro Palazzi favours the locally-made Sacred Gin, which is distilled in Highgate.  It produces a crystal clear Martini, which Palazzi then mists over with a delicate twist of lemon rind.

The low-lit bar has both a refined and comfy atmosphere.  There is no music to interrupt moments of quiet contemplation and it also gives groups a chance to engage with each other as well as with the friendly bar waiters.  It’s certainly among the best London hotel bars.

For tea, cake and a spot of newspaper reading, the drawing room and conservatory provide a light and airy space for relaxation.

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A typical guest room at Dukes: refined luxury in a classic style

And in the evening the secluded Cigar and Cognac Garden is open to guests from 8pm – 11.30pm – a bit like the slightly sinful Garden Room at The Lanesborough.  Late night drinks can be enjoyed here after dining in Dukes Dining Room, which is also open to non-guests for lunch and evening meal.  The seasonal menu offers British favourites such as traditional Sunday roasts and Eton Mess.

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For further indulgence, Dukes Health Club and Spa provides massage and beauty treatments, a 24-hour gym and an Italian marble steam room.

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Photo credits: Dukes Hotel.

Sara Revell is a freelance writer based in North London.

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