Dukes Hotel, London - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report®: Dukes Hotel

Dukes Hotel, London

Hotel Address

St James’s Place
London
SW1A 1NY

Cranley Rating

Dukes Hotel

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Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel
Awards Won	Travel and Leisure 2006 - 'World's Best Service' - Top London Hotel. The Cesar Award 2004 - London Luxury Hotel of the Year.

Hotel Opened	1908 (in a building constructed in 1885)
Refurbishment	Refurbished many times in its history, most recently in May 2007, when it underwent a major refurbishment programme.

Cranley Summary

Dukes Hotel occupies a fine Victorian building that has been a hotel since 1908. It is located in a courtyard just off the busy St James's Street in London's West End, but far enough to escape the noise and traffic. The hotel comprises just 90 suites and rooms and has won awards for its service. There is a range of accommodation in several categories, from a Penthouse Suite that has views of Green Park, to a number of Dukes rooms with Queen sized beds that are sold for single occupancy. All rooms and suites are finely furnished in a contemporary style and all have marble tiled bathrooms. The Dining Room offers a menu that is unashamedly British, where classic dishes are sourced locally and simply prepared and it has a wine list that offers a good selection of 'Old World' reds. The Dining Room has an extensive display of art, both old and modern adorning its walls. Dukes Bar is a cosy, intimate area that's popular with residents and locals and is notable for its range of martinis. A traditional Drawing Room and Conservatory provide further sanctuary from the bustling West End and afternoon tea is served daily. The hotel also has a gym and a health club, where a range of treatments are available. There are four meeting rooms, including the Marlborough Suite that can host events for up to 120 people.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Dukes Hotel is situated in a quiet location, just off St James's Street in the West End of London. It is only 0.5 km from Green Park underground station, which has direct services to Heathrow Airport and to Victoria Station for Gatwick Airport. The hotel is adjacent to both Green Park and St James's Park and is only a few minutes walk from Buckingham Palace. The fashionable shops of Mayfair, London's Theatre District and many of its most famous sights, including the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery are also within a short walk. Other places of interest are easily reached via the bus or underground network or using one of the famous black cabs.

Airports
Distance	15 km
Airport Transfers	Limousine transfers available at a charge.

Cities and Sights
Distance	0 km
City/Sight Transfers	Many London sights are within walking distance. Black cab taxis are plentiful and private limousine services are available at a charge.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 Hours
Languages Spoken	English and several other languages.
Payment Methods	All major credit and debit cards, travellers cheques and cash accepted.
Foreign Exchange	Open 24 Hours. US Dollars, Japanese Yen, Euros and Swiss Francs accepted.
Taxis Arranged	Black cabs are called on request.
Tours Arranged	A variety of sighteeing tours can be arranged, including bus tours that take in many different parts of London. Thames cruises can also be arranged. The Concierge Desk can assist with information about theatres, shows and other events taking place.

Guest Relations	Standard
Concierge Services	Standard
Medical Facilities	Doctor on call 24 hours.
Parking	Valet parking can be arranged nearby at a charge.

Cranley Comment

The entrance to Dukes Hotel is up three steps through double wooden doors into an entrance hall with a white tiled floor. Straight ahead are the stairs leading up to all floors and down to the Health Club. To the left of the stairs is a door leading through to the Drawing Room and Conservatory. The entrance to Dukes Bar is on the right immediately before the stairs. To the left is the main Lobby area that includes a fine Reception and Concierge Desk made of mahogany. The white tiled floor, large floral display and pale green walls combine to give a fairly small lobby area a bright and fresh look. There are five comfortable armchairs and two tables in the area. Beyond the Reception, the corridor continues through to the bedrooms and suites and there are stairs leading down to the Dining Room and meeting rooms.

Shops & Amenities

Cranley Comment

The hotel does not have any amenities or shops on site, but is in the heart of the West End, where all types of amenities are within a few minutes walk.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	5
Total Rooms	90
Elevators	2
Rooms per Elevator	45
Total Staff	90
Staff per Room	1

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Subject to availability.
Smoking Rooms	The hotel is non smoking throughout.
Room Service	24 hours, with a limited menu available between 23:00 and 07:00.
Laundry Service	Mon to Sat: Same day service offered for items collected before 09:00. An express service at a supplementary charge, is available for items collected by 12:00.
Unique Features	Complimentary newspaper, bottled water and shoe shine. Complimentary access to the Health Club and 24 hour gym.

Cranley Comment

For a small hotel, Dukes has a comprehensive range of room types and views available. There are five different types of room and three different types of suite. Most of the room types are to be found on all floors of the hotel and every room is slightly different in size or shape. Rooms are furnished in a classic contemporary style and have either queen or king sized beds, as well as a writing desk and an armchair, or a sofa in the larger rooms. All rooms have broadband internet connections available at a charge. The bathrooms are marble tiled with marble topped washbasins. Views from the bedrooms are towards the inner or outer courtyard or overlooking the street at the rear of the hotel. A few rooms, including the Penthouse Suite on the top floor, have a view towards nearby Green Park.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Dukes	25	10 Courtyard 4 Street 8 Inner Courtyard/Zen Garden 3 Park	Individually controlled air conditioning Wireless Broadband Internet connection Flat Screen TV Satellite channels DVD player on request i-Pod speakers on request Two line telephones and voicemail Fax machine on request Minibar 24 hour room service Safe Hairdryer Bathrobes Marble Bathroom Bathtub with shower	1 Adult	13

Cranley Comment

Dukes Rooms are located on all five floors throughout the hotel. They are all furnished in a classic contemporary style, with a Queen sized bed and are all for single occupancy. Every room is unique in shape and size and the furnishings differ slightly between rooms. White and subtle shades of green are the predominant colours throughout. All rooms have an armchair and a writing desk with broadband internet access for a laptop computer. Eygptian cotton sheets are a feature of all rooms and non-allergenic pillows and duvets are available on request. Bathrooms are marble tiled with marble topped washbasins.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Classic	26	9 Courtyard 9 Street 5 Inner Courtyard/Zen Garden 3 Park	As for the Dukes Room, with the benefit of additional space.	2 Adults	17

Cranley Comment

Classic Rooms are located on all five floors throughout the hotel. They are furnished in a classic contemporary style and all are for single or double occupancy. Classic Rooms are available with a King sized bed, a Queen sized bed or twin beds. Every room is unique in shape and size and the furnishings differ slightly between rooms. White, beige and subtle shades of green are the predominant colours throughout. All rooms have an armchair and a writing desk with broadband internet access for a laptop computer. Eygptian cotton sheets are a feature of all rooms and non-allergenic pillows and duvets are available on request. Bathrooms are marble tiled with marble topped washbasins.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Superior	14	10 Courtyard 4 Street	As for the Classic Room, with the benefit of additional space.	2 Adults	18.5

Cranley Comment

Superior Rooms are located on all five floors throughout the hotel. They are furnished in a classic contemporary style and all are for double occupancy. Superior Rooms are available with a King sized bed or twin beds. Every room is unique in shape and size and the furnishings differ slightly between rooms. White, champagne, beige and subtle shades of green are the predominant colours throughout. All rooms have an armchair and a writing desk with broadband internet access for a laptop computer. Eygptian cotton sheets are a feature of all rooms and non-allergenic pillows and duvets are available on request. Bathrooms are marble tiled with marble topped washbasins.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Luxury	13	10 Courtyard 3 Street	As for the Superior Room, with the benefit of additional space and a sofa in the seating area.	2 Adults	20

Cranley Comment

Luxury Rooms are located on all five floors throughout the hotel. They are furnished in a classic contemporary style and all are for double occupancy. Luxury Rooms are available with a King sized bed or twin beds. Every room is unique in shape and size and the furnishings differ slightly between rooms. White, beige and subtle shades of blue are the predominant colours throughout. All rooms have a sofa and a writing desk with broadband internet access for a laptop computer. Eygptian cotton sheets are a feature of all rooms and non-allergenic pillows and duvets are available on request. Bathrooms are marble tiled with marble topped washbasins.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Junior Suite	6	Street	As for the Luxury Room, with the benefit of an adjacent sitting area with sofa.	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child	23

Cranley Comment

Junior Suites are located throughout the hotel. They are furnished in a classic contemporary style and all are for double occupancy, with a rollaway bed available for a 3rd adult or child. Junior Suites are available with a King sized bed or twin beds. Every suite is unique in shape and size and the furnishings differ slightly between rooms. White, beige and champagne are the predominant colours throughout. All suites have a separate sitting area, with a sofa and a writing desk with broadband internet access for a laptop computer. Eygptian cotton sheets are a feature of all rooms and non-allergenic pillows and duvets are available on request. Bathrooms are marble tiled with marble topped washbasins and some have double washbasins and walk-in showers in additon to the bathtub.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Deluxe Suite	5	Street and Inner Courtyard	As for the Junior Suite, with the benefit of a spacious south facing sitting room and a separate bedroom.	3 Adults or 2 Adults and 1 child	38

Cranley Comment

Deluxe Suites are located throughout the hotel. They are furnished in a classic contemporary style and all are for double occupancy, with a rollaway bed available for a 3rd adult or child. Deluxe Suites are available with a King sized bed or twin beds. Every suite is unique in shape and size and the furnishings differ slightly between rooms. White, beige, champagne and subtle shades of green are the predominant colours throughout. All suites have a separate sitting room, with two large sofas, a dining table and a coffee table. There is also a writing desk with broadband internet access for a laptop computer. Eygptian cotton sheets are a feature of all rooms and non-allergenic pillows and duvets are available on request. Bathrooms are marble tiled with marble topped washbasins. Some suites can connect to superior rooms to make a two bedroom suite.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
The Penthouse	1	Park	As for the Deluxe Suite, with the benefit of a Drawing Room, a private balcony with views over Green Park, a 7ft bed and a separate guest cloakroom.	4 Adults or 2 Adults and 2 children	65

Cranley Comment

The Penthouse or Duke of Clarence Suite is located on 5th Floor, where it has a view of nearby Green Park. It is furnished in a classic contemporary style and has a 7ft bed as its main feature. The Drawing Room is furnished with luxury sofas and a dining table, but is easily converted for use as a reception area or boardroom. There is also a writing desk with broadband internet access for a laptop computer. Eygptian cotton sheets are a feature of the bedroom and non-allergenic pillows and duvets are available on request. The bathroom is tiled in black marble with a marble topped double washbasin and has a separate walk-in shower in addition to the bathtub. The Penthouse can connect to a Classic Room to make a two bedroom suite.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Dining Room

Restaurant Type	Classic British
Restaurant Capacity	60
Opening Times	Breakfast: 07:00 to 11:00 Mon - Sat 08:00 to 11:00 Sun Lunch: 12:00 to 14:00 Dinner: 18:00 to 22:00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Smoking not allowed
Children’s Facilities	Children's Menu
Breakfast Options	There is a choice of Continental Breakfast or Full English cooked to order.

Cranley Comment

The Dining Room is in a quiet location on the lower ground floor, though still at street level at the back of the hotel. It is bright and airy with white painted walls, covered in an eclectic mix of paintings, both modern and old. Furnishings are all in a classic contemporary style. The Dining Room is a haven of tranquility with no background music. It serves classic British dishes, such as steak, lamb, chicken and fish, with food freshly prepared and cooked to order. A special 2 or 3 course pre-theatre menu is offered up to 19:00 each day. There is an extensive wine list that features predominantly 'Old World' reds.

Drawing Room and Conservatory

Restaurant Type	English
Restaurant Capacity	22
Opening Times	Breakfast: 07:00 to 11:00 Mon - Sat 08:00 to 11:00 Sun Light Dishes and Snacks: 24 Hours Afternoon Tea: 15:00 to 18:00
Dress Codes	Smart casual

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Smoking not allowed