Dukes London overview: What it is like staying at a Hilton SLH property in London as a top-tier elite

London is thought for its unbelievable lodge scene, however one model has comparatively few properties in the UK’s capital metropolis: Hilton. Whereas the Hilton chain does have just a few wonderful inns in London, the model’s attain within the main metropolitan metropolis pales compared to Marriott’s.

However a brand new partnership between Hilton and Small Luxurious Lodges of the World has actually modified the choices for Hilton lovers in London.

A piece journey to London had me eagerly scoping out the always-evolving lodge scene, and a stash of Hilton Honors factors opened up some intriguing new potentialities since many SLH inns, together with just a few gems in London, are actually a part of the Hilton Honors universe.

I made a decision on Dukes London within the historic St. James neighborhood, an space just some minutes away on foot from among the most essential websites in London, together with Buckingham Palace. The lodge is known for Dukes Bar, the place the creator of James Bond sipped martinis again within the day.

However not like 007, my mission would not be spycraft. As an alternative, I sought to search out out if an SLH property would deal with this Hilton Honors Diamond elite member in addition to an everyday Hilton property would.

Reserving Dukes London utilizing Hilton Honors factors

I booked a two-night keep at Dukes London for 100,000 Hilton Honors factors per night time.

Whereas 200,000 factors might sound like quite a bit, that is an honest redemption, for my part. For the reason that lodge was round $1,000 an evening throughout my keep, my factors had been value about 1 cent apiece. TPG values Hilton Honors factors at 0.6 cents apiece, per our December 2024 valuations, making this an honest redemption worth.

Plus, I even earned just a few Hilton factors throughout my keep. I earned 2,500 Hilton Honors factors through the lodge’s 2024 Energy Up promotion, which supplies members the flexibility to earn bonus factors for each keep by means of Dec. 31.

I additionally earned an extra 2,009 factors after charging $136.19 in room bills to my Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card, which earns 14 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases at Hilton inns.

The knowledge for the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Hilton elite advantages at Dukes London

Whereas I did not really feel like my Hilton Honors Diamond standing dramatically improved my keep, it definitely helped across the edges (other than getting the room “free” with factors).

Hilton Honors members can anticipate the next advantages throughout an SLH keep:

• Member: Assured member low cost, complimentary normal Wi-Fi, complimentary late checkout, bottled water and no resort charges on award stays
• Silver: 20% factors bonus, fifth normal reward night time free and all “member” advantages
• Gold: 80% factors bonus, complimentary breakfast (for 2 friends), space-available upgrades, fifth normal reward night time free and all “member” advantages
• Diamond: 100% factors bonus, complimentary breakfast (for 2 friends), space-available upgrades, fifth normal reward night time free and all “member” advantages

As a Diamond elite member, I used to be upgraded to a Superior Twin Room, which is one class above essentially the most primary Dukes London room. This room has what the lodge describes as a “UK Double” mattress — in actuality, it appears to be like like a glorified twin mattress.

Regardless of holding top-tier Diamond standing, I wasn’t actually anticipating to get upgraded to a collection, particularly since I booked with factors.

Throughout my two-night keep, I loved complimentary breakfast, a perk for Diamond and Gold elite members. The lodge advised me to decide on both the continental breakfast buffet or order a la carte.

I had an omelet with spinach and cheddar cheese that will have value $15. My London-based colleague Jordan Waller tried the eggs Benedict, which might have value about $21. We additionally ordered recent juice and espresso drinks, together with a cappuccino with a cute picture of the lodge’s mascot.

The restaurant additionally let me partake within the breakfast buffet, which was restricted however had sufficient selection to fulfill almost any urge for food.

General, the free breakfast is a superb perk. It is even higher than what Hilton gives top-tier elite members within the U.S. At most home luxurious Hilton manufacturers, you possibly can anticipate a every day food-and-beverage credit score value $25.

Rooms at Dukes London

Dukes London is a boutique property in each approach, with simply 79 rooms.

There are basically two wings of the lodge unfold throughout two Victorian buildings which have been mixed to type Dukes.

The property’s normal rooms are as small as you’d anticipate in central London. Contained in the rooms, the vintage furnishings is exhibiting its age, and the rooms themselves are a bit shopworn. There’s excellent news on that entrance, although, because the lodge advised me renovations will begin someday in 2025.

As I discussed, I did not get a lot of an improve as an elite Hilton Honors member staying at Dukes London. The room was snug, with two twin beds put collectively to type a form of king-size mattress.

There was a decent-size closet, a small minibar and a espresso maker that made scrumptious espressos utilizing pods.

Observe that there have been no free water bottles for this Hilton Diamond, however there was a stunning small work desk. Whereas the lodge did not have U.S.-compatible plugs, it did promptly convey up some adapters. Whereas I liked the vintage keys, the TV was at the least 15 years previous; mainly, the rooms are actually beginning to present their age.

The lavatory was small however adequate, and I favored the black marble look. The lodge provided facilities by Noble Isle, a regional model recurrently utilized by SLH properties. It makes a speciality of merchandise made within the U.Ok.

Facilities at Dukes London

Relating to noteworthy facilities at Dukes London, there’s not a lot to report. There’s a small fitness center with just a few weight machines, two elliptical machines by Star Trac and two stationary bicycles, in addition to a weight rack with dumbbells.

Sadly, the Italian marble steam room close to the fitness center was closed and is scheduled to be overhauled when renovations begin in 2025, per a lodge worker.

Eating places at Dukes London

The principle restaurant at Dukes London is Nice British Restaurant on the decrease degree of the lodge. Along with breakfast, GBR (because it’s typically referred to as by locals) additionally serves lunch, excessive tea and dinner. I loved dinner there one night time, beginning with a stunning nonalcoholic bubbly referred to as a Royal Flush that is made with tea and prices $10. I additionally had butter and bread and a facet of buttered rainbow carrots, which value $6.30, to begin.

As a fundamental course, I had a scrumptious Yorkshire wagyu burger with Somerset brie and summer season truffle ($16). It was served with french fries and made for an ideal meal.

There’s a lot else on the menu, together with a number of varieties of steak, in addition to British classics like shepherd’s pie and fish-and-chips.

In fact, no go to to Dukes could be full with out cocktails on the well-known Dukes Bar.

It is not simple to get a desk at Dukes, the place of us started lining as much as enter round 2:30 p.m. forward of the bar opening at 3 p.m. Happily, lodge friends are given most popular seating.

A favourite of writer Ian Fleming — as evidenced by the James Bond memorabilia on show all through — Dukes is thought for its big martinis made recent at your desk. The bar can be reported to have been frequented by Queen Elizabeth earlier than her demise.

The lodge advised me it limits friends to simply two of its signature Vesper Martinis as a result of they’re so sturdy (thanks to 5 pictures of gin). That wasn’t an issue for me since I caught to a nonalcoholic mojito-style cocktail that also regarded very fairly.

I extremely advocate a go to to the bar simply to say you have had an ice-cold martini “shaken, not stirred.”

Accessibility at Dukes London

Since Dukes London has simply two totally accessible rooms, it might not be the most suitable choice for individuals with disabilities. Do not forget that this lodge was as soon as two Victorian buildings, so it is exhausting to make them totally practical for these in wheelchairs.

That stated, there’s an elevator to supply entry to increased flooring, although it is not as vast as most accessible elevators in use lately.

Whereas the doorway on the road degree has steps, the lodge advised me it does have a ramp to make use of when friends in wheelchairs keep on the property.

Must you guide one of many accessible rooms, you will have entry to vast doorways, lowered furnishings and a rest room with a roll-in bathe and seize bars.

Backside line

Small Luxurious Lodges of the World properties are an ideal addition to Hilton’s portfolio — particularly in locations like London, the place Hilton’s footprint has not been as strong.

Not solely will you earn Hilton elite night time credit and bonus factors for these bookings, however additionally, you will get some additional perks as a top-tier Hilton Honors member. When you in all probability should not anticipate the identical elite standing remedy that you simply may get at totally flagged Hilton properties, the free breakfast is clutch.

Although I did not obtain a lot of an improve, the scrumptious breakfast and the general boutique really feel of the lodge made me a cheerful buyer. It was charming and, the truth is, had among the finest service I’ve skilled. From the bellman to the entrance desk staff to the housekeeping group, the service was impeccable.

Apart from breakfast, I did not really feel like I obtained something additional particular through my Hilton Honors elite standing. Whereas I hope common upgrades for Hilton’s prime prospects develop into extra widespread at SLH inns, I will proceed incomes Hilton Honors factors once I keep at these boutique inns. Who is aware of? Possibly I will even rating some extra respectable redemptions alongside the way in which.

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