Fun filled days in London with friends this summer

3 women laughing and enjoying London with friends

With such a range of activities and views to enjoy, London is often thought of as being the perfect city break with family. Likewise, this variety also makes it the perfect destination for a trip with friends. Whether it’s just a day out for two, or the whole gang together for the full weekend, what better place to explore? London is known as one of the most wonderful cities in the world, filled with high-class food and drinks, iconic historical sights, and breath-taking entertainment, that you will undoubtedly have a hard time choosing what to do. Here are our top picks for making the most of your time in London with friends this summer.

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Make your family trip to London unforgettable with DUKES LONDON this summer

Little boy enjoying family trip to London in the Kids Zone at DUKES.

The summer holidays have arrived and there is no better place to take a family holiday than in the capital city. London is filled with a wide range of activities and sights which children of all ages love; you will definitely have a hard time choosing when creating your itinerary. DUKES LONDON is the perfect choice when travelling with little ones – we are proud to be family-friendly and we want to make your break as carefree as possible. As a luxury boutique hotel, we take pleasure in the finer details and provide a range of amenities and services for families. Discover how DUKES LONDON can make your family trip to London with children unforgettable.

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Enjoy the very best of British hospitality with our Town & Country Package

Town & Country Package hotel Stoke Park from above

Combining the excitement and adventure of the big city, with the tranquillity and peace of the Great British countryside, we are proud to present our Town & Country Package to guests this summer. DUKES LONDON have entered into an exclusive partnership with Britain’s first ever Country Club, Stoke Park, to create a truly unique holiday. Begin your stay in the bustling capital, immersing yourself in its famous attractions, before escaping to the surrounding countryside for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. With luxury and first-class hospitality at the heart of your experience, both hotels offer an abundance of British charm in two distinct locations. Experience the best of both worlds within one remarkable holiday.

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Come and experience the magic of Wimbledon at DUKES LONDON!

Picnic in the Park celebrating Wimbledon at DUKES LONDON

With the start of summer comes the start of many opportunities to socialise and enjoy the wonderful weather. This is certainly true in London – the social scene comes alive at this time of year and there are many events on offer which bring crowds of people from all over the globe together. May and June have already brought with them both the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot, and now we have arrived in July with a spectacularly British event – Wimbledon!

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July is on the horizon – and it’s perfect weather for a picnic in the park

A picnic in the park arranged by DUKES London in one of the surrounding Royal Parks with a hamper, blanket and wine.

After an unusually cold start to the summer months, the weather is finally starting to pick up and there is the glimmer of some sunnier weeks ahead. With the warmer weather comes the promise of great opportunity – you can finally get out and fully enjoy all that the city of London has to offer. DUKES London believes there is no better place than London in the sunshine and both the locals and tourists agree. If you are looking to relax during your visit to the capital, The Royal Parks of London are the perfect location to take advantage of the climate and step away from the hustle and bustle of London which the season brings. And DUKES has the perfect summer day activity – a picnic in the park.

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How to escape the hustle and bustle of London

Tourists in front of Big Ben showing the hustle and bustle of London

There’s no denying that London is a busy city. As the capital of the United Kingdom, it is the largest city in the country and one of the largest in the world. It is home to more than 8 million people and attracts more than 30 million tourists every single year. Crowds flock to the world-famous attractions, theatre shows sell out most nights, and popular restaurants need to be booked in advance. When taking a trip to a hectic city, rest and relaxation isn’t the first thing that springs to mind in a place that is always on the go. However, here at DUKES London, we believe there are plenty of opportunities to escape the hustle and bustle of London and enjoy a stay where you can truly unwind. Find out our top 3 ways to relax when enjoying a stay at our hotel.

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How to make the most of your family stay in London this May

Boy and girl eating afternoon tea at DUKES during a family stay in London

The capital city is a diverse place, filled with so much to see and so much to do, there is always something new to explore.  That is why, here at DUKES LONDON, we believe there is no better place to take a holiday as a family. The last week in May is half term for many schools up and down the country and getting away for a family stay in London is an ideal break for everyone. From historical sights and royal palaces, to spectacular shows and an amazing selection of places to shop, London has something to entertain all ages and interests. Find out how to make the most out of your family stay in London at DUKES Hotel this May.

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It’s one month until Mother’s Day 2019 – come and enjoy it in style!

Bouquet of yellow roses for Mother's Day 2019

March is all about the celebration of women here at DUKES Hotel with two very important female centred days taking place this month – International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day 2019. As a female lead hotel, we truly understand the importance of championing women and their achievements. We have dedicated the entirety of March to the ladies in our lives with our aptly named ‘All About the Duchess’ month.

Mothers have such special and important roles in our lives and is only right that we recognise all that they do for us. Mother’s Day 2019 is on the 31st March and is the perfect opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for the sacrifices they make and appreciate the love that they show us. Booking them a treat at DUKES London is the perfect gift and the range of packages available for our ‘All About the Duchess’ month means there is something to suit everybody. As an added bonus, all bookings in March are entered in a draw to win a spa day package.

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6 things to do in London with children this half term

Half term at Hamley's Toy ShopHere at DUKES London, it feels as though we have only just got over the Christmas holidays and the half term holidays are upon us once again. Children and teenagers throughout the UK have left school behind them for the week and it is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time together as a family.

London is the ideal place to take a family friendly break – with its diverse nature, there is something for all ages. With so much to see and do, you will certainly be spoilt for choice.

We have rounded up our top 5 things to do in London with children this half term, check them out below. Continue reading “6 things to do in London with children this half term”

An inside look at DUKES: our food and drink

Afternoon tea at DUKES Hotel, LondonAs we mentioned in a previous post, one of the pieces of criteria behind DUKES being a five star hotel is the ability to provide our guests with dining options whatever day you stay with us and whatever time it may be.

London is a city that never sleeps, and so if you’re checking out early and need something savoury and substantial to set you up for the day, or have spent all evening at the theatre and need a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth before you get into bed, you can rest assured we can provide it all at DUKES.

For this reason, it’s no real surprise that food and drink is really important to us. We want everyone who spends time with us to feel as though there’s something to eat and drink that’s perfectly suited to their individual needs.

And it’s because of this why we have so many different options available.

DUKES Bar

Our bar is a favourite with our guests and locals actually some guests come to DUKES just to experience our martinis. In the words of others it’s legendary, enviable and as the New York Times once said it’s the bar “which some say concocts one of the world’s best Martinis”.

Open from 2pm to 11pm Monday to Saturday (4pm to 10.30pm on Sundays), spending time in DUKES Bar is somewhat of an event. You aren’t simply dropping by for a quick beer or glass of wine – we want you to savour the whole experience; to enjoy time testing our bartenders’ knowledge to create a drink that’s perfectly suited to you.

Having a drink in DUKES Bar is in many ways about harking back to a time before mobile phones, the internet or television. It’s about choosing a seat, having a drink made for you, and wiling away the time with your loved one, a group of friends or simply by yourself.

GBR

Headed up by renowned chef Nigel Mendham, GBR is a truly ‘Great British Restaurant’. It’s all about providing a dining experience built around homegrown produce from here on our wonderful British Isles, or menus that follow – or are inspired by – some of the country’s most traditional dishes.

An all-day dining experience (you can grab breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner here), the team at GBR don’t try to overcomplicate the dishes on offer. They know what works, what our guests want and bring the two together perfectly.

And with the bar overlooking the restaurant, if you’d prefer a few light snacks with a drink here instead of a meal, we’d be only too happy to oblige.

Afternoon tea

A truly British occasion, afternoon tea is something we can all enjoy. After all, who doesn’t enjoy taking some time out of their day to eat sandwiches, cakes and pastries and drink tea?

However, knowing that everyone has different tastes, we’ve produced a variety of options when it comes to afternoon tea.

For instance, we have our DUKES afternoon tea, which includes an array of sandwiches, warm scones and a variety of pastries served with a choice of tea. However, for something a little more ‘relaxing’ you can enjoy our ‘gin and tonic afternoon tea’ or our ‘champagne afternoon tea’ – all the same delights to eat, but with an alcoholic alternative to tea!

Served in our elegant drawing room and conservatory, there aren’t many better ways to spend an afternoon in London.

Picnic in the park

We really do love it when our guests stay with us for a meal or a drink, but we also know London has a whole host of sights and attractions to take in, including a vast array of beautiful parks.

Not wishing for you to miss out on the culinary delights our chefs create, we provide a particularly popular option for our guests to take a picnic to one of the nearby Royal Parks.

A real decadent treat, your personal butler will meet you at the park, lay out your rug and picnic basket and then serve your drinks before leaving you to enjoy the great outdoors of our city with a selection of tempting treats.

Cognac and cigar garden

Open throughout the week from 6pm to 11pm, our outdoor cognac and cigar area is particularly popular for those looking for a break away from the hustle and bustle of London life.

Providing our guests with the ability to sample some of the world’s finest cigars alongside some truly favourable cognac, if you’re a fan of a cigar, we’re confident saying you’ll be hard-pressed to find somewhere better to enjoy one in London.

Being real foodies at DUKES – and with a particular passion for high quality drinks, too – we aim to show this to each and every one of our guests. Only wanting you to have the best dining experiences possible, we do our utmost to cater for every need, no matter how diverse it may be. Just ask!