Dukes London

"How did it strike you on arrival?Entering this hotel is like stepping into a PBS miniseries—it’s almost a parody of Englishness, from the perfectly pruned window boxes to the oil paintings, parquet, and paneling. The location, near Green Park in moneyed Mayfair, is close to the gentlemen’s shops of Jermyn St. and a five-minute stroll from Buckingham Palace. Speaking of which, the hotel is rumored to have been a favorite of the Queen Mother and Princess Diana. The website includes a handy royal family tree if you want to swat up. What’s the crowd like?After checking in, head straight for a martini in the snug bar—apparently, Ian Fleming’s fondness for the drink started here. Your drinking companions will be die hard traditionalists or tourists looking to absorb some quaint English charm—play with your mobile phone at your peril. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The rooms are simple or uninteresting, depending on your persuasion. Expect crisp white bed linen, cream walls, beige carpets, and perhaps a colorful cushion or curtain to jazz things up. Not all of the smallest rooms have king beds, so state your preference when booking. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.All but three of the bathrooms have showers over the bathtub. Bath products from Floris of London go nicely with the English rose vibe. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Free. Room service: Worth it?Fancy breakfast in bed? You can’t get a full English to your room but eggs royale is the next best thing ($19). Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The appropriately named Great British Restaurant serves refined classics such as braised ox cheek and coronation chicken salad. But perhaps the loveliest food offering is the ‘Picnic in the Park’—a hamper of treats can be brought by butler to your chosen spot in one of the nearby Royal Parks. Back at base, the cognac and cider garden is a pretty trellised zone where you can tuck into your preferred digestif under the shelter of a gazebo. Bottom line: worth it, and why?If you’re really into the fantasy London of cobblestone streets and red phone boxes, this hotel fits the bill perfectly." - Laura Goulden