Earlier this week, I was invited for an exclusive first look behind the scenes at Dukes Hotel – specifically the soon-to-open Delany Drawing Room, a whisky-led bar that will directly connect to Dukes’ forthcoming cigar shop and sampling lounge.
The hotel is currently in the first stages of a new multi-million-pound refurbishment, a project that will reimagine much of the property ahead of its full relaunch in Summer 2026.
For years, cigar enthusiasts had only the hotel’s outdoor terrace for sampling. Now, Dukes is transforming a former bedroom overlooking that terrace into a fully fledged cigar merchant and a 12-seat indoor sampling lounge – designed by Russell Sage and fitted with DeArt humidor cabinets – ushering in an entirely new chapter for the hotel.
Dukes Hotel
Tucked away on a peaceful cul-de-sac in St James, Dukes Hotel has been a discreet London treasure since 1908. Surrounded by royal residences and private members’ clubs, it embodies polished British understatement – classic interiors, warm service, and a sense of unhurried elegance that has drawn writers, creatives, and discerning travellers for generations.
At the heart of this legacy is the world-famous Dukes Bar, known for its flawlessly executed martinis with Alessandro Palazzi their head bartender.
The ritual – frozen glass, spirit poured straight from the freezer, and the faintest whisper of vermouth – has become legendary. Ian Fleming, best known for creating James Bond, was a regular here in the 1950s, and the stories surrounding his visits have given the bar a lasting Bond mystique.
Even as the hotel undergoes refurbishment, Dukes Bar remains very much alive, still drawing crowds to the point where there’s a two-martini limit – it’s that iconic! I didn’t get to visit this part of the hotel during my sneak peek, but it’s firmly on my list for next time.
Inside the Delany Drawing Room
The new Delany Drawing Room is a beautiful retreat where heritage and contemporary craftsmanship meet.
At the preview I attended Tuesday night, the brilliant general manager Michael Purtill welcomed us and introduced both the space and his exceptional team.
Central to the space is a striking whisky cabinet displaying more than a dozen rare and hard-to-find bottles, curated by Lucas Paterson and Dario.
Whether you’re a seasoned whisky devotee or exploring for the first time, expect unique drams, signature cocktails, champagne, and tasting flights served on boards made from reclaimed whisky barrels.
A thoughtful touch within the room is a graceful tribute to Princess Diana, who often sought privacy at Dukes. The hotel worked with Russell Sage Studio to commission a subtle silhouette in her honour—perfectly in tune with the room’s elegant atmosphere.
With the festive season approaching, Dukes has also partnered with The British Hat Guild on limited-edition Christmas decorations.
These handcrafted ornaments will be sold after the holidays in support of Brain Tumour Research, reflecting the hotel’s close ties to its St James’s neighbours, including royal hatters Lock & Co.
The new cigar merchant & sampling lounge
For cigar enthusiasts and aficionados, the real excitement lies just beyond the Drawing Room. The forthcoming cigar merchant will be overseen by Diana Turcanu, one of only a handful of Masters of Havana Cigars in the UK – and one of just a few women to hold the title. Following her success at The Peninsula London and The Arts Club, she will curate the humidor cabinets, which will be stocked primarily with Cuban cigars supplied by Hunters & Frankau, including limited editions, regional releases, and New World options.
Early whispers even suggest a future Central American cigar exclusive to Dukes.
Humidor cabinets – crafted by Massimo of DeArt, one of the world’s leading humidor makers – will anchor the sampling lounge.
Massimo’s work can be found across London’s top cigar destinations, and he recently designed the walk in humidor for the Monte Carlo Cigar Club at the Monte Carlo Casino, and is in full creation mode, crafting next year’s auction humidors for the XXVI Festival del Habano.
Crucially, this new space will break away from the traditional gentleman’s-club template. Designed by Russell Sage Studio, the lounge promises to be bright, contemporary, and refined – a refreshing new aesthetic for London’s cigar scene. Once open, it will join what aficionados fondly call “Cigar Mile”, alongside Davidoff, J.J. Fox, CGars, The Stafford, and Franco’s.
Although the sampling lounge wasn’t quite ready for viewing during my visit, anticipation is high. Once ventilation and finishing touches are complete, the wonderful team hopes to open in the coming months. Diana will be present to guide guests through the cigar range, and there are plans for private lockers and distillery-led whisky tastings throughout the winter. I for one cannot wait to return to see more!
Interested to visit?
Dukes Hotel is set to open fully in Summer 2026.
Dukes London
35 St. James’s Place, London SW1A 1NY
Tel: 020 7491 4840
General Enquiries: info@dukeshotel.com
Current Openings:
- Dukes Bar is open as usual.
- The Delany Drawing Room will host tastings throughout December. See the events listed at the bottom of this page here.
Stay tuned for updates on the opening of the Cigar Merchant and Lounge by following the hotel website and social media channels:
I’ll also be sure to share an update once I’ve visited the cigar sampling lounge when it opens.
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