October 2, 2026 — Dukes London, the 1908 St James’s hotel known for its martini bar, will reopen in the second quarter of 2027 under Minor Hotels as Dukes London, Minor Reserve Collection.
Minor Hotels said on October 1 that it has signed a management agreement for the hotel at 35 St James’s Place with Seven Tides, the holding company behind the property. It will be the first UK hotel in Minor’s new luxury Minor Reserve Collection. An exact reopening date has not been published (TBA).
The hotel is in the middle of a multi-year redesign by Russell Sage Studio. It will return with 85 keys, including 13 executive suites and five signature suites themed on St James’s characters. A new restaurant will come from The Wolseley Hospitality Group, which Minor owns. Dukes Bar, famous for martinis mixed tableside, stays open during the work, and a new lounge, The Delany Drawing Room, is already serving.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand / operator | Minor Reserve Collection / Minor Hotels |
| Owner | Seven Tides |
| Location | 35 St James’s Place, London, England |
| What’s happening | Multi-year renovation and rebrand |
| Reopening | Q2 2027 (exact date TBA) |
| Rooms | 85 keys |
What it means for airline travelers
- No rooms until spring 2027 at the earliest: the announcement does not give a date when bookings open.
- The bar is still open: if a Dukes martini is on your London layover list, Minor says the bar is operating through the renovation.
- Location: St James’s is beside Green Park and close to Buckingham Palace. London is served by Heathrow, Gatwick and London City among others; no travel-industry rate has been published.
Sources
- Hospitality Net — Minor Hotels to Bring Minor Reserve Collection to the UK with Reimagining of London’s Iconic Dukes
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