Durrants
London, England
Good Hotel Guide Review
If you’re looking for afternoon tea after trawling Marylebone’s chichi emporia, you’ll find freshly baked cakes and pastries in a clubby atmosphere at this much-loved bolt-hole. Owned by the Miller family since 1921, it occupies four former Georgian town houses as one seamless whole. ‘The staff are unfailingly welcoming, with old-fashioned courtesies such as bags swept in a moment from the taxi.’ Bedrooms have period and contemporary furniture, a Savoir bed, L’Occitane toiletries. ‘Those at the quieter rear’, overlooking Manchester Mews, are snug; if you want lots of space, suites have a sitting room. Fires burn in cosy lounges, while in the Grill Room menus range from comfort food (liver and bacon, shepherd’s pie, roasts from the trolley) to more innovative dishes (wild mushroom ravioli, chicken tagine). Readers who love the place are indulgent of occasional shortcomings. ‘Unfailingly my bathroom sink is blocked or slow on my arrival, but this is swiftly cleared.’ ‘Breakfast is very grand, with pots of this and that crowding the table, and the menu full of specially cooked calorific dishes.’ (Robert Cooper, Keith Salway)
Hotel details
Address
26–32 George Street
Marylebone
London
W1H 5BJ
England
Telephone
020 7935 8131
Bedrooms
92. 7 on ground floor.
Open
all year, restaurant closed 25 Dec evening.
Facilities
lifts, bar, restaurant, lounge, meeting/events rooms, in-room TV (Freeview), use of nearby fitness club, public areas wheelchair accessible, no adapted toilet.
Background music
none.
Children
all ages welcomed, extra bed (in larger rooms only) £50.
Dogs
allowed in George bar only.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £245, singles from £195. À la carte £42.
I have stayed at this lovely hotel for many years. Last Wednesday I took two Austrians and two Italians to stay there with me, and it did not fail to please in every respect. If you like a traditional hotel, one that is spotlessly clean and well polished, Durrants is hard to beat at the price. I love the entrance, the restaurant, and the enlarged area for seating by the use of the former breakfast room. Breakfast of smoked haddock and poached egg was delicious
- Ralph Wilson - March 2019
A well polished haven of rather eccentric good care. Willing if not always expert staff abundant. Teresia, the ever helpful manager, and Clive, the cheery head porter. An excellent breakfast (cheese omelette light and airy and as good as anyone's) still comes curiously priced toast by toast but -sensation! Neither the cistern nor the shaver plug worked properly in my room but why is it I forgave them? -Because they are courteous and old style welcoming and convenient
- Keith Salway - April 2018
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