We just stayed here for one night, but the sun was shining, and the hotel had live music in the bar outside, so with a cold beer, sun shining and two guitarists playing, it seemed the best spot on the planet. We had a room which went onto the sun deck and it was a beautiful light, spacious clean room.... More

Great room overlooking the bay was very well appointed. Very enjoyable stay right down to having a large snapper caught on a fishing expedition prepared for our dinner that night. We found the staff extremely freindly and the outlook of the hotel very enjoyable - up there with our stay at Kata Beach, Phuket. More

Spent one very windy night at the duke January 2012. Most impressed with room 2 (overlooks the sea). It is everything one might wish for from location to service to food. Is it me or are prices forging ahead? One thing is for sure, the weak pound is not helping. More

Location on bay, restaurant fantastic, staff fantastic. Do the swimming with dolphins out in the ocean tour - unreal! Rooms could do with updating a bit but this definitely is unimportant when you are in such a good hotel. Russell is fantastic place to stay. We only wished we had stayed for more than the two days. Free wifi, with... More

Superb ocean side room, beautifully clean and spacious. Breathtaking view over the sea and the most romantic sunset you can imagine. Helpful and good natured staff, the food is good. One of those places you are sorry to leave. More

I have recently had my wedding at the Duke and it was truely amazing. The staff are fantastic and the new owners Anton, Bridget, Jane and Ricky have transformed the hotel into the perfect mixture of old and new. The service is outstanding, the accommodation is outstanding and the food is 'too die for'', as my Mother inlaw says. The... More

Quaint, romantic, very comfortable, location par excellence! We travelled from South Australia to experience a New Zealand beachside location that delivered a sense of NZ history, a clean comfort room, good reliable food and beverage, a sea view and a willing smile, suffice to say the Duke delivers superbly on almost every level! Food was right up to the mark... More

We have been back to the Duke twice in 4 months! The accommodation, service, location and staff are fantastic! It was interesting to wonder around Russell speaking with the locals who all talked so highly of the new owners of the Duke, Anton, Bridget, Jane and Ricky. They all said that in the last 18 months the turnaround has been... More

The Duke has undergone a facelift and renovation. The rooms are elegant and very very comfortable; try and book a room overlooking the bay.mine even had a small deck. Dinner was superb........ the wedding I also attended there was superb. The staff treated you like royalty and were most attentive. There is no lift but someone helped with the luggage. More