The Dorchester, which has remained opened throughout its extensive renovation – credit to the exceptional operations team – will reopen its famous revolving doors in September of this year. The renders of the project have been a tightly guarded secret. Until now. Editor Hamish Kilburn writes…
London’s hotel design scene is enjoying somewhat of a moment in 2022. Following the opening of NoMad London, The Londoner and the soon-to-open Peninsula London, it can be easy to forget about the legendary hospitality establishments that have stood the test of time and are currently going through major renovations. One of the most complex and interesting among them is The Dorchester, which recently announced a full-scale renovation.
> Since you’re here, why not watch our video that explores style over fashion inside The Dorchester?
The hotel, which first opened in 1931, has engaged with the most renowned names in design and architecture to transform the hotel: Pierre-Yves Rochon is redesigning the hotel entrance, The Promenade, new Cake & Flowers boutique, and the guestrooms and suites; and Martin Brudnizki Design Studio has been appointed to redesign the bar. And overseeing the entire operation is ReardonSmith Architects.
Image caption: Render of what we should expect the iconic Promenade to look like inside The Dorchester. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
With decades spent fine-tuning a tradition of placing guests at the centre of everything, The Dorchester has found a way to be true to its celebrated past whilst becoming fluent in what matters in an ever-changing world. By cultivating and encouraging sophistication without snobbery, style without excess, and curiosity without judgement, this remarkable hotel embraces its next chapter as the London home from home for those who make the world turn.
Pierre-Yves Rochon’s vision presents light, fresh and thoughtfully composed rooms and suites designed in varying colourways inspired by an English garden, from pale leaf green and rose fog pink, to heather blue and lemon yellow. New signature and junior suites will be introduced, allowing for spacious and more residential style accommodation for guest comfort.
Image caption: The new lobby, sheltered inside The Dorchester, has been designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
The Dorchester’s famous façade has been a prominent landmark of this dynamic international city for over nine decades. New lighting will rejuvenate the exterior, creating a welcoming glow across Park Lane. Guests will arrive onto an enhanced forecourt, featuring a beautiful green granite underfoot and a landscaped, verdant garden area located underneath the renowned plane tree.
The arrival experience will extend into an open lobby, flooded with natural light and bookended by two imposing artworks. Both are truly distinctive, yet each work connects with the other through their celebration of The Dorchester’s prized position, anchored in the landscape since its original arrival.
The Promenade will capture guests’ imagination as they move beyond the lobby into the heart of the hotel and the setting for vibrant dining experiences, including The Dorchester’s afternoon tea. A new destination will be unveiled towards the end of The Promenade, a glamorous and sparkling area for fun and frivolous evenings of Champagne, seafood and entertainment.
Image caption: The Dorchester rendering of The Promenade bar Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
An original collection of contemporary artworks by British artists will be revealed throughout The Promenade. The pieces, uniquely individual and crossing a range of diverse media and techniques, all offer a new take on nature and have been created to evoke the sensation of strolling through a perfectly curated and cultivated British landscape.
Meanwhile, Martin Brudnizki is redesigning the hotel’s legendary cocktail institution. Here guests will encounter a bar with movie star looks and a supporting cast of talented bartenders ready to curate evenings of mature fun.
The Dorchester main bar, designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
The bar’s new interior is inspired by the spirit and elegance of the roaring thirties, a time when manners were still important and yet mayhem was celebrated. The new layout allows for a dedicated Park Lane entrance and an outside terrace with views towards Hyde Park. Ornate design runs throughout the bar, including a 1930s Palladium leaf ceiling creating a warm effect as Martini hour transitions into the evening. An upper area of the bar and cosy ‘snug’ provide more privacy without compromising on the atmosphere.
A series of Cecil Beaton pieces will hang within the bar to honour a long-standing connection between the photographer and designer and the hotel, and to remind guests of this glamorous decade. Some of Beaton’s original drawings and celebrity photography will be brought together with work by contemporary artists, such as Rosie Emmerson, who were inspired by both Beaton and the energy of that time.
With its own entrance on the Deanery Street corner of the hotel, Cake & Flowers, is an entirely new offering to entice the curious and sophisticated. Feature windows will come alive with captivating masterpieces that showcase the passion and mastery of in-house designer florist, Philip Hammond, and executive pastry chef, Michael Kwan. Within, shelves and cases will be filled with lively delights; signature pastries and cakes to take away, uniquely presented gift hampers, floral bouquets and a selection of Champagnes and artisan chocolates.
In addition to renovating all public areas, the hotel will also unveil newly designed guestrooms and suites – here’s a teaser showcasing what to expect:
Image caption: Rendering of a room inside The Dorchester, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon. | Image credit: Dorchester Collection
The Dorchester will be ready to reveal its new interiors as of early September 2022 – hitting this ambitious turnaround, considering the latest constraints when it comes to sourcing materials, will be an extraordinary feat. Until then, the hotel remains open for guests throughout the renovation with its popular afternoon tea served in the beautiful Orchid Room and a Mediterranean concept at The Dorchester Rooftop throughout the summer. As The Grill, Alain Ducasse and China Tang completed refurbishments in recent years; they will continue to remain open as normal, as will The Dorchester Spa. The Ballroom, with its own entrance on Park Lane, the magically theatrical Penthouse & Pavilion, and the Chef’s Table continues to be available for corporate and social events.
Stay tuned as Hotel Designs is committed to publishing all the latest news from The Dorchester during this renovation period.
Main image credit: Dorchester Collection
