Yesterday, The Dorchester unveiled its much-anticipated revamp of its ground floor – the largest renovation project the hotel has undertaken in over 30 years. Spearheaded by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon (the man behind Paris’ Four Seasons George V) and Swedish interior architect Martin Brudnizki, the ground floor has reopened with reimagined schemes for the lobby, The Promenade restaurant and the Bond-inspired Vesper Bar. Excitingly, there is also a new addition to the ground floor: the Artists’ Bar.
Ahead of the no-doubt star-studded official opening party on the first day of London Fashion Week next month, we have a preview of the luxurious spaces in our gallery below. Keep scrolling for all the pictures.
Entering through the famous doors of the curved facade that fronts Park Lane and Hyde Park, you are greeted by The Dorchester’s lobby, including The Promenade restaurant past the concierge desk – the hotel's home for its famous afternoon teas (the service of which has now resumed after its hiatus for the works on the space).
This area has been reconceived by Pierre-Yves Rochon with a design that takes inspiration from the British landscape. Flanked by striking pillars along the depth of the space, delicate white and soft sage green ceilings are finished with gold leaf accents. The furnishings complete the drama of the space with cornered blue sofas, and yellow and pink chairs sitting neatly around dark oak wood tables. Led by culinary director Martyn Nail (formerly of Claridges), a day at the The Promenade restaurant will start with a menu of indulgent breakfasts (where lobster casserole and buttermilk pancakes will take centre stage), to vibrant lunches with generous superfood salads, and finish with a dinner service that shines with the glow of good company, not to mention the establishment's signature Crêpes Suzette, flambéed tableside.
Toward the end of The Promenade, the new Artists’ Bar is a showcase for some of Britian's most exciting artists. Champagne and seafood take centre stage on the menu here, alongside Liberace’s stunning mirrored piano. Six signature cocktails (served tableside on bespoke trolleys to create a touch of theatre) reflect some of the bar’s unique works of art – these pieces cross a range of media and techniques, and are a celebration of London, whilst portraying The Dorchester’s impact on the city and the famous figures associated with the hotel. For example, the Stamp Duty cocktail (pictured below) references Ann Carrington’s iridescent interpretation of the Queen Elizabeth II postage stamp on display, and features Doorly’s 3 Barbados rum, Drambuie, Oloroso sherry, lime and homemade English breakfast tea butter syrup
As the name suggests, The Vesper Bar (which replaces the hotel's former cocktail destination The Bar at The Dorchester) is inspired by The Dorchester's links to James Bond. During the 1940s, the creator of Bond, Ian Fleming (who also invented the Vesper Martini) stayed and dined at The Dorchester and during the 1960s and 1970s, EON (the production company for the James Bond films) had an office at the hotel. Over the decades, The Dorchester has hosted many press junkets for the films and welcomed all six James Bonds, 14 Bond Girls, four Ms and nine Bond villains as guests of the hotel.
The bar’s new interior is inspired by the spirit and elegance of the 1930s, and the new layout allows for a dedicated Park Lane entrance, as well as an outside terrace with views towards Hyde Park. Ornate design runs throughout the bar, including a 1930s Palladium leaf ceiling, an upper area of the bar, and cosy ‘snug’ provide more privacy.
A series of Cecil Beaton pieces adorn the bar walls to honour a long-standing connection between the celebrated photographer and the hotel. 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.
The cocktail menu has been curated by award-winning drinks connoisseur and head bartender Lucia Montanelli, with signature serves inspired by moments in The Dorchester's illustrious history such as the Busterkeys cocktail named after Liberace’s first show name (whose piano now proudly sits within The Dorchester’s Artists’ Bar). To honour one of the hotel’s most loved guests, Elizabeth Taylor - who stayed at the hotel 37 times throughout her life and signed her contract for ‘Cleopatra’ in the bath within the Harlequin Suite - the Bessie Mae cocktail (pictured below) affectionately recalls Taylor’s nickname and comes complete with ‘bath bubbles’ floating on top.
And the reveals don't stop there. After the grand re-opening of the ground floor, The Dorchester's renovated bedrooms and suites are set to be unveiled in March 2023. Watch this space.
The lobby, The Promenade restaurant, the Vesper Bar and the Artists' Bar are now open at The Dorchester, Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA. dorchestercollection.com