During the excess of the nineties, the Dorchester was a name not far from the front pages. This is somewhat unfair, the Dorchester has always been a glamorous symbol of London's excess since its opening back in the early thirties. Anyone who is anyone has stayed here, from royalty to rock star, sometimes, possibly, together.
Telephone: +44 20 7629 8888
Price: from GBP 365
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Built in 1931, the elegant and highly refined Dorchester Hotel was deemed regal enough to host Prince Philip’s stag party. The 250 five-star rooms may have a cosy country-pile feel (hand-woven carpets, four-poster beds), but high-tech business and entertainment centres are discreetly hidden inside antique armoires.
Via the television and a wireless keyboard, guests can access the internet, Microsoft Office, on-demand videos, 5,000 music tracks and, of course, numerous TV and music stations. A team of e-butlers are also on hand to help captains of industry (or Joe Bloggs) with any technical questions.
Downstairs, guests can take afternoon tea in the elegant Promenade lobby (marble columns, floral arrangements). For something more substantial, the Grill Room serves traditional, and expensive, British fare. But the perfect place to sip Bellinis after a hard day’s shopping in Mayfair is the mirror-panelled Dorchester Bar, to the accompaniment of sparkling piano music from Liberace’s rhinestone and glass baby grand.
