London….one of the greatest cities in the world for five star hotels. How does a luxury travel advisor pick one for an upcoming visit? Not an easy decision, but I knew exactly where I wanted to stay when I found out I had plans to visit the city. The Dorchester is one of London’s most iconic properties and had long been on my radar screen, so I jumped at the chance to book a room there!
Built in 1931, The Dorchester is a special, historical hotel. Gorgeous décor, impeccable service, outstanding dining and an ideal location in Mayfair make for a stellar hotel experience across the board. From the moment their warm and smartly dressed doormen greeted me at the door to the moment I checked out (sadly leaving behind the attentive service), I was impressed with the whole experience of being a guest there.
Guests are immediately struck by the beauty of The Dorchester when they enter the front door and see the breathtaking flower arrangements that adorn the famous Promenade. Changed out every week, they’re truly stunning and make for a memorable gathering spot for tea amidst the beauty of the setting. Afternoon tea is a must do at The Dorchester by the way….so quintessentially British and delicious.
Speaking of dining, The Dorchester offers an impressive number of choices all under one roof. Their main restaurants include Alain Ducasse (the only three star Michelin restaurant located in a hotel in all of London), China Tang (amazing Cantonese – one of the best known in the city), and The Grill (great British fare). I ate very well during my time there!
I found the elegant yet cozy décor of the rooms to be both inviting and comfortable. No detail was forgotten in the interior design of rooms at The Dorchester. The finest bedding, delicious smelling toiletries, fresh flowers and fruit, and my personal favorite – evening turndown tea complete with acacia honey and cream – were just some of the highlights of the accommodations. I truly looked forward to returning to my room after a busy day of sight-seeing.
Service at The Dorchester is a bit of a religion – I can’t describe how fantastic their team is and how passionate they are about delivering an exceptional experience to guests. I was greeted with a smile at every turn and no request went unmet. The hotel has an unusually large concierge staff of 25, which even includes a Theatre Desk dedicated to helping guests acquire theatre tickets for the shows they’d like to see during their time in London (the theatre district is only a 15 minute walk away from the hotel so very convenient). Impressive!
I was fortunate enough to be in London on the Queen’s 92ndbirthday, which meant there were all sorts of exciting festivities going on at the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Through my Virtuoso contacts, I had the great privilege of a VIP viewing behind the gates and away from all of the crowds. This is just one of the many exceptional experiences I can coordinate for clients through my industry connections. From walking tours to a private viewing at the Churchill War Rooms to seeing the Crown Jewels after hours, my travel partners in London can make it happen!
My firm is part of the exclusive Dorchester Collection’s Diamond Club program, so I’m able to add the following complimentary amenities to all of my clients’ reservations at the Dorchester:
- Guaranteed upgrade at time of booking in all of the regular bedroom categories
- 100 GBP credit once per stay per bedroom
- 100 GBP credit per day per suite
