The Dorchester Hotel - London

Introduction: First opened on the 18th April 1931 the London Dorchester Hotel enjoys a superb location Park Lane in Mayfair opposite Hyde Park.
The hotel was the work of Sir Malcolm McAlpine and Sir Frances Towle who gave it the name of the grand house (Grosvenor House) that stood on the same spot before being demolished to make way for the hotel.
The hotel is almost in the centre of Park Lane some 450 yards from Hyde Park Corner. Park Lane is always busy being one of the major through roads in central London and is where most of the London tour buses park up and have stops along with many inter-city coaches. Interestingly Park Lane is one of a handful of central London roads that doesn't require  payment of the congestion charge. However any road off of park Lane will still trigger the charge. Its part of the north-south through route down to Vauxhall Bridge. Mayfair of course is just about the most prestigious address in London where only the truly wealthy can afford to live. The area is a blend of high quality shopping at places such as Bond Street (jewellery and designer fashion), private residences and offices. Less than half a mile to the North is Marble Arch and Oxford Street. Europe's busiest and most densely shopping area Oxford Street is a must see for the London visitor. A similar distance to the south west is Knightsbridge, an upmarket shopping area and perhaps best known as the location of Harrods department store. Piccadilly runs from Hyde Park Corner all the way down to Piccadilly Circus which to all intents and purposes marks the centre of London. Just on the other side of Piccadilly is Green park which forms part of the grounds to Buckingham Place (0.6 miles) (home to the British Monarchy).
Other local attractions include Apsley House (0.2 miles), Wellington Arch (0.3 miles), Speakers Corner (0.4 miles), Michael Faraday Museum (0.5 miles), St James's Palace (0.7 miles) and the Wallace Collection (0.7 miles).

Hotel
The Dorchester has a well earned reputation as a leading 5 star hotel with a staff to guest ratio of 3:1.
All rooms are air conditioned, as are all public areas, and no two rooms are decorated to the same design or  scheme, but they all have a 'Georgian Country House' style. Views are either out over Hyde Park on the opposite side of Park Lane or out over the hotels landscaped terraces.
Bedroom amenities include individually controlled air-conditioning, butler service, large flat screen TV, High speed internet access, internet radio, modem point, on demand movies and music, multi line direct dial telephone with voicemail and dual voltage power points.
Bathrooms in all rooms and suites are fitted with Italian marble with etched glass and chrome fittings. Most also bathrooms also enjoy natural daylight and are among the deepest baths in London.
Superior twin and double bedrooms look out over the hotel gardens and many have walk-in showers.
Deluxe twin and double bedrooms are larger with views of either Mayfair or Hyde Park and again many have walk-in showers.
Executive rooms have the same views as the deluxe rooms but are larger still. They all have walk-in showers and generous working space.
There are 53 suites, each one individual and featuring in-suite check-in. Original wooden panelling, use of highest quality fabrics, assorted pictures and accessories plus wonderful antiques make for an extravagant stay.
Stanhope suites have views over Mayfair with a separate bedroom a study-come-sitting room.
Belgravia suites overlook Hyde Park and many have a balcony with French windows.
Mayfair suite have views over Mayfair. hey feature a large sitting room and two bathrooms.
Park suites have views of Hyde Park and are suited to extended stays. Each has a balcony with French windows and  separate sitting room and dining room.
Dorchester suites are each located in a corner of the hotel giving the suites their distinctively square shaped rooms. These suites are suited to guests who wish to entertain.
Room service is 24 hours. Room options include non-smoking rooms and rooms

Dinning:
The Grill Room: Dedicated to the best of British cooking. Finest ingredients from around the British Isles along with an extensive wine list. Open: 7:00 till 10.30 am (weekends 8:00 am – 11:00 am), noon till 14.30 (weekends till 15.00), 18.30 till 23.00 (Saturday from 18.30).
The Promenade: Furbished by Thierry Despont. This where you can enjoy taking Tea at the Dorchester, with a pianist playing in the afternoons. The Promenade is the focus of The Dorchester, its glorious pillared sweep makes an ideal place from which to sink into a deep, soft sofa and watch the world go by or sip your drink at the Promenade bar, style in a crescent shape surrounded by leather chairs. Open all day ever day till 01.00. Tea served 14.30 and 16.45.
The Dorchester Bar: Chic and stylish. Here is where you will find he late Liberace’s glass and rhinestone baby grand piano. A fine serpentine shaped Bar, velvet seating and with a lunchtime à la carte menu of Italian specialities and wines. In the evening the Bar is an intimate jazz venue, where strong cocktails mixed by the Dorchester's Bar staff are the tradition. Open noon till 01.00 (till midnight Saturdays).
China Tang at The Dorchester (replaces the former Oriental restaurant): Created by David Tang. Best of Chinese cuisine. You can also just stay for drinks in this stunning looking setting. Open 11.00 till 15.30 (weekends till 16.00), 17.30 till midnight.

More:
All public areas are fully air-conditioned.
The Dorchester Hotel facilities include The Spa, a fully featured Gym (range of cardio and resistance equipment including free weights) with separate sauna, steam and whirlpool bath areas for ladies and gentlemen. Large range of beauty treatments. The Spa also features a Charles Worthington unisex hairdressers.
You will also find onsite a barbershop (also manicures, pedicures), florist, gift shop, shopping gallery, concierge and a theatre desk.
The hotel offers a complimentary shoe cleaning service and same day service for pressing, laundry and dry-cleaning available for garments received by 1pm.
For the business traveller or those wishing to hold events at the hotel there is a large choice of meeting and conference rooms that accommodate anywhere from 5 to 500 guests.
Additionally the hotel offers The Boardroom Business Centre for your secretarial and administrative needs. Services provided include mobile phone rental, print, copy, fax and computer/laptop hire with office applications and internet access.