The Dorchester hotel unveils 21st-century look by Pierre-Yves Rochon
London’s Dorchester hotel gets a glamourous refresh by Pierre-Yves Rochon
The Dorchester has been given a makeover. The iconic London hotel has unveiled the latest phase in its refreshed image, including room interiors, following the ground floor's public areas (of which we revealed a first glimpse in December 2022) – all courtesy of celebrated French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon and his studio PYR. The surgical renovation also encompassed a restoration and clean-up of the hospitality venue's historic façade, facing Hyde Park.
The Dorchester: past, present and future
The Dorchester's 176 rooms and 61 suites have been reinvented as a luxurious, 21st-century interpretation of the hotel's rich heritage. Meanwhile, the renewed public areas range from the art deco-inspired lobby, which blends existing materials and details with new, craft-focused fittings and artwork; the glamorous Artists' Bar, filled with Lalique bespoke creations, among others, and a round bar counter that instantly draws the eye; and the Promenade, which spans the length of the main public space, connecting the lobby and bar via a mesmerising sequence of seating and art – a fine balance between opulence and comfort.
Key to the redesign was the opening up of the ground level – from removing layers in the lobby to reveal windows and bring in natural light, to strategic gestures and routes that bring said light deep into the space, in areas that felt previously dark. Now, the entire public area feels bright and welcoming – a combination of daylight and clever artificial lighting.
Additional 'invisible' touches that make all the difference are the acoustics and subtle smells everywhere, courtesy of lush flower arrangements that include the Dorchester's symbol, the rose (a public-facing store on the hotel's corner, Cake & Flowers, is a new addition to the hotel and provides not only plants for the Dorchester's spaces and events, but also the entire neighbourhood). The harder things to achieve, Rochon explains, are often the ones you don't necessarily see.
In terms of style, 'PYR remained faithful to The Dorchester's rich legacy and unmistakably British spirit,' the designers say. The decor draws on the hotel's 1930s origins and heritage nature, blending it with a series of bespoke items and made-to-measure detailing, such as rugs, inlays, and table centrepieces.
Adding to the tailor made feel everywhere, the Promenade features a series of hand-picked artworks, especially selected for their spot, referencing elements from the hotel's and location's history - from the natural seasons, to flowers and Queen Elizabeth II. It all works towards an atmosphere of undeniable grandeur that touches all the senses.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Postcard from Paris Design Week 2024
Surrealism, restraint and a beautiful show of Blunk marked the new season of design events in the French capital
By Dan Thawley Published
-
Hermès cuts a dash with its first sports watch for women
The Hermès Cut epitomises the clean design codes of the house
By Hannah Silver Published
-
First look: ‘Ash Rise’ – 20 Scottish designers explore the versatility of the blighted native hardwood
A new Edinburgh exhibition addresses the issue of ash dieback with an inventive and optimistic response from Scotland’s design community
By Alyn Griffiths Published
-
London’s Covent Garden makes the perfect cosmopolitan backdrop for new British-French bistro, Henri
British chef Jackson Boxer and French designer Dorothée Meilichzon reunite for Henri, a restaurant located inside darling hotel, Henrietta
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Step inside Cowley Manor, a refreshed 300-plus-year-old spa hotel in the Cotswolds
Experience bucolic bliss at Cowley Manor, recently renovated by architects De Matos Ryan and interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon
By Daven Wu Published
-
Seven London late-night restaurants worth staying up for
Our food critic picks the best late-night restaurants London has to offer, dishing up excellent food in stylish surroundings after midnight
By Ben McCormack Published
-
Café Petiole is a pastel-hued, plant-based haven within Somerset House
Designed by female-led studio Duelle, Café Petiole’s romantic interiors complement a vibrant vegetarian menu by chef Rishim Sachdeva, at Somerset House in London
By Billie Brand Published
-
Cabaret, martinis and Yorkshire puddings: The Cockatoo by Bistrotheque has it all
The Cockatoo, a bar, restaurant and performance space designed by Nice Projects, adds spice and rhythm to storied east London venue Bistrotheque
By Daven Wu Published
-
Recharge at Praktyka, the glamping spot all creatives should know
Architectural cabins and art workshops await at Praktyka, a creative retreat on the wild North Devon coast
By Tom Howells Published
-
Tollington’s is the new Spanish-inspired fish bar making a splash in north London
Tollington’s in Finsbury Park is a new opening from the team behind The Plimpsoll, championing Spanish-style dining and interiors
By Billie Brand Published
-
The Orangery at Kensington Palace offers high tea and verdant vistas in a royal London setting
The Orangery at Kensington Palace Gardens is the perfect green setting for a sunny day treat of afternoon tea and more
By Ellie Stathaki Published