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Real People. Real Reviews.®
Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly)
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Dorchester is the hotel of the Lords and the Ladies, of the high and the mighty. It shows off the classy and aristocratic London in all its brilliance.
I haven't stayed here, but have visited twice, primarily for its renowned afternoon tea.
As i entered, i was dazzled by the decoration and the splendour of the lobby. Surely they have spared no expenses in ensuring that whatever part of the hotel a customer sees is perfect, in every way.
The service was spectacular. As soon as i was seated, somebody came and asked me whether i would like to read something and got me a selection of magazines to peruse through while i waited for the coffee.
The first course was a selection of finger sandwiches. From plain cheese and pickle to beef, it contained a wide variety of stuffings. I am sure everybody would find something in there to his/her liking.
Once you are done with the sandwiches, they get you their selection of scones and cakes. I tried an orange jelly cake, which was divine, and a rhubarb crumble. The coffee kept coming and by this time i was full. I had to politely decline the next course of the tart, which they offered to pack for me. They had provided so much to eat for tea that even at £39 it was almost value for money :)
I used the restroom and something was playing on the background music system there. As far as i could recognize in the short time that i was there, it was a recitation of a play. How much more classy can one get ?
As i left, i was completely satisfied, and overwhelmed, and was left with the distinct feeling that i need two more zeros in my bank balance in order to feel adequately comfortable at the Dorchester :)
Listed in: Special occasions
I came here with my family last week at the recommendation of Yelpers.
I guess I'm not old enough to really know what high tea is, but I think the overall experience was okay. Not out of this world though. I for one found the pastries to be WAY TOO sweet, esp the pistachio macaroons.
The tea was good though. Our waiter was very attentive and polite. The ladies working the front were professional.
The setting (The Promenade) was very high class and luxurious. Very classy and it was exactly what I expected.
One thing I loved about The Dorchester was all the luxury cars parked outside. The second we were leaving and walked out the revolving doors, a white Lambo pulled up. Vroom vroom, anyone?
Overall, the experience was alright I guess. My mom told me high tea is all about taking in the atmosphere and setting. She's right.
This review is for high tea at the Dorchester.
The Dorchester is the most beautiful hotel that I have had the please to be in. I stopped here for high tea after reading a review stating that this is one of the places that I must go to for high tea. This hotel is fit for a king and queen. Beautiful rooms with lavish decor. I was asked to wait in the bar while my table was prepped. You have to see pictures to understand the elegance of this place. http://www.thedorchest...
The servers were on top of keeping us happy and our plates full. There was a point in time where they asked us if we would just like to have everything on dishes that they brought by. You would think in such a class place they would look at you funny for asking for everything you can get and to dump it on your plate. Not here. This place will treat you like a king/queen. This started a trend with a couple of tables around us. After seeing all of the food dumped on our plates they asked if they could do the same.
If you are planning on having high tea in anywhere in London you must have it here.
Had a small but comfy room with excellent service. This is one of my favorite hotels in London.
If I could live at the Dorchester - I Would! This place is amazingly stunning!
From the moment you arrive at the doors, to the moment you leave the service you receive will probably be the best you have ever received!! Impeccable in every way possible and definitely not snooty.
The rooms are stylish and the bathrooms huge and perfect. Room service was of the highest caliber.
Of all the luxury hotels in London, I'd have to say that the Dorchester seems the most relaxed and posh without being stuffyish.
The Dorchester is an iconic British hotel and it is always at the top of my list when I visit London.
Tips:
Price is $600 a night.
They have restaurants (3) and all are pretty good.
Afternoon tea with unlimited finger foods - recommended
A good hotel for spotting celebrities.
I've not stayed here but if it's anything like the afternoon teas they do then I'm sure it will be fabulous. This places oozes opulence and class, it's a must do for all afternoon tea aficionados. Yes it's a bit pricey, but you're not entering this splendid hotel worrying about money, if you do then it's not for you. I've taken many an overseas visitor to this place and have been pleased every time.
Tea review for Spatisserie:
This is by far one of the best teas I have had in the world, and the other was in London as well. We made an email appointment for this on one of our last days in London. My Mother and I split up, she went to the Portobello Road market and I went off to Harrods Urban retreat. My Mom ended up getting the time mixed up and arrived here 2 full hours prior to our reservation. She sat up in the lobby just staring at the gorgeous Arab men walking in and out and the millions of dollars worth of cars sitting out front here.
The golden ticket here was a concierge man noticing her and asking if she needed help or if she waiting for someone, she explained she was way early and didn't want to go and come back for our tea party so he said "Well let me show you around as long as you have the time" he went and showed her the ballrooms, the spatisserie, the regular tea room, everything. She said he was just one of the nicest people she ever met. He brought her water while she continued to wait and everything.
I arrived for our reservation and we were brought down to the spatisserie area. The tea was sub-par but the food more than made up for it. The sandwiches were replenished at our request and they even gave us a bunch to take home because my Mom had a couple favorites. The pastries were equally as wonderful and unique. Everything was so beautiful to look at. The room is gorgeous and relaxing all at the same time. The snobs next to us who kept staring and my realtor calling to inform me of issues with my impending condo purchase didn't even bother me!
The waitress refilled our tea after every couple sips, and got everything with the snap of her fingers at our request. This tea was completely worth the price, in dollars for us, and I am as anxious as ever to get back here.
This is an ABSOLUTE must.
Missing the British Luxury yet? A splendid high tea experience is a nice treat to your visitors. Guarded by the palms, the Promenade greets you with a series of rich, warm, intimate spaces... the Pianist indulges himself as his fingers kiss the black & white. My parisienne/Indian friend was stunned by the grand vista and adored the soft sachets.
Tea seems secondary although Dorchester is a proud member of the prestigious Tea Giuld. The warm scone recipe has lived its 50+ year reputation along with the famous along with the Devonshire clotted cream and glistening strawberry jam. The savoury finger sandwiches can easily fill one up before the scones arrive, so be mindful. One thing I still don't get is that they serve pièce de resistance (French pastries) to finish the English tea.
The tea serves twice each day, 2:30 and 4:45pm. I prefer the 4:45pm which is a perfect timing if you plan on watching a show in the evening with friends. Have a great time!!!
NB: Thanks for Ronni A.'s intro and Mrinal B.'s accompany.
Having experienced afternoon tea in five countries, I can say that this experience is the best, by far. The service was impeccable. I don't even need to try afternoon tea elsewhere in London. I am confident that no place can match the tea service at the Dorchester.
Our reservation was made via email as I was heading to London for a business trip and had extended it for a few days for pleasure. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately in some uber comfortable chairs. Once we selected our tea, the sandwiches arrived. And then the fantastic scones. And then some more sandwiches. And then desserts. And then, oh yes I will actually have just one more egg sandwich please.
We stayed for over two hours and never felt rushed for a minute. It was, by far, the best afternoon tea of my life. I hope that, one day, I will be able to find an experience as lovely as this back in the States.
I have never stayed at the Dorchester. Not really my style when it comes to hotels. I have been at the Dorchester almost every time I'm in town for Afternoon Tea. It is probably my favorite place to go and I've been to over a dozen places all over the city. Understated elegance.
The service is fantastic & the tea sandwiches are all you can eat. They just keep coming to your table to see if you care for any more. The sandwiches & pastries are all excellent. However, my favorite is their tea selection. They use Harney & Sons teas which is a small family owned company in Connecticut. BEST tea ever. They have to be amazing for the British to use an American tea company.
As one who is used to decadent luxury wherever I go, I was hopeful that the much talked about Dorchester Hotel in the Mayfair district of London would serve me well. After all, the famous, political and royalty of the world find this place hospitable, so I figured it must be worth a look.
Now let me come clean and tell you that I was trying extremely hard to be critical when I viewed the roof garden suites along with the amenities within the entire hotel.
Sadly, I must report that I have but one bad thing to say about The Dorchester. For it is a truly magnificent property with stellar views of Hyde Park. Besides, who really needs to look at Hyde Park when you have a bathroom like this?
Yes, it is indeed all marble! The Dorchester just kept me entranced with its attention to detail throughout the rooms and into the restaurants. Famed chef Alain Ducasse has an eponymous restaurant in The Dorchester and as recently as January, it has received not one, but two coveted Michelin stars.
If that wasn't enough to convince you to have a quiet dinner, then the decor, as designed by Patrick Jouin should give you further encouragement. With the Table Lumière as the centerpiece of Alain Ducasse, one would be wholly conviced that heaven is indeed on Park Lane.
With a light show emanating from the 4,500 fiber optics that surround the six seat oval table, one would be hard pressed to focus on any conversation. Furthermore, this special seating has its own Hermès china, Puiforcat silverware and Saint-Louis crystal, all of these change with the season, of course they do!
After having been humbled by The Dorchester and my lovely British host, I was ready for a break. Afternoon tea greeted me while a flair and ambiance that is second to none. I sipped champagne, tea, and ate delicious snacks while reveling in the true crown jewel of London.
Now, back to that one problem I have with The Dorchester. After the whirlwind tour and picking up my jaw, I could not help but to lament at the fact that I do not live there.
Although I did see an empty broom closet...
http://www.thesnobmag.com
Seriously an amazing hotel. This is the first place where I have spent the night where I have actually considered calling the gift shop and having them send me the entire bed, sheets and most comfortable pillows on earth home so that I can recreate the entire experience every night.
Paparazzi was parked outside the entire stay here because Britney Spears was also staying here, but it did make for some interesting moments. All of it was still very low-key nonetheless.
Awesome afternoon tea here! It felt so elegant and social! The hotel is gorgeous and the atmosphere is delightful. The scones with clotted cream were my favorite. Next time I'm in London, I'll go back for it.
This review is for high tea: my sister and I came for the champagne tea when I traveled to visit her. I have never, in my life, had such a decadent "meal." The scones and pastries, the sandwiches, the tea, the champagne, Jake Gyllenhaal (who unfortunately doesn't come with the tea) in the Promenade eating and drinking just a few tables beside us...it was a great introduction to afternoon tea, which I think ties with the Madrileños' siesta for best idea of all time.
Flawless service... gorgeous rooms... beautiful, spacious bathrooms. Don't attempt a series of vodka flights in the bar in the early afternoon unless you want to be face down on your bed by 3PM. Only complaint is that it is a bit out of the way... and far enough away from either tube stations that I wouldn't be bothered with public transit. Then again, if you're staying here, why would you?
Neighborhood: Mayfair
Neighborhood: Hampstead
Neighborhood: Green Park
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Neighborhood: Marylebone
