My Park Suite. Note the red lacquer cabinet & wait to hear more about that when I post about my Dame Barbara Cartland suite at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Before I left for the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok & the Far East I decided to spend one more night at The Dorchester. I had intend this to be a 'low-key event'. However, nothing The Dorchester does is unexceptional and on this trip they gave me an updated version of the Park Suite I spent my 40th birthday in. I almost cried when I saw its beauty & recalled that 'historic' dinner in The Dorchester's Penthouse & Pavilion.
This, along with a private viewing of 'Mono Scripto', the Bob Dylan exhibition at the Halcyon Gallery on Bond Street and dinner with some exceptional friends at Dishoom made it a '7 teddies' 24 hours I will never forget.
This, along with a private viewing of 'Mono Scripto', the Bob Dylan exhibition at the Halcyon Gallery on Bond Street and dinner with some exceptional friends at Dishoom made it a '7 teddies' 24 hours I will never forget.
| First Class to London My First Class Virgin Trains journey to London was perfect, with delightfully cheerful Jenny serving me an impressive cooked breakfast. What a contrast with my journey after seeing the Bank of England the week before. A Welcome You Cannot Buy At The Dorchester the doorman knew my name and I had a fun chat with reception about Four Seasons & Mr Sharp. Emma (from Guest Liaison) quickly appeared and then legendary PA Janice arrived. There were hugs and such warmth, only fabulous PA Jackie at the Four Seasons George V in Paris & phenomenal Mayuree at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok make me feel this welcome. An Update Version of the Park Suite Where I Spent My 40th Birthday Emma took me up to my Park Suite & my butler met us there. I almost cried when I saw its elegant beauty and told Emma & my butler about that 'historic' 40th birthday dinner in The Dorchester's Penthouse & Pavilion. Laurent-Perrier champagne was on ice & delicate chocolates had been left for me too. The suite was vast, with a guest bathroom etc and a huge 'round' bath. The acres of marble in Dorchester bathrooms gives them a cool restful feel and I love the Aromatherapy Associates bath products provided. The bedroom of the suite did not have a four-poster bed but was refined and restful. I gave my butler a shirt to press for that evening and headed out. Old Friends at Four Seasons at Park Lane After some 'last' London chores, I headed to Four Seasons at Park Lane for a quiet martini. I was welcomed back like the prodigal son and given noteworthy crab tacos & no bill. Nothing Like a Chat with a General Manager Back at the hotel I changed out of my Four Seasons Doha shirt before meeting Robert (The Dorchester General Manager) for a drink in their bar. Last time I met him was at 8:30am for a coffee and this was a more genial meeting. We talked about the new 125 room Raffles hotel due to open in the Old War Office building in London and my plans for the Far East & South America. The time went too quickly. A Private Viewing of 'Mondo Scripto' by Bob Dylan at the Halcyon Gallery on Bond Street Via friends at PR firm Brown Lloyd James I had the privilege of attending a private viewing of BoB Dylan's latest exhibition at the Halcyon Gallery on Bond Street. The Dale Chihuly chandeliers in the Halcyon Gallery were stunning pieces of art in themselves but seeing Bob Dylan's handwritten lyrics & pencil drawings for 60 of his songs was unbelievable and I was astonished to learn the metalwork frames were made by Dylan himself. Bob Dylan was give a Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 and a Pulitzer Prize for his "...profound impact on popular music.." and, over a glass of champagne, I learnt about Dylan's influence over hip-hop, rap etc Dinner with Some Exceptional Friends at Dishoom After a memorable evening I had notable dinner in Dishoom. We had to wait an hour for a table but it was a perfect place for people watching and the food & company were worth it. It is said to be trying to recreate the Iranian cafes that had their peak in Bombay in the 1960s. This description put me off but there was great comfort food and a charming young waiter. Martinis to End a Perfect 'Last' Night I ended the evening with a few more martinis at Four Seasons at Park Lane, before a final one at The Dorchester. On my late night visit to Four Seasons at Park Lane I was given dark chocolate with my martini & it was great to chat with Oscar again. At The Dorchester 'iconic' Bar Manager Giuliano even agreed to have his photo taken! A Perfect 'Last' Day in London After a perfect night's sleep there is no better way to start your day than a 'Full English' breakfast at the dining room table in your Park Suite. Then I had to use the Aromatherapy Associates bath products, & that bath!, before I left the suite. Lost for Words at Check-Out At check-out I struggled to express what an awesome 24 hours it had been in London and why I love The Dorchester so much. On a Beautiful London Day the 'Garden' at Four Seasons at Park Lane I then headed to the 'garden' at Four Seasons at Park Lane for a double espresso, in the sunshine, before going to Heathrow to get my Dreamliner Business Class Royal Jordanian flights to Bangkok. I was embarrassed there was no bill again. 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(7 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - a '7 teddy' 24 hours in London thanks to The Dorchester, Four Seasons at Park Lane & Brown Lloyd James. My tips:- go & see Bob Dylan's latest exhibition on Bond Street; and enjoy the 'garden' at Four Seasons at Park Lane & talk to Oscar there. |  My First Class Virgin Trains journey to London was perfect, with delightfully cheerful Jenny serving this impressive breakfast.  My exquisite Park Suite. An updated version of the suite I spent my 40th birthday in. I almost cried when I saw its elegant beauty & recalled that 'historic' dinner in The Dorchester's Penthouse & Pavilion to Emma & my butler.  This view from the suite's bedroom gives an impression of its vast size, with a guest bathroom etc  One of the suite's two marble bathrooms. The acres of marble in Dorchester bathrooms gives them a cool restful feel.  The huge 'round' bath. The Aromatherapy Associates bath oils box helps give some perspective about the size.  The bedroom of the suite did not have a four-poster bed but was refined and restful.  Laurent-Perrier champagne was on ice & delicate chocolates had been left for me.  I was welcomed back to Four Seasons at Park Lane like the prodigal son and given exceptional crab tacos & no bill.  The Dale Chihuly chandeliers in the Halcyon Gallery were stunning pieces of art in themselves.  Proud to be able to call the Co-founder & CEO of PR firm Brown Lloyd James in London a friend.  Seeing Bob Dylan's handwritten lyrics & pencil drawings for 60 of his songs was incredible and I was amazed to learn the metalwork frames were made by Bob Dylan himself. This is me standing in front of an installation recreating the cue cards from 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'.  On my late night visit to Four Seasons at Park Lane I was given dark chocolate with my martini & it was great to chat with Oscar again.  At The Dorchester even 'iconic' Bar Manager Giuliano agreed to have his photo taken!  No better way to start your day than a 'Full English' breakfast at the dining room table in your Park Suite.  Someone at The Dorchester was thinking about my health when they added this fruit plate to my breakfast selection.  I was thrilled to find Bang & Olufsen have finally made the remote control for their TVs lighter & more compact.  I had to use the Aromatherapy Associates bath products, & that bath!, before I left the suite.  This 1st Floor lift lobby exemplifies the stunning opulent luxury of The Dorchester.  The beautiful 'garden' at Four Seasons at Park Lane where I had a double espresso in the sunshine, before going to Heathrow to get my Dreamliner Business Class Royal Jordanian flights to Bangkok. I was embarrassed there was no bill again. |
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