Dorchester Hotel

The Dorchester is a leading luxury hotel on Park Lane in Mayfair, London, overlooking Hyde Park. It has a reputation for the rich and famous staying there.

Related Topics:
Hotel - Park Lane - Mayfair - London - Hyde Park

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The Dorchester Hotel opened on 18 April 1931. It was created by Sir Malcolm McAlpine and Sir Frances Towle. In 1929, they bought the old Dorchester House, a large 19th century building, and quickly had it demolished. Sir Owen Williams was commissioned to design the new hotel. In the new ediface, the use of reinforced concrete allowed the creation of large internal spaces without support pillars.

Related Topics:
18 April - 1931 - Malcolm McAlpine - Frances Towle - 1929 - Dorchester House - 19th century - Owen Williams - Reinforced concrete

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In World War II, its modern construction gave the hotel a reputation of being a very safe building. Cabinet Ministers such as Lord Halifax and Duff Cooper stayed there during this time. General Dwight D. Eisenhower arrived in 1942 and stayed on the first floor (now the Eisenhower Suite). Winston Churchill had a wall built to add privacy to his balcony and it still exists today. Diners at the Dorchester from cultural circles during this period included Cyril Connolly, T. S. Eliot, Harold Nicolson and Edith Sitwell.

Related Topics:
World War II - Cabinet Minister - Lord Halifax - Duff Cooper - Dwight D. Eisenhower - 1942 - Winston Churchill - Cyril Connolly - T. S. Eliot - Harold Nicolson - Edith Sitwell

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In 1988, the hotel closed for two years for a major refit. The hotel was completely updated and the Promenade, Grill Room and the Oliver Messel Suite were meticulously restored, to reopen in 1990.

Related Topics:
1988 - 1990

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Well-known actors have often favoured the hotel and past guests include: Julie Andrews, Kim Basinger, Warren Beatty, Yul Brynner, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Tom Cruise, Judy Garland, Charlton Heston, Nicole Kidman, James Mason, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Peter Sellers. Other famous guests have included: The Beatles, Cecil Beaton, Noel Coward, Marlene Dietrich, Duke Ellington and Somerset Maugham.

Related Topics:
Julie Andrews - Kim Basinger - Warren Beatty - Yul Brynner - Richard Burton - Elizabeth Taylor - Tom Cruise - Judy Garland - Charlton Heston - Nicole Kidman - James Mason - Arnold Schwarzenegger - Peter Sellers - The Beatles - Cecil Beaton - Noel Coward - Marlene Dietrich - Duke Ellington - Somerset Maugham

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