August
2011 (London) -
Following the launch of the highly successful Coworth Park in
September 2010, Dorchester Collection
is unveiling two new properties this year:
45 Park Lane in
London, opening September 1, 2011, has a contemporary design with art
deco
influences and will be the first new five-star hotel to open in Mayfair
for
over a decade. The much anticipated Hotel Bel-Air in Los
Angeles is re-opening in October 2011, after an extensive two year
refurbishment. Wolfgang Puck, a world-renowned master chef, will be
overseeing
the dining operations at both hotels, opening CUT at 45 Park Lane, his
first
ever restaurant in Europe, and Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air.
There are a number of
additional announcements from Dorchester Collection, as well as news
from
individual properties, which include:
- Le Richemond in Geneva joined Dorchester
Collection's growing portfolio of luxury hotels on August 1, 2011. Set
on the banks of Lake Geneva, the prestigious 109-room hotel is
Dorchester Collection's first third-party management agreement. To
further position itself as one of the leading luxury hotels in Geneva
and in line with the standards of Dorchester Collection, Le Richemond
will undergo a refurbishment of its public areas including the
restaurant and bar, as well as its suites to be completed in 2013.
- The Dorchester celebrates its 80th anniversary in
2011. Inspired by the landmark plane tree which has graced the entrance
to Mayfair's most famous address for 80 years, The Dorchester is
celebrating by planting 80 "Future Great Trees" in London with a unique
collaboration with international charity, Trees for Cities. This autumn also sees the
renovation of the four rooms making up the Ballroom Suite at The
Dorchester in London, led by international interior architectural
design studio, Alex Kravetz Designs Ltd.
- The annual Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize is taking
place in New York throughout 2011. The Prize was originally launched in
London in 2010 and is now taking place in North America this year to
help up-and-coming designers make the next step to global success and
recognition. This year, the winning designer will receive US $40,000
from Dorchester Collection, as well as the opportunity to display their
collection during Paris Fashion Week in 2012 at the group's Hôtel
Plaza Athénée. An impressive list of high caliber judges
on the panel includes: Giovanna Battaglia; Derek Blasberg; Thom Browne;
Francisco Costa; Shala Monroque, Lauren Santo Domingo; Elizabeth
Saltzman; as well as Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, designers at
Marchesa fashion brand. This year's shortlisted designers are:
- The final
winner will be announced in Fall 2011 and the prize will take place in
Paris at Hôtel Plaza Athénée in 2012.
The recently renovated Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan is introducing
the "Truffle Tasting Package," a unique epicurean experience for lovers
of luxury, haute-cuisine and adventure; available throughout October to
November 2011. Opening the doors to an exclusive culinary world, the
package includes truffle hunting in the beautiful woodlands of Roddi,
with an experienced guide and dogs, the chance to visit the best
truffle shops in Alba, as well as a four course lunch featuring black
truffle at the hotel's acclaimed Acanto restaurant.
- The sale of The New York Palace to Northwood
Investors, a highly-regarded, private investment company, was completed
mid-July 2011. Ed Mady, previously General Manager of The New York
Palace, has been appointed as General Manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel where he will manage the
210-room hotel, which includes the two new Presidential Bungalows that
debuted in July 2011. He has also been appointed as West Coast Regional
Director USA, overseeing both The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel
Bel-Air, led by General Manager Tim Lee.
- In Paris, both Hôtel Plaza Athénée
and Le Meurice have been
awarded the distinction of "Palace" hotel, by the Tourism Secretary
of State, M. Fédéric Lefebvre. Dorchester Collection's
Parisian hotels were two
of only four in Paris and eight selected in France. To qualify, the
hotels had
to meet a very precise list of criteria and services, and both Le
Meurice and
Hôtel Plaza Athénée impressed the jury with their
exceptional location,
architecture, quality of their facilities and outstanding levels of
personal
service.
Dorchester
Collection
Dorchester Collection is a portfolio of the world's
foremost luxury hotels in Europe and the USA, each of which reflects
the
distinctive culture of its destination. By applying its unrivalled
experience
and capability in owning and operating some of the greatest individual
hotels,
the company's mission is to develop an impeccable group of the finest
landmark
hotels through acquisition as well as management of wholly-owned and
part-owned
hotels, and to enter into management agreements.
The current portfolio includes the following hotels (in
order of them joining the group):
The Dorchester, London
The Beverly Hills Hotel,
Beverly Hills
Le Meurice, Paris
Hotel Plaza Athénée,
Paris
Hotel Principe di Savoia,
Milan
Hotel Bel-Air, Los
Angeles (re-opening in October 2011)
Coworth Park, Ascot,
UK
45 Park Lane, London
(opening in September 2011)
Le Richemond, Geneva
www.dorchestercollection.com
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