June 2012 (London) - Dorchester Collection is looking ahead to another exciting year with several of its iconic hotels investing in current and upcoming enhancements. With renowned designers and thoughtful upgrades, the five-star addresses below continue to elevate the Dorchester Collection experience to new levels:

• The Beverly Hills Hotel is marking its 100th anniversary this year with a host of celebratory activities and events as well as enhancements unfolding across the property. The internationally renowned hospitality design firm, Tihany Design, is overseeing the restoration including the hotel lobby, Polo Lounge, pool cabanas, Cabana Café, and guest rooms and suites. Great care is being taken to maintain and nurture original details which include the hotel's trademark banana leaf wallpaper, green and white stripes and the iconic pink exterior. Look for the 'Pink Palace' to sparkle brighter than ever in 2013.

• In time to celebrate The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games, The Dorchester in London will unveil 22 new suites revamped by New York-based interior designer, Alexandra Champalimaud, who was also the lead designer on the recently relaunched Hotel-Bel-Air. Launching this summer, the new design will pay homage to the hotel's inherently British, classic residential style while administering a lighter, and more modern interpretation. Using luxurious materials sourced mainly from the UK, the new suites will offer one, two and three bedroom configurations with marble foyers, hardwood floors, marble fireplaces from Chesneys and window treatments. The bathrooms will feature separate showers with large drench shower heads as well as bath tubs. In-room technology will feature remote touch control lighting and air-conditioning, and mood lighting in the bedrooms and sitting rooms. Champalimaud, known for her work on The Dorchester's three contemporary Roof Suites, and reminiscent of the Hollywood glamour long associated with the hotel, says, "I have always been fascinated by the way English people live in their homes and wanted to capture that certain quirkiness found in beautiful English properties, while building on the history and quintessential British nature of The Dorchester."
  

• Designer Charles Jouffre has put the finishing touches on the refurbishment of all guest rooms at Le Meurice in Paris - not least the hotel's Presidential Suites and Salvador Dali apartment. Meanwhile, Valmont Spa has closed for a thorough renovation by Charles Jouffre and De Ambroggio & Lafanechere that will touch everything but its spirit. In fall 2012, the new private Yquem dining room will debut in the kitchens of Le Meurice Restaurant serving finest vintages of the world's most-revered sweet wine, Château d'Yquem, with menus styled by Michelin three-star executive chef Yannick Alléno. Lunch and dinner are available for a maximum of eight people.

• For accommodations fit for a king or a queen, look no further than the newly enhanced Royal Suite at Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris, which debuted in May. A landmark of 18th century décor, the suite has been revitalized by designer Marie José Pommerau to appeal to contemporary sensibilities with amenities including four Panasonic 3D Full HD system with NeoPDP plasma TVs, two Blu-ray players, and 3D Full HD glasses. The color palette encompasses apricot, raspberry, violet, beige and mauve tones. Any way you look at it the fifth-floor suite is a vision, with capacity for eight through four bedrooms as well as a reception hall, living room, sitting room, study, marble bathrooms, and balconies overlooking Avenue Montaigne with views of the Eiffel Tower.

Le Richemond, the legendary, 109-room address on the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, will see a refurbishment in the second half of the year that will encompass public areas, including suite accommodations and the hotel restaurant and bar. Le Richemond will remain open throughout, with minimal disruption to guests.

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; Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris; Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan; Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles; Coworth Park, Ascot, UK; 45 Park Lane, London; and Le Richemond, Geneva.

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