11 Jul 2013
Dorchester Collection
Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize
Now in its fourth consecutive year, Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize grand final will be
hosted at The Dorchester on 29 October 2013.
The judges are in the process of reviewing the applications following the 7 June deadline, and the five shortlisted
candidates will be announced on 23 July.
Supporting young talent and assisting aspiring fashion designers to take their brand to the next level, the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize provides international recognition and an endowment of £25,000 to the most gifted designer of ready-to-wear fashion or premium accessories. This year, the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize is expanding the competition internationally for the first time, accepting entries from designers who are based in all countries where Dorchester Collection properties are located: UK, France, Switzerland, Italy and USA.
New appointment
Dorchester Collection is delighted to announce the appointment of Irene Hoek as head of global development at Dorchester Collection. She will be responsible for identifying acquisition and management opportunities to grow the brand. With nine hotels, Dorchester Collection is planning to increase its luxury portfolio with several new properties in the pipeline in key cities by 2015, through acquisition and management agreements.
The Dorchester
The Dorchester Spa is offering the ultimate spa menu with the launch of 'Selected Spa Signatures from Dorchester Collection' - an exclusive list of signature facials and body treatments hand-picked for the first time from some of the leading spas within Dorchester Collection's world-class hotels in Paris, Geneva and Los Angeles.
Offering a rare, international adventure of spa excellence, luxury skin care brands include La Prairie from The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air, Valmont from Le Meurice in Paris and Shiseido from Le Richemond, Geneva. The Dorchester and Coworth Park have also contributed with signature treatments by British brands Kerstin Florian and Aromatherapy Associates. All seven 'Selected Spa Signatures from Dorchester Collection' can be purchased for £1,100 to be taken within one year or treatments can be purchased individually from £120.
Wimbledon, the world's most famous tennis tournament, will be celebrated at The Promenade at The Dorchester with a special Wimbledon Afternoon Tea where guests will be able to enjoy tennis inspired cakes, pastries, and strawberries and cream with champagne. The Wimbledon Afternoon Tea is available from 22 June to 7 July and costs £55 per person. There are five sittings daily: 1.15pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm, 4.45pm and 5.15pm.
The Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel is heralding the future with a restoration led by Tihany Design, taking place in phased stages
between now and 2015. The hotel lobby has recently been enhanced and the guest rooms and suites are next to be refreshed.
The Polo Lounge has also recently undergone its own subtle yet carefully-fashioned renovation, paying homage to its heritage and iconic design elements to maintain its prominence as one of Hollywood's most loved dining destinations. The newly unveiled pool cabanas have also been upgraded in keeping with the overall design theme and the celebrated Cabana Café will be revealed on 24 June.
This summer, The Beverly Hills Hotel will be adding a splash of fun to its unique poolside experiences with new 'pop-up' refreshments and added service enhancements, including sunglass cleaning, ice cream sundaes and sorbet which will be offered on a complimentary basis throughout the day. Therapists from the hotel's La Prairie Spa will also be on-hand to offer reflexology foot massages, priced at $45 (about £29) for 15 minutes and $85 (about £55) for 30 minutes, also available at Hotel Bel-Air.
To celebrate being in the heart of the LA action and under the Californian sun, The Beverly Hills Hotel is offering a 'California Cruisin' package whereby an array of sought after automobiles will be readily available for guests to enjoy cruising around Los Angeles. The various cars will include a C-Class Mercedes, E350 Mercedes Sedan, Range Rover and a Ferrari. Priced from $880 (about £548) per night including car rental and nightly valet parking, reservations must be booked three days in advance with a minimum stay of two nights. The 'California Cruisin' package is also available from $680 (about £423) at Hotel Bel-Air.
Le Meurice
Le Meurice is celebrating the summer with a variety of new banqueting offers. These include a private wine tasting with head sommelier Estelle Touzet followed by a dinner in one of the banqueting rooms; a cocktail materclass with bar director William Oliveri; The Grand Siècle Dinner, which looks back at the past century with traditional French service and cuisine; and a Rossini Dinner combining Rossini's music and recipes. Rates are available upon request.
The 2013 Meurice Prize for Contemporary Art has launched at Le Meurice with a high profile panel of international judges from the world of art, including the winner of last year's prize, Alexandre Singh, and Franka Holtmann, general manager of Hotel Le Meurice. Created in 2008, the Prize for Contemporary Art has a €20,000 endowment and aims to nurture up-and-coming talent in order to support them on an ever-competitive international stage. The six finalists who have been selected to take part in the grand final are Bertille Bak and Galerie Xippas; Neil Beloufa and Galerie Balice & Hertling; Jonathan Binet and Galerie Gaudel de Stampa; Chloé Maillet and Louise Hervé from Galerie Marcelle lix; Elsa Sahal and Galerie Claudine Papillon; and Ulla Von Brandenburg from Galerie Art: Concept. The final will take place at Le Meurice on 7 October 2013.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Hôtel Plaza Athénée is celebrating its centenary this year with a variety of special offers and a partnership with the Thé'tre des Champs-Elysées. The hotel is offering a 'Rite of Spring' package with the Thé'tre des Champs-Elysées, also celebrating its centennial year and which hosted 'The Rite of Spring's first performance 100 years ago. In celebration of this triple centenary, the 'Rite of Spring' package will include a night's stay at the hotel, two box tickets for one of the six various performances of 'The Rite of Spring' with a glass of champagne in a private lounge during the interval, and a special dinner for two at Le Relais Plaza.
The promotion is available on the performance nights in June and July with rates from €2,900 (£2,464) for a Junior Suite Deluxe and from €3,365 (£2,859) for a Superior Suite.
To make a reservation please call the reservations team at Hotel Plaza Athénée directly
on reservations.HPA@dorchestercollection.com or call (+33) 1 5367 6667.
Just in time for the summer, La Terrazzina at Hôtel Plaza Athénée is now open for guests to enjoy a taste of Italy with an alfresco-dining experience on avenue Montaigne, one of the most famous fashion avenues. Between 8pm and 11pm every day, chefs Frederic Larquemin and Mathieu Emeraud will prepare the finest dishes in Italian cuisine and offer a selection of pastries which they have created especially for the hotel's centenary.
La Terrazzina is open every evening until 16 September and the menu costs €70 (£59). For reservations please
contact terrazinadelplaza@plaza-athenee-paris.com or call (+33)1 53 67 66 00.
This summer, celebrated chef Alain Ducasse teamed up with Tom Kitchin, executive chef at The Kitchin restaurant in Edinburgh. On his numerous travels, Ducasse meets other chefs who share his vision of cooking; focussing on the quality and flavour of natural produce. In order to celebrate these talented chefs, he
launched "Les Rencontres Essentielles" (Essential Partnerships) in 2012.
For this fifth collaboration, Tom Kitchin hosted a lunch as Ducasse's special guest at Hôtel Plaza Athénée on 18 June.
Hotel Principe di Savoia
Acanto restaurant at Hotel Principe di Savoia, is participating in the 2013 'Solidarity Artist Plate' ('Piatto Solidale d'Artista'). In line with the recent trend of 'art you can eat', executive chef Fabrizio Cadei has re-worked a recipe from the hotel's menu from the 1930's which was originally used as inspiration for an art installation by Monica Scardecchia and Gianfranco Maggio. From now until 4 July, the veranda of the Acanto restaurant will exhibit "Album - Memories
Preserved" - a display of nine individual jars created by the artists Monica Scardecchia and Gianfranco Maggio.
The Milanese property is celebrating family time this summer with two special packages. For quality girls' time, the 'Mother & Daughter Package' includes a spa treatment for two, access to the spa and fitness centre, a visit to La Scala
and a shuttle service to and from the historical city centre to enjoy a full day of shopping in one of the world's most sought after fashion capitals. The 'Father & Son Package' offers the perfect excuse for boys to be boys with a Ferrari Test drive; tickets and a shuttle service to and from a football match at the UEFA five-star San Siro Stadium; a visit to the Stadium Museum; and two complimentary beverages at The Principe Bar to unwind after an action packed day.
Hotel Bel-Air
Whether relaxing beside Swan Lake in the hotel's enchanting grounds, or planning an excursion to one of Los Angeles' famed beaches or outdoor venues, Wolfgang Puck and his team have created gourmet picnic baskets where guests can select from dozens of à la carte items. The stylish basket is complete with blanket, thermos, wine glasses and more, ensuring that nothing is left to chance. To make a reservation for a Bel-Air Basket please call +1 (310) 909 1170. Approximate pricing for a three-course basket starts at $60 (about £39) per person.
Wolfgang Puck's team is sharing their expertise in special masterclasses offered at Hotel Bel-Air's namesake restaurant, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, as well as the popular bar. Guests will learn the art of making cocktails, tasting wine and preparing meals with an emphasis on California's regional products. Classes are offered for both hotel and non-hotel guests and start at $55 (about £35).
Coworth Park
Coworth Park embraces the British polo season with its Guards Polo Academy, offering guests the chance to enjoy bespoke polo lessons on the grounds where the English national team trains with one of Britain's most experienced players and English team coach, Andrew Hine. There is a wide variety of lessons and polo day experiences, including an hour-long private lesson from £160; a course of five lessons from £750; and group lessons (three people or more) from £150 per person. In addition, a selection of polo inspired cocktails is now available alongside the current menu, priced at £14 each.
Dorchester Collection's luxury country house hotel and spa celebrates the oncoming summer with the launch of a Meadow Tea in the drawing room. Giving the traditional afternoon tea a summery twist, pastries and
a new exclusive hand-blended tea are inspired by flowers that grow on the estate and Coworth Park's famous wildflower meadow. On Thursday afternoons, guests can also choose to go for an informal garden walk accompanied by Coworth Park's head of gardens, Terri Crow, to hear about the history and inspiration behind the Lime Avenue, Kissing Cages and the Wildflower Meadow, as well as Coworth Park's planting philosophy. Now available, the Meadow Tea is served in the elegant drawing room and is priced at £26 per person or £39 per person for champagne meadow tea, excluding service charge.
Coworth Park will also launch a Sunday Feast menu, a home style traditional Sunday lunch served in relaxed luxury for
friends and family to enjoy in the conservatory of Restaurant Coworth Park. Executive chef Brian Hughson will be carving poultry and game himself at guests' tables. Prices start at £65 per person and guests will need to provide a minimum of 48 hours' notice. For reservations please contact Coworth Park on restaurants.CPA@dorchestercollection.com or call +44 (0) 1344 876 600.
With access to a unique contact book of experts in the fields of gastronomy, fashion, wine and lifestyle, Coworth Park has recently introduced 'Country Life'; a series of informal and informative monthly dining events. Guests are invited to meet and listen to experts talk on a range of fascinating topics from floristry to fashion, and aromatherapy to ceramics. These talks are followed by lunch at Restaurant Coworth Park or afternoon tea in the Drawing Room.
To make a reservation, call 01344 756 784 or email cpcountrylife@dorchestercollection.com and quote the name of the event.
45 Park Lane
Dorchester Collection's contemporary London art hotel, 45 Park Lane, showcases art by ten of Britain's leading artists in its guest rooms, hallways and restaurant. By providing a canvas for top current British artists - such as Sir Peter Blake, Patrick Hughes, Bruce McLean, Joe Tilson and Brendan Neiland, Dorchester Collection seeks to create an artistic and cultured environment which offers guests an insight into today's British art scene with access to the artists' studios, art lessons and lunch invitations, as well as exclusive gallery and exhibition tours. The next artist event will take place on 1 July where Christian Furr and Chris Bracey's work will be on display at 45 Park Lane. The artist events provide guests with the chance to speak to the artist in residence and view additional works in the permanent hotel collection, giving them insight into inspiration, technique and creativity.
Continuing to develop its art agenda in 2013, 45 Park Lane will once again offer art buyers and art lovers alike the chance to experience 'A Brush with Frieze'. The programme includes an overnight stay, tickets to Frieze Art Fair and complimentary transfers between the hotel and the fair. Priced from £762, inclusive of VAT, 'A Brush with Frieze' is available from 17 to 20 October 2013.
45 Park Lane will celebrate this year's Wimbledon Championships by offering a private lunch and tennis screening experience in the Media Room for eight to 11 people. Guests will be able to watch the tournament whilst enjoying a special 'Wimbledon Menu' prepared by celebrated chef Wolfgang Puck's restaurant CUT, as well as an inspired cocktail 'Strawberry Hill' to toast the event. The cocktail is made with Champagne Lanson rosé, the official supplier of champagne to the Wimbledon Championships since 1977, St Germain, Aperol, lemon bitter and fresh strawberries, priced at £16.
The 'Wimbledon Menu' and 'Strawberry Hill' cocktail are available from 24 June to 7 July in the Media Room at 45 Park Lane. The two course menu is priced at £29, and three course menu at £35 including VAT. These prices exclude the cocktail and a 12.5% discretionary service charge. To make a reservation, please contact restaurants.45L@dorchestercollection.com or call +44 (0) 20 7493 4554.
Le Richemond
This year, Le Richemond is embracing the summer months by offering 'The Summer Time Spa' package. Guests are invited to indulge in the pleasures of well-being and total relaxation in its serene location by Lake Geneva. The package includes a one night stay, a buffet breakfast, a toning massage, a 60-minute personal training session and a light snack with a healthy detox juice.
Le Spa at Le Richemond offers a fully equipped fitness studio, with the latest TechnoGym equipment for those wishing
to partake in a full body work out. In addition, it provides five treatment rooms, a double room for couples treatments and a relaxation area with a sauna and steam room. Designed to generate a relaxed atmosphere for guests, the simple decor incorporates elements of luxury and sophistication to create a serene environment for treatments.
Notes to editors
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. dorchestercollection.com
For further information on Dorchester Collection please contact:
Connie Fan & Angela Wong at CatchOn Communications
Telephone: +852 2566 8988
