- Enjoy breakfast as described in Solo, the new James Bond book by William Boyd 

Dorchester Collection's iconic British hotel, The Dorchester, will be the first and most fitting location to read the new James Bond book on publication day, Thursday 26 September, and will host a book reading by William Boyd on Saturday 28 September.

The Dorchester is the setting for the opening scene of new James Bond book by international bestselling author William Boyd, in which 007 is described as treating himself to a 45th birthday breakfast in 1969. In the book, Bond's breakfast at The Dorchester consists of "four eggs, scrambled with pepper sprinkled on top, half a dozen rashers of unsmoked bacon, well done, on the side and a long draught of strong black coffee".   

From Thursday 26 September, guests quoting 'Solo' whilst making a breakfast reservation will receive a copy of the book or can choose to listen to the audio version read by British actor Dominic West on an iPod over breakfast. Creating the perfect environment by evoking the time the novel is set; restaurant guests will also have the option of listening to hits from the 60s on an iPod, be given a copy of a national newspaper and the menu from 1969, and will be served their breakfast silver service in keeping with the 60s. Once a week, a table will be chosen at random to be charged the Grill Menu's 1969 price, a sum just short of £2. 

On Saturday 28 September a special event will take place at The Grill at The Dorchester during which William Boyd will read from the first chapter of Solo, share his experience of writing the book, and sign copies for guests.  Further evocative narrative will be added to this unique event with vintage cars from the 1960's parked on the hotel forecourt, and characters dressed in 60's outfits.  Optional dress code for guests: swinging 60s, tickets priced at £69.

Solo author William Boyd said: "I chose The Dorchester for James Bond to stay in because the hotel has strong literary associations (particularly in World War 2) but also because it was the epitome of style and glamour in the 1960s.  The Dorchester was, and still is, the elite hotel — the choice of film stars and show business legends — and so it seemed fitting that when Bond wanted to give himself a special birthday treat he would book himself a room at The Dorchester."   

For the full Solo experience guests can stay the night at The Dorchester just like James Bond.  By requesting '007 room service', guests will be provided with the full library set of the Ian Fleming Bond Collection with an accompanying martini nightcap. 

Martini master classes are also provided at The Bar at The Dorchester by expert alchemist bar manager Giuliano Morandin, who joined the hotel over 30 years ago.  During Solo, James Bond drinks his Martini to a particular recipe: "ice in the shaker, add a slurp of vermouth, pour out the vermouth, add the gin, shake well, strain into a chilled glass, and add a slice of lemon peel, no pith".   

English breakfast at The Grill at The Dorchester is priced at £32 excluding discretionary service charge. For further information or to make a booking, please contact reservations on+44 20 7629 8888 or send an email to restaurants.TDL@dorchestercollection.com.

For 'Breakfast with Bond', available until 30 November 2013, book English Breakfast priced at £32 and quote 'SOLO' to receive a complimentary copy of the book.  For tickets to the Saturday 28 September 'Breakfast with Bond' William Boyd reading priced at £69 per person, please quote 'BOYD'.   Seasonal room rates for bed and breakfast start from £315 including VAT, please quote '007 room service' for complimentary use of the Ian Fleming Library, and Martini nightcap priced at £14 per person.

Editor's notes:

Solo - William Boyd was invited to write the new James Bond novel by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, the Fleming family owned company that owns the copyright in the Bond books www.ianfleming.com. Solo will be published in hardback, eBook and audio editions on 26 September 2013 by Jonathan Cape, an imprint of Vintage Publishing, in the UK and Commonwealth, and by HarperCollins in the US and Canada on 8 October. JamesBondSolo.com

The Dorchester - is situated in the heart of London's Mayfair on Park Lane, with 250 rooms and suites designed in a classic English residential style, affording expansive views of Hyde Park. Alexandra Champalimaud redesigned 22 new Dorchester and Park Suites in 2012 fusing contemporary comfort with timeless glamour. A wide range of dining is available to guests in The Promenade, The Bar and The Grill, China Tang and three Michelin star Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. The Dorchester Spa reopened in May 2009 after a multimillion transformation to offer indulgent pampering in a glamorous art deco setting.  TheDorchester.com

The Dorchester and Bond - Ian Fleming mentioned The Dorchester in the original manuscript for Goldfinger, but the reference was changed before the book went to the publisher.   Bond Producer Cubby Broccoli frequented The Dorchester when in London, and Terence Young and Johanna Harwood wrote the final draft of the Dr.No film script at The Dorchester during an extended stay in late 1961.  The Dorchester was the venue for the Skyfall press junket and photo call in 2012.  

Literary references - Generations of artists and performers have invested The Dorchester with something of their own flamboyance, and it became a haven for figures from literary and artistic circles from its earliest days. In addition to the Foyles Literary Luncheons beginning in the 1930's, the hotel has also welcomed writers and artists such as novelist Somerset Maugham, the poet Cecil Day Lewis and the painter Sir Alfred Munnings.  Over the years famous guests have included Noel Coward, Marlene Dietrich, Cecil Beaton, Judy Garland, The Beatles, Elizabeth Taylor and Jackie Collins.  Author Sidney Sheldon refers to The Dorchester in his book, 'If Tomorrow Never Comes', and the movie adaptation made in 1986 features The Dorchester.

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 press information, please contact:

Olivia Johnson or Arabella Wentworth Waites at Peretti Communications

Telephone: 020 7244 1930

Email: olivia.j@peretti.com  arabella.w@peretti.com