Head Over Heels for The Dorchester, Park Lane, London.

Yesterday morning I was invited to join The Dorchester in an early morning behind the scenes tour of the hotel. You will by now, know that few things come higher up my list of loves than luxury design hotels and beautiful craftsmanship. Well team, my morning was just all that I needed to leave with a spring in my step (with a takeaway box of pastries, thank you!).

February is the most amorous month of the year (they say) and to note this, The Dorchester Collection have collaborated with British luxury leather goods brand Smythson on something really rather sweet. Let me tell you hotel lovers thinking of booking a suite at any of their hotels in the UK (The Dorchester, 45 Park Lane or Cowarth Park) if you tweet the hashtag #headoverheels prior or during your stay, you’ll be gifted a very beautiful flip book notebook (rrp £65.00). Pop it in your handbag and when you stroll past one of their stores on your romantic day out Smythson are offering complimentary personalisation to the front.

The flip book is bound in their iconic red cross-grain leather and the wafer thin paper printed with a little character ‘Le Chauffeur’ the iconic silver pepper pot featured in Smythson’s catalogues as early as 1909. He tumbles down every page, with red love hearts following him down.

I have to mention something here, my total and utter love for Smythson. Yes I feature Smythson as one of my advertisers here on LWSY, but my first ever diary was the beginning of what is going to be a very long love affair. I could make a mini cardboard city from the blue boxes i’ve collected over the years. Not all my own purchases I might add, those that know me well, gift carefully. Milestone birthdays have resulted in a beautiful personalised travel wallet, a giant white leather photo album (complete with 8 disposable cameras to capture my 30th birthday), a fuchsia business card holder, umpteen notebooks and my most treasured iPad case. Anyway you get the point, back to yesterday morning.

The Promenade, somewhere I actually haven’t enjoyed afternoon tea before in London, I was tempted to try it for breakfast to be honest but I heard chatter of truffled scrambled eggs and croissants down in the kitchens. I was off, to the kitchen I fled. I am crazy about hotels, all those years of working in hotels as a teen, I caught the bug. We chatted with the head pastry chef and his team and watched in awe at the speed they intricately iced each teeny tiny cake pastry. Magic. “Try a doughnut!” they said, no no, I couldn’t possibly, I WISH I had now..

We were still to see a suite recently designed by the wonderful Alexandra Champalimaud (we’ve met before remember click me) and then down to the spa to meet head florist Phillip Hammond before I had to peel myself away to continue my day.

Now you see this chandelier above, 72,000 pearls went into creating this, amazing.

The killer mani/pedi room

Breakfast in the spa then off I ran. What a place, what a team, I can’t wait to go back. If you’re looking for a hotel in London you can find a few ideas here. 

#headoverheels #LWSY

@TheDorchester @45ParkLaneUK @CowarthParkUK @LucyWillShowYou @Smythson

Images: LWSY & Dorchester Press Dept.