DESIGN
AT LONDON ’ S DORCHESTER , a transformation James Bond would approve of
By DAVID EISEN
There ’ s a lot of lore that comes with The Dorchester in London . For a hotel that opened in 1931 , there ’ s bound to be . One of its most famous fixtures was Ian Fleming , best known for creating 007 himself , James Bond . He often dined and drank at the hotel and created the Vesper Martini for his iconic super agent . Since the beginning of 2023 , the hotel has gone through some vast design changes , spearheaded by Paris-based interior design studio Pierre-Yves Rochon ( PYR ), which was tasked with the meticulous renovation of The Dorchester ’ s Promenade and Artists ’ Bar and the hotel ’ s guestrooms and suites , which were just unveiled in June .
HOTELS spoke to Claire Mabon , principal and senior design director at Pierre-Yves Rochon , to find out what the overall design narrative was and how to care for a hotel with such a storied past .
HOTELS : This is the first major renovation for the hotel in almost 40 years . Why now ? Mabon : The hotel has been redesigned by numerous interior architects over the years , so the DNA of the hotel has been lost over time . The hotel felt it was time to find a way back to the original DNA of the hotel while keeping the design consistent with modern British style . When Pierre-Yves Rochon was tasked with the renovation of The Dorchester ’ s Promenade , Artists ’ Bar , public areas , guestrooms and suites , the goal was to keep in mind the spirit and DNA of The Dorchester .
HOTELS : Would it make James Bond proud ? Mabon : I believe James Bond would be proud of this space as it captures the quintessential British legacy hotel while embracing the modern luxuries we are all used to . The glamor of The Artists ’ Bar and The Promenade , from Liberace ' s piano to the Lalique crystal bar , is where we would imagine a James Bond girl entering for a drink for an evening .
HOTELS : What was the overall design concept or brief for the guestroom and suite renovation ? Mabon : For the 176-guestroom and 61
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