The Dorchester plants first of 80 new trees to celebrate 80th Anniversary
On Monday 14 November 2011, The Dorchester planted the first of 80 trees for London as part of the iconic hotel’s 80th Anniversary tree planting project, in collaboration with international tree charity ‘Trees for Cities’. The first tree, a ‘Liriodendron Tulipifera’ or ‘Tulip Tree’ was planted on Curzon Street by entrepreneur Jo Wood. Roland Mouret, Lily Cole and Anya Hindmarch have also lent their support to the project. In coming months, an English Oak will be planted in Green Park and an Ash in Hyde Park, whilst further sites are identified by Trees for Cities.
Toast The Dorchester’s 80th Anniversary
On 18 April 2011, marking the week the hotel opened in 1931, The Bar at The Dorchester reintroduced an original 1930s cocktail, ‘Dorchester of London’. Priced at £16 ‘Dorchester of London’, proceeds from the cocktail will go towards The Dorchester’s 80th Anniversary ‘Future Great Trees’ project which will see 80 trees planted across London in collaboration with international charity Trees for Cities.
The cocktail was first created when the hotel opened, by world-renowned bartender Harry Craddock, who presided over The Bar at The Dorchester at the time. Legendary Bar Manager Giuliano Morandin sought out the original cocktail from a recipe book first published in 1951, stored away in The Bar at The Dorchester’s private archives. Created in collaboration with Bob’s Bitters, suppliers of a bespoke range of bitters, The Bar at The Dorchester’s interpretation of Forbidden Fruit contains cognac, pomelo fruit, citrus and honey and will be available exclusively at The Dorchester for a year.
The Dorchester Anniversary Ritual
To celebrate The Dorchester's 80th Anniversary, The Dorchester Spa is offering a specially designed Anniversary Ritual, featuring the bespoke Anniversary Blend created by Aromatherapy Associates. Inspired by the way a tree’s roots ground and connect, the blend uses woody ingredients such as cedarwood, frankincense, sandalwood, and petitgrain and incorporates a deep sense of wellbeing and rejuvenation, which merges perfectly with the hotel’s celebratory theme of constant renewal. Designed around the Anniversary Blend, the 80-minute Anniversary Ritual helps ground emotions and leaves guests feeling balanced, uplifted and renewed. It includes a full-body massage focusing extensively on spinal pressures, a mini scalp massage and a facial to stimulate lymph flow. Priced at £150 for 80 minutes.
The Dorchester 80th Anniversary limited edition print by David Downton
To commemorate The Dorchester's 80th Anniversary, The Dorchester has commissioned fashion illustrator David Downton to draw a limited edition anniversary portrait. Downton’s work includes commissions by Vogue, Chanel, Christian Dior, Tiffany’s New York, SAKS 5th Avenue, the V&A Museum, and a portfolio of life portraits of some of the world’s most beautiful women including Erin O’Connor, Paloma Picasso, Catherine Deneuve, Linda Evangelista, and Dita Von Teese. On occasion his subjects sit for portraits at The Dorchester, for example in 2009 Downton captured Cate Blanchett for the 50th anniversary commemorative cover of Australian Vogue.
Priced at £350, the 80 limited-edition prints are available exclusively for purchase at the Shop at The Dorchester and The Dorchester’s online shop.
The Grill at The Dorchester offers 80 wines for £80
For a limited time, The Grill is offering 80 wines at £80, allowing guests the unique opportunity to sample some of the finest estate wines at a more affordable price. The 80 have been chosen by Head of Wines UK, Christian Stivert to commemorate The Dorchester’s 80th Anniversary, being celebrated throughout 2011. Featuring both “Traditional” and “Great Vintages”, the 80 wines and champagnes are genuine representatives in the world of wine and have been provided direct to The Dorchester from the estate or Château.