The decadence at the famous Dorchester Hotel has now extended to its rooftop! For the very first time it’s rooftop has been transformed into a pop up rooftop bar and restaurant which opened on Monday 12th April aka ‘rooftop day!’.
With the reopening outdoor dining rules inspiring out of the box thinking this gorgeous hotel has naturally done it with class and style.
The dormant 9th floor rooftop (sacrilege in hindsight!) was always trumped for its neighbour below on the 8th floor below where the views were only accessible via the rooms or for weddings. It has now rectified this travesty and transformed the rooftop into an oasis of champagne calm above the craziness of Park Lane’s notorious busy road.
Walking into this, usually bustling hotel, was eerie. So quiet and empty. (Another month until we hopefully can resume overnight stays.) A framed picture of Prince Phillip served as a poignant reminder how much the nation, indeed the world has been through. A good reminder that everyone you meet on the rooftop (or anywhere) has a lockdown story. From the door host to the chef to the people on the next table, we don’t know, who has been through what this year. But we do all know we are out to enjoy life again. So it was with smiles shared and the familar and similar words echoing each new table sat of, ‘how great it is to finally being out’ that made this even more special.
Leaving the safety of your home to enter one of the worlds most famous hotels is certainly one way to leave lockdown! If you going to do it, then may as well do it style! From the moment you leave the elevator and wind through the corridor you are met with doors flung open to the sensational sweeping views. After 4 months (and a year for others) it was a moment like no other. Freedom. A taste of normality.
This rooftop bar and restaurant felt like a slice of a summer as we weaved from the ‘lounge’ through to the restaurant. And if you go all the way round you meet the London skyline of St Paul’s, London Eye and Houses of Parliament. Most of the rooftop views however overlooks Hyde Park and beyond into the horizon… after so many months on long zoom meetings I could have easily got lost in the view. However it’s not cheap so probably best they have time slots!
Food wise the Dorchester’s own Tom Booton will be in residence for the first two weeks serving a delicious light bite menu. (Or really portions we should really be eating… somewhere between a starter and a main!)
At the end of April he hands to Jean Phillip Blondet, of the Hotels 3 star Michelin’s restaurant, Alain Ducasse. Beyond that is still tbc… let’s hope it’s a rooftop to stay!
One thing to note is that this rooftop will be weather dependant so if the heavens open it will be wet and most likely closed. Umbrellas, blankets and even hot water bottles are ready for the spring wind, light rain and plummeting evening temperatures – so they have you covered, quite literally! But if it’s a full on downpour then expect a rebooking and best to call before.
However the sun has been shining on our reopening of rooftops so far.. and with the chilled tunes and live evening singers at this rooftop, fingers crossed these care free rooftop days continue.
(Oh and if all the champagne has made you a little heady… the insta infamous Elan cafe is just opposite this hotel. You can grab the prettiest take away coffee to see you home. 🤪
