The Dorchester

I thought the hotel lobby and seating area for the afternoon tea looks gorgeous but I was not expecting the service charge. I was a tourist and where I am from tips are your choice they are not just added at the end of the bill. I noticed in London lots of bars and restaurants do this but they are not clear that you can ask to take it off. The service was slow I had to ask for the menu a few times, the bill, the lady never gave me a tag for the cloakroom so I had to go back and ask her, some teas are extra £30, £20 or £10 on top of the afternoon tea. The afternoon tea was £110 each person, one glass of orange juice was £14. The food was nicely presented and juice was delicious but I was disappointed by the service charge. As a tourist I really was not expecting that. In Ireland we don't have that tips are optional, we don't have a tip culture. I think it is from the USA where staff get paid poorly so customers are expected to pay the staff wage. I think all workers should be paid a living wage but I prefer tips to be my choice especially when the food is already priced higher that other places. In Ireland in a 5 star hotel afternoon tea is €60 per person and no service charge.

Simply the best afternoon tea. Incredible attentive service, champagne flowing, great food and love piano music. A quintessential English afternoon tea. Perfection. A special thank you Anuar to for looking after us. Perfect anniversary celebration.

Delightful afternoon tea served by the fantastic Anuar, who was very cheerful and attentive. He certainly made the event special!! (Bonus points for dairy free afternoon tea) Definitely worth a visit when in London! Absolutely delicious food and a wonderful ambience to rest in.

How posh and lovely. Immaculate surroundings with happy and accommodating staff. Our room overlooking the park was spectacular. We had dinner in Tom Booten's restaurant, drinks in the Vesper Bar and drinks after dinner in the Artist's bar. With live music every night and unbelievable service, this stay was refreshing and incomparable.

The Dorchester is a rare breed of hotel that seamlessly embraces the modern while retaining the best of the old. Despite the dozens of five star hotels in London, the Dorchester stands out as having a character all its own - one that you’ll want to return to again and again. The furnishings and decor throughout are effortlessly glamorous, but at the same time homely and inviting, creating unparalleled comfort and a home away from home vibe. Think beds that you sink into; plush, velvet sofas and bathtubs deep enough to be swimming pools. I was fortunate enough to be upgraded to a Dorchester suite, overlooking Hydr Park. The suite was enormous and accompanied by the supremely attentive and effortlessly charming butler, Sean. He was kind enough to arrange an in suite party with me and several friends which delivered a mountain of food and wine that far surpassed my expectations. Breakfast was similarly spectacular with a varied and delicious menu. I opted for the full English and it was the best 5 star English breakfast I’d ever had. The location on Park Lane is perfect and close to everything. A huge highlight of the trip was being taken to and from the hotel to my train station in their custom Bentley. My stay over a weekend was everything I could have hoped for. The service was friendly and attentive, anticipating my needs and consistently going above and beyond. I’ll be back.