We are checking out of the Dorchester this morning after a 1 night stay. I can’t wait. We had a 1 night stay booked in their Audley Penthouse Suite but the day before our arrival we received notification from our travel agent that we were going to be ‘upgraded’ to the Terrace Penthouse. I put the word upgrade in quotes because it was anything but. The suite was dated and in poor condition. The ceiling in the bathroom had water damage and mould on the wallpaper, the wooden floor around the base of the toilet had urine damage, every single piece of furniture was scuffed and scraped, the windows onto the terrace were drafty, the carpets needed replacing, there were cigarette butts on the terrace - it was probably the worst luxury hotel room I’ve ever seen. Within about 30 minutes I had seen enough and went downstairs and rejected the room. They seemed apologetic although not that surprised. I asked to move to 45PL but it was full. They eventually found a Dorchester Suite for us which was nice but not without its faults; the bidet toilet didn’t work, the front door is woefully in adequate and didn’t block out any corridor noise and it again seemed dated. The corridors are dark and with horrid decor - I can’t believe it’s the flagship of the Dorchester Collection.

This was our first and last stay at the Dorchester. AVOID!

The whole hotel needs gutting and starting again. I literally couldn’t believe that the penthouse suite they gave us was their second highest category of suite on the property. It was shoddy. I was so close to walking out and going back to the Lanesborough. I would gladly take a smaller suite that is higher quality any day.

This morning our room service at 8:30 and she started unloading tempura prawns and a chicken biryani. Needless to say that wasn’t our breakfast order. When it came they forgot some of the items. Outdated hard product and poor service - it’s not luxury at all.

No reduction offered at checkout.

Yes, that’s the category we had booked (and at that rate). The Terrace Penthouse that we were ‘upgraded’ to was not at all luxury and if people are paying those prices to stay in it they are utter fools. The Dorchester Suite was no way worth the price tag (which incidentally was about the same as the Buckingham Suite we had at the Lanesborough) and I told the Director of Guest Relations that this morning. She asked if I would go back to 45 Park Lane and Coworth again. Coworth - absolutely, yes, but 45PL probably not now I’ve seen how good the Lanesborough can be. She said that was very difficult to hear.

I am more shocked than anything that the sister property of two properties I hold in very high regard which is supposed to be their flagship is such a terrible hotel.

The letter has already been written.

We stayed a few years ago. They were renovating ( which we found out after booking or would not have booked!), and made it very clear they would keep us far away from room renovations as " quiet" is one of my key
requests and I said I did not want to stay if renovating. They said no problem as only limited areas. Well we arrived and our Jr suite was right near the hammering and saw. I immediately asked for a room change. They upgraded us to a large suite, but same problem. Bottom line after 4 room changes they finally gave us something acceptable but also made it very clear this was a huge exception as too much of an upgrade. They were pretty rude and condescending. It was a nice suite that was quiet and had been renovated but to have to change 4 times? Only reason we did not leave was our stay was only 2 nights and we had a dinner engagement we were already late. We haven't been back since and would never consider going again. I vote with my feet.