July
2008 - London-based Dorchester Collection announced today that it will
add two American five-star hotels to its portfolio - The New York
Palace in New York and the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. Dorchester
Collection which manages The Dorchester in London, The Beverly Hills
Hotel in Beverly Hills, Le Meurice and Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris,
and the Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan, will take over the
management contracts of both hotels with immediate effect.
Dorchester
Collection also announced major investment plans for both properties.
The intention is to transform The New York Palace into one of New
York's most luxurious hotels. The refurbishment will take place over
the next 3 years and will include a total redesign of the public areas
and guest rooms. Whilst at the Hotel Bel-Air a new $6m Spa will open in
2009.
Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection, says, "We
are delighted to welcome both these iconic hotels to Dorchester
Collection. All our hotels have their own style of individuality and
these are no exception. We have ambitious plans for growth and are
targeting 15 hotels in key North American and European cities in the
next 5-10 years. To have secured such landmark hotels in the gateway
cities of New York and Los Angeles is of tremendous benefit to our
portfolio."
The New York Palace is one of the city's most
iconic hotels and is located in midtown Manhattan on Madison Avenue.
With 899 rooms it consists of the landmark Villard Mansions, built in
1882 which houses the hotel's Michelin-starred Gilt restaurant and a
contemporary 55-storey tower. Christopher Cowdray said: "The hotel has
great potential and we fully intend to preserve and enhance the
heritage, reputation and unique character of the hotel whilst at the
same time ensuring that it provides the highest possible standards of
service and excellence that Dorchester Collection is known for."
The
Hotel Bel-Air has 91 guest rooms and suites set in 12 acres of
landscaped gardens, privately nestled in Stone Canyon. Constructed in
1946 by Texan entrepreneur Joseph Drown, it has developed into one of
the most iconic and respected properties in the world and is perhaps
most famous for `Swan Lake' with its own resident swans. In 2006 the
hotel underwent a $22 million renovation and each of its 91 rooms has
its own unique design, some of which are tailor-made for frequent
guests. Renovations also included a newly designed restaurant, the
addition of the Wine Terrace and state-of-the-art equipment in the
fitness centre.
Notes to the editor
The New York Palace Hotel Key Facts
* 899 rooms including 86 suites
* Michelin-starred Chef, Christopher Lee's Gilt Restaurant and Bar
* American brasserie lstana
* 7,000-square-foot Spa & Fitness Centre that overlooks St. Patrick's Cathedral
* Extensive conference & banqueting facilities
Hotel Bel Air Key Facts
* 91 rooms including 36 suites
* 12 acres of landscaped gardens and courtyard fountains including Swan Lake
* 3 conference & meeting rooms from 10 - 160 people
* AI fresco dining at The Terrace
* The Restaurant offering Mediterranean style cuisine
* Fitness Centre & private Spa suites
* 80ft outdoor heated swimming pool
Dorchester
Collection is the successor to the Dorchester Group, originally
established by the Brunei Investment Agency in 1996 to manage its
collection of hotels in Europe and the USA. Dorchester Collection is a
portfolio of the world's foremost five-star luxury hotels.