UNIQUELY situated in the upcoming neighbourhood of Shepherds Bush in west London, Dorsett Shepherds Bush not only exhibits contemporary flair, but also reveals its deep bonds to Asia in its design and service. Dorsett has gracefully transformed the 94-year-old Shepherd’s Bush Pavilion from the formerly Odeon Cinema and Mecca Bingo Hall into an Asian-influenced luxury hotel.
The front facade at Dorsett Hotel, London
Very cleverly, Dorsett Shepherds Bush has retained the building’s heritage by keeping its brown-bricked main walls while incorporating elements such as tall glass revolving-door and dome-curved glass ceiling.
Portrait of Audrey Hepburn at the Dorsett
When you walk into the hotel, an air blended with both elegant minimalism and Hollywood glamor breezes in, enhanced by its bold use of gold colour and velvet-swaddled chairs. In the centre of the lobby, there is an outstanding, golden art installation that resembles a half opened cloud that bespeaks mystery. Looking around, you will notice the timeless portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn and Hollywood-style studio light stands, which create a sense of playfulness.
Asian-influenced design choices are exhibited in the details such as hallway temple lights and tree branches on the guest room doors. The suite I stayed at has a notable curving, floor-to-ceiling window that is a part of the hotel building’s larger dome-curved glass façade and offers an half-revealed view of bustling Shepherd Bush.
Guest Suite with curving, floor-to-ceiling window
In addition to its elegant design and fascinating connection to Asia, Dorsett Shepherds Bush provides edgy amenities, fully-equipped facilities and several tasty dining options. In all of its guest rooms, Dorsett provides the guests with a “Handy” iPhone which guests can use to make unlimited calls to Europe, USA, China and Hong Kong etc., and take out of the hotel with complimentary 4G internet access.
Travelling from New York, I found the free-international-call feature and its internet coverage quite useful and considerate. After a day’s visiting, guests can unwind at the hotel’s Spa Mika or burn calories at the gym located on the hotel’s top floor.
Brasserie-style restaurant at the Dorsett
After a busy day in London, you have three dining options inside Dorsett Shepherds Bush: Jin, Pictures and Shikumen, in addition to the hotel’s refined bar, Atrium Bar. Jin and Atrium Bar, are located next to the lobby under the hotel’s eight-storey-tall glass ceiling and offers British afternoon tea and a modern-twisted drink menu.
Pictures is a brasserie-style, chic restaurant that provides a contemporary European menu; I certainly didn’t regret treating myself with the instagram-worthy starter Red Mullet and the – house special Butter Chicken. If you are fancying Chinese for dinner, head to the hotel’s Asian fine dining restaurant, Shikumen, providing an authentic, creative menu that includes Beijing Peking Duck, Dim Sum and fresh Scottish seafood. For the hotel’s in-room breakfast service, you will have the luxury of choosing between western and eastern classic items, such as English Breakfast and Chinese Congee.
Dorsett Shepherds Bush is an epitome of gracious hospitality, where modern meets history, West meets East, elegance meets luxury at the heart of the trendy, growing neighborhood of Shepherds Bush in West London.
by Vanessa Xinyi Mao
Dorsett Shepherds Bush, 58 Shepherds Bush Green, London W12 8QE
Email: info.shepherdsbush@dorsetthotels.com
Tel: +44 (0) 203 262 1026
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