Dorchester Collection’s iconic British
hotel, The Dorchester, will be the first and most fitting location
to read the new James
Bond book 'Solo' on publication day, Thursday 26 September, and
will host a book reading by William Boyd on Saturday 28 September.
The Dorchester is the setting for the opening scene of the
new James Bond book by international bestselling author William
Boyd,
in which 007 is described as treating himself to a 45th birthday
breakfast in 1969. In the book, Bond’s breakfast at The
Dorchester consists of “four eggs, scrambled with pepper
sprinkled on top, half a dozen rashers of unsmoked bacon, well
done, on the side and a long draught of strong black coffee”.
From Thursday 26 September, guests quoting ‘Solo’ whilst
making a breakfast reservation will receive a copy of the book
or can choose to listen to the audio version read by British
actor Dominic West on an iPod over breakfast. Creating the perfect
environment by evoking the time the novel is set; restaurant
guests will also have the option of listening to hits from the
60s on an iPod, be given a copy of a national newspaper and the
menu from 1969, and will be served their breakfast silver service
in keeping with the 60s. Once a week, a table will be chosen
at random to be charged the Grill Menu’s 1969 price, a
sum just short of £2.
On Saturday 28 September a special event will take place at
The Grill at The Dorchester during which William Boyd will read
from
the first chapter of Solo, share his experience of writing the
book, and sign copies for guests. Further evocative narrative
will be added to this unique event with vintage cars from the
1960’s parked on the hotel forecourt, and characters dressed
in 60’s outfits. Optional dress code for guests: swinging
60s, tickets priced at £69.
Solo author William Boyd said: "I chose The Dorchester for
James Bond to stay in because the hotel has strong literary associations
(particularly in World War 2) but also because it was the epitome
of style and glamour in the 1960s. The Dorchester was, and still
is, the elite hotel — the choice of film stars and show
business legends — and so it seemed fitting that when Bond
wanted to give himself a special birthday treat he would book
himself a room at The Dorchester."
For the full Solo experience guests can stay the night at The
Dorchester just like James Bond. By requesting ‘007 room
service’, guests will be provided with the full library
set of the Ian Fleming Bond Collection with an accompanying martini
nightcap.
Martini master classes are also provided at The Bar at The Dorchester
by expert alchemist bar manager Giuliano Morandin, who joined
the hotel over 30 years ago. During Solo, James Bond drinks his
Martini to a particular recipe: “ice in the shaker, add
a slurp of vermouth, pour out the vermouth, add the gin, shake
well, strain into a chilled glass, and add a slice of lemon peel,
no pith”.
The Dorchester and Bond
Ian Fleming mentioned The Dorchester
in the original manuscript for Goldfinger,
but the reference was changed before the book went to the publisher.
Bond Producer
Cubby Broccoli frequented
The Dorchester when in London, and
Terence Young and
Johanna Harwood wrote the final draft of the "Dr.
No" film script
script at The Dorchester during an extended
stay in late 1961. The Dorchester was the venue for the "Skyfall"
press junket and photo call in 2012.
English breakfast at The Grill at The
Dorchester is priced at £32
excluding discretionary service charge.
For ‘Breakfast with Bond’, available until 30 November
2013, book English Breakfast priced at £32 and quote ‘SOLO’ to
receive a complimentary copy of the book. For tickets to the
Saturday 28 September ‘Breakfast with Bond’ William
Boyd reading priced at £69 per person, please quote ‘BOYD’.
Seasonal room rates for bed and breakfast start from £315
including VAT, please quote ‘007 room service’ for
complimentary use of the Ian Fleming Library, and Martini nightcap
priced at £14 per person.
