Live it up
in refurbished

Dorchester
Hotel

LONDON — Just when 'm
trying to convince people
that travel is a serious
business, up pops William
Davis, new boss of the Brit-
ish Teurist Authority, to
say that his marketing peo-
ple are to reposition Britain
as a fun country. Just like
that.

Davis, best known as a former
editor of Punch magazine. said
the BTA had decided that the im-
age of Beefeaters in a medieval
Disneyland was out of date.

“We want to sell Britain as a
centre for fashion, golf. theatre
and music ... we want to project
an image of fun."

He also said Britain wants more
“quality’* Gi.e. wealthy) visitors.

Over at the Tower of London
the Beefeaters may not be amus-
ed, but Davis’ timing was ex-
cellent in that Britain’s best
known hotel, the Dorchester, is
just back in business and looking
for a new generation of well-heel-
ed guests, fun-loving or otherwise.

The hotel, built in 1931 and
owned by the Sultan of Brunei,
was closed two years ago for res-
toration and updating. No ex-
pense, as they say, was spared,
with general manager Ricci
Obertelli in the fortunate position
of having an oilfield bank account
to draw on.

Obertelli, the 34-year-old gener-
al manager, is an Italian who
learned his trade at Claridge’s, the
Savoy and Ritz. His last job was
almost next door on Park Lane,
at the Inn on the Park, jewel in
the crown of the Canadian Four
Seasons group.

The Inn on the Park is a mod-
ern hotel that has enjoyed the best
occupancy and the highest room
rates in London.

Obertelli has just reopened the
Dorchester with double rooms
Starting at $500 a night, and he
says average rates will be about
$70 higher than the Inn on the
Park.

Over a drink at the Dorchester’s
bar, with a pianist playing on
Liberace’s old piano in the
background, he made no bones
about the competition in the
rarified atmosphere of London's
grand hotels.

He counted off Claridge’s, the
Connaught. the Berkeley (all
owned by the Savoy group), the
Hyatt Carleton Towers in
Belgravia (near my old pub the
Turk’s Head) and the Inn on the
Park.

Obertelli is confident that the
fully modernized Dorchester will
win back its traditional clientele,
plus a younger group that wants
old world elegance as well as effi-
cient pampering.

The new Dorchester, for exam-
ple, has a business centre with
private offices, multi-lingual
secretaries and all modem cons.

The 252 rooms and suites have
individual air conditioning and
have been redecorated in the “style
of an English country home.
Much of the original furniture,
fireplaces and panelling have been
restained.

Bathrooms are spacious and
beautifully done in Italian marble.
And to please Americans, who
make up 45 per cent of the guests,
double sinks have been installed.

Personally [ prefer privacy in a
bathroom, and [I'm happy to say

David |
Wishart

TRAVEL TIPS

that doubling up in the bathroom
is not a house rule.

There is a new Cantonese res-
taurant, the Oriental, and a health
club, plus the lower-level (no
basements here) Dorchester Club
for late dining and dancing.

The hotel's central corridor, the
Promenade, is quite beautiful. a
parade of pillars in white and
gold, classical furnizure and deep
carpels.

The vast staff of 650 includes
about 30 per cent of former
emplovsees. but general manager
Obertelli admits it will take a liule
time to bring everyone up to the
service siandard he wants.

In my brief stay 1 came across a
waiter who did not know what
claret was, buc Ll was very im-
pressed with the equally young
concierge, who took care of my
modest mail as if it were dispat-
ches for Downing, Strect.

After that it was a matter of
convincing the doorman that I
would not need a limousine, or a
taxi, to get me to Heathrow. The
Tube, just a stroll down Park
Lane, would deliver me to Air
Canada check-in with sufficient
haste and economy.

The Tube ride, as it turned out,
included an entertaining visit by a

couple of cap-in-hand.  guitar-
playing Scottish minstrels. A
Daimler from the Dorchester

would not have been as much fun.

for a

THE DORCHESTER ..

© 4716 Marine Dive”

We've spent a king’s ransom restoring

The Empress-—an impressive
$45 million to be exact. And
now, as part of our “Savings
Plus” offer, you can stay at this
magnificent waterfront heritage
hotel from only $79.00" per
night, any night until March 31,
1991. (Children under 18 free

in parents’ room; maximum

TRAVEL
Good times return to Lol don

alt yours for a mere $500 a night, plus breakfast.

_ PRINCES : Riss ee

eas Travel

980-8301 -

Lyin: Valley Centre, a

fravel Experts UN
926-8511

Enjoy our ro val re restoration

Ce itral: Lonsd ale

+:

* Gentral Lonsdale, + 106-}£

Travelink Whytecliff Travel
' 926-6871

1507 Bellevue Ave. =

.986- -9376 »

"Westview Centre

ed modest sum.

per room’
per night

two children.) Come dive into The Empress’

new pool and health club. Sip
afternoon tea in her refurbished
lobby. Dine in her handsomely
redecorated restaurants. And
discover all of Victoria’s charm,
right on her doorstep.

Just contact your travel
agent or call the hotel directly at

(604) 384-8111 or 1-800-268-9411.

Canadian Pacific M4 Hotels & Resorts

The Empress

721 Government Street. Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1W5 (604) 384-8111 or 1-800-268-9411.

“Single OF doubie Gecupan’y plus tas Dased ot ayatanility and selected aeommodasian Other standards of rooms are available including Business Class
for an addtanal cust Oseaunt cannat ne apphed tu ernsung discounts indiwidual travel only) Otter subject to change without nonce

Sunday, February 10, 1991 - North Shore News - 29

0 Kapilané Bldg. -.,