Nestled in the heart of Marylebone lies the very first hotel in the Firmdale group, Dorset Square Hotel. Opened in 1985, this charming 38-bedroom townhouse offers a serene escape in the bustling city, with exclusive access to the lush and leafy private garden square. As you step inside, you’ll immediately notice subtle nods to the cricketing heritage that defines this idyllic hotel, which sits on the site of the original Lord’s Cricket Ground. Throughout Dorset Square Hotel, cricket memorabilia pays homage to one of Britain’s quintessential sports, especially during this summer’s cricket season. Let us guide you in discovering these thoughtful tributes.
Starting in the entrance lobby, the hotel’s logo is appliquéd onto a ‘Kit’s Wing Chair’—a small yet significant design element that not only highlights our love for craft and bespoke details but also introduces the cricket theme woven throughout the hotel. Above the chair, you’ll find a photograph of W.G. Grace, one of the most legendary cricketers in history—a celebrated Edwardian amateur who captained England on multiple occasions.
As you move into the drawing room, your eye will be drawn to the cricket bat figurines elegantly displayed atop the mantelpiece. To the left, several I Spy cartoons depict famous cricketers, adding a playful touch to the room. The cricket theme continues throughout the hotel, from a collection of signed bats to innovative and decorative uses of cricket bats as artwork, making it impossible to overlook this central motif.
Dorset Square Hotel embodies a historic charm and serves as our tribute to Lord’s Cricket Ground and this distinctive part of London. For those who look closely, more cricketing details await discovery.
In The Potting Shed, for example, you will find 192 of Martha Freud’s ceramic pots that light up in sequence, each quietly revealing a different cricketing saying—just one of the many ways in which the hotel celebrates its cricketing heritage.
Whether you’re a cricket enthusiast or simply appreciate rich history and thoughtful design, Dorset Square Hotel offers a unique and captivating experience in the heart of the city.