There are hotel collaborations, and then there are Dorchester collaborations—the kind that don’t just slap a logo on a onesie and call it child-friendly, but rather, transform the family travel experience into something more charmingly operatic. This spring, London’s grande dame of hotels, The Dorchester, joined forces with French lifestyle brand Atelier Choux to prove that luxury and parenthood can, in fact, co-exist. And perhaps even co-sleep in whimsical, bespoke-illustrated bedding, no less.
Launched April 14, the partnership between the iconic hotel and the Parisian purveyor of posh baby goods marks a delightful turn toward thoughtful family travel. Gone are the days of tucking your toddler into a generic rollaway while you sip champagne in the marble bathroom. Now, families checking into The Dorchester will be greeted by soft pastels, fantastical illustrations, and a children’s duvet that could double as artwork. Think architectural renderings of The Dorchester façade, reimagined with hot air balloons, cheeky animals, and a not-so-subtle wink of Parisian fantasy.
This isn’t a case of branding for branding’s sake. The linens, pillow covers, cot sheets, and throw cushions—found in renovated suites and family rooms—have been custom-designed to echo the hotel’s recent interior revamp, color-matched and curated with that exacting eye known only to the French and, well, five-star hoteliers. The result is a suite that feels less like a hotel room and more like a child’s storybook exploded in the most elegant way imaginable.
And for those who want to extend the magic beyond their stay, a selection of retail items—including illustrated pillowcases, blankets, and bibs—will also be available for purchase, giving guests a chance to take home a piece of The Dorchester’s freshly whimsical world.
Naturally, the enchantment isn’t limited to bedtime. Enter: the Children’s Afternoon Tea Experience, which is as sugary and celebratory as it sounds. Served in The Dorchester’s grand Promenade—or, for little introverts, en suite—the new tea includes pastel mini-cakes designed by executive pastry chef Michael Kwan, cupcakes topped with character cut-outs from the illustrations, classic scones, and the all-important finger sandwich.
The coloring book that accompanies tea is a clever touch—equal parts distraction and souvenir—and each child goes home with a bespoke cookie bearing the hotel’s illustrated design. It’s the kind of hospitality that says, “We see you, young connoisseur,” without veering into saccharine territory.
At the heart of it all is Atelier Choux, the French lifestyle brand founded in 2016 to bring high design and sustainability to the world of parenting. With its organic fabrics, collectible gift boxes, and signature architectural flair, the brand quickly became a favorite of those who believe their nursery deserves the same attention to detail as their living room. Much of the aesthetic magic comes from Swedish illustrator Mattias Adolfsson, whose fanciful line drawings blend classical European architecture with imaginative, storybook scenes.
For The Dorchester, the collaboration was a natural fit. “We are thrilled to partner with Atelier Choux, a brand that shares our commitment to exceptional quality and creating memorable experiences for families,” said Luca Virgilio, General Manager of The Dorchester. “This collaboration allows us to bring a touch of whimsy to The Dorchester, offering our guests something truly unique.”
That spirit of whimsy was just what Atelier Choux hoped to channel. “It is an honor to collaborate with The Dorchester, one of the world’s most remarkable hotels,” said Nicolas Smolarski, the brand’s co-founder and president. “Our bespoke illustrations for this partnership reflect the magic and grandeur of The Dorchester, and we are excited to see them come to life in such a prestigious setting.”
And indeed, they do. In a hospitality landscape increasingly flooded with family-branded amenities that feel more obligatory than inspired, The Dorchester has managed something rare: a genuinely elevated experience that treats its youngest guests not as accessories to their parents’ vacation, but as clients worth impressing in their own right.
So if you’re ready to trade in your standard travel crib for a duvet wrapped in storybook wonder, now might be the time to book the suite—and brace yourself for the only tantrum to come at checkout.
