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London Bound and Living the Life of Luxe!By Karen Fawcett
Arriving in London always comprises an element of culture shock. Climbing into the ever so British traditionally black (or sometimes, covered by ads) cabs, that are being modified to conform to EU emission standards, makes visitors realize that life in London isn’t cheap unless they use public transport. All taxis accept credit cards as if the drivers are accustomed to hearing people gasp at the last click of the meter. And if you don’t immediately adopt the habit of looking in both directions of the road, you could be dead before you arrive at the hotel to check-in.
The rooms (with the exception of the top floor where the bigger-than-life roof deck suites are situated) have been redone with taste and elegance. Some of the public areas are still in the process of being renovated. But the work is slated to be finished by the end of the year.
The Grill dining room has been renovated. It’s very red and reminscent of King Arthur’s Knights. People may not love the décor but hey do love the standing rib roast and Yorkshire pudding…..served from a silver trolley and ever so traditionally British. The rooms are glorious and large. If your taste runs to elegant chintz, contrasting upholstery and conservative and yet not stuffy décor, you’ll like it here. There are patterns on top of patterns but none are the “in your face - the decorator was here spending billions.” The hotel’s design wreaks tradition and cabinetry that weren’t retrofitted circa yesterday. Rather, it has been lovingly restored from when the property was converted into a hotel 75 years ago.
Bolding explained there’s a new influx of rich clients to go around. Russians and people from other countries have and spend money when they travel. This is certainly true for the Japanese and Americans aren’t bad when it comes to dropping big bucks. It’s not as if many New York City hotels are actually cheap. Studies have been done showing that people spend a larger proportion of their incomes traveling and the trend is definitely on the rise. 2006 appears to be the year that Italy will win the tourist tally – but that could change since so many bookings are being done on-line via the Internet and people aren’t planning anywhere as near as far ahead as they used to in the past. What’s essential is that people are traveling and seeing different parts of the world and it’s becoming easier to go from one country to another without spending days in transit. Get up and go --- and you don’t have to stay in a “palace” hotel even though it’s nice! © Karen Fawcett
Karen@BonjourParis.com |
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TM
In
spite of being president of a website about France, it would be a lie if I said
there weren’t times I have a hankering to hear English being spoken all around
me. Not that I necessarily understand the “Queen’s” English but not everyone’s
perfect. It’s nice to go to the theater and take a walk in Hyde Park, hit
Fortnum and Mason, visit the “old Tate,” the British Museum and wander in and
out of the Mews that evoke twinges of nostalgia for Boston.
Last
weekend, I climbed aboard the Eurostar between the two cities. Passengers need
to remember to bring passports since they’re traveling across two countries’
borders. This feels somewhat strange since the train ride takes only 2 hours and
40 minutes. But as the train races along, you’ll see definite changes in scenery
within France and once you cross through the “Chunnel.” Looking out the window
gives an abbreviated bird’s eye view of how different the neighboring countries
are when it comes to housing, agriculture and scenery.
The
trip will be 20 minutes less when the new UK terminal opens in 2007. To buy a
ticket, access:
But
one doesn’t pull up to the ever so elegant
Renovation
is quietly taking place and the Dorchester will have a new super-ritzy spa in
addition to a new bar and a tres chic store within the complex. In the meantime,
guests luxuriate in the lobby where breakfast is served (the smoked salmon is
some of the best ever and a relative bargain at 13 pounds) to high tea and
cocktails. The atrium/lobby (with its comfortable banquette seating) attracts
people from all over the world in addition to neighbors who wouldn’t let a day
go by, when they’re in Mayfair, without stopping by for a cup of tea or one
thing or another. During breakfast, I sat next to a woman who religiously comes
to the Dorchester for her breakfast kippers once a week.
Enough
details about the hotel. What type of people stay here? Nigel Bolding,
Director of “The World’s Best Hotels” says that people are traveling more and
demanding higher levels of service as well as accommodations. This is especially
true of business travelers who can’t take the chance things will go wrong when
they’re conducting business. The number one request among business travelers is
requiring high-speed Internet. My guess would have been gym facilities but no.
And it’s not as if you can jog everyday in London.