michele

If you don't stay at Duke,. do have a drink. Great bar... <BR> <BR>The $88 dollar sandwich made me laugh. <BR>That is a bit worse than the $8 <BR>cab fare of another post. <BR> <BR> <BR>

lola

A true story about the Goring, which I've repeated before. I told the concierge I was going to feed the ducks in nearby St. James' Park. We chatted a bit about shows I should see and cracked some jokes--he is amazingly adept AND hilariously funny. When I was about to leave, an assistant handed me a bag, and in it was a loaf of (delicious) bread. The ducks were lucky indeed! That's the Goring. You can pay more, but you can't do much better.

Merc

My vote would definitely go to the Dorchester, it's just fabulous.Before checking in to the Dorchester, we drove to have a look at the Savoy's interior. We were not impressed - I realise that it's a traditionally decorated hotel but it looked worn, tired and badly in need of a renovation. When we left the Savoy, even the Valet predicted correctly where we had decided to stay. He declared that they lose customers to The Dorchester often. I recommend a visit to their web site, the guest list says it all!

Purvi

Hi, <BR> <BR>Just to let you know the 5 red star Lanesborough hotel has the Nazi simbol as a decoration on the floor and some carpets. It is visible in some areas of the hotel. <BR>

andy

DRK, <BR>Check &lt;www.slh.com&gt; on the web .... <BR>s(small) l(luxury)h(hotels) ....you <BR>may find something "different" there? <BR>andy

Maggie

I consider myself very experienced with London luxury hotels. Actually, the study of London hotels and staying at them is a hobby of mine. I own every book printed and spend much of my time in London (I try to go every month)touring hotels.) Enough with the resume... <BR> <BR>The savoy is highly overrated. You will pay top dollar here and feel like you are staying at a Holiday Inn. It is not stuffy at all, just overrun with conventions and business people in a run-down environment. <BR> <BR>If this is a special trip, I would most highly recommned the Cliveden in Taplow. It is 20 miles from heathrow and a great place to spend your first night in England to adjust to the time change. Here you will truly be treated like royalty. It is the closest most of us will ever get to living like royals. You will never want to leave your room, they are all different and special. The food and service is the best I have seen anyhwere in the world..and the spa...divine. <BR>Cliveden's driver will drive you into London for a day, or to transfer to a hotel in the city for the rest of your stay (about 40 minute drive)Here in central London I recommend Dukes and the Goring for low key luxury. Dukes has a nice spa. The other top rated hotels..Claridges..Lanesborough...Connaught..are all quite stuffy and require you to "dress appropriately" in all public rooms and they always (in my experiences) look down their noses at Americans even when you play by their rules. <BR> <BR>I would also avoid the Park Lane hotels like the Grosvenor and Dorchester...they are also crowded and not in any way special other than the history. These hotels have long passed their prime in service, food and rooms. <BR> <BR>If you wish to contact me about what types of activities you would like to be near and what your priorities are I'd be happy to give you more details. <BR> <BR>Its the greatest city in the world.Have fun if I don't hear from you!

Chelsea

Maggie, do you have any information on the Crowne Plaza St. James Court? Thanks for any input.

Prue

Maggie, I would be interested in your opinion of the Mayfair Intercontinental. <BR>With thanks,

Maggie

Chelsea, Is that the St. James Court At Buckingham Gate?? If not, I'm afraid I don't know of that hotel. Sorry!

Maggie

Prue, <BR>This hotel is in a great location and it is quite close to the tube station. It is very Americanized and modern by European standards. It does do a considerable amount of convention business so I've heard it's full of activity. I'm not sure what you are looking for. If you just need a base for the London sights...it will do just fine. If you want something romantic or with a little more British history..I would check out the small hotels around the corner from the Intercontinental Dukes or Stafford. These hotels are tucked in St. James behind the Ritz and are about the same distance from the Green Park Tube station (take the pass through from St. James Place where it dead-ends to Green Park as a shortcut!)

s.fowler

Well if you don't need hot and cold running concierges let me recommend the Colonnade Town House Hotel. We stayed there last March, and, due to a mistake, ended up in one of their best rooms. [which was about $300. a night] The rooms are exquisite - ours had a canpoy bed... and the bathrooms are spotless, marble and well appointed... although we needed help figuring out the shower. THe lobby always has snacks and coffee as well as port and sherry available. And then there is the house cat MouseWe found it very quiet, very special -- they will make arrangements for you for meals, limos and other special requests. Just don't expect the same skill as at a Four Season's. Management is VERY classy - the mistake was resolved in our favor without a whimper. They do have rooms starting at around $170 USD, which are *very* nice, but the $300. rooms are spectacular. It is about 50 meters from the Warwick Ave. tube stop at 9 Warrington Crescent. Good restaurants are nearby. Their website is: http://www.etontownhouse.com/colonnade/colonnad.htm

Chelsea

Maggie, it is the St. James Court at Buckingham Gate (renamed the Crowne Plaza St. James Court). Our travel agent said it's a 3 min. walk to the palace. Is this the hotel you have information on? Thank you so much. <BR>

Prue

Thank you for the replies to my query. We will be in London primarily to visit friends, shop and go to the theatre - so it seems to be a good choice. It is nice to hear from someone who is 'on the spot'. However, I will also investigate the suggestion of the Colonnade.

Mark

The Connaught comes highly recommended, you could also try this guide to London hotels, which has a section on luxury hotels - http://www.oneclicktravel.com/london-hotels.html <BR> <BR>Hope this helps, <BR> <BR>Mark. <BR>

laura

any new thoughts??