Please help with any advice you have. I'm traveling to London in March with a friend and we want to stay in a luxury hotel that's not too stuffy. Have you stayed in any of these hotels and what did you think? And if you don't mind offering another fashion tip... can women wear pants out to a fancy dinner and the theater or is it just dresses? I'm going to try to pack light, but that never works out for me! I just started to read this forum and now I'm hooked. My poor children have no mother anymore!!

Hi Susan, Happy New Year! I wish I could help with the hotel part(they all sound great), but I can offer advice about pants to upscale restaurants. I would wear them if they were silk, wool crepe or some dressier fabric. I love to wear pants too, and light dressy pants would help with packing light(I WISH I could pack light too!) I am going to London in Feb. and will be bringing black wool crepe pants and a black cashmere sweater with a dressy scarf to wear to the theater and Valentine's day special dinner. I think that it will be appropriate for both occasions. Have fun! Judy

Thanks for the advice, Judy. It sounds like we will both be wearing the same thing to the theater! By the way, I said I was going to TRY to pack light!! I always end up taking things I THINK I might need. I envy those one small bag people!

How about These All suite Hotels <BR>The Ascott Mayfair <BR>47 Park Street <BR>US toll free 800-398-9677

We stayed at the Dorchester last April and loved it. The room, service, and food were unsurpassed. Its also a great place to have afternoon tea. <BR> <BR>We didn't like tea at the Ritz nearly as well, and our service at the Savoy was poor. I don't know about their rooms, though. I can also recommend the Mayfair Intercontinental--very close to the Ritz, but the Dorchester is my favorite.

I just returned from 3 weeks in France. Took the "indespensible black dress - long sleeved" that I ordered from Travelsmith. It was the only "dressy" thing I took - picked up a scarf in Paris along with a beaded bracelet, wore black shoes, and voila! Had a nice outfit for when I needed it. Also only had to take one thing as well in my suitcase. Susan, I too envy people who seem to be "packtologists." I don't pack heavy, but always seem to take one suitcase and one carryon no matter how long the trip is. Have a great time in London.

Spent a week (on business) at the Ritz last January. It is lovely, although it certainly is VERY stuffy. The rooms aren't terribly large, but they are beautifully done. The location is great and its hard to beat the Ritz for its reputation. <BR> <BR>Many of our meetings were held at the Savoy which has a marvelous lobby although not quite as nice of a location (but still great). One of my colleagues stayed there and found it a bit run down. <BR> <BR>Either hotel would be terrific.

Susan: <BR> <BR>It sounds to me as though The Four Seasons is exactly what you are looking for in a hotel. <BR> <BR>The "luxury" is understated and the staff and service has always been the best. We has some friends that stayed at The Ritz and found it to be very stuffy. <BR> <BR>Can't help with Claridge or Savoy. One little story about The Savoy---a group of us went there for a breakfast meeting and to wear and the men had to wear ties. Don't know if you would consider breakfast with ties as stuffy or not.

<BR>The Four Seasons is one of the best business and least stuffy hotels in London <BR>But what about the Connaught--certainly one of the greatest and least pretentious hotels in the world <BR> <BR>AHamel

Luxury hotel that is not too stuffy = get a flat at the Athaenaeum, in Mayfair on Piccadilly. Comparatively laid back, beautiful flats. <BR> <BR>Claridge's is stuffy, but that is part of the fun. Savoy is more stuffy, less fun. Dorchester is lovely. Four Seasons, if you are thinking about the one at Canary Wharf, is REALLY out of the way.

Susan, in my opinion, the Dorchester is the best hotel in London (one of them anyway). I love staying there. I have also stayed at the Savoy and as stated earlier,I thought that it was a little run down. Visit the Dorchester website and take a look at their guestlist - it's impressive to say the least!

If it's any help, as a Londoner who eats out frequently I rarely dress up unless I'm just in the mood. I've gone to the best restuarants in London (The Ivy, Nobu and many more) in jeans. Dress in any way that makes you feel comfortable. Anything goes here. <BR> <BR>As for hotels, all the ones you've mentioned are very traditional hotels. If you want something a bit hipper but just as luxurious, try St Martin's Lane or the Metropolitan (also location of Nobu, the best restaurant I''ve ever eaten in, in the world). Worth it just to watch the super models drifting through the bars. I'm sure they've both got websites you could check out, fraid I don't have time to look for you.

My vote for the best young hip luxury hotel is the Covent Garden Hotel. It is fairly new and I believe only been open 2 or 3 years but is getting great reviews. not stuffy but definitely deluxe. I saw somewhere where leonardo DiCaprio stayed there last week. Apparently its a new fav mong the stars and great if you can afford it. By the way, you can't get closer to the action and te sights than the Covent Garden disrict. check this one out its in all the 2001 guidebooks!

Hi Susan. I have stayed at the Ritz and I thought it was one of the most wonderful hotels I have ever stayed in. I was by myself this past May and I was also a little concerned about it being "stuffy". It was not in the least. From the doorman to the porters (that is what they call their concierges for some reason) Everyone was great. I highly recommend it. Also I stayed in August at the Mandarin Hyde Park. It is part of the Mandarin Hotel chain and Very deluxe. Great great location. Right across the street from Harvey Nicks and up the street from Harrods and Sloan Street. Either one of these properties are great. Have fun.

We stayed at the 4 Seasons, and really liked it. Our room was done in cream and green toille (I don't remember any other room we've ever stayed in, but then again we were there for 1 week - husband on business). The room wasn't huge, but it was certainly comfortable enough. I decided to check out the Metropolitan since it was practically next door. That is VERY contemporary!!! It would not be my style (I find it too cold), but if you prefer a sleeker look the Metropolitan is probably for you.

Susan- I have stayed at all of these hotels multiple times, on business, except for the Ritz. <BR>Hands down, my choice is the Dorchester. I never had a room there that I asked to be moved out of . They have areal attention to detail, and remember anything that you asked for, the next time you come- it will be on your file- i.e. - special pillows, converter. <BR> Claridges used to be my favorite, but they have some rooms that I don't like. Some are very small/awkward. Two years ago I filled out the form in the room complaining about some services, and they gave me a free night the next time. <BR> As far as SOvoy, some ooms are run down and the service can be spotty. <BR> The Four Seasins was just fine, but Dorchester wins hands down for me each time I go. I'll be back in March, and it's thre Dorch for me. <BR>Any questions, email Wendy