Disregarding tone (which isn't easy), MK 2 is absolutely correct about changing hotels. It is much nicer to choose a hotel, unpack and forget it. You are, I think, going to London to experience the city. Concentrate on what you will do while you are there and forget about the hotel merry-go-round.
As for tea, it is lots of fun. You seem like a Ritz tea sort of person. If you stay at Claridge's, take tea at the Ritz. If you absolutely love it, try Claridge's to compare.
London and Paris are fabulous cities. Enjoy your planning and start to think about why you are going and what you want to do while you are there.

I did not meet a single person in London who had M-K2's rude attitude. Everyone was kind to us. You can be blunt and honest without using derogatory and/or insulting terms. So to insult England by saying they are all like him is sad. Nonetheless, I would also not want to spend time changing hotels if I had a choice. And I spent 2 days in Paris. While I would have liked more time (I previously lived in Toulon, France for 6 months 10 years earlier so I have lived the "french" life), it was all we had and we saw quite a bit in those 2 days and now my dh can't wait to go back.

I still find it astonishing that people find slightly acerbic replies so dreadfully upsetting! I'm afraid that the British ARE like this generally, and Londoners far more so, and we, to be blunt, don't suffer fools gladly. It doesn't mean that we go around being rude to people (we just ignore everyone around us - haha!) but we can't help but be sarcastic when sarcasm is called for. And it often is. :-)

Anyway, it's entirely up to you whether you want to change hotels. Personally I'd rather Claridges for the duration but horses for courses, I'm sure that you'll have a lovely time at both.

I just wanted to recommend a pub nearby called the Red Lion, on Waverton Street. I've attached a link. The restaurant it pricey for pub food (about £15 for fish & chips but give where you're staying that's probably OK for you!) but it's probably one of the more authentic pubs left in London.

Have a good trip wherever you stay!

Oops, so busy trying to be sugary sweet (have been told off so much recently for being honest!) that I forgot to attach the link - here it is:

http://www.londonelite.com/LEListing...123&_cid=3

Hello. I am an American who lives near Brighton and I am married to an Englishman. I would like to say that you should keep Tea at the Ritz on your list as it is not just for American tourists and people from up north (how insulting). We took my in-laws for their 40th Ruby anniversary and they loved it. We originally had planned to take them to Brown's, but the hotel is closed for renovation until sometime next year.

As for the Four Seasons, I have stayed there before and it was my least favorite of all the Four Season's hotels I have stayed at. It does cater to business folk. I would suggest only staying at Claridge's or maybe even the Ritz since you are looking at high-end hotels.

As for food, I can't make any recs as my husband and I just usually find a nice pub to eat. You will have a great trip no matter what you choose.

Pass the sick bag please!

Londoners don't do tea, I've never had tea in my entire life, it's a long outdated concept, but let's not go into the intimate history of this.

As for the changing hotels scenario... I was in Barcelona for five nights in July, I was indecisive about hotels, so in theory could've stayed at three different ones, could I be bothered to unpack? Of course I can't.

If you're that desperate, then have a drink in the bar, or dinner, or that American favourite, tea.

Hi sillywin. I would not go to Tamarind. I was just there for dinner three weeks ago and my opinion is that it was overpriced.
The food in itself tasted good, but the service was lacking.
My companion, another women, felt it may have something to do with the fact that we were the only women in the restaurant not accompanied by a male escort. I don't know.
BTW, dinner for the two of us with one appetizer between us (I ordered one but they didn't bother to bring it), rice, two main courses and an additional side dish, no dessert and no alcohol was $150.

"..only women in the restaurant not accompanied by a male escort"

I wasn't aware that this particular establishment was one of those kind of haunts. Please use the word companion, escort makes it sound as if one is paying for another's services. Unless of course you are in the habit of making such transactions.

Go on, admit it, MK2 - you're Brian Sewell, really - aren't you?

m_kingdom2. I don't know, maybe they were escorts or maybe they were companions.
Sorry I wasn't politically correct in my choice of words.

Sher: Maybe it's just weird that you even think in such a sexist paranoid way! Were you checking every other table's service?!!

I originally didn't even notice. I was with a friend from Austria and she is the one who suggested this was the reason.
I said that in the original post.

But you must have thought there was something in it or you wouldn't have mentioned it! Sorry, I'm actually not trying to be snotty, am just a little bemused. Maybe I bury my head in the sand but I would be totally oblivious to that - just livid that I was spending a good amount of money somewhere that I was being treated shoddily.

We have been to Tamarind a few times, but not in the last year. It is one of the best Indian restaurants in London, I believe it even has a Michelin star. I never had any complaints about the service or the food there, but maybe that was because I was with my husband?

Sher, You don't owe anyone an apology for your choice of words. m_kingdom is a twit.

Tallulah, I guess you're unfamiliar a phenomenon known as Dining While Female. the notion that women dining alone or with other women receive 2nd class service over tables populated with men. I can't say it's happened to me very often, maybe twice, but perhaps that's what Sher's Austrian friend was referring to.

My dear, ladies who lunch are treated better than most men, what is all this escort nonsense about?

Flanner, it looks like I'm not alone in my parallel universe since nearly everyone that has responded thinks MK is unquestionably rude and not at all representative of the British people as a whole (thank God!)

Even when MK is right about something or has good advice, he destroys his credibility by being so awful.

Breakfast - best UK breakfasts are in pubs - or actually at a good B&B - my choice of accomodation every time when in Britain (we go twice a year for a month each time).

The very nicest teas in London aren't at either hotel... Go to the National Portrait Gallery (just up hill behind the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square) - their restaurant is on the top floor - and overlooks Trafalgar Square - amazing views - and in the "winter" you get sunset behind Big Ben! They also do a very, very nice pre-theatre 3-course dinner (plenty of choices) on selected nights of the week - excellent value in London at under 14 pounds (phone in a reservation in the morning)... Good wine list, by the glass or bottle, too... Another place we enjoy for tea is the Orangerie in Kensington Palace Gardens - best in the summer, tho - billowy 20' or more long sheer curtains & traditional treats - a great break in the day. We are also big fans of the restaurants in the big museums - the British Museum has one at the top of the central reading room - under the big glass dome, the Tate Modern has two - both with windows looking across the Thames. There's also a very ambitious menu (with good result) in the restaurant in the undercroft of St. Paul's Cathedral. Among things to do - look for free noon-time concerts in various churches - you get a lot - a bit of time to sit down (which everyone needs), enjoy some great architecture - and pretty good programs on the whole.

I personally don't think either of the big tourist hotels (few Brits stay in either) are worth the ridiculous amount they charge - although Brown's is heaven - it's small enough that from day one you are recognized by name! (It is rather men's clubbish, however - I was travelling with my husband when he was on business).

One of the best things about visiting London "off-season" is the dirth of tourists - one of my fondest memories is visiting Westminster Cathedral in February - I had the place almost to myself - stood there between the tombs of Elizabeth I & her sister Mary - one hand on each - and no one to rush me away - wow! The gardens will just be coming to life in March, too - daffodils, forsythia, perhaps a bit late for snowdrops...don't miss walks in Green/Hyde/Kensington Parks...

CKEnglish is referring to Westminster Abbey where Elizabeth I and Mary are entombed, not Cathedral which is RC.

>>National Portrait Gallery located uphill behind the National Gallery<<

What hill?