DH and I are thinking about going to London for my 50th birthday in late July. We have plenty of SPG points to cover the hotel for six or seven nights and are looking at the Sheraton Park Tower. The location in Knightsbridge seems to be good. Has anyone stayed there recently?
Looking at flights from the DC area, we have lots of choices, but I've always heard British Airways is best. Is this still true? I've flown Virgin America to San Francisco and liked it. The price and times are similar between the two. Thoughts on this?
Also, our flight would get in early AM, so is it worth it to book the hotel room for that night to ensure we can check in when we arrive?
Many thanks for your advice!
Looking at flights from the DC area, we have lots of choices, but I've always heard British Airways is best. Is this still true? I've flown Virgin America to San Francisco and liked it. The price and times are similar between the two. Thoughts on this?
Also, our flight would get in early AM, so is it worth it to book the hotel room for that night to ensure we can check in when we arrive?
Many thanks for your advice!
I hate BA and love Virgin airlines. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say BA is best, but you must just be hearing from different folks/places than me.
I always choose based on price and schedule (whether nonstop or not, of course, you may not have than from SFO) if it's a choice among standard airlines. If they are the same, I'd never choose BA over Virgin.
You must have money to burn if you are going to pay for a night's hotel room just because you want to check in at 10-11 am. I wouldn't even consider such a thing, but only you can decide if that is worth it. I get to check in almost all the time in any hotel where I go in Europe if I arrive at 11, anyway.
I always choose based on price and schedule (whether nonstop or not, of course, you may not have than from SFO) if it's a choice among standard airlines. If they are the same, I'd never choose BA over Virgin.
You must have money to burn if you are going to pay for a night's hotel room just because you want to check in at 10-11 am. I wouldn't even consider such a thing, but only you can decide if that is worth it. I get to check in almost all the time in any hotel where I go in Europe if I arrive at 11, anyway.
The food and cheeriness from staff was much better with Virgin. Meeting the 13# carryon was tricky (all heavy stuff went into purse and coat pockets). I would definitely like to fly Virgin again.
"<i>Also, our flight would get in early AM, so is it worth it to book the hotel room for that night to ensure we can check in when we arrive?</i>"
Whether it is 'worth it' depends on your budget and how are affected by jet lag. I do know lots of people who book accommodations for the night they are flying. But mostly when renting flats where they'd have no place to check in/leave their bags early.
Most hotels (pretty much all except for the cheapest budget places) will hold your bags until a room is ready. Plus, very often a room will be ready long before the 'official' check in time. But really, except just for a quick freshen up - you really don't want to settle in to your room on arrival. The best antidote to jetlag is fresh air/walking around. If you do check-in in the morning, don't be tempted to fall into that <i>so comfy</i> looking bed - or you may not wake up until that night, lose an entire day, and take days longer to adjust your body's clock.
Whether it is 'worth it' depends on your budget and how are affected by jet lag. I do know lots of people who book accommodations for the night they are flying. But mostly when renting flats where they'd have no place to check in/leave their bags early.
Most hotels (pretty much all except for the cheapest budget places) will hold your bags until a room is ready. Plus, very often a room will be ready long before the 'official' check in time. But really, except just for a quick freshen up - you really don't want to settle in to your room on arrival. The best antidote to jetlag is fresh air/walking around. If you do check-in in the morning, don't be tempted to fall into that <i>so comfy</i> looking bed - or you may not wake up until that night, lose an entire day, and take days longer to adjust your body's clock.
As we travel to Europe and UK fairly often from Australia I know what it is like to arrive very early from a long flight.
So - consider seeing if the hotel has any policy for early check in - some offer it for a reduced fee and some are generous especially if you are a regular Starwood customer.
Also - are you likely to be able to use their executive lounge - if they have one?
Another possibility - depending upon your class of air travel - is to see if there is any arrivals lounge entitlement available for you. We were able to use the arrivals lounge at Terminal 3 in October and this meant we could have a shower , change and enjoy a calm breakfast before heading into London.
As this is a special occasion I think you are wise to want to have things 'just right' - even if it does cost extra.
Hope you end up having a wonderful birthday celebration.
So - consider seeing if the hotel has any policy for early check in - some offer it for a reduced fee and some are generous especially if you are a regular Starwood customer.
Also - are you likely to be able to use their executive lounge - if they have one?
Another possibility - depending upon your class of air travel - is to see if there is any arrivals lounge entitlement available for you. We were able to use the arrivals lounge at Terminal 3 in October and this meant we could have a shower , change and enjoy a calm breakfast before heading into London.
As this is a special occasion I think you are wise to want to have things 'just right' - even if it does cost extra.
Hope you end up having a wonderful birthday celebration.
People differ when it comes to jet lag, so there is no "one-size-fits-all" cookie cutter trip planning in that regard (or any regard, actually) or "best antidote" blah blah pretense.
When I fly transatlantic, I take a nap the day I arrive. I check into my hotel as soon as I can. I'm up in time for dinner. I go to bed after dinner. The next morning I'm fine.
When I've followed the dunderhead advice of forcing myself to stay up by walking around and breathing what-fresh-air? in London, or any other city, I've gotten a cold or worse. So I ignore that advice now and enjoy the trips I take -- rather than lose days on end to foggy head or illness.
Have a wonderful birthday -- and do what your body tells you to do!
When I fly transatlantic, I take a nap the day I arrive. I check into my hotel as soon as I can. I'm up in time for dinner. I go to bed after dinner. The next morning I'm fine.
When I've followed the dunderhead advice of forcing myself to stay up by walking around and breathing what-fresh-air? in London, or any other city, I've gotten a cold or worse. So I ignore that advice now and enjoy the trips I take -- rather than lose days on end to foggy head or illness.
Have a wonderful birthday -- and do what your body tells you to do!
Virgin is far nicer than BA. I flew both last year. BA's in-flight entertainment was old and on the fritz. On Virgin everything seemed, well, virgin!
Thank you all so much for that wonderful feedback! We have used Fodor's forum advice on all our recent trips and it's made a huge difference in planning the details. I'll toast you all when we arrive!
In my experience the hotel will usually let you check in from an overnight flight as long as the hotel is not full. You could check this when you reserve - and they will probably have an idea - although won;t guarantee anything.
We always want a shower, very brief nap (not for sleep but to unkink the back) and change before heading out - and if it looks like the hotel will be full we do reserve a room from the night before,
We always want a shower, very brief nap (not for sleep but to unkink the back) and change before heading out - and if it looks like the hotel will be full we do reserve a room from the night before,
