Suzbutler- your comment about bringing your Leatherman made me smile!

Keith and Anonymous- thank you for clearing up the baggage match issue for me!

suz,
Please do post a trip report when you return. We are flying BA in March and staying at the Morgan Hotel.
JoeG

Erin- Glad I made someone smile today:)

JoeG - I sure will - hopefully all good news!

Suzbutler,

Where's that trip report you promised? :)

I'm going to London for the first time this upcoming September and very hungry for any and all information.

Iyb: Sorry for the delay. My computer died 3 days before we left and we just got it working again!

Our trip was great! No lost luggage but BA was weighing the rolling bags not checked. They did not weigh our tote bags (which was probably a good thing). We had some issues with seat assignments both going and returning but overall everything went fine. The tube to Tottenham Court was fine but I warn you that there were a few stairs to go up lugging heavy bags. The Morgan booked a private taxi for the trip back for about 30# (I think) and it was well worth it especially since we were taking back some extra bags. The driver was a very colorful elderly gentleman who talked politics, books, schools, etc., the whole trip. He even gave my daughter and me a kiss and hug when we parted!

The Morgan was nice - we had a triple on the 1st floor. It was much roomier than I expected and very quiet for being right on the street. The breakfast in the dining room was good and fast which enabled us to get an early start to the day and saved us some money on meals. There were days that we were without phone service and hot water. I suggest that you shower early. They were in the process of changing phone systems so we could only receive incoming calls and no wake up calls. It was fixed in 3-4 days. The heat went out one day but they put a portable heater in the room. The rooms were a but too warm for me - even with the heat off. Bed was a bit hard but overall it was a pleasant experience. Great location.

As far as the sights - I wish we had spent less time at the Tower and more at Windsor (the town). We all loved Westminster Abbey. My 17 yr old daughter enjoyed making a rubbing at the The Brass Rubbing Centre at St. Martin's in the Field and the street theatre at Covent Garden. We saved a lot of money with the 2-for-1 deals and no one asked to see our rail passes. The tube is the way to go - I even gave directions to a misdirected Londoner!

Our only problem was lack of time. I feel like we just scratched the surface. So, wear comfortable shoes, take an umbrella and scarf and most importantly - have a great trip Iyb!!!

Suzbutler,

Thank you for telling me about your trip. I think that after I come back from my 9 day stay in London, I'll feel the same way....not enough time. But I figure 9 days is better than no days in 2004 and maybe not going until 2005, when I plan to Alps. Always planning and planning...:)

suzbutler,
Thank you for posting your trip report. We are going in March (via BA) and staying at the Morgan. I'm also planning to take the tube from Heathrow and taxi on return. Your comment about being hugged and kissed by the driver made me laugh - can't imagine that happening here!
Could you explain the specifics regarding the tube? Where do you go at Heathrow? What is the line? Did you purchase a travel pass here? Did you have to change trains? Where did you eat? Did you see any shows? Did you go to the British Museum? Does the Morgan have their website running yet?
Thanks,
JoeG

JoeG: Yes, the taxi driver was certainly the most colorful character we encountered.
Heathrow is on the Piccadilly line (just follow signs to Underground) - we did change stations at Leicester Square going north to Tottenham Court. Or you can stay on the Piccidilly Line and get off at Holburn - about a 10 min walk to the Morgan?? The Tottenham Court station is about a 5 min walk - just follow the signs to the British Museum. I purchased a 7-day London Visitor Card here for zones 1 & 2. Since Heathrow is in zone 6 you will have to purchase additional fare at the airport - very cheap though. Not sure if the Travel Card is the cheapest but the convience won me over - one less thing to worry about. It only cost about $30.
We did not see a play but since we were only there about 5 1/2 days we had to make some tough choices. I live in the Washington DC area so I have access to great theatre here. I highly recommend the British Museum - but again we only had time to hit the highlights. It stays open late on Fridays and one other night - no crowds. It is a couple minutes walk from the Morgan. The Elgin Marbles are spectacular.
Lots of good and cheap places to eat in Bloomsbury - very good little Italian restaurant around the corner. Also Pret-a-Manger, Waggamamma and Pizza Express. Simpsons-on-the-Strand was recommended by several relatives. It is very expensive but very British - we felt quite pampered. Around $300 for dinner for 4 - incl dessert, appetizer and bottle of wine. We all agreed that my Yorkshire Pudding was better!
I don't think the Morgan site is up and running yet.
My biggest regret is not taking the London Walks - Legal and Illegal London from the Holburn station. Would have loved to see the Inns of Court. Maybe next time! Have a great trip!

Suz, what was the great little Italian around the corner? We are going at the end of Feb. and will be staying near Russell Square. Need more "less expensive" resto recs since dollar is falling. :-(

Judyrem: I have all my info at home - will let you know. We had the pre-theatre special which was not too expensive. We had lunch at a Jazz Bar by the London Eye - around 40# for four - just club sandwiches and drinks. We thought it was very reasonable until we figured our little lunch cost around $68! After that I refused to convert pounds to dollars. I still haven't gotten up the nerve to look at our credit card bill.

Suz, IMO that is very good for your mental health, putting off those cc bills! I will have to do that too! My husband always laughs when I see prices in pounds and never realize that it always more expensive! I see an item marked 10#s and I say, that is not a bad price and he gently reminds me about the pd/dollar ratio. I live in my own fantasy world over there :-D Judy

Judy: Nothing wrong with living in a fantasy world now and then. We waited and waited to take this trip oversesas because it was never a good time. The only reason we went this time was to visit our daughter. Enough of that! We are already planning our 25th anniversary in Paris next year.
My husband did pay the bill but he still hasn't told me how much our trip cost. Guess he doesn't want me to crash from fantasy into reality too soon!