Bad news if you are like me and thinking about a big splurge at Brown's Hotel in London. They are announcing on their web site that they are closing today for "refurishing" and hope to re-open in Feburary of 2005. The web site said they want to make Brown's the number one luxury hotel in London.

I am currently consulting with them regarding the bathrooms, and hope my company will be supplying them.

I will keep you informed!

..where will miss marpole stay??

..whoops i misspelled miss marple but she is still looking for a room!

>The web site said they want to make Brown's the number one luxury hotel in London.<

What is the current no. 1?

The number one luxury hotel in London? Isn't it expensive enough already? Really, the prices of three star and up hotels in London is really getting out of sight!

The Lanesborough offers the best "American style" service - personalised stationary, and cocktail cabinet, etc. in the rooms.

Claridge's is an art deco gem offering superb location, service, rooms, etc..

The Ritz is overly stuffy and formal - a gentlemen having to wear a jacket and collar (i.e. with tie) and ladies the equivalent during the daytime is just ridiculous.

The Dorchester, good, but nothing outstanding in any respect.

The Berkeley offers a wonderful Health Club, The Mandarin Oriental has a most indulgent SPA.

The Savoy, One Aldwych, London Hilton, Park Tower, Sheraton LC Picadilly, Carlton Tower, Halkin, Metropolitan.... as hotels for the staying guest don't offer anything exceptional.

Yes, of course there is the Met Bar at the Metropolitan, and some would argue that it is worth being a guest simply to be there, but as an hotel it feels a little cold and clinical - it is never fully booked, the bar and restaurant are all very detached from the hotel, stay at the Dorchester and walk!

Good info m_k.

However,
>a gentlemen having to wear a jacket and collar (i.e. with tie) and ladies the equivalent during the daytime is just ridiculous.<

That is what ladies and gentlemen wear.

Quite, but for the overly pedantic among you, one was merely stating that when one is on holiday for leisure, not business, one would rather not wear ties during the daytime, especially not in the summer. All in all, this leads to The Ritz having a rather austere, atmosphere that is not particularly convivial to a relaxing holiday.

When we passed Brown's the week of March 22nd, it already looked like it was closed. There were trucks out front bringing out furniture etc. most of the week. If they were still accepting guests, it must have been "last one out, please turn out the lights."

Olga Polizzi is managing this project, financed by her brother Lord Forte.

Re the Ritz: I'm quite sure that when we walked through the lobby my husband wasn't arrested for lack of a tie, and I distinctly remember seeing both ladies and gentlemen in chic casual clothes. Are we talking about the tea room and the restaurant only?

About Brown's: what a shame. It was quite perfect as it was. I hate to think that it will become another high-class but basically uninteresting hotel. I am really going to mourn the rooms where one took tea so elegantly but comfortably.

Very well stated, Underhill. I loved that "tearoom".