Fred

Neither my wife or I had ever heard of it until actually prepping for our trip in March.<BR>We don't plan a large amount of shopping on our trip, so should we even bother?<BR>I just want to know what the actual attraction is to a place I can only figure is a department store of sorts.

Maxie

If you're not into shopping, don't bother... but if you have the time, it's an interesting place. The displays and amount of merchandise are truly amazing. It's a high-end, over-the-top department store.

Sue

The food halls alone are worth a trip; I wasn't prepared for how overwhelming wonderful they are. And I don't think only &quot;foodies&quot; are impressed by it!

Julie

I stop in mainly for the food halls. I think its worth seeing for that reason alone.

AR

Overpriced snobbery with very little charm. It is the kind of place that loves to snigger at the lower classes and tourists (apart from those with serious money). They have been known to show the door to famous people who have not quite met their dress standards (Madonna is one I think, but hey, wouldn't anyone throw her out of the joint?).<BR>It offers anything you could possibly need and far more that you don't (but can't afford anyway).<BR>It was bought by Mohammed Fayed (he added Al to his name for snob value) about 10-15 years ago. He is the father to Dodi Fayed, the boyfriend killed with Princess Diana - and he has a shrine to their memory in the store. Very tacky. He has achieved a certain notoriety in Britain because the Government keep on refusing to give him British citizenship (he's Egyptian). He was taken to court because he alledgedly opened a safe deposit box of one of his famous business rivals. He has also alledgedly paid leading British ministers (well, Neil Hamilton anyway who has since become a British joke) to ask questions on his behalf in Parliament. Anyway, the upshot is that the store has lost it's Royal Warrant (which means absolutely nothing).<BR>It is worth a look because the store is huge and looks &quot;ornamental&quot;. Fayed parades the store daily followed by Scotts Pipers. He is quite mad, even by British eccentric standards. Some (sad) people go to Harrods, buy the cheapest thing they can find, just to obtain a carrier bag. It really has that reputation.<BR>If you can imagine a store much bigger than Macy's with the snob value much bigger than anything on Rodeo Drive. That's Harrods.

natalie

Because it's like a city within a city. It's gigantic and grand and you could find just about anything you're looking for there. Food, restaurants, toys, furniture, antiques, and even secret vaults where the crem de la crem hide their most valuable assets. There's a really good show about Harrods on the Travel Channel. Something like &quot;London Secrets Revealed&quot; or &quot;Underground London&quot;. My sister in law saw Mr. Fayed and actually got to say Hello.

xxx

Sounds like AR is just a wee bit jealous.

Francies

Good last line, AR! It is, however, a shopping mecca for the wealthy, although the January sales are pretty good, if just for the fun of seeing people practically tear apart the merchandise in fights to get something.<BR><BR>When I lived in London, I did go there once in a while to the food halls, if only to find some American product I couldn't find at Selfridges. The bread stalls were pretty good.

jj

AR sounds like on of those who cannot afford anything in the store so they try to make it as if the store is at fault!<BR>

yyy

Actually, AR is quite right.

AR

I actually enjoy their bookstore, although it has become little more than another branch of Waterstones in the last few years. They do, however, get top authors there for book signings. So there, I can afford something in the store!<BR>I have to agree though that the food hall is worth seeing.

Kristina

I think a trip to Harrods just to see the food halls is worth it. I personally don't care for the rest of the department store, but if you're into food at all, I think the food halls are interesting to walk around just to soak in. There are multiple large rooms of fresh prepared foods, meats, cheeses, produce, flowers, coffees, candies, etc. <BR><BR>As for it being overpriced, I recently returned, and, granted it was January sales, but I bought several boxes of tea for cheaper than the tea I bought at Fortnum &amp; Mason, which, if you're a foodie, is also worth a look-through. I highly recommend the F&amp;M teas and jams (the grapefruit marmalade is amazing).<BR><BR>If the idea of going to Harrod's is offputting to you, Selfridges also has a foodhall (although a little smaller and not quite as impressive).

Lola

Since I like to shop, I have gone to Galleries Lafayette in Paris, Harrods in London and Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC. If you enjoy shopping or just seeing how the other countries do it, you will enjoy Harrods. <BR>As all have said, there is nothing like the Food Halls anywhere! And you might enjoy buying some souvenires for friends/family back home!

Fred

What quick replies! It is news to me that Harrods is so big. What is a foodie? Is that an English term?<BR>How long would a couple just browsing, but on a schedule, spend in there?<BR>I think my wife is leaning toward popping in, so I'd like to get some opinions there.<BR>

AR

The store gives out maps, so browsing the whole store is not really on. Visit the food hall and possibly go to a section with disgustingly expensive things like Faberge and just watch the people. It can get crowded though.<BR>Sorry if my tongue has been too far in my cheek. You really do have to go and have a peek.<BR>A &quot;foodie&quot; is someone who loves food.

kate

There is a section with small teddy bears and tea tins, things with the Harrods photograph or logo for souvenire gifts. Or buy a Harrods tote bag, I was given one as a gift a long time ago and it is a great book bag!<BR>While the store is huge and not really doable in an afternoons pop in, you can just go in and wander around, discover it on your own. Happy shopping1

natalie

It's really hard to say depending on they type of person you are. You could spend 30 mins just looking at all the exquisite deserts in the grocery section. Or the candy section. Yum.....<BR>Also going along w/ the info AR gave I saw that Mr. Fayed is building some type of pyramid on top of Harrods where his body will be mummified...... now that is excentric!

natalie

of course I mean after he passes away, not now hee hee hee

Big Al Yankovich

I added the 'Al' to my name for snob value, too!

N

AR's right about the beloved Mr Fayed - but watch out for the law suit or arrest warrants from New Scotland Yard -he employs former senior detectives that use their contacts to get innocents that have offended him arrested (former secretary arrested for the theft of one blank floppy disk worth 80p - true story). And people have been refused entry - a couple of years ago a couple of overweight American middle aged women in jeans (I think) were not allowed in by security as they did not fit the image.<BR>Still get some good deals at Harrods (last purchase there was 2 quid woven silk tie). But Selfridges has developed so much in the past 5 years in fashion depts it beats Harrods hands down.