Whirlwind London foray
 

Got home Monday evening from a four night London visit. Actually 3 nights in central London and one night out at LHR prior to early flight home.

This trip was sort of a spur of the moment decision after a hellacious July & August. I own a duplex in northern California - live on one side and rent out the other. My next door Tennant - after living the 12 years - gave me 2 weeks notice hat she was packing it in and moving to Florida (her mom/stepdad live there and had been subsidizing her expenses to the extent of $1500 every month and had just reached their breaking point and had enough. They found her a place near them and mandated she move out there. She left with two cats and two suitcases and left TWELVE YEARS of crap behind. Five rooms of furniture, a garage full floor to ceiling, even the fridge, freezer, and walk in pantry were full. Four closets full of clothing, even her grandfather’s marine uniforms and medals. Plus a destroyed kitchen sink and a whole slew of other crap. Thankfully all the neighbors pitched in to help - in six weeks we cleared it out, donated and gave away mountains of stuff. I replaced the carpet (at least the carpet wasn't her fault -- was over due), sink, outdoor lighting, and bought all the paint. Got new tenants immediately and I didn’t even advertise it (thank heavens). They are great and even volunteered to do the interior painting as a sort of sweat equity for part of the security deposit . . . and am getting $800 more per month in rent. Talk about landing on my feet. But after 7 weeks of hell — I definitely deserved to spoil myself. :)

This trip definitely didn’t blaze any new trails — even most meals were at places I’ve eaten before. There were a few events I wanted to fit in - and I managed to book most of them. Two utterly fabulous exhibitions - Monet at the Courtauld and Van Gogh at the National, plus Francis Bacon at the National Portrait, a couple of exhibits at the V&A (Elton John's/David Furnish's photo collection and Naomi (Campbell) in Fashion), Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre, and Fawlty Towers at the Apollo, Was also booked into Vogue at Lightroom where I saw the terrific immersive David Hockney last year, but a few days before I traveled I got an e-mail that technical issues meant the opening was delayed a couple of weeks - so instead I booked a last minute matinee of The Cabinet Minister at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark.

I really wanted to stay at the Savoy again but the rates were stratospheric. Even using an AAVacations package like previously Business Class flights SMF > DFW > LHR and return plus three nights ay the Savoy would have been over $7000 bleedin' dollars. So I went down market a bit and booked into the Dilly at the Piccadilly Circus end of Piccadilly (is that enough ‘Dilly’s ‘for you :) ) . . . The Dilly used to be Le Meridien and has been totally refurbished. Not the luxe atmosphere, world-beating service and grand public spaces of the Savoy but very friendly service, large modern room and about the most central location in the city. A strong 4 star IMO. The flights + three nights at the Dilly tota package came to $4302, but I used 56,000 miles for part of that so cash out of pocket ended up just $2255. AND I was upgraded to First Class coming home! Woo Woo!

I really did no 'actual' sightseeing - unless you count the five art/museum exhibitions. Did have three absolutely scrumptious meals -- 45 Jermyn Street, Spring, and Bentleys plus other nice meals/cocktails/champagne while galavanting around 🍽 🥂 🍷 🍸 . . . and to top things off got to use the first class lounges at LHR and DWF -- did I say Woo WOO 😇

Will try to fill in the blanks - mostly exhibition, dining and theatre reviews - in the next day or two . . .

on for the ride

I have enough points for Virgin Atlantic Upper Class. Originally taxes were over $1000 one way but I heard they have come down. Tge Savoy was a dream but I was there for a drink at the Beaufort Bar in Sept and the hotel is still being renovated. Even the flowers were fake in the lobby.

I was there four nights before going to Copenhagen but it wasn’t enough. I didn’t get to Borough market and the Treasures room at the library was closed for technical issues (?) only saw one show and didn’t make Abba Voyage

Vicky - curious what was being renovated?? I stayed there in Dec '21 during the middle of covid and yes, only half of the hotel rooms were open and the American Bar hadn't yet reopened nor had Gordon Ramsey's River Room or 1890. It was really lovely but not the 'full Savoy experience'. I stayed there again in Dec last year when everything was open and running in full on Christmas holiday mode and very festive/busy. Every corner of the hotel was up and running. The only thing I can think might be down currently - there was some talk of redoing the residents lounge/reading room (which I can't imagine needed redoing - it was gorgeous).

Last Friday I did pop in to the American Bar for a quick Champagne cocktail before heading to the Courtauld but didn't check out any other areas.

. . . and oh -- you really do need to try to fit in ABBA Voyage -- it is truly a wonder.

I love your trip reports, especially hearing about what you eat and drink. I bet the Prada shoes (still envious!!) got an airing.
The cost of your package sounds more than reasonable.

Sounds like you saw a lot of great exhibits. I always love your reports!

That's a lot of jet lag for four nights! I'm joining the ride.

Yes, I’ve wondered, with your affinity for Europe, if you’ve considered relocating to Eastern US?
Guess you’re a West Coast girl!

Janis for one thing no afternoon tea. That area appears gone. It was so pretty and we wanted to have tea there. Instead we did Beauty and the Beast tea at the Waldorf and drinks at the Beaufort Bar. Last London trip did go to American Bar

Visited London about 7 or 8 times in the last 14 years. Then Covid hit and we finally went back in 2023. My husband had a conference in Paris and London every year and I got to explore every nook and cranny of both cities. Now I nurse my elderly sick beloved dog, my husband doesn’t want to go to conferences anymore and our travel is going from Santa Barbara to Bay Area every 8 weeks. But if I can get back on a plane some day, I would definitely go back to wonderful historic artsy delicious London. I’m in awe that you can fly from California to London and back in 5 days. I think I’d be a wreck for weeks. Glad you got your rental all worked out. That sounds very stressful!

Vicky - I had forgotten they announced the Thames Foyer (where breakfast as well as afternoon tea was served) was closing in late August for renovation. It is supposed to re-open in the next couple of weeks as the Savoy Lounge - will still have the beautiful ceiling and will now also serve lunch, dinner and cocktails.

Macdogmom - I actually didn't suffer much jet lag at all in either direction. Had a comedy of errors upon arrival home Monday night (will explain later) and if I'd been exhausted like sometimes happens it would not have been pretty >) But amazingly I was able to laugh it off - not a single cuss word crossed my lips!

I enjoy reading about your many short trips to London janisj, but there is no way I'd be willing to travel that far for just four nights! I just can't hack it:)

Well - I sort of rationalized it wasn't really a 'trip' trip to London but more a long weekend rewarding myself after the July/August drama. Of course the Business/First (did I mention FIRST Class?? :) ) did help just a little.

Janisj I think you entertain yourself in London better than anyone I know! You must have had those tickets for Van Gogh a fair bit ahead of time. I thought we were going to waltz in there, but no way! It was all booked for at least weeks.
I love keeping track of your London iitineraries. As we fly to Europe through London, we are always searching for new things to do and see.

As for the jet lag, perhaps you returned home in time to avoid the jet lag catching up with you.

Missed your comment . . . You can bet on it. LOL Now I pretty much save them for London -- they are a loooong discontinued style and even though they still look brand new they will wear out some time so they are officially my 'London shoes'. (but no worries really -- when I originally bought them in black they were so perfect/comfortable I bough a 2nd pair in navy blue that have been in their box ever since so once they are no longer presentable I'll have a 'brand new' pair)

I'm a member of the National Gallery so get in free but still ned a ticket (not like the memberships I have - V&A/Tates/Portrait etc. where members can just mosey in any old time) and the website wasn't giving the option for free tix -- so I rang them up and booked over the phone on Sept 6 for Oct 25.


That may be - The jet lag didn't have time to find me ;)

janisj, am always envious of how you just pop over to London from Calif, would that I could! Haven’t been in over 5 years, though I make it to continental Europe often enough. Am hoping my UK trip will happen next year, in the meantime I live vicariously through your TRs. Thanks 😊

I am in awe. I returned Saturday 26 October from Italy (also from NorCal) and my sleep patterns are still not back to normal. Returning to standard time this weekend probably didn't help matters.

Sorry to hear about that drama from your former tenant. That sounded like it was dreadful.

Yes sympathising about tenant. That would have been considerable work. Glad you seem to have enjoyed your 'reward' afterwards!


Lavandula