travelog

The Coronation of HM King Charles III - London/ Shrewsbury - May 2023

5/6/2023

On Coronation Day The Dorchester specially created a Veuve Clicquot champagne & Grey Goose vodka cocktail for me. Also note the Dorchester Collection Coronation staff pin I was presented with.

This week I will meet Chef Alain Ducasse and Chef Wolfgang Puck, Chef Elliott Grover & he will prepare my dinner together at 45 Park Lane.

Dorchester Collection, & Chef Tom Booton, played a significant role in my May 2023. Watching the Coronation flypast from The Dorchester roof, drinking Veuve Clicquot champagne in the rain, and a Coronation Day lunch in The Grill by Tom Booton at The Dorchester, with two appetisers and three desserts!

Four Seasons also played an important role with me spending Coronation Day morning at Four Seasons at Park Lane talking to a charming Saudi mother & daughter and Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square updating Issy's Beefeater outfit regarding our new King.

It was also a month where I was given Concorde glasses by another Barbican resident and sat next to a Concorde menu from 1977 at the second Veuve Clicquot Sunny Side Up Cafe. This led to a kind email from my friend Edouard de Nazelle in Reims.

I managed to visit Shrewsbury twice during the month. Dad losing his fight with Parkinson's, and mum's falls & diagnosis with dementia/ Alzheimer's, mean it was September 2022 when I last travelled abroad. Do not know what I would do without my friends. I look at a note from Tim in Houston each day and it helps gives me strength. Should also mention Jennifer at Naked Jam. Such a kind & talented lady and a good friend to mum & me. The good thing is mum seems far happier and less anxious. This means planning for my trip to Four Seasons Hotel Nashville can start.

Hope the photos below convince you it was a very special Coronation Day; Chef Tom Booton's breakfast is the best in London; mum is safe & being very well-looked-after; & the remarkable job Bruce did with my Barbican window boxes.

12 Comments

Making Mum's 80th Birthday Very Special - Shrewsbury & London - February 2023

3/3/2023

33 Comments

Mum looking Paul Smith fabulous on the day of her 80th birthday.

Mum's 80th birthday meant two trips to Shrewsbury in the month of February 2023.

The love mum's friends showed to her made me feel better over all we are dealing with at present. She was inundated with gorgeous flowers, countless cards and generous gifts. Welsh relatives ringing on the morning of mum's birthday , a cake from Shrewsbury Market Hall & an afternoon tea hosted by great friends of mum & dad made it a remarkable day for mum.

I did my best to spoil mum with a birthday cake; birthday dinner at Riverbank Bar & Kitchen (problems with their on-line reservation system) and Sunday lunch at The Armoury. The latter must be one of the best Sunday lunches in Shrewsbury.

This short month was, therefore, packed for me. Oliver from Shrewsbury School Foundation took me to lunch at St James's Hotel & Club; Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square served me caviar at breakfast; had a manicure with my haircut at Truefitt & Hill; ate Chef Elliot Grover's Wolfgang Puck Oscar menu at 45 Park Lane; enjoyed fish & chips at Four Seasons at Park Lane; and my work as a bank board member at Jordan International Bank Plc continued.

Hope the photos below do justice to mum's 80th birthday. My birthday again on 29 March. Chef Elliott Grover's Wolfgang Puck Spago Beverly Hills experience at 45 Park Lane is booked on 30 March and I will be staying at The Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh in The Cotswolds at the start of April for another special lady's 80th birthday.

33 Comments

Four Seasons Downtown New York - My Best Stay There EVER! - New York, USA - September 2022

22/9/2022

8 Comments

I learnt about HM the Queen's death while having coffee at The Peninsula hotel in New York. This, & the subsequent mourning period, have left me in a strange state. Problems trying to send my niece in Moscow a birthday present have not helped.

Anyway, my latest stay at Four Seasons Downtown New York was so special, I cannot delay posting about it any further.

Despite being allocated suite 911, in a week when I was flying on 9/11, it was my best stay there EVER!

From Manager Pablo & Jessica, who originated from North Wales, welcoming me; to a suite with stunning views of The Oculus, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne, Steiff teddy bears & a rich chocolate teddy bear cake; the warmth of my welcome from the spa/ pool staff; finding Four Seasons Manhattan/ Midtown staff have found work at Four Seasons Downtown & Four Seasons launching their 'Luxury Is Our Love Language' while I was staying at the hotel, it could not have been a more perfect stay.

However, an evening that started with General Manager Thomas, where he pointed out the martini on the Wolfgang Puck menu had been named after me & played the James Bond 007 theme music, while the martini was prepared by our table, seemed impossible to improve. However, my hero Chef Daniel Boulud (who was staying in the hotel) then join us.

When I met Chef Wolfgang Puck at 45 Park Lane he talked at Daniel and then we meet a few months later. I ended that evening eating Wolfgang Puck Japanese Wagyu thinking life does not get better than this.

Hope the photos below help to explain why this was stay was a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience, despite Four Seasons Downtown not being in a New York location that is ideal for me. Tip: if you decided to visit Peter Luger's, take cash & do not expect WiFi. Their bacon is extraordinary but Mr Puck's steaks are far better.

8 Comments

Four Seasons in Colombia, A MUST Visit! - Bogota, Colombia - September 2022

2/9/2022

8 Comments

My stay at Four Seasons, Casa Medina, Bogota warrants three cover photos. The warmth of the welcome from GM Mark & his team blew me away and it is a stunningly beautiful building.

As I told Mr Sharp, after my arrival, think my overall well-begin was improved by my visits to both Four Seasons in Bogota. Looking forward to a third Four Seasons in Colombia at Cartagena.

I have decided the food in Bogota justifies a separate post. The food at restaurants Leo & El Chato was out of this world

Despite the photos below, I have decided my stay was a '6 teddy' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) experience. No swimming pools; no bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne; & my lack of Spanish causing service issues, mean I cannot award a '7 teddy' score. Tip:- go downstairs for breakfast on at least one morning.

8 Comments

Four Seasons, Doha Returns To Its Former Glory - Doha, Qatar - June 2022

23/6/2022

20 Comments

I felt very privileged to be staying at Four Seasons, Doha, as Qatar prepared to host the 2022 World Cup.

This Four Seasons has a very special place in my heart. I moved to Qatar in 2005, just as it was opening and got to know Four Seasons legend Simon Casson, its first GM.

The Pierre-Yves Rochon refurbishment has lightened & refreshed the whole look and Hermes bath products are a welcome change. However, the refurbishment is not yet complete & so a detailed account is not appropriate.

I would like to thank Milos for looking after my friends & me so well, including refreshing my Veuve Clicquot champagne and GM Shadi for our fascinating chat.

I have sent the hotel some suggestions (eg reintroduce frozen grapes at the pool) and hope to stay again, after the Libary Bar & Cigar Lounge has reopened.

Hope the photos below explain why this was a '6 teddy' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) stay, despite the on-going refurbishment. Tips:- this is a resort hotel & so your sleep may be disturbed by music. If the lights from the new fire prevention systems cause problems, alert the hotel, they can do something to reduce this problem.

20 Comments

A Very Special Birthday - March & April 2022 - London/ Shrewsbury

11/4/2022

8 Comments

Cannot thank my mother, Kathy, Alejandro, Four Seasons, John & Bilal, Jolee etc enough for all they did to help to make it such a memorable birthday again.

Hope the photos below help to demonstrate that it was another '7 teddy' birthday

8 Comments

February & March 2022 - Birthdays & Visiting Dad - London & Shrewsbury

6/3/2022

4 Comments

I adore my flat in The Barbican filled with so many happy hotel memories. The Dorchester hotel bed there helps.

The start of March, my birthday month, was overshadowed by a period of non-COVID-19 illness.

February 2022 was a month where I managed to spoil my exceptional mum for her birthday and visit my dad in Shropshire.

In London I ate lunch at The Wolseley again, always better than I remember; had breakfast at 45 Park Lane, reading The Wall Street Journal in paper form for the first time in years & tried Silverleaf, the Pan Pacific, London, which reminded me of the bar at Four Seasons, Seoul, far from a bad thing.

I also sent my remarkable godson Miles an Easter chocolate gift to celebrate his recovery from COVID-19.

Must mention how thrilled I am that John Scanlon is going to be the new General Manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel. He really deserves this but I will really miss him here in London.

Hope the photos below evidence another Si Frew perfect 6 weeks, despite my busy new job and a bout of bad illness.

4 Comments

Foreign Air Travel Is Stressful & Fraught, But Worth It - Madrid & Barcelona, Spain - September & October 2021

28/10/2021

10 Comments

The British Airways First/ Club Class Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 was better with COVID-19 compliant table service & individually cooked breakfasts. The champagne was very welcome.

I last left the UK in December 2019 for a New York trip. Concerns about further UK lockdowns meant I decided to go to Spain in September/ October 2021.

The idea was to try Iberia Business Class again flying to Madrid & British Airways Club Europe again flying back from Barcelona.

The purpose of the trip was to stay at the new Four Seasons in Madrid; the new Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid; meet friends from Uruguay & Munich in Madrid; & see my Dubai friend in Barcelona and stay at his elegant place there.

Business Class seating on the Airbus A320 planes both airlines used was disappointing but food was better than I expected.

The main difference was between the crews. Nothing was too much trouble for the British Airways crew, while the Iberia crew did not care. My Apple New York charging cable was not compatible with the Iberia International power sockets and the crew were not interested.

The main points of interest with both flights was the importance attached to scraps of paper on the ground saying "docs OK" (evidencing compliance with COVID-19 documentation requirements) and the fact it was the first time I had entered a European country since Brexit. At Madrid EU & Swiss nationals had short immigration queues, while we British joined the problematic 'Rest of the World' queue. That took so long Four Seasons started calling me to ask where I was.

On the Madrid flight it made me smile that British Airways state that their merger with Iberia is now complete but good customer service is still so obviously lacking at Iberia. Since my flight they have asked for a Direct Message ("DM') on Twitter about my Iberia complaints but have still not replied to any of my four messages. All this reminded me of my Business Class flight from South Africa to Madrid, with Iberia, where I asked for water and was told that would come with my meal.

My advice is still to avoid Iberia at all costs and only pay for Business Class on the London to Spain routes if you are certain you will be flying on a A350.

10 Comments

Hurtling Towards a COVID-19 Christmas - London/ Shrewsbury - November 2020

6/12/2020

8 Comments

My Fortnum & Mason and Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Christmas decorations are up in The Barbican. I adored the Christmas trees at Four Seasons at Park Lane, The Dorchester & Claridges's. I am just a little sad that Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square & Threadneedles Hotel will not reopen this year.

Today I learnt my brother had sorted out his flight home. This, combined with the fact my sweet young niece will be in Shropshire for Christmas, means my COVID-19 Shrewsbury Christmas is shaping up well.

Last week John (GM of 45 Park Lane) showed me their stunning new swimming pool. I was one of the first non-staff members to see it, and have agreed not to post my photos, but can assure people it is one of the most beautiful indoor pools have ever seen.

This made me think about the fact I was shown the Private Members Club at Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square, before its members, and stayed at Four Seasons Resort: Dubai at Jumeirah Beach & Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay before they were open to the public. My meeting with Four Seasons Founder & Chairman Mr Sharp, as his private home in Toronto, really did change my life.

On the #travelblog front, it was also interesting that Grant Campbell has been appointed as the first GM of Nobu Hotel London Portman Square & Anne Golden at the first GM of Pan Pacific London. Despite the damage the COVID-19 restrictions have wreaked on the hospitality industry, it does not seem to have reduced my extensive network of General Manager contacts.

England's lockdown2 was made better for me by more Daniel Humm breakfast granola from Claridge's. I am still using the Davies & Brook jar it came in this time and was honoured to be one of the only people to see the Claridge's lobby during lockdown2. I also managed another Shrewsbury trip, ladened down with Fortnum & Mason gifts again.

People who see me over Christmas & New Year should feel free to ask me about the November 2020 photos below. Hope everyone has a special Christmas & better 2021!

8 Comments

Never a Dull Moment with Coronavirus/ COVID-19 - Shropshire & London - August 2020

1/9/2020

1 Comment

The reopening of Four Seasons at Park Lane allowed me to try a new lobster dish personally prepared by Executive Chef Henry Brosi & there was complimentary Ruinart champagne to celebrate.

During August my Middle Eastern banking work was overshadowed by the tragic explosion in Beirut.

The UK Government's 'Eat Out to Help Out' initiative meant I had the best (steak) burger for years at Paternoster Chop House, with a breathtaking view of St Paul's Cathedral; drunk Thums Up Cola at Dishoom for the first time since my India trips, while working for the Bank of England; ate truffles at breakfast outside at The Connaught & saw their new 'coffee foam art'; ate Dim Sum from heaven with caviar, edible gold & black truffle at Hakkasan, Mayfair; ate Mark Hix's exquisite food again at 1 Lombard Street, with their sublime service; & ate the best cooked rump steak of my life, with anchovy hollandaise & triple cooked chips, all for GBP10 at Hawksmoor.

At the same time I was honoured to be invited to revisit the Four Seasons' Private Members' Club in London. This gave me the first chance to view Four Seasons' 'Lead with Care' global COVID-19 safety program formulated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International's assistance.

I also managed to visit my indomitable parents in Shrewsbury again & see my exceptional Qatar friends at the Everyman Cinema at King's Cross before they, finally, headed back to Doha.

Hope the photos below, which include ones of my niece (now an elegant young lady), my dashing godson & legendary parents, put smiles on your faces & illustrate what a busy month it was. It was also the month where my face was the first thing you saw on the Virgin Active website!

1 Comment

Celebrating a Birthday in the Midst of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis - Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK - March 2020

28/3/2020

the luxury travel blog

The Authors

Archives

Categories