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The Build-Up to Christmas; The Claridge's & Four Seasons at Tower Bridge Christmas Trees and US Thanksgiving at 45 Park Lane - London - December 2025

20/12/2025

Christmas in Shrewsbury with Mum

I am now in Shrewsbury and ready to spend Christmas Day with mum. Her Dior & Chanel Christmas presents have been delivered and The Dorchester & Claridge's Christmas crackers are ready to be pulled. The Veuve Clicquot champagne will arrive on Sunday evening.

Friends & Family at Christmas

Must thank my friend Barbara, from Rome, again for attending the De Beers Diamonds Christmas party at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park with me, despite not liking caviar.

At the Peninsula, London's Christmas party MD Rolf was kind enough to introduced me to his charming son. My Moscow based niece Maria will be in Istanbul, with my brother, for the Western Christmas.

I met so many of my amazing friends (eg Matthew, Edd, Katrina, Leanne, John etc) in the weeks before Christmas and was out in Shrewsbury with friends from my Prestfelde and Shrewsbury School days last night.

Maybourne's Claridge's Christmas Tree Wins But Four Seasons at Tower Bridge's Caviar & Martinis Christmas Tree Gets a Special Mention

Daniel Lee's richly decorated Burberry Christmas tree at Claridge's was magical. Once again Maybourne's hotel clearly wins but the caviar & martinis Christmas tree at Four Seasons at Tower Bridge must get a special mention.

A Chef Wolfgang Puck US Thanksgiving at 45 Park Lane

Chef Elliott Grover made my US Thanksgiving in 2025 unforgettable by inviting me into the 45 Park Lane kitchens.

Dorchester Collection CEO Philippe Leboef was in the kitchens. We first met at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris at Christmas time and he made my stay at Raffles, London at The OWO unbelievable. Elliott had me 'cooking' A5 Japanese Wagyu.

"No Bill For You Mr Frew, Happy Christmas"

Also have to mention my 'last' lunch at 45 Park Lane on 2025. My burger was insanely good and I almost cried when I was told there was no bill to pay, despite champagne. You have to love Dorchester Collection.

Arab Bankers' Association Christmas Party & The Hackett VIP Christmas Party On Savile Row

The Arab Bankers' Association Christmas party at The Chancery Rosewood was such an enjoyable event. I met so many new interesting people.

However, it was meeting Jeremy Hackett at The Hackett VIP Christmas party that was a dream come true. I wore his suits at the Bank of England in the 1990s and his life story is fascinating. Stewart Lee (CEO of Savile Row Gin) made the party even better.

With my stay The Emory, December 2025 has been a '10 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month. Breakfast at The Emory with Kostas, MD of the Emory & The Berkeley just before I left London was the icing of a perfect Christmas cake.

Pat Davies and I are visiting mum this afternoon. I wanted to wish everyone happy Christmas and healthy & successful 2026s

Artificial snow in this Peninsula, London photo.

I met Holly King (of Kings Fine Food) at this Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park party sponsored by De Beers Diamonds.

Scottish thistles, 'surplus' Burberry fabrics, hand-blown glass baubles, brass bells etc etc The Claridge's Christmas tree

After my 'damaged trousers incident', & hearing about the issues Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park had causes at The Dorchester, it was good to meet Dorchester Collection CEO Philippe on UK Thanksgiving at 45 Park Lane.

Spot the plastic martini glasses on the Four Seasons at Tower Bridge Christmas tree.

Jeremy Hackett ran a market stall in the 1980s that Ralph Lauren used to buy from.

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The Emory - Maybourne Perfection, With The Connaught & Claridge's Help - London - November 2025

27/11/2025

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The Emory is The Best New Uber Luxury Hotel in London

I have decided my stay at The Emory was better than my stays at Raffles, London at The OWO; Peninsula, London; The Chancery Rosewood and Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair.

Support From House of Maybourne; Born in Mayfair

The fact The Emory can rely on support from The Connaught, Claridge's and House of Maybourne itself contributed to my unforgettable stay.

A Special Mention for Peninsula, London

The way Peninsula, London have spoilt me since my stay with them must get a very special mention.

This is Not Luxury

Must also use this opportunity to mention my 'damaged trouser incident' on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at The Dorchester and the lack of anything but a holding reply from Dorchester Collection about my complaints over not being allowed access to the hotel's lobby.

I will be celebrating US Thanksgiving at 45 Park Lane this evening and get nothing but VIP treatment from that Dorchester Collection hotel.

The Emory is a '9 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) hotel. The least well known hotel of the 5 new in London is discreet luxury at its best.

From superb Josh (Director of Guest Services); to Gintare from the Butlers/ Housekeeping repairing my trousers & saving my evening; to a superb breakfast in abc kitchens; to my initials on my Frette pillowcase; to a window in my spacious Alexandra Champalimaud designed Hyde Park view corner suite that fully opening, thanks to the late Richard Rogers; to the fully stocked complimentary mini bar; to the Billecart-Salmon Rose champagne; to a Cedric Grolet cake; to having the Surrenne pool to myself; to a perfect ice cold 'SF Martini' being served in the Rooftop Bar; to Issy's Surrenne Spa outfit, with tiny slippers; to a legendary dinner in The Grill at The Connaught with Maybourne COO Roland Fasel; and a Christmas tree party at Claridge's where I met Richard E Grant (Barbra Streisand fan) & Jeremy King (co-found of Le Caprice) and The Emory sending my luggage to Claridge's. Would almost award 10 teddies. Tip: leave your suite & have breakfast down in 'abc kitchens'.

Have kept this post very short, after one of my best friends told me I have been posting too much recently. Have more Maybourne photos, & lots more to say, if you see me over Christmas.

The Connaught MD Sandeep on one side & Maybourne COO Roland on the other. Had a fascinating discussion with Sandeep, before Roland arrived.

Even the towels in the bathroom were 'Frette made for The Emory'. There was a guest bathroom in my suite too.

Nothing like an ice cold 'SF Martini'. The mashed potatoes at The Grill at The Connaught were divine.

The photo above me is of Audrey Hepburn at Claridge's. Very auspicious for me.

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Prestfelde Prep School; Hormazd Narielwalla's Book Launch at Hackett on Savile Row; Meeting Hemal Jain Again, GM of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair & Celebrating Sophia's Success at The Eagle Bar & The Spy Bar - Shrewsbury/ London - September 2025

1/10/2025

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It was a rollercoaster of a month. From having to process bad news about one of my best friend's health & mum's rapidly declining well-being; to the 'SF Martini' being served in The Eagle Bar at The Chancery Rosewood and The Spy Bar at Raffles, London at The OWO again; & celebrating Sophia taking up her place studying for her master's degree in law at Cambridge.

Artist Hormazd Narielwalla's Glamorous & Fun Book Launch at Hackett on Savile Row

As soon as I learnt Chef Elliott Grover, from CUT at 45 Park Lane, was providing the food for this book launch, I knew it would be a special event.

The book looks stunning; Hackett's Savile Row Head Office is so elegant and Hormazd is charming & friendly.

I Won Prizes at Prestfelde Prep School

Sarah Dyas helped to arrange for me to have lunch with 'new' Headmaster Matty Thavenot in his study and the two of them took me on a tour of my former prep school.

It was such a happy morning and I was surprised to learn I was in Form IIA and won the form prize for 1979 - 1980. Would wholeheartedly recommend that fellow Old Prestfeldians revisit the school.

Kenny Ng; Shrewsbury School's Old Salopian Day & Visiting Mum

Shrewsbury School's Old Salopian Day meant I got to meet Kenny Ng again. Chicago, Bangkok and now Shrewsbury again. Was also glad to see Ruby Read's art show.

Mum's health is declining fast. She should now use a walking stick when walking without help. Since I have returned to London she has also been having severe back pain.

Networking at Forward Global's UK Late Summer Drinks

Forward Global's party at the National Liberal Club turned out to be an exceptional networking event and worth specially returning to London for.

At the party I was also lent a book concerning a friend from my Qatar days and his Warhol prints.

Hemal Jain, Now GM of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair

Hemal & I spent too long talking but we knew each other from Four Seasons, Doha & we had so many stories to share about Jeff Bezos etc.

I was informed I will be one of the first people to receive the hotel's new VIP card and Hemel wants to arrange for me to stay at the hotel before the end of this year.

The Eagle Bar at The Chancery Rosewood and The Spy Bar at Raffles, London at The OWO

Celebrating Sophia taking up her place at Cambridge was the perfect excuse for one of the best Saturday evenings I have experienced in London.

Seeing Tala and her, after 9 years, was unbelievable. Sophia is now a charming young lady and I wonder if we are the first people to have visited The Eagle Bar, & The Spy Bar, in one evening. Must, particularly, thank Daniel at the former & Kiki at the latter.

An '8 teddies''month (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻), despite bad health news. Staying at Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair will be a perfect way to end my year centred around the new London 5 star hotels and the fact I will see more of Tala is brilliant news.

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The Exquisite New 'The Chancery Rosewood' in the Reimagined Former US Embassy in Grosvenor Square - London - August/ September 2025

4/9/2025

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The Chancery Rosewood is the talk of hoteliers here in London and I used to visit Finnish-American Eero Saarinen's US Embassy building in the 1990s, on behalf of the Bank of England. We drank in the basement bar with Embassy staff & US Marines would come to tell you when it was time to leave.

I have visited the TWA Hotel at JFK, Eero Saarinen was also the architect for this, and was stunned by that magnificent building. There is an August 2022 post about that.

Bentley Perfection

As soon as I saw the long wheelbase Bentley waiting in the Barbican to collect me, I knew I was in for a very special stay. Talking to driver Andrei on the journey confirmed this.

A Very Happy Welcome from Familiar Faces

I was welcomed to the 144 suite David Chipperfield redesigned The Chancery Rosewood at 24 - 31 Grosvenor Square by Nicole & Conor, who I knew from Pan Pacific, London, and my Butler Lidia. The grand ceremonial staircase, and hotel lobby, are very impressive.

Checked-in in my Stunning Suite

Butler Lidia undertook an in suite check-in, while pouring me a glass of Pol Roger champagne. Does life get much better than that.

There was a special cocktail for Issy too, as well as a vest made for him out of the green patterned fabric the hotel's pyjamas (which cost US$1,100) are made from. The pattern includes an eagle motif and an 18 Century map of Grosvenor Square.

The Weekend Financial Times & New York Times were all waiting for me.

My initials were not just on the pillow but on the suite key card and a bathroom towel too.

Loved the smell of the 'Never Go Alone' bath products in my huge marble bathroom and the fact they were made in Somerset.

GSQ: A Delicatessen with Outside Seating Overlooking Grosvenor Square

Lunch was a Reuben sandwich sitting outside in the hotel's delicatessen GSQ. Delicious but difficult to eat in a dignified manner. The dressing on the side salad was mouth-wateringly good.

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Lunch at The Emory with Roland Fasel, COO of Maybourne Hotel Group; Chef Elliott Grover at 45 Park Lane Becoming a True Celebrity; the 'Robert Omelette' at The Ol' Chemist & a Heavenly Morning at Peninsula, London - London/ Shrewsbury - August 2025

28/8/2025

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August 2025 was an unbelievable month in so many ways, From caviar at Raffles, London at The OWO & 45 Park Lane; to "no bill for you Mr Frew" heard at 45 Park Lane, Peninsula, London, Four Seasons, London at Tower Bridge etc it was magical month, despite the Air Canada strike.

The Chancery Rosewood in the Former US Embassy in Grosvenor Square

I am posting about August 2025 a few days early because the month will end with my check-in at The Chancery Rosewood this weekend and waking up in September 2025 there.

Legendary Hotel Professional Roland Fasel

My lunch with Roland Fasel in 'Jean-Georges' abc kitchens' at The Emory was entertaining, informative & full of laughs.

Our mutual thought that the beetroot carpaccio reminded us of our mothers' cooking had Roland joking that "we are country bumpkins from Shropshire & Switzerland."

Celebrity Chef Elliott Grover at 45 Park Lane

Each morning I switch on the TV in Shrewsbury Chef Elliott Grover seems to feature but appearing on Instagram in Big John Fisher's Romford kitchen is even more impressive.

It was, therefore, incredible for him to personally make me the best blinis of my life (& I have been to Moscow) at 45 Park Lane's Côte d'Azur experience.

With Ruinart champagne; my own tin of King's Imperial Caviar; caviar doughnuts & a USDA Prime Ribeye Philly Cheese Steak, with an insanely good sauce, the food was exceptional and the whole thing far better than the South of France.

The 'Robert Omelette' at The Ol' Chemist in Shrewsbury & Two 90th Birthdays

In Shrewsbury I celebrated three birthdays. At Bob's at The Ol' Chemist Chef Jamie produced his spicy & delicious 'Robert Omelette' again. Not on the menu yet but people can order it. We celebrated Bob's birthday the next day, with mum again, over porridge.

The other two birthdays were the 90th birthdays for a couple with birthdays one month apart. A retired orthopedic surgeon, & artist, sang at his own 90th birthday party, accompanied by his grandson. It was an extraordinary birthday party meeting all that family again and quite a day for me, taking mum to St Chad's that morning.

Peninsula, London & the Air Canada Strike

The Air Canada strike meant a Canadian family I adore missed out on their Paris/ London vacation. Peninsula, London agreed to help cheer me up & exceeded my high exceptions, as usual.

From their Cantonese breakfast; to swimming in their pool again; to mooncake ice cream with pistachio nut chocolate; to their Dandan noodles back in The Barbican. A heavenly Peninsula morning.

The Best Cooked Breakfast in London

Chef Yannick Alleno's breakfast in Pavyllon at Four Seasons at Park Lane is back to being one of the best in London but the cooked breakfast at Raffles, London at The OWO continues to be exceptional. I wonder what The Chancery Rosewood's hot breakfast will comprise of. Their menus are not public still.

My check-in at The Chancery Rosewood, combined with all the other incredible things that I experienced in August 2025, make it an unprecedented '9 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month.

When a visit to the Soho Farmhouse, where we drank champagne in the sunshine, & using a different barber, do not rate paragraphs, you know it was too good a month.

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A New UK Government & a 'Fresh Start' - London - July 2024

1/8/2024

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A Labour UK Government

It may seem odd for a luxury travel blog to welcome a Labour Government but, with new faces and enthusiasm to make things better, I am optimistic. It helps that I know Secretary of State for Health & Social Care Wes Streeting & am impressed by him.

The Ivy Private Members' Club

Shortly after the election, I had dinner at The Ivy Private Members' Club with my friend who worked for Tony Blair, when he was in 10 Downing Street, again.

A Champagne Breakfast at Pan Pacific. London

Pan Pacific, London keep surprising me, in a good way. I went there without booking & was still welcomed by name and given 'free' champagne. The quality of their weekend buffet breakfast is astonishing.

A Four Seasons at Park Lane's Bastille Day

The Sunday of Bastille Day was spent at Four Seasons at Park Lane drinking Moet champagne and eating BBQ.

Afternoon Tea, & The 'Spy Bar', at Raffles, London at The OWO

You may not just recognise me in my photo at afternoon tea at Raffles, London at The OWO.

That afternoon tea, with the mother of my talented godson, was incredible. The edible punnet of strawberries & cream was a work of art & delicious too. The Hotel MD, Hotel Manager & Director of Wines all came to chat with us.

We ended a memorable afternoon/ evening in the hotel's '007 Spy Bar', where Matteo, who I knew from The Dorchester, made me a perfect martini.

Rosewood in London

I am so excited about The Chancery Rosewood opening in 2025 and proud to know Michael Bonsor, who will be their MD.

In July I tried the Cantonese breakfast in The Crystal Room at Rosewood, London. The congee with honey roasted pork was mouth-wateringly good but the dim sum unimpressive and the lack of Chiu Chow chilli oil dip rather a shame. Love that dip at Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, the Peninsula, London etc

'Mooncakes' from Peninsula, London

After another sensational breakfast at Peninsula, London, on the day of their MD's birthday, the Hotel Manager presented me with some non-traditional toffee & fudge brownie 'mooncakes'. I almost cried again.

Shrewsbury's dreadful MP not getting re-elected, alone, made it a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) month. However, I was sad that Simon Baynes did not win his seat.

It was a month when I did not see mum but I rang her every day and did my duty watering my friends, on the 30th floor of The Barbican's, plants while they were away. I do my best to be a good friend.

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The Build-Up to Christmas; The Claridge's & Four Seasons at Tower Bridge Christmas Trees and US Thanksgiving at 45 Park Lane - London - December 2025

The Emory - Maybourne Perfection, With The Connaught & Claridge's Help - London - November 2025

Prestfelde Prep School; Hormazd Narielwalla's Book Launch at Hackett on Savile Row; Meeting Hemal Jain Again, GM of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair & Celebrating Sophia's Success at The Eagle Bar & The Spy Bar - Shrewsbury/ London - September 2025

The Exquisite New 'The Chancery Rosewood' in the Reimagined Former US Embassy in Grosvenor Square - London - August/ September 2025

Lunch at The Emory with Roland Fasel, COO of Maybourne Hotel Group; Chef Elliott Grover at 45 Park Lane Becoming a True Celebrity; the 'Robert Omelette' at The Ol' Chemist & a Heavenly Morning at Peninsula, London - London/ Shrewsbury - August 2025

A New UK Government & a 'Fresh Start' - London - July 2024

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