Just back from London and wanted to share what I learned on this trip.

Delta One check in at LAX is great and well worth the price of a business class ticket from LAX to JFK or on any Delta International flight (it’s included in the fare).

We chose to connect in JFK so we could experience the Delta VIP Select Serivce – which is Delta’s VIP meet and greet service. Upon arrival at JFK you are met at the Jet way and escorted down to the tarmac and taken in a Porsche to the first class lounge.
Then when you flight depart they escort you to the gate for to pre-board. I highly recommend this addition fee of $250.00 for VIP select.

https://www.firmdalehotels.com/hotels/london/ham-yard-hotel/

I stayed at the Ham Yard and toured the Soho Hotel & the Covent Garden – all Firmdale properties and can recommend them all without hesitation! Ham Yard has a small spa and gym. Their private function spaces are the BEST in London. The bowling Alley is lots of fun. Ham Yard is in a great location it’s one block from a fantastic Whole Foods and 3 blocks from my favorite restaurant NOPI!

www.hotelcaferoyal.com/

Ham Yard is also 1 block away from the Amazing Akasha Spa which is the Spa for Café Royal Hotel– this is a lovely hotel right on Regent Street which has all the best shops right at your door step. I could live in this spa the indoor pool is the most serene place in all of London (I went swimming every morning). I took a yoga class upon arrival into London and didn’t have jet lag the entire trip!

www.chilternhotel.co.uk/

When we arrived on Saturday – (after the yoga class) we met for lunch at The Chiltern Fire House – not only a great hotel but one of the best restaurants in London. The Chiltern is owned by Andre Balaz who also owns the Chateau Marmont in LA – the Chiltern is the London version of the Chateau!

https://www.thebeaumont.com/

I had tea and a site at the Lovely Beaumont hotel – I LOVE THIS HOTEL! Very clubby and the rooms are well designed. They have a really nice house car that will drop you within a 1 mile of the hotel. The owner of the hotel, Jeremy King, also owns The Wolseley – so you can have lunch there and sign to your room or dine at the hotel in the private Club or the Colony Grill.

www.lanesborough.com/eng/home/

I had to stop for tea on Monday at the Lanesborough to see the new renovations – the tea room is devine! The rooms and suites are fresh and fabulous.

www.langhamhotels.com

On my way to dinner on Monday – I popped in to see my good friend Bjorn at the Langham – they have redone their Presidential suite and it’s GORGEOUS!

www.editionhotels.com/london

We had a really fun dinner and Site at the Edition – great for bands or younger hipsters.

www.shangri-la.com/london/shangrila

Love the Shangril La – had a fantastic lunch on the 54th floor overlooking all of London – the Spa and Gym are spectacular. The Entry level rooms are my favorite and only $350.00 GBP – the location is weird but worth a try.

Flew home on the brand new Virgin Atlantic Dreamliner – very sleek and sexy. The VIP check in for upper class where your driver pulls right up to the check in area is included in the fare (round trip transfers are including in the fare on Virgin fyi). The Virgin Club House Lounge at Heathrow is lots of fun so be sure to check in early so you can relax and enjoy a quick massage or a shave – drink, eat – shop in all the great HIGH STREET stores in Terminal 3.

All in all a great trip – Thanks Delta, Virgin, Firmdale, Chiltern, Beaumont, Lanesborough & the Edition for your hospitality!