England – Page 2 – Oh, the Places We See . . .

Stay the Night: London’s Grovesnor House, a JW Marriott Hotel

Settled squarely in the Mayfair section of London with a posh Park Lane address, Grosvenor House puts you in the center of uptown luxury. But with a focus on gentility, service and personal attention, it’s much more than just a place to stay. The Welcome Nothing spoke more to us after a long inter-continental […]

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Three things to do at Shakespeare’s Globe even when the play’s not the thing

Visiting the Shakespeare’s Globe after teaching the works of the bard to countless high schoolers — some in love with the form, others just tolerant — is a rite of passage, or at least it was for me. But visiting in winter months when there are no productions means I had to find appreciation for the structure […]

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Party-ready men’s fashions: Selfridges in London

When you travel, you may hit those travel book high spots starred and written in boldface. Why not? They’re tourist stops for a reason. We check ’em off our list like everyone else does. But we also like walking neighborhoods, stopping in at little markets and local restaurants, and checking out what’s au courant, if […]

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Shiny and black: Doors on London’s Park Street

When you travel, walking the neighborhood near your hotel is one way to get a feel for how people really live. And, if doors are any indication of the people inside the homes in the Mayfair section of London, we could expect to meet some very British residents, comfortable in their formality. Doors on Park […]

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Cruise the Thames with London’s Oyster Card

You never know just how valuable a concierge can be ’til he gives you information that 1) saves you money and 2) gets you where you want to be! Thanks to Grosvenor House: JW Marriott for hiring a man who understands Southern tourists (We have a drawl, ya’ll) and knows how to make their day. […]

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Unexpected glitz: London’s Bond Street

Sometimes we arrive at a hotel, put our things down, and head to the Concierge Lounge to get a bite to eat. And that’s what happened on a chilly December afternoon when we arrived at London’s Grosvenor House: A JW Marriott Hotel (a spectacular place to stay, by the way). But after a snack and […]

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Postcards from England: Christmas 2016 — Cotswolds Elegance

Dear Readers, From the glitz and glamour of holiday season in London to the understated tones of the Cotswolds, Christmas is celebrated in many ways in England. Some homes in the country add only a single wreath on the door. No flashing strings of lights, no blow-up Santas, no prancing reindeer on roofs or lawns. […]

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Travel theme: Shimmer at Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel

Dear Readers, Here’s a Postcard from England: Christmas 2016 from Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel in London, a hotel that shimmered with gold and silver all through the house. From the elegantly shiny trees outside to glittery table arrangements in the foyer, Grosvenor House exuded tastefulness and luxury. But even with all that shimmer, […]

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Postcards from England: Christmas 2016 — Yellow door at Royal Crescent

Dear Readers, It seems that not all owners of penthouses in Bath’s Royal Crescent (built 1767 – 1774) felt compelled to adhere to tradition when it came to the requirement of all white doors in this finest example of Georgian architecture in the UK. Miss Amabel Wellesley-Colley personally took on the Bath Preservation Trust by painting […]

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Postcards from England: Christmas 2016 — The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Dear Readers, Since our driver in the Bath area had an established rapport with The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa in Bath, he afforded us the opportunity to enter this venerable establishment to get a glimpse of its stately Georgian decor and elegant Christmas trimmings. We were greeted by the most proper staff (stahf, […]