HotelChatter - gb

Intercontinental's Next London Hotel: Way Better Than We Thought

juliab — 2009-11-06T09:27:52-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/21888/IC_westminster.jpg" class="top">When it was announced this weekend that <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/intercontinental%20hotels">Intercontinental</a> were opening up a second hotel in <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/london%20hotels">London</a>, we werent too excited. For one, were not the biggest fans of the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Hyde+Park+Intercontinental+Hotel/local/1075">Park Lane</a> branch - totally lacking in fizz, if you ask us. For another, the location theyve chosen - Queen Annes Chambers in Westminster is a place we used to pass most days on our way to work, and it always seemed like more of a commuter ratrun than somewhere youd actually want to stay. Also, its next door to police HQ New Scotland Yard, and that made us feel a bit queasy too. But to give it a fair hearing, we popped over to see

Where to Stay When Paul McCartney Plays in London on December 22

juliab — 2009-11-05T09:44:22-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/paulmccartney02.jpg" class="top"> Are you one of the lucky people who bagged tickets to Paul McCartney at the O2 on December 22? We <strike>want to wrestle them from your hands</strike> are really pleased for you. So pleased that well even help you out with where to stay. But first, a little tutorial on how to get to and from O2. If youve been to the O2, youll know its in the back end of beyond - otherwise known as North Greenwich. As such, there arent really any hotels on site (and if there were, you probably wouldnt want to stay there you want happy memories of Macca, after all). Do not fear though, because the place is linked up

'Pay Attention If You're Winning': The Silent Slot Machines at The Ritz London

juliana — 2009-11-04T17:24:50-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/ritzclub.jpg" class="top"> <a href="http://www.theritzclub.com">The Ritz Club inside <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Ritz+London/ian/145127">The Ritz London</a> in Piccadilly Circus is a members-only club that features a swank old-school bar, an award-winning restaurant and get this, a casino that's open daily from 2pm to 6am. 6am! There's an annual membership fee but if you're a guest of the hotel and you're over the age of 18, you can pop into the <a href="http://www.theritzclub.com/tour/">Ritz Club</a> to hang out, completely gratis.You can even bring along up to six guests, which is an excellent perk for business travelers. (We're not so sure six of your rowdy 18-year-old friends would be very welcome.) The dress code is simply "smartly dressed", no topcoat and tails needed but gentlemen guests

The Savoy Will Finally Reopen In April Or May Next Year

juliab — 2009-11-04T14:19:22-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/savoyFD.jpg" class="top"> If it seems like years since <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Savoy%2C+A+Fairmont+Hotel/ian/172847">The Savoy</a> closed its doors for its £100m restoration, thats because it, um, is. It closed in December 2007, and was supposed to reopen <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2007/12/17/14155/151/hotels/The_Savoy_London_Closes_Its_Doors_For_a_Facelift">16 months later</a>, but of course, 16 months in hotel speak is double the length of normal human time. But, hallelujah, it looks like were coming to the end of the process - <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Fairmont%20Hotels">Fairmont</a> just announced that they expect it to reopen in Spring 2010. And when we quizzed them what counts as spring, they said April or May. Heres hoping! Were not sure whats taken all the time up, but theyre adding a new two-bedroom Royal Suite, "remodeling" the River Restaurant, "relaunching" the

Lady Gaga Gets Her Game On Underground at Andaz London

juliab — 2009-11-03T08:54:21-05:00

Our first thought when we saw these pictures from Lady Gaga’s latest photoshoot: ah, the rapier wit strikes again.

But when we looked beyond the blinding symbolism of a Hello Kitty chastity belt covering her bitsies, we spied something rather familiar. “Why, isn’t that the underground Masonic Temple in the bowels of Andaz London?” we asked ourselves.

So we asked the folk at Andaz. And yes, it is.