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Tags: Fourth of July Hotels / Independence Day Hotels / Hotel Bars / London Hotels / → All Tags

Can't Get Stateside For Independence Day? Just Hit The Stafford

Where: 16-18 St James's Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 1NJ

It’s a little-admitted fact that most non-Yanks secretly want to be Yanks. But guys, it’s time to come out of the closet. Especially if you’re in London: the Obamas have been assiduous in their visits to us, the rising pound is bringing back our love for America, and the 4th of July is nearly here.

But if you have neither time, money, nor inclination to head Stateside for the celebrations, you could head for Mayfair instead, where the usually-genteel Stafford is shedding its stiff upper lip and going American for the day.

Mainly foodwise, though: they’ll be laying on an all day Independence Day menu with burgers, hot dogs, cheesecake and BBQ chicken. And it’s not only nosh; the appropriately named American Bar will be shaking up such concoctions as Patriotinis and Fourth of July Fizzes. Who cares about the lack of fireworks? Just make sure you’re wearing your jackets, guys – it’s still England, after all.

Tags: Hotel Packages / Girlfriend Getaways / London Hotels / → All Tags

Go Back To Olde Londone At The Stafford

Where: St James's Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 1NJ

It’s all very well London being trendy, but sometimes we just want to ditch our day-glo in favour of a little taste of Olde Englande. So we like the idea of The Stafford hotel’s new “Ladies Who London” two night package.

The hotel itself is already pretty cutesy – set around a cobbled mews, with the rare impression of being a country hotel, with frilly wallpaper and exposed beams, even though it’s just five minutes from Piccadilly Circus.

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Tags: Inauguration Hotels / London Hotels / Hotel Parties / Hotel News / → All Tags

Say Goodbye to George at The Stafford Hotel

Where: St James's Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 1NJ

Those crazy Brits are at it again—hosting hotel parties for expats again, that is.

Following the success of its election night party, The Stafford Hotel in London is having an Inauguration Day party at its American Bar. And much like the last go round, the bar will revamp its menu with hamburgers, hot dogs and apple pie, craft specialty cocktails (like the Renegade, made with Bourbon, sloe gin, lemon juice and cocktail cherries, and the 44 Fizz, made with champagne, Belle de Brillet and blue curacao), as well as showcase the event on its TVs (even remaining open until the event's over).

And considering that over 200 people attended the election night party, you might want to get there early to secure a seat. We're not the only ones happy to see G-Dub go, you know.

Tags: Election 2008 Hotels / Hotel Bars / London Hotels / → All Tags

American Transplants in London Can Party at The Stafford on Election Night

Where: St James's Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 1NJ

You know how everyone in America goes to Irish pubs on St. Patty's day and to Mexican Restaurants on Cinco de Mayo, but sometimes it's a wee bit more difficult to find hotspots where distinctly American festivities go down abroad (unless you want to hit up, like, McDonald's)?

At least Americans in London are covered for a place to celebrate or commiserate this election day (which, let's be honest, is probably going to be the biggest drinking night of the year -- no matter who wins).

The Stafford London's American Bar is throwing an election-night soiree for all the classy American transplants in London (seriously guys: jackets required) interested in drinking to calm their nerves as they watch which way the swing states go.

Calling itself "the last historic American bar in the city," the bar's menu will feature the most stereotypically-American comfort foods imaginable -- hot dogs, burgers and apple pie -- and candidate-inspired cocktails like the Maverick Man O’War and Barack Bellini.

And yes, the bar will be staying open until all results are in. And London is four hours ahead of EST, so make sure you order up an Irish coffee or three while you're there.

Tags: Cubicle Dreamin' / London Hotels / Valentine's Day Hotels / Romance Packages / → All Tags

Cubicle Dreamin': Going Public With a 'Women's Fiction' Addiction

Where: 16 18 ST JAMES PLACE, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 1NJ

Cubicle Dreamin' is a feature in which we ask the hotel mavens to take some time out of their busy work day, surf the Internet, and tell us what hotel they wish they could beam themselves to right that very second--all on the slave driving companies dime, of course. Oh, like these people aren't surfing aimlessly anyway--at least now their purposeless clicking will be cobbled together into useful hotel stories--we hope. Have a destination hotel you are just dying to leave your cube for? Send the story our way.

In this episode, Senior Editor Juliana details a "Women's Fiction"-inspired escape. Enjoy.

I don't really buy into hotel romance packages. As HotelChatter's own Tim Leffel has consistently pointed out, romance packages are just another way for hotels to overcharge you for silly stuff like chocolate-covered strawberries and erotic bath soaks.

Although once upon a time, a hotel did decorate my bed with rose petals and it kinda melted my hard hotel-critiquing exterior.

But I am intrigued by a recent Valentine's Day hotel package that I came across and my interest really has nothing to do with love and everything to do with a new obsession with Tudor monarchs.

You see, I was bored in the airport one day and I bought a copy of The Other Boleyn Girl a historical novel about Anne Boleyn's sister (who was real.) Well, two months later and I am pretty much done with the entire backlist of Philippa Gregory's novels about the Tudors.

Yes. My name is Juliana and I am addicted to Women's Fiction novels about Tudor Monarchs. (But at least I'm learning some history, ok?) Which is why this package from the Stafford Hotel in London has me anxiously wishing I could flee my "cubicle" and spend a night or two in London.

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Tags: London Hotel Reviews / Luxury Hotels / → All Tags

Bulging Wallets Stay at the Stafford

Where: 16 St James's Place, London, United Kingdom, SW1A 1NJ

This week's big tip--for those with big budgets--from the British Times newspaper is The Stafford on Mayfair in the heart of London. Tucked a bit off the main street behind the Ritz, making it a little quieter than normal for London, the Stafford Hotel is one of those places with impeccably British high service standards:

Repeat guests, and there are a steady stream of them, are greeted by name and over breakfast the general manager wanders casually around the tables to make sure everyone is happy.

Decor is elegant too, if a bit on the old-fashioned side, but that seems to fit in some of these places; they are modern enough to have free WiFi, though.

What sounds like the best bit to us is the wine cellar: a mere 20,000 bottles of wine are wallowing there. And while mod cons like a pool, spa or gym are all missing, the Times reviewer says that the ambience and service makes up for that. The recommendation does come with one big warning, though: "this hotel is only a consideration if your wallet is bulging". With the very cheapest rooms starting at $500 before tax, we agree.

Related Stories:
· Stafford Hotel reviews [TripAdvisor]
· The Stafford, Mayfair [Times UK]