I chose family over luxury in London, enjoying an evening of conversation over a stay at the Park Hyatt. It was totally worthwhile.
Family Over Luxury Hotel In London…
I arrived in London just before 3:00 pm, a perfect time to check into a hotel. While I’ve been meaning to review the Park Hyatt London since it opened and thought it was a good opportunity to do so…and even a justifiable work expense, I ultimately chose to stay with family, a decision I did not regret.
After clearing the e-gate in T2, I hopped on the Piccadilly Line bound for Green Park, where I transferred to the Jubilee Line to Bermondsey. After a short walk to the Thames, I arrived and was warmly greeted by my young nephew.
After a nice chat with my sister-in-law, we all sat down for dinner upstairs, where the conversation continued.
Before my nephew went to bed, I read him a bedtime story and we cleaned up the mess he had and his friend had made (the nanny conveniently took her home just as we started to clean things up…).
It was Guy Fawkes day…goodness, that was annoying. In fact, I’ll write separately about that…
We talked a bit more and I went to bed, sleeping splendidly as always with the window open and the rain gently falling outside.
I did have a morning flight the next day, but I could have still had a 6:00 am breakfast at the Park Hyatt and then made my flight. Instead, I got up early, fixed a pot of coffee, and then returned to Heathrow, taking the Elizabeth Line back and arriving in under an hour.
As it turned out (details coming later today), it was not only lovely to stay with my family, but I ran into a kerfuffle at the airport while checking in for my Aer Lingus flight so it was good I arrived at LHR quite early.
The point of this post, though, is that I’m really glad I spent the evening with my family, even if it was on my wife’s side. I know we are not all blessed to have a pleasant family, but I like my family and it was great to see them, including my precious little nephew and niece.
It’s hard for me to review hotels in London!
I’m sharing about my whirlwind trip through Asia.
You can stay in a Park Hyatt anywhere (and you have!). Time with family is what it is all about. Fireworks are annoying. Be well.
Wow, they should remake the movie It’s a Wonderful Life but have it be about you. The actor playing you can wear a halo and walk around patting himself on the back.
Bob, you sound like Mr. Potter (recall, he’s the villain).
Travel is about making good choices. Spending time with family is a gift and sleeping with fresh air from an open window is a pleasure!
Good choice, Matt. That Park Hyatt seems kinda lame anyway. Out of the way. Not much going on. Better places to stay, especially if you have family and friends in-town.
Would love to be able to spend an overnight with my wife’s family while visiting, but they are a 2.5 hour train ride away from London. Not so convenient for an overnight stay unfortunately.
I have a feeling London is yoyr favotite city outside of LA? Or at least in your Top 5.
You are correct! It’s #2.
Lörrach would like to have a word with you
It’s in the top-10! 😉
A short, but sincere tribute to Mrs. Heidi Klint’s hometown.
London is my #2 favorite city in Europe (#1 is Rome) and I love spending time there although many friends that live there have reported quality of living has taken a hit from what it used to be.
I found the Park Hyatt London River Thames to be exceptional and a real treat. I was visiting on my wedding anniversary, and they really made me feel celebrated with a thoughtful welcome amenity and a generous upgrade. (Probably doesn’t hurt that my husband is a Globalist.)
But to your point about family, my sister-in-law lives in East London, and we always gather with her when we’re in town. We urged her to come visit us at the hotel, and she begrudgingly made the crosstown trip, but the location is rather terrible. Paying for an Uber home seemed like the sensible compromise, and she did enjoy the dinner at the Nine Elms Kitchen. I just wish there was a Park Hyatt of this caliber in the City of London. Back to the Andaz Liverpool Street next time!
Rime is historical and interesting but the people are crap. They have no respect for others’ property, like spraying graffiti. They drive badly. They are rude. Only a few nice people.
Isn’t that a rather broad brush?
Does anyone know where you submit a Nobel Peace Prize application for this selfless act
Oh, yes, happy to help. As Greta said once to Mr. Tate, you can email them at “smalld**kenergy@getalife.com”
I love the sociopathic comments by people who don’t understand connecting with family and friends. I suspect they might feel differently if they actually had friends.
No, we just understand it so well it doesn’t seem like headline news that somebody would choose to hang out w/family over spending the night alone in a soulless “luxury” hotel. That’s like expecting a Medal of Honor for hitting the brakes when a blind elderly person wanders into the path of your car. Of course you do the right thing
Family first, all the time!