Impulsive Christmas Trip

[amaroo]

We wandered down to the gate, passed thru the last security check point and waited...... first announcement came over the pa - engineers working on an issue, will be another 20mins.

The captain then came on the pa and advised that an indicator light had turned on during the last flight and the engineers needed to replace two items that would take another 1.5 hours.

It was like the starters gun went off - half the plane load of passengers got up and bolted for the lounge..... including us!

We decided it would be better to head for the QF lounge this time given EK wouldn’t have any updates on the engineering issues.

Pretty much right on 1.5 hours the first host came over and told us boarding had commenced.

SIN-SYD



Feeling pretty tired from the days events I decided sleep was required. Got a decent 8 hours in .... that’s when I decided a steak sandwich would be nice.



SWMBO slept a little longer and went with the more traditional breakfast option.



For second breakfast I went with croissants, honey and tea.



Welcome to London



The menus...







FWIW the daughter did take a couple of photos for me...

PE meal SYD-SIN




PE meal - SIN-LHR

 

[kermatu]

Very generous of you to send your F salad back to the kids in PE.

 

[amaroo]

We’re slowly working our way through Firmdale’s list of London properties, IIRC this stay is our fourth London property - Ham Yard Hotel

Firmdale is a hotel brand created by a local couple - Tim and Kit Kemp. They really know how to create, manage, and put on a real British welcome!

Ham Yard Hotel, Deluxe Junior Suite

 

[amaroo]

The kids room - Luxury Junior Suite

 

[Flashback]

We’re slowly working our way through Firmdale’s list of London properties, IIRC this stay is our fourth London property - Ham Yard Hotel

Firmdale is a hotel brand created by a local couple - Tim and Kit Kemp. They really know how to create, manage, and put on a real British welcome!

Ham Yard Hotel, Deluxe Junior Suite

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They have a nice bar there, too.

 

[VPS]

They have a nice bar there, too.

Yes the one on the roof is excellent but you have to be staying there or guested to drink there (and I can't afford to stay there but I have friends that can and do)

 

[amaroo]

They have a nice bar there, too.

Yes the one on the roof is excellent but you have to be staying there or guested to drink there (and I can't afford to stay there but I have friends that can and do)

Three bars and a couple of in-house honour bars / lounges .... plus a bowling alley. The place was pumping over Christmas. We had Christmas dinner here and I think they served something like 7 settings plus breakfast over the whole day - it’s a very popular place!

 

[cjd600]

Smashing digs for the kids.
Hope that puts the smile back on their faces after the flight class debacle

 

[amaroo]

Some photos of the common areas of the Ham Yard Hotel.



One of the honour bars .... pretty high standard on offer.

 

[amaroo]

You can always tell the quality of a hotel by their breakfast offer. We had breakfast included in our rate, the menu gives you a good idea what’s on offer.

Breakfast when included in the room rate includes everything on the menu. No limitation on what you can order.



There is one small buffet table for fruit and cereal .... everything else is table service.



Excellent quality!







The main dining room

 

[I love to travel]

That service discretionary charge is a bit cheeky for the UK.

 

[amaroo]

One for the botanists amongst us

The hall wallpaper on our floor ... strange concept, but it did look good.

 

[amaroo]

That service discretionary charge is a bit cheeky for the UK.

Pretty common ... can’t recall one restaurant that didn’t charge it. 12.5% appears to be the standard.

 

[craven morehead]

You can always tell the quality of a hotel by their breakfast offer. We had breakfast included in our rate, the menu gives you a good idea what’s on offer.

Breakfast when included in the room rate includes everything on the menu. No limitation on what you can order.

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There is one small buffet table for fruit and cereal .... everything else is table service.

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Excellent quality!

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The main dining room

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Food looks spot on Proper timber floors ?

 

[Pushka]

If all that was included and an amazing room I don’t think I dare ask the nightly rate.

 

[Straubs]

Can I show my lack of travel experience and ask what is meant by honour bar?

 

[amaroo]

Food looks spot on Proper timber floors ?

Yes, they also caught my eye.... beautiful 10inch width boards. Would have cost some big $$$

 

[kermatu]

Can I show my lack of travel experience and ask what is meant by honour bar?

Usually a lounge where alcohol is available and self-pour, but there is a charge per drink. It's not always policed by staff so they take you on your "honour" that you will accurately note how many drinks you've had by the end of the session - usually marked on a card.

 

[amaroo]

Can I show my lack of travel experience and ask what is meant by honour bar?

Usually a lounge where alcohol is available and self-pour, but there is a charge per drink. It's not always policed by staff so they take you on your "honour" that you will accurately note how many drinks you've had by the end of the session - usually marked on a card.

Kermatu has summed it up perfectly.... I probably should have used the term “honestly bar”

 

[amaroo]

If all that was included and an amazing room I don’t think I dare ask the nightly rate.

It sits in the normal range for middle to high end London properties. We don’t come here very often so it’s nice to splurge.

Unfortunately Virtuoso doesn’t have an agreement with Firmdale .... but why would they bother? They have a loyal following in London and NYC, their formula is such a winner that’s all they need to fill the rooms.