I felt like a tourist wandering around London and it was wonderful.
You remember that earlier in the year I visited The Hutton in Nashville and met a lovely chap called Doug McHugh. He is the General Manager of St. Ermin's Hotel in Victoria; close to New Scotland Yard, St James Park Tube and indeed St James Park. The hotel used to be a grotty and not-so-Jolly hotel until it was taken over and refurbished ... total spend on purchase and works I would estimate at £100 million pounds.
There are 331 rooms & suites.
I can honestly say that - although a 4-star "deluxe" - it is far superior in service and look than at least 30% of the 5-Stars I have stayed in. I have slept in more than 600 5-star hotels in the past 10 years. Of course I could be accused of being biased - especially as I know Doug - but I do sit and "secret squirrel" the interaction between the staff (170+) and the guests and I have only seen happy, satisfied smiles all round. Bravo. I would have NO problem staying here again ... or advising friend and family to stay here too ...
So my day started bright & early ... a bit to early ... but hey - I am on holiday!
I popped up to The Mayfair Salon ... my favourite barber shop in the world. It is just behind Claridge's - near Bond Street. Until 8 weeks ago it was run by two old fellows who I nicknamed Waldorf & Stackler (the two old men from the Muppet Show). They were there for decades.
I was worried that the new owners would just not be the same. The surprise was that my barber, a young Turkish chap Emre, gave me THE best haircut of my life! He also used a flame to remove some stray hairs too! A first for me!
Lunch at the JW Marriott Steakhouse with some rather pretty PR ladies ...
A trip to Davidoff for a cigar was wonderful - as ever! Edward and Eddie are on top form ... AND almost finally ... I met up with Gary (South African Airways) and zoomed up to The Langham for a "Summer Cigar Party" where we sampled some new "La Flor de Cano" cigars!
FINALLY to the RAC Club on Pall Mall for a glass of water!
Tomorrow, I fly to Mauritius!
I love holidays! I just need more of them ...
