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If you’re a tennis fan, then the US Open Tennis Grand Slam Flushing Meadows event is a favorite. 🎾 And, you can enjoy NYC touring the Flat Iron Building district while you’re there. It’s close to the Eataly that I remember going to on its opening day. Those were the days. I worked in foodie restaurants and got to sit on the set of the The Martha Stewart show. Now, I’m really dating myself. 😅
And, the US Open tennis players back then are mostly all retired, but Djokovic had already won his first Glam Slam against Nadal and Federer.
With the New York US Open event, I especially like that the players get to express themselves in their sporty clothing (like I get to express my bright colors as I’m not afraid of the cuh-lah!)… and that’s totally different from Wimbledon pageantry where everyone wears white. But, that’s (white) hot too!
And coming up soon, there’s plenty to get excited about for the US Open Tennis…
The trophies are high-class Tiffany branded so they’re made by a NYC company. 🏆 Who would’ve thought it would be stylish to hold a trophy to sweeten the silver pot?
Do we think Djokovic or upsetting newcomer Carlos Alcaraz will win this time? And what about Swiatek or Jabeur for the Ladies trophy?
It’s anyone’s game… and that’s btw, why they play!
If you’ll be there or you live there in the NY or NJ area, you can check out mouth-watering foods served up like at the Flavors of the Open event happening during the US Open Tennis event (as a doubles event!)… this is super special because top local chefs will feature dishes, and there will be live music entertainment. We all could use a ‘lil hip-hop and pep in our step. You can read the lineup on their site.
David Burke is one of the chefs featured. And if you’re there you can also visit his restaurants! And for the cutest boutique stay, I love this place. Like I love hotels and I love New York! ❤️
And if you want to be in the thick of it in Queens ♕, this is a Flushing boutique hotel or a cool Brooklyn boutique with a stair-stepping building that fits in the NYC skyscraper skyline 🗽
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The Minnesota State Fair is a great fun event to visit over a warm weekend, especially if you’re a foodie or if you have other Minnesota local agendas.
For foodies, there are 34 new official foods and 7 new food vendors participating. Of course, there’s funfetti Birthday Cake sprinkled 🧁 and long hot dogs 🌭 everything…
But there are also foods I would serve and add to the gourmet menu at parties and catering events I planned. Like creative flavor pairing eats: hummus with basil at Holy Land in the International Bazaar. That by the way is gluten-free.
…And fried green tomato sandwich, fried egg hole, or Halloumi cheese on toast. Plus, local unusual red-wine infused pizza sauce, huckleberry and lavender lemonades, St. Paul pickle kettle fudge, and churros with cinnamon ice cream. I mean c’mon 😋 this is so fitting for post-2020… (and I thought I was cutting-edge with gourmet popcorn jelly beans 🤣).
To win you back, this was my home contribution to angel food cake and ice cream (not bad, huh?)
At the Minnesota State Fair, you’ll also see the purist Angel Food Cake competition (no strawberries 🍓 or glaze on top).
…Maybe you’re visiting family or checking out a Minnesota Vikings game at the U.S. Bank Stadium (Quarterback Kirk Cousins who used to be the QB for my hometown Washington Commanders).
…Or you’re in for a girls-only weekend checking out Mall of America (the mall on your bucket list of mega malls)… like East Coast Tysons Corner I and Galleria II that I grew up with.
Once in a while, a Cirque du Soleil 🎪 would come through on the limited real estate greens… but nothing like the entertainment scene at The Minnesota Mall.
But in Minnesota’s Mall of America, there’s more of a year-round fair feeling with the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park and water animals at the Sea Life public aquarium.
And for me, Minnesota hit the map when I learned about specialty scrapbooking. Some ladies were doing this in my office and I’m all about sharing photos and memories (…can you tell?). Creative Memories is from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and the whole scrapbook phenomenon.
Some chase concerts, I chased scrapbooking events back then… and today concerts and fairs too!
And if creative is up your alley, the Minnesota State Fair has an agenda for creatives! 👩🎨
The creative activities include stamps, postcards, and baked product competitions with chocolate chip cookies, Bundt cakes, sourdough, and banana bread as a few categories. 🍞
And the Minnesota State Fair has tranquil artistic gardens (not your usual fair features). So take a looksy around 👀
The State Liberty Bell from 1921 is all green and dolled up as a dense topiary (I have a great sticker for that but no emoji 😊) with moss roses and 6,000 succulents 🌵that btw, we need for zen garden sustainability as cactus-like plants are very efficient and need little water!
And see the waterfall and herb features that you can easily miss around the regular greenery!
While gardens are the quiet areas of the fair, they are doing the community a world of good. And you can see the pop of color and pink roses everywhere if that’s your thing like it is mine.
And from there, you can do a small city trip…
You could stay close by in Saint Paul (the capital) and get a feel for the city. Some places have a very fairytale vibe with blue and gold silky fabrics bedding with frills and tassels. 🛏️
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Lobster paella is the new Vegas popular surf-and-turf 🦞 Look for Luke’s Lobster if you just want a nibble. 😋
In my corporate days, I stayed at many value Las Vegas hotels as the largest convention center in the U.S. that’s surrounded by 24-7 food, one-of-a-kind casino entertainment, and never-ending shows… You’ll never forget the ching-ching sound of slot machine coins that is like a ringing in th ear when you walk past and for weeks later.
It’s the amusement park experience times 10. And if you’re visiting for the first time, maybe you take time to get off-the-beaten path, and checkout the nearby wonder of the Hoover Dam just to get away from the glitz and glam for a few. Or if you love roller coasters 🎢, the most unheard-of Sahara Resort has a fast one on The Strip.
While in Vegas, you can expect nothing less than discounted Surf-n-Turf and high-end foodie experiences if you choose. Or Rain Forest Cafe for the kiddos. You won’t be disappointed with all the options. Martha Stewart even made a restaurant debut.
My fave walk-thru hotel is still the Bellagio that’s famous for its outdoor on-the-hour Fountain Show usually narrated by Tony Bennett (Rest In Peace) singing that’ll probably still go on… and the colorful vibes with Chihuly glass flower ceiling.
And if you want to feel like you’ve been whisked to another country or Venice to be exact (one of my fave places on this planet! 🚤), then the Venetian is a luxury hotel with a canal gondolier.
And if you want to be in the middle of it all, Paris, MGM, and Bally’s could be your choice.
But the hidden gem value is this hotel where you’ll get lush for a fraction of the cost of the other luxury hotels on your way to one of the oldest (Caesar’s Palace) and one of the newest (Wynn) hotels on the Strip. You can find a magic show from a previous America’s Got Talent winner and may even catch a free outdoor pirate show nearby on-the-hour in passing.
Don’t miss the value Las Vegas hotels so you have more to spend on entertainment and foodie adventures!
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A fair is a fair and has it’s usual fair stuff with food, rides, contests, and a carnvial atmosphere. Fair? And the OC fair events in Costa Mesa (Orange County) you can count on that lasts for 23 days to be exact.
And while the fun fair may end right at summer’s end or when school starts, 🤔 the fair event remnants last beyond through autumn. You can check out the farm and garden classes, agricultural markets, and make and DIY home contests.
You can also check out the Costa Mesa speedway events as Costa Mesa is home to the motorcycle speedway that the OC fair helped to birth.
When I think of the OC Fair, I think of the New Year’s Day Rose Bowl parade in Pasadena just minutes from Costa Mesa. And the OC Fair may not be filled with roses, but is full of orange inspo and expos. 🟠
Remember, California has a superior fruity advantage, so don’t be surprised if there are unique citrus conversations even when the yearly theme changes. Orange youglad?
And this fair stands out ’cause it’s super family-friendly with all kinds of young kiddo events like the Centennial Farm.
It’s a great exposure to learning about farming culture if you live in a city or the ‘burbs. In California healthy style, there are 8 nearby certified farmers markets (verified to sell what they make, aka organic.
These fit the bill: Laguna Niguel, Irvine, Tustin, and Costa Mesa (where the OC fair is), Santa Ana, Placentia, Huntington Park, Huntington Beach, and Anaheim. And if you need a central place to stay, this Costa Mesa Avenue of the Arts boutique hotel has a garden oasis inside and the exterior has sleek architectural lines (and reminds me of the National Gallery of Art in DC designed by Architect I.M. Pei).
And instead of traveling all around creation in farmers market-related OC Fair events, you can see all of them at the OC Fairgrounds, so you can compare apples to apples. 😃 And oranges to oranges.
And when the OC Fair events are over, besides farms and speedways, you can think about contests that maybe you want to enter for next year if you’re arts and crafty or like to decorate table settings… that’s more my speed. 💕
If you’re missing the carnival fair atmosphere, the California State Carnival is worth checking out in Sacramento, CA.
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The Watergate Hotel is walking distance to the Georgetown Waterfront
The best Washington DC convention hotels and neighborhood areas are just minutes from free museums, the downtown mall, and some of the best restaurants in the nation. I grew up in the area and worked in local DC area hotels. As an insider, I have watched the DC area revitalize. And some areas in the past that weren’t all that safe are now walkable. 🎉
The northwest area where the White House is, is one of the nicest (the Capitol is on the east side as many get confused). Both the east and northeast areas and growing. And Adams Morgan/U Street areas and surrounding are still hoppin’ busy.
Some hotels have changed names and some are built in the middle of the city where there seemed to be no additional space available to erect another hotel building (like the newest Marriott mega hotel – more below).
Depending on where you want to spend your time in DC most, here are some of my favorites based on long-standing reputation, trying their restaurants, and just being in the area (I don’t usually have to stay in a hotel but I have because I love hotels).
These are the Best 5 Washington DC hotel areas (I wouldn’t mind staying in or visiting again as a local guest getaway 😊):
Georgetown and Virginia border (4 miles from Ronald Reagan National Airport). One of the coolest hotels after it got its facelift before 2019, is the Watergate Hotel near the Kennedy Center and just minutes walking into Georgetown (mega outdoor shopping streets) that runs along Rock Creek Parkway (nice drive). The name may sound familiar as that’s where the Watergate Nixon scandal occurred in the early 70s. They’ve remodeled the hotel since. The hotel now has a really neat vibe inside that you’ll feel right away.
…And I’m told this renovation comes with a Mid-Century vibe in hotel personnel uniforms, but I was too busy admiring the lobby architecture, restroom design (check it out!), and food in my face in the restaurant to notice! 😅 Oh, and if you take an Uber or cab to the airport, be sure they drive across Arlington Memorial Bridge so you can catch a glimpse of the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery that you definitely don’t wanna miss!
White House and 14th Street. In the heart of DC, you can stay at the beautiful established Willard Hotel near 14th Street (that has a bridge named after it). The Willard serves a nice afternoon tea comparable to the Ritz Carlton that is known for its tea and scones. The W is one of the best Washington DC convention hotels with views of the Washington DC “mall” on the rooftop bar terrace (POV Lounge). If you take a Segway tour you’ll be able to see the best view of the Capitol from Pennsylvania Ave. even during rush hour!
Convention Center. One of the newest hotels built after 2010 is the Marriott Marquis. It has an open lobby and a covered connector to enter the Convention Center as one of the most convenient, best Washington DC convention hotels. I stayed there for a convention I was actually working at. It’s just minutes from DC City Center, a newly revitalized area that has luxury, high-end shopping, and great restaurants… and just minutes from more great restaurants in DC Gallery Place or Chinatown. During Cherry Blossom season, this is where you want to be.
These are happening spots now, but both were areas you did not want to walk around in late at night prior to the 90s.
Dupont Circle area. The Omni Shoreham in Adams Morgan/Woodley Park area is also a grand hotel closer to the Smithsonian National Zoo. The area is great if you want to be a little bit further from all the hustle and bustle of the downtown mall area. I planned parties for a few years at one of the popular restaurants across the street, so I know the scene. 🎉
It’s in the downtown heart of many events, and I remember enjoying working at Zoofari (where all the foodie restaurants come together and display a tasting or tapas), Zoolights (great for kids!), and all the fun Embassy events. You get your cultural fill! 🌎
Southwest Watefront (Wharf). And if you want a really nice lounge area, visit the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. It’s close to the L’Enfant Plaza metro stop and the popular re-vitalized Southwest Waterfront (The Wharf) area. It’s funny because most of these areas have changed so much… if only you were there! 💭
The Wharf used to be where you bought crabs from the boats on the water to take home, but people didn’t go there as a destination place or to dine at restaurants.. you can now take the water taxi (the bright yellow color of the original taxi cabs) run by The Potomac River Boat Company. They run regularly by the Wharf, Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor.
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DC Restaurant Week
Summer 2019 DC Restaurant Week is happening now in August! Some of my favorite restaurants were discovered through Restaurant Week. Around Washington DC , as a well known mega “foodie” city, I’ve eaten (and worked) in hundreds of amazing restaurants . It’s always a great experience when you’re an Insider to be able to make recommendations.
Officina’s Open Kitchen (Waterfront District)
15 Favority 2019 DC Restaurant Week Insider Picks:
Washington DC:
-1789 Restaurant– American (Georgetown), 1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007
-Acqua Al 2 – Italian (Capitol Hill), 212 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
-America Eats Tavern (Chef Jose Andres)– American (Georgetown), 3139 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
-Birch and Barley – American (14th Street), 1337 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
-DBGB – Modern French (City Center – in between 14th Street and Gallery Place), 931 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
-Officina – Italian (Waterfront District), 1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
-The Hamilton – Sushi and American, Happy Hour and Downstairs Ticketed Live Music Venue (14th Street/near White House), 600 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
This hotel got a massive facelift and has killer sunset water views by the Kennedy Center. This is a hop to Georgetown and the famous “M Street” where you may remember the old warm Brat Pack movie, “St. Elmo’s Fire” that had a pub scene and now a major shopping scene.
Georgetown: Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
This is around the corner from The White House on 14th Street: Willard International Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004
Blue Duck Tavern – a Michelin star hotel restaurant that was one of over 30 brunch places I tried with DC Metro groups.
Since 2020, many DC Metro brunch restaurants said their goodbyes. But some have weathered the storms and withstood the test of time. Which ones?
All 30 of the ones below that I enjoyed.
All were memorable (company more than food), but one Michelin-star restaurant in the Park Hyatt in Georgetown stood out.
My DC Metro brunch group made brunch a weekend event for almost a decade and this one was a highlight (although most of the food served and service was great!).
Growing up in the area, Georgetown was an area full of bars, and you maybe remember… “The Brat Pack” movies. A scene from St. Elmo’s Fire was from a restaurant group that I worked for in the way-back machine, mentioned further below.
Let me back up a little and fill in some details…
From 2010 to 2020, I was booking groups in my foodie restaurants where I managed parties and events (one location mentioned below).
And, on my free weekends and with my DC metro brunch group of friends, we were trying out brunch-friendly neighborhood restaurants. These are some of our favorite tasting place finds I’m sharing with you… that are still around!
(Even the ones that weren’t historical are now captured in history.)
1. Blue Duck Tavern (L’Enfant) – 1201 24th St NW, Washington DC, 20037
2. Le Diplomate – 1601 14th St NW, Washington DC, 20009
3. DBGB (City Center) – retired but you can still dig into the to-die-for Baked Alaska in the Big Apple.
4. Bastille (Parker Gray) – 606 N Fayette St, Alexandria, VA 22314
5. Founding Farmers & Distillers DC – 600 Mass Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
For a buffet, I was impressed with the spread. I’m not a buffet fan as I don’t think they’re all that hygienic (pre-pandemic included), but this one was one I would recommend. They even had classy bruleed grapefruit halves. The other Founding Farmers have a mix of buffet or plated options.
6. Medium Rare – Capitol Hill/Barracks Row location closed, but Arlington is open – 3601 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201
Unforgettable steak frites (…need I say more!)
7. Virtue Feed and Grain – Alexandria on the Potomac River – 106 S Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
The view of the Potomac River is worth the visit! If you book an event, upstairs is the way to go!
8. Oyamel -401 Seventh St NW, Washington, DC 20004
More mole? This is a Tex-Mex institution. And it’s one of a few Chef Andres’ famous restaurants in the exciting Chinatown/Gallery Place block. It’s just around the corner from the Theater District (think DC’s version of Time Square).
8. China Chilcano – 418 7th St NW, Washington DC, DC 20004
This Jose Andres’ newest restaurant addition, that’s just as the exotic name implies… it’s a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Peruvian cuisines. It’s a great place to stop in before a concert across the street at the Capitol One Arena. You can choose from ceviches, dim sum, and noodles. Yes, please!
9. Tabard Inn – 1739 N Street, Washington, DC 20036 (Dupont Circle)
This is the oldest running hotel. You’ll feel it when you realize you’re sitting on modern antique furniture and floors. Don’t let that intimidate you as they serve traditional DC metro brunch foods like their version of chicken and waffles and Eggs Benedict.
10. Birch & Barley – 1337 14th St NW, 2nd Floor, Washington DC, DC 20005 (Logan Circle)
11. Columbia Firehouse – 109 S Saint Asaph St, Alexandria, VA 22314
12. Hen Quarter (Old Town) – 801 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
13. Del Ray Cafe – 205 E Howell Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 (Del Ray in between Alexandria and Arlington)
14. Vermillion – 1120 King Street, Alexandria, VA
15. Blackwell Hitch – 5 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Your choice of sitting outside or inside makes this a great DC metro brunch place.
16. Rosa Mexicano – National Harbor location is the busiest- 153 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD 20745 – fresh guacamole made tableside
17. Fiola – 601 Pennsylvania Ave. DC 20004
Best restaurant week experience and Italian food 🇮🇹
18. Officina – 1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington DC, DC 20024-2417
When I was a kid, this used to be where we bought live crabs. This under developed area is now the popular Wharf area with concerts, restaurants, and the outdoor seafood-fish market spruced up.
19. Sequoia – 3000 K Street, Washington DC 20007 (Georgetown Harbor waterfront)
20. Mia’s – 100 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Busy corner of south King Street (Old Town Alexandria) where Mia’s sits (formerly Carluccio’s)
21. Al Dente – Chef Roberto Donna used to run this restaurant. He was the one who put foodie restaurants on the map.
22. Chop Shop Taco – 1008 Madison St, Alexandria, VA 22314 – tex mex
23. Clyde’s Gallery Place/– 707 7th St NW – related to the bar from the St. Elmo’s Fire movie reference I made above, Clyde’s is a DC metro eating institution. Old Ebbitt Grill is one of their well-known restaurants in the country just a few steps from the White House. If you don’t know what to order, you can’t go wrong with the fresh crabcakes or Eggs Benedict.
24. Aqua al 2 – 212 Seventh St SE, Washington, DC 20003
25. Lebanese Taverna (Westover location) – 5900 Washington Blvd., Arlington – this one is neighborhood-friendly. The other locations you can find in big shopping areas like Tysons II Galleria, Adams Morgan, and Pentagon Row. So this quieter neighborhood location (you’ll probably never heard of unless you’ve lived in the area) is a great place to start a meal.
Of course I’m a ‘lil biased because I planned all the parties for these restaurants for a few years when I wasn’t brunching. I don’t mind the adventurous eating once in a while when I’ve tried everything else…
Westover Lebanese Taverna
26. Nat’l Press Club/Fourth Estate Restaurant – 529 14th St. NW, 13th Fl., Washington, DC 20045
This was a fun DC metro brunch place to find once you’re in the building. But after sat, we’re happy and see that they do serve good food!
This is a typical brunch, but the Fourth Estate Restaurant at the Naional Press Club is not a typical place as many famous people (think kings, prime ministers, and media) have dined here.. Notice the old-fashioned carpeting ubiquitous for historical venues, i.e. The White House blocks away.
27. Compass Rose – 1346 T Street, Washington, DC 20009 (U Street Corridor)
28. Commissary DC – 1443 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
29. Carlyle Grand Cafe – 4000 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206 – this is a well-known DC metro brunch in Shiriington Village, a quaint shopping center. You’ll also find some boutique-y places like Cheesetique that has its own brunch menu with charcuterie and mac-n-cheese.
30. Brabo – 1600 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 – inside the Lorien Hotel and Spa in the north end of Old Town’s King Street
If you’re coming to town for leisure, brunch or a convention, the best time to come is fall when you can appreciate the fall leaves or spring when you catch the cherry blossom display.
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Rewards and Deals definitely perfectly timed HOT weather for National Ice Cream Day. 🍦
National Ice Cream Day is a favorite for young and old alike, and everywhere around the world.
Every day in summer.
Some of my favorite memories are below. They’re not your typical Baskin Robbins, Friendly’s, Ben & Jerry’s or Dippin’ Dots. They’re the international ice cream flavors.
My earliest favorite memory was spumoni ice cream (cherry, pistachio, and chocolate) 🍧 that was so different than even Neapolitan (strawberry, vanilla, chocolate). Except for the similar ingredient… chocolate!
Those were the days when the Ice Cream Man used to drive by the neighborhood with its famous truck jingle 🎶
And these 2023 ice cream days we have every kind of ice cream imaginable 💭…
2023 national ice cream day with Stroopwafel in front of the Pitti Palance, Florence 🧇Rock candy bits on ice cream, Aker Brygge Boardwalk (Oslo, Norway) 🇳🇴
And hazelnut sauce for 2023 ice cream in Italy 🇮🇹 is as common as ketchup for burgers and fries in the States.
And if you’re like me you like vanilla too as a good base to start with in Bologna🍦. Like this one that never melts ⛔️ And along those lines, I like ice cream in a cup so you’re not playing the lick faster than you get a chance to enjoy game.
And of course… the famous Gelato mounds… is it ice cream worthy? For me, you bet… Yes, please. 🙋🏻♀️ But, you and your inner child or critic decide.
And spin the wheel of gelato fortune at the chic seen-and-be-seen Fountainbleau Hotel (Miami, Florida 🌴). Anywhere the scoop lands is a win! Nice how they even added a few sorbet selections, especially if you’re overheated… raspberry, mango, and coconut pina colada.
Variety is the spice of life at Foutainbleau’s Bon Bon and the grocery store.
Mascarpone is an Italian flavor. I think it’s repuprosed from a tiramisu dessert because some cheeses are the new dessert. 🧀
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Bath’s Christmas Market near the thermal spa bath steps away 🐾
If you’re looking for a heavenly thermal spa mineral-rich experience, then Bath could be your place. It’s a wonderful hidden gem town that has many year-round events.
If you go during the Christmas season, you’ll get to experience the outdoor Christmas Market that’s not crowded like other ones that are more known. You can sometimes find good holiday deals.
But a must-do anytime is the Thermae Spa that the town is known for and has an outdoor rooftop thermal pool and indoor pools. If you’ve ever wanted to try mineral spa waters like the Romans did 2,000 years ago, but in a controlled environment, then this is the place to visit. And the 2-hour body therapeutic experience is affordable.
With the savings of going to this spa over one in a larger city, you’ll comfortably be able to have a nice stay at the Abbey Hotelthat’s just a 4-minute walk to the Thermae Spa and Christmas Market in the City Centre (and less than 2 hour drive from London).
Bath City Centre tree around Christmas 🎄
The hotel is convenient and the rooms are unique. You can stay in the Cinematography Room with a modern design or the Gallery Room with a soothing green color wall.
And the hotel has one of the best afternoon teas you don’t wanna miss! 💕 When you’re ready for brunch and art-deco inspiration, head over to The Ivy Bath Brasserie for a unique Bath dining experience, the foodie kitchen sink with anything from Shepherd’s Pie to Lobster Prawn Free-Range Eggs Benedict.
And if you want a ‘lil history you can visit the Roman Baths and appreciate your modern spa bath even more in this quaint town and what it has to offer.
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Chelsea bun anyone?
Move over James Bond, if you’re a fan of The Great British Baking Show (aka Great British Bake Off or GBBO for Brits) like I AM 🙋🏻♀️, then you’ve probably taken an even stronger liking to London recently.
The Paul Hollywood show actually takes place in the outdoor big white tent off the beaten path in the country, but the baking adventure definitely has brought modern appeal to the historic city. And it’s a massive one at that! If you like sweets, you’re definitely in for a treat.
If you’re in London to take a ride on the London Eye to check out the city views, come for Wimbledon tennis, to museum hop, and check out the Rosetta Stone or portraits of famous Brits, you will not be bored!
…OH, and expect a huge shopping or window shopping selection (…have you heard of the 8-floor Harrod’s Department Store?). Plus, the foodie scene. It’s not just Fish & Chips anymore if you check out Insta photos. And one boutique-y area with tasty foodie food and free outdoor entertainment I’d recommend is Covent Garden.
Covent Garden tree around Christmas
London can actually be very overwhelming if you’re coming and going for the first time even if you do speak English. You’ll quickly learn to speak Brit with afternoon tea and get from place to place taking the Tube or London cabs. 💂♂️
And this Park Plaza Westminster Hotel is central modern to your visit. Not only does it have amazing views of the London Eye wheel 🎡that you can eye throughout the hotel and maybe even your room, you can see the other iconic architectural wonders London is known for like Westminster Abbey … And you can try to keep track of time looking out at Big Ben. Now that’s a Wow-za and a one-of-a-kind city view you don’t want to miss. 🇬🇧
Plus… the hotel has its own onsite restaurants that serve French cuisine… and sushi anyone? Having worked in the hotel foodie scene (I’m a former hospitality catering sales manager) I know the inside scoop behind-the-scenes. It’s not easy to run a hotel kitchen with all the moving parts and departments. Just sayin’ you won’t be disappointed with these efforts.
Don’t forget to fit in your Great British Baking Show dessert time and afternoon tea… and a visit to Fortnum & Mason before you leave. Cheers! 🫖
Fortnum & Mason is a great place to tea shop or get your fancy scones to give as gifts back home.
