The London Lounge

Just had a visit ( we are in the travel business) from a representative of the Connaught Hotel in London ( my all time favorite since I was a lad in the early 1950's) and was advised that the hotel will close in mid-April and open again in Mid October, it is being refurbished ( I hope they keep that wonderful stairway?) along with being expanded ( they bought the building next door and are making that part of the hotel.)

We all know ( Connaught fans, that is ) that the hotel is not what it use to be and who can say, what it will be next Fall, when it comes back on line.

As for me, I will be in London next week and plan to have a goodby drink and remember the 'good ole' days, just in case, next years, events find a radical change at the hotel.

Ah! Where is the life that late I lead?
( I know, I know, I am sounding like my Edwardian grandfather!)

~ H.E. Lewis

Dear Parishow:

Enjoy your visit, and if possible please post some photos of the great hotel.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

The last time that I stayed at the Connaught was in July. I have to say that although it shows wear, it is still my favorite hotel in the world.

I spoke with the General Manager in June and he assured me that not only will the staircase remain untouched, but that the renovation would be a bit more of a restoration process with the addition of some of the modern nicities that we find in hotels today. He mentioned better televisions, better communications systems and those crazy contraptions where you stick your key in to keep the lights on. He assured me that nothing much would change with the style.

One thing that nobody ever mentions about the Connaught is my absolute favorite feature. I love the minibar that has no refridgerator and no puny bottles of alcohol. The full have bottles of gin make me smile every time that I go into my room. I really hope these don't get "updated".

Incidentally, July 4 fell while we were staying at the Connaught. Obviously, this is not a big holiday in Britain , but I found it touching that they closed the American Bar for the night.

So why are they holding my June, 2007, reservation?

Terry Teplitz