The Best Concierge in the World

I just interviewed Frank Laino. Not only is he the Head Concierge at the Stafford, but he's been voted "The Best Concierge in the World" by Virtuoso for the past five years! How cool is that?! Not only does he give me tips on what to see and do in London and how to best do it, he gets me and John (and our friend's Jeff and Kelly) reservations for TONIGHT into the hottest restaurant in London: Heston Blumenthal's "Dinner." I can't believe it! The wait list is usually three months. Running up to the Suite now to get ready...

* Check out my full interview here:http://bit.ly/o7kKFZ

The Stafford. Our Residence Whilst in London.

The Stafford London is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

THIS is what luxury is all about--old school, high-brow luxury. We have just arrived in our Mews Suite--which is an apartment with two bathrooms, a library and living room, a grand master bedroom, and gigantic master bathroom. The shower is bigger than our 6x6 compartamento on the train. Really. And oh yes,  I will be using that soaking tub!

I've never been to London. I want to explore. But right now, I have no desire to leave this room...

We're Staying at the Stafford. Where?

We've taken the train from Stansted into London's Liverpool station. Being the adventure travellers we are, we decide during this 45 minute ride we're gonna take the Underground from the station to the hotel. It can't be that difficult, right?

For the first time since the "morning suitcase ritual" on the train, I lose it. After asking 3 people at the Liverpool Train Station the best way to arrive at our hotel, The Stafford, we still have no idea. (I'm tired, and I'm hungry.)

First, we're in London: We are all speaking ENGLISH. Second, The Stafford is the most luxurious hotel in London (if not all of Europe), and Third, Kate's family just stayed there for the Royal Wedding. How can you not know The Stafford?!

I announce, "we're taking a taxi!" And off to the taxi stand we go. The driver knows exactly where the Stafford is (although he does look a bit curious as to why the two of us are staying there...)

Difficult Jet

Bilbao is a great base city in which to explore other European cities. There are inexpensive flights on EasyJet out of BIO. But a word of caution if you've never flown DifficultJet: We may have only paid $50USD for our flight to London (which lands at Stansted--an hour outside of London) but since we were each checking a bag--we added about $40USD/each. Plus, since we'd been in Europe for awhile (and I'm a female!) said pieces of luggage were over 20kg/each and we paid 12 Euros for every kilo we were over. (Yes, I about dropped over when the agent said, "You are 8 kilos over. That will be 96 Euros.") Our $50 USD flights from BIO to STN ended up costing nearly $300 USD (yes, that is EACH!) My advice, take British Airways.