By: Nancy and Charles Nevil, May/June, 2009 
The 4th London morning was once again cloudless and filled with sunshine. We strolled over to the glamorous and beautiful Ritz Hotel for breakfast with our good friends, and after delightful conversation about travel and general catching up, finding out who is where, we had a tour of the hotel, checking on rooms and suites, public areas, and additions made since last we visited. To call the Ritz sumptuous would be accurate, but so refined and so welcoming. The hotel is spotless and cheery; rooms are just what you would expect from this great London icon. For those who want a central location and the warmth of British hospitality at its best, The Ritz is, more than ever, an outstanding choice. Our visit was a pleasure and a treat.
Oh what joy is a sunny day in London Town. People scurrying down streets we have walked so often, taxis honking, it is truly a place to soak in and enjoy. Tomorrow we will be off on the cruise portion of our journey, sad to leave this city, but happy to be going off on a new adventure. Before we leave, we have time for one more hotel visit and again, we were going to check on an old haunt with a new and modern remodel, Browns Hotel.
The lobby of Brown’s has a lot of its old warm and woody feel, but this hospitable lady has made some delightful changes. There is a new and wonderful bar next to the traditional tea room, a lovely remodeled restaurant with most interesting English art, AND totally refurbished rooms that are attractive, bright, modern, and spacious. The old traditional floors that squeaked are gone, the old dark spaces are gone, and a new and more youthful atmosphere prevails. Management and staff are most welcoming to all, with wonderful accommodations for families, (offering some delightful special amenities for the young folk). The location, just off Piccadilly, has you close to superb shopping on Bond and Regent Streets. This is not your same old tired lady, she is in the 21st century and waits to share her hospitality with you.
Saturday morning, just time for a wonderful walk before setting off on our cruise from London to Scotland to Ireland, back to London and our parking place on the Thames, right next to the Tower Bridge. It was another perfect, warm day as we strolled through The West End, past Soho and China Town, through Leicester Square and into Covent Garden. Music filled the air, the performers were wonderful, full of energy and sweet sounds both vocally and instrumentally. Then it was back to the hotel, packing up, and making our way to Tower pier where our ship awaited across the Thames.