OA260 From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24907 posts, RR: 60 Posted (3 years 5 months 5 days ago) and read 18991 times:
My mate and I decided to meet in London and go Christmas shopping. I had just returned from Greece and Turkey and he had just come back from seeing his family in Dubai. I cashed in some miles and flew BMI DUB-LHR-DUB. 9,000 Miles and €68 all in. Not bad at all.
I checked in at Dublin airport at the self service kiosks, out of 4 only 2 working. Bit of a pain really and I had to que.
Then time to go to the lounge.
After a while it was time to go to the gate.
Boarding was quick and orderly. Greeted at the door by a smiling BMI crew member.
Once at the crew had been released for duties the service began.
Has to be done ....
The flight went quickly and soon it was time to land.
A light A/C below
A farmer with humor ''Loud and Ploughed''
My bed for the night
Time to say goodbye to the crew and head to arrivals to meet my mate. We then headed on the free bus to the Renaissance hotel.
Its been refurbished since my last visit.
Nice room with runway view
When my mate saw the runway he said that maybe we should get a room change!!
Me '' Are you joking ? , thats the whole point'' to which I got a funny look. He doesnt appreciate the hobby, well I guess no ones perfect lol...
Anyway time to drop our bags and get the underground into London and go shopping. First up was the A&F store in Savile Row. A 30 mins que to get into the store. I really wanted a bottle of my favourite aftershave ''Fierce'' and although its £75 for 100ml well worth it.
Its a unique shopping experience in itself people dancing and models etc.. I prefer the US stores though as not so crowded and better prices. Anyway I got my aftershave and proceeded to the cashier. Turned to get my money from my bag and got the money out, went to give it to the girl only to be handed a receipt and my purchase. For a few seconds I was a bit confused but my mate had given his credit card and then turned to me and said Happy Christmas. I went red and the girl at the cashier said thats so sweet which made me more red. Anyway a really nice surprise.
Anyway time to hop on the Piccadilly line to Harrods next.
This years theme is the Wizard of OZ which I always loved as a kid.
The dining options across the road from Harrods.
We decided to pop across the road for some lunch at the Lebanese restaurant.
I love these kind of places where the different options come round on the belt.
After that I was so full. The bill was only £25 for the two of us. Amazing value.
Then it was time to go to the Nespresso store.
Lots of nice things to buy at Harrods.
Just had to buy a box of these for later ...
The Emerald City !
Very cool idea
After a long time we were tired and decided to go back to the hotel at LHR. That night we just relaxed watched X Factor and ate the box of Harrods chocolates lol...
Next morning I woke up and went straight away to look at the window
My mate was asking why I was taking pics again lol... but did take some interest in his national carrier Emirates
We then went to breakfast which I have to say is wonderful at the Renaissance and the Waffles are amazing freshly made in front of you.
After Breakfast managed to negotiate half an hour of spotting outside the hotel
After half an hour I was told my time was up and dragged away lol... ( literally ) . Back to the hotel and to the health club where they have a nice sauna and steam room. At around 4pm we checked out and headed to the airport. BTW for £30 you can keep your room til 4pm which was worth it for us.
So I checked in at the SSK and then dropped my bag at the bag drop desk. 15 kilos of Harrods goodies
Said goodbye to my mate and then headed to the Star Lounge.
Good selection and lovely Chicken Korma and Onion Bhaji's and Pakora,Samosa's
Soon time to head to the gate. I was quite tired by this time. Just wanted to get home.
A long taxi which for 10 minutes I fell asleep .
After take off the service began. Nice braised beef was tasty .
Fell asleep again for a bit and soon was time to land.
So thats the end of my report. Loved the weekend and was really nice. London and Harrods is very special at this time of year and sometimes the shorter trips can be as enjoyable as the long ones especially with good company.
Hope you enjoyed the report.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
OA260
Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou! / Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
EI320 From Ireland, joined Dec 2007, 1415 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (3 years 5 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 18831 times:
Great Report again Philip. London is at it's best at Christmas IMO, always very well decorated and a good atmosphere around the place.
Terrific pics on take-off from DUB and nice to see T2 coming together nicely.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): We then headed on the free bus to the Renaissance hotel.
No better place to sit down and relax for a few hours with the camera and binoculars, particular when 27R is in use for departures.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): First up was the A&F store in Savile Row. A 30 mins que to get into the store. I really wanted a bottle of my favourite aftershave ''Fierce'' and although its £75 for 100ml well worth it.
The A&F store is one of a kind. Was there in November, no queue outside but was certainly very hectic inside. Nice clothes but very .
Food on BD looks OK, the breakfast could be a little bigger though.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, RR: 56 Reply 3, posted (3 years 5 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 18696 times:
Hi Philip,
Great report as always.
I really don't like the presentation of the bmi meals in 'business class', they really seem to lack any presentation and the breakfast is in particular poor compared to the same BA meal.
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): First up was the A&F store in Savile Row. A 30 mins que to get into the store
- What is it with this store? Every time I pass it in NYC the queues are hugh!
CrimsonNL From Netherlands, joined Dec 2007, 1618 posts, RR: 42 Reply 5, posted (3 years 5 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 18571 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW CHAT OPERATOR
Hello Philip, great report! It makes me want to go to London again so bad! I traveled on EI on LHR-DUB a few days after you. Did you have the same horrific terminal with the endless tunnel of death?
Yeah but better in the US Stores as in $$ as opposed to Stg.
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 3): I guess you missed the reg on the return flight?
I actually got it from an Irish Anetter and must look back at the old Irish thread to get it. Was just in the middle of the TR writing when I noticed it.
Quoting Akhmad (Reply 4): Thank you for sharing and please allow me to wish you the same....
Thanks , hope you get lots of nice gifts and enjoy your time with your family.
Quoting CrimsonNL (Reply 5): Did you have the same horrific terminal with the endless tunnel of death?
I have gotten used to the endless tunnel from the A/C to the arrivials. But they are messing with it again for some reason. In general though I like the new areas of T1. I love shopping lol...
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 6): London looks indeed really nice during christmas time.
Well done and nice pics.
Hi Markus , thanks , have a good one .
Quoting SOBHI51 (Reply 7): You are one of those rare people who can take a simple trip DUB-LHR-DUB and make a great report out of it.
Hi thanks so much it means alot. Chat to you soon .
Philip
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Rogerbcn From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1135 posts, RR: 19 Reply 9, posted (3 years 5 months 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 18176 times:
Hola Philip!
Thanks for this short hop turned into a great TR.
I enjoyed looking at BMI, although the breakfast service doesn't look very well presented, but I bet it was tasty, wasn't it?
A&F is a terrific store, I was there in summer and enjoyed all the dancing and models around, as it was not as crowded I got my picture taken with one of the models.
DunaA320 From UK - England, joined Feb 2009, 610 posts, RR: 9 Reply 10, posted (3 years 5 months 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 17862 times:
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): First up was the A&F store in Savile Row. A 30 mins que to get into the store. I really wanted a bottle of my favourite aftershave ''Fierce'' and although its £75 for 100ml well worth it.
Addicted to this stuff! I use way too much of it! Unlucky about the queue. I never bother queing if its like that, Lucky that its only half hour into city by train.
Nice report, thanks for sharing. It's always good to read a report about your home city.
EL-AL From Israel, joined Oct 2001, 1120 posts, RR: 5 Reply 11, posted (3 years 5 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 17489 times:
Hey Phil,
Another great report. It's a challenge to serve J class meal on such a short flight, seems like Y get nothing and J class get long haul Y meal. In my eyes at least.
Your hotel location is amazing, isn't it too noisy at night?
Quoting OA260 (Thread starter): London and Harrods is very special at this time of year
Northern Europe in the winter? no thx, I am staying here till April, at least.
Phen From Ireland, joined Oct 2007, 294 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (3 years 5 months 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 16730 times:
Excellent report as per usual Philip,
Wonderful hotel to spot from - I'll try it some time!! Great pics of London - I hope to move over there in August 2010! Good to see you like A&F too - very £££ but much better pices across the pond as you say.
Shamrock350 From Ireland, joined Mar 2005, 6102 posts, RR: 15 Reply 16, posted (3 years 5 months 4 days ago) and read 16587 times:
Great report Philip,
That Bmi breakfast doesn't look too appealing, bit small as well but I'm sure it tasted good. The return meal looks much nicer, I'd probably have that finished off in a few seconds! Pictures of London were great, there's always a good atmosphere with the lights and people Christmas shopping.
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1672 posts, RR: 15 Reply 20, posted (3 years 5 months 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 15541 times:
Hello Philip, great report as usual!
BMI seem to offer a pretty decent J product on shorthaul. The full English breakfast looked nice, though the idea of having the food served on a tray for J, would might be a bit more suited. A bit interesting to see that they serve Champagne for breakfast (just like SAS, apparently), did you make a mimosa?
That Lebanese restaurant looked really interesting, and the Idea of having a conveyor belt for the dishes, is something I've only seen in sushi bars. Any other restaurants who have adopted this concept?
The *A lounge in LHR looked nice, I didn't know *A itself, had their own lounges. The food looked great though!
Thanks for sharing, and God Jul och Gott Nytt År, på dig med!
//Jonas
I won't stop complaining until SAS reintroduces free service in Economy Class!
AznMadSci From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 3542 posts, RR: 5 Reply 21, posted (3 years 5 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 14983 times:
Yiasas Philip!
Cool trip report! I really wished I had plenty of time to go around DUB and take a look at the airport when I was there in April, but like the whole trip I was just running late all over! Do have an interesting NSFA.net story regarding security at DUB!
Am laughing at the long lines at A&F! Is that store tiny and can only fit in a handful group of people at a time? Definitely don't see that at the A&F here! What I do find disturbing with A&F is their brand Abercrombie for pre-teens and the skinny things trying to fit into their clothes!
Thanks for sharing!
Tagalog Greeting: Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!!!!!
Colin
The journey of life is not based on the accomplishments, but the experience.
No not this time lol.... Just reminded me I must mail you that item soon.
Quoting AznMadSci (Reply 21): Am laughing at the long lines at A&F! Is that store tiny and can only fit in a handful group of people at a time? Definitely don't see that at the A&F here! What I do find disturbing with A&F is their brand Abercrombie for pre-teens and the skinny things trying to fit into their clothes!
I love A&F but I wouldnt get into all their clothes lol... So I choose the ones that do haha... And the Aftershave is amazing.
OLYMPIC AIR - ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΗ "Η ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΨΗΛΑ" "GREECE FLYING HIGH"
Sponsor Message: 
From Ireland, joined Nov 2006, 24907 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8264 posts, 
From Netherlands, joined Sep 2005, 2332 posts, 
From Turkey, joined Sep 2003, 4391 posts, 
From Saudi Arabia, joined Jun 2003, 3010 posts, 
From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1135 posts, 
From UK - England, joined Feb 2009, 610 posts, 
From Israel, joined Oct 2001, 1120 posts, 
From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, 
From Australia, joined Oct 2006, 48 posts, 
From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1672 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 3542 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
