Updated 3:55 am PST, Tuesday, January 29, 2019 FILE - In this Thursday, July 11, 2013 file photo, John Malkovich arrives at the LA premiere of "Red 2" at the Westwood Village on in Los Angeles. Producers announced Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019 John Malkovich is returning to the London stage as a powerful Hollywood producer accused of sexual misconduct, in a play with strong echoes of the Harvey Weinstein saga. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) less FILE - In this Thursday, July 11, 2013 file photo, John Malkovich arrives at the LA premiere of "Red 2" at the Westwood Village on in Los Angeles. Producers announced Tuesday Jan. 29, 2019 John Malkovich is ... more Photo: Jordan Strauss, Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Photo: Jordan Strauss, Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close … [Read more...] about John Malkovich to star in Weinstein-inspired play in London
London
London calling
An innovative new city break specialist is offering tourists the chance to sample some of London’s most unusual experiences. Standing by the kerb, a menacing figure strokes the knuckleduster on his tattooed left hand, his eyebrows furrowing as he glances in my direction. “You lookin’ fer me?” he asks in a low, gravelly voice, sending rivers of sweat down the back of my neck.Under any other circumstances, I’d quickly scuttle away, but today I have to stay put, because this hard-nosed mobster is the very person I’ve planned to meet.My path to Mickey Goldtooth had been paved some 48 hours earlier, when, like something out of John le Carre novel, a rather strange but exciting email landed in my inbox. It instructed me to present myself at 10am on a street corner in London’s Liverpool Street and look for the man with a black suit and gold teeth. That was pretty much it.The ‘Top Secret Dossier’ - cleverly designed to resembled … [Read more...] about London calling
Short stay: Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living, Park Lane, London, UK
By Paul Johnson on Jan 24, 2019 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe Situated on London’s exclusive Park Lane, overlooking iconic Hyde Park, Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living offers contemporary luxury residences just moments from all the best that London has to offer. With a level of sophistication and elegance that is not overly-stuffy, this special hotel perfectly combines the refined beauty of a historic London building with modern, contemporary design. The welcome Don’t be deceived by the rather modest entrance to Grosvenor House Suites which consists of doors either side of the corner where Park Lane meets Mount Street. It doesn’t have the grandeur of some of London’s most well-known five star hotel entrances but therein lies its charm – nothing is overstated. Inside we were met with a warm welcome from the concierge desk … [Read more...] about Short stay: Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living, Park Lane, London, UK
Short stay: Victory House London MGallery by Sofitel, Leicester Square, London, UK
By Paul Johnson on Jan 23, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Hotels, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe - Read ... times MGallery by Sofitel is a collection of boutique hotels that combine luxury with a focus on literature and culture. Among this select group of hotels is Victory House London MGallery by Sofitel – the perfect launch-pad for all that London has to offer. The property has a fascinating and industrious history that mirrors the industrial changes in the city of London itself. Located in the beating heart of the West End, the hotel offers a home from home with everything you need to experience London, right on your doorstep. The welcome On entering through the double doors on Leicester Place, just yards from Leicester Square itself, you go through a small seating area to a desk at the far end. There you’ll find a very modest reception area – a tiny desk – but one that was continually manned by a friendly face throughout my visit. The … [Read more...] about Short stay: Victory House London MGallery by Sofitel, Leicester Square, London, UK
Short stay: The Cavendish, Mayfair, London, UK
By Paul Johnson on Jan 23, 2019 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe - Read ... times Those of you with good memories may recall that I reviewed The Cavendish on a previous visit back in 2016. Located in the heart of prestigious Mayfair and Piccadilly, the hotel was just as good as I remembered: an inviting place to stay in the capital, and suitable for both business and leisure travellers alike. Shoppers will love the proximity of the likes of Fortnum and Mason on the doorstep and a multitude of upscale retailers within easy walking distance. The welcome Check-in was quick and painless; efficient and welcoming. If there’s one thing I hate about check-in, especially when I’m travelling on business, it’s a load of unnecessary form-filling and delays. There was none of that – I was served immediately and promptly able to make my way to my … [Read more...] about Short stay: The Cavendish, Mayfair, London, UK