I’ve stayed at Claridges before, but it was on a client’s tab. Two of the best nights of my life, they were.
Now here’s my story. I went back about eighteen months later — not to stay, but just for a teatime meeting with someone.
The concierge remembered my name. And was absolutely distraught that I wasn’t staying with them this time. (I didn’t dare tell him that I was staying at some flophouse in Earl’s Court, since demolished thank gawd.)
Per night cost in an ordinary room nowadays: about $4,800. It was a hell of a lot less back in the late 1990s. I very much doubt if a client would put me up there now.
And before anyone gets all sniffy about the price (having spent most of their traveling nights in Ramada or Red Roof Inn), just remember that most stays at places like Claridges are done on expense accounts, and/or written off against taxes as a “business” expense.
It’s the world we live in — or rather, the world we mortals just look at through the bubble of their privilege and wealth. And no, I’m neither envious or jealous. If I were some kind of crypto- or Silicon Valley nouveau riche guy, I’d probably do exactly the same… because I’ve stayed at Claridges, and honestly? the experience is kinda worth it.
Curious that. When I was a wee lad, my father when having business to attend in Buenos Aires (murkin regional sales manager for a big tech company in the 60’s), would sometimes haul mom and I along for a holiday. He worked, the holiday was for us.
We stayed at the Claridge Hotel. It was possibly a copy or maybe related to the UK one, since back then there was a lot of Brit influence in Argy. My memory is of copious wood paneling and carvings, everywhere, marble floors, wainscots and glittering chandeliers. A tea room with service to die for, anchored with a massive grand piano, which at tea time (5 PM) would have a skilled pianist tickling the ivories.
I never thought to ask dad about the cost, but then, like yourself, he did have a travel budget and submitted all bills back to NY HQ.
I do not know if it still exists, but it is a treasured memory. If wife and I ever get back to visit Londonistan, perhaps we should look up Claridge’s if it is still there. Maybe we can afford a night or two, or just tea. And I have not forgotten your odes to Greggs, they are on my list too.
I’m glad places like this. I don’t care if I ever use their services. Maybe I hit the lottery or something and splurge on a night or two at a really nice place on vacation. the beauty of these hotels and the incredible service is worth it.
I’d like to stay at the Green Briar in West Virginia sometime. They have a skeet field which would be nice to use.
I HAD LUNCH WITH MY WIFE THERE, ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO, AFTER HAVING SOME DENTAL WORK IN WIMPOLE STREET. I WENT TO MY WEIGHTWATCHERS CLASS THAT EVENING AND GOT 10 OUT OF 10 FOR MY LUNCH CHOICES +(GRILED LOBSTER + POTATO SALAD). I’D GO BACK BUT I CAN’T FACE THE TRAFFIC/PARKING SITUATION. (I TRAVELLED INTO LONDON BACK THEN ON A BMW 800).
I’ve never lived in the financial zip code that allowed me to even peep through the knothole of a place like that.
BUT.
This illustrates what I despise about the resentful classes. I find it comforting that such places exist, and there are still exquisite locations to feed the soul. I feel the same way about Male-only clubs, or exclusive golf establishments or whatever gives us aspirations to separate ourselves from the mire. I write this as one of the unwashed who treats that kind of thing like we broke kids did the toys in the Sears Catalog.
There is a cadre out there, and the ilk who try to demagogue them, that think “Because I can’t get in there, I’ll make sure it doesn’t exist” and priceless things are destroyed thereof.
Maybe the above rant made sense. Its hard sometimes to write the inexplicable. At least there is some man-made beauty left in the world. Tucker Carlson is kind of hit-or-miss lately, but when he asked , “Why don’t we build beautiful things anymore?” I felt the same way.
Anyway another set of ramblings from an old man.
And exceedingly well rambled, if I may say.
“Because I can’t get in there, I’ll make sure it doesn’t exist”
This.
Socialism feeds on envy.
Minor quibble RHT.
Envy is the, “I desire to have what you have.”
Covetousness is, “I’ll take or destroy what you have.”
It may be picking fly shit out of pepper, but aspirations are positive, the way you desire to achieve the aspirations is where it goes awry.
But yes, there is not one element of the collectivist ideologies that is not built on the worst elements of our human nature.
Even if one is not a member or cannot afford places like Claridge’s, Augusta National or Green Briar, it lifts the soul that such places of that level of excellence can be conceptualized, designed and built by skilled hands, and then preserved and run by subsequent generations of competent stewards.
They are markers of a great culture.
Unfortunately, they also bring out the jealousy of incompetents and non-achievers who only know how to destroy anything they can’t own, fuck or eat.
Thanks for the magnificent eye candy, Kim.
Well put. I will be thieving, without attribution the phrase, “the jealousy of incompetents and non-achievers who only know how to destroy anything they can’t own, fuck or eat.”
Its too good to not use.
Well said valine76, and I echo the sentiment preussenotto. I rather doubt that as an unwashed American I would ever feel welcome at Claridge’s; I’m given to understand that the hoteliers at the top-drawer British establishments can be every bit as condescending as most of the Frog hotel staff are, which is saying something.
But even though I’m never likely to be a guest, I’m pleased that such establishments exist simply because they can; it’s one of the things that reaffirms my belief that people of fortitude CAN provide fine things for people better-equipped than (I so stipulate) I am to appreciate them.
I think it was the late great Jeff Cooper who wrote about the Purdey cased and matched shotgun sets that were so magnificent in execution, but cerebral-hemorrhage expensive (upward of $300,00 a copy) that nobody in their right minds would ever actually buy them. He would never be a player because of his preference for utility over ornament — nor would I, for reasons of expense, Lord forefend — but he expressed his appreciation that someone would do such a thing because they COULD. And they are unbelievably beautiful examples of the art.
Didn’t douchebag Harry, the “Spare” get rid of his matched Purdeys because of that woke bitch Markle? What a terrible waste.
While we’re on the topic–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUXoNUzAyvk
I stayed at the the Dubai Grand Hotel that was $2 grand a night and it had a beautiful view of a huge mosque.
Was the mosque view something magnificent like the Haggia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, or the Mosque of Muhammad Ali – magnificent, or was it a disappointment? I can’t tell whether you were impressed or let down.