Team Bricki Just Touched Down in London Town- September 2021 DAY THREE

[princessnicki]

Today we actually got a little bit of a lie-in as we didn’t have to leave until we checked out at 12.00pm. We had a chilled morning watching Million Dollar Listing, packed up and headed down to our lunch reservation at Grand Pacific. This is a favourite of ours in Manchester and now there is one in the Queens Hotel in Leeds. The setting here is absolutely gorgeous and takes inspiration from the Art Deco/ Great Gatsby era. We had a little look around parts of the Queens Hotel as it is under a large refurbishment and it looks absolutely fantastic- we will definitely stay here in the future.

The Afternoon Tea is a real stand out here so we had to try it again. You are served a whole stand of savouries and a whole stand of sweet treats- perfect for us as we like a lot of savoury!

Todays menu was Autumnal themed and our savoury section consisted of a Crumpet with Lobster Butter, Egg and Mustard Mayonaise Sandwich, Coronation Chicken Sandwich, Eccles Cake Topped with Creamy Wensleydale Cheese, Smoked Salmon Potato Cake, Arancini with Goats Cheese, Marinated Tuna and Salmon Tartare

The sweet section consisted of Lemon Tart, Passion Fruit Brulee, Chocolate Truffle, Jasmine Tea Bread with Rose Jelly and Cream, Lamington Lollipops, Coconut Rum Trifle, Mini Pavlova

The cocktail menu is one of the best we have ever sampled and it was nice to see that it hasn’t changed, so we had to enjoy some of our favourites from our previous visit. It is hard to pick a favourite as they catered to both of our favourite cocktail flavours. They were all different to the standard classics using elements such as Gingerbread Foam, Raspberry Sherbet, Rose Liqueur, in the mixes.

We enjoyed

Baked Banana (Bacardi Carta Blanca, Lemon, Banana Liqueur and Syrup topped with Baked Banana Foam and Cinnamon)

Pomegranate Mojito (Bacardi Carta Blanca, Aperol, Pomegranate and Mint)

Kiwi Blanc (Ketel One, Cointreau, Sauvignon Blanc, Kiwi, Mint and Lemonade)

Lady Lamington (Coconut Rum, Chambord, Apple, Gingerbread Foam and Coconut)

Dizzy Rose Gold (Chandon Rosé, Lanique Rose Liqueur, Jasmine and Raspberry Sherbet)

Salted Caramel Espresso Martini (Coconut Rum, Espresso, Carnation Caramel and Malden Sea Salt)

Banana Sidecar (Martell VS, Banana Liqueur and Lemon)

The Peacock (Barcardi, Blue Caracao, Kiwi, Pineapple, Lime)

Golden Pineapple (Barcardi, Appleton Rum, Koko Kanu, Absinthe, Kiwi, Banana, Pineapple, Guava, Lime)

Posh Colada (Pineapple Rum, Coconut Water, Coconut Ice Cube)

Rose and Lychee Martini (Gin, Lychee and Rose Liquor, Lemon, Lychee)

As the Queens is literally next to the train station we brought our luggage with us so we could hop straight onto the train after we had finished at Grand Pacific. We usually book early to try and get a bargain in First Class on the train to London but this was a last minute trip so we travelled Economy. The train started off as a bit of a nightmare as the seats we had reserved were filthy- someone had dropped foundation all over the seat and left used make up wipes, empty drinks cans, bits of sandwich- it was a mess. The train conductor said he didnt have anyone to clean it so we would need to move. He found us another seat and poor Brett tackled moving both cases from Carriage E to C as the train set off. This actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we were given a table seat on our own and were sat opposite the most hilarious mother and daughter from Bradford, who had us belly laughing the whole journey. They also latched onto the guy behind us, who was going home to South London, and it was so much fun. I think poor Chris will be having a weekend in Bradford in the future whether he likes it or not. My favourite story that they told us was when they were holidaying in Dubai and bumped into Ashley Cole in the hotel lobby. They went up to him for a chat and the mother made a joke about him being crazy for cheating on Cheryl. The guy started laughing and said "i wish i could pull Cheryl Cole". The daughter was mortified and said mum you idiot thats John Barnes! I couldnt stop laughing, it was the way they told the stories as well, two really funny characters!

Our train picnic was a bit uninspiring as we wasnt going to bother getting anything but Brett decided last minute he was hungry so we grabbed what was left at Sainsburys. A Cheese and Tomato mini Pizza, Ham and Cheese Sandwich and Salmon Sushi

We arrived at Kings Cross and jumped in an Uber to our hotel- The Montague On The Gardens. This is a lovely boutique hotel located in Bloomsbury, near the British Museum. It was perfect for us as we were eating out a lot in Soho and this was 15-20 minute walk away. One of the chefs here is South African and knows Brett from back home. We mentioned we were planning to visit London so we would book in the restaurant he worked in while we were down. He very kindly asked us if we would like to stay here and use his friends and family discount so we actually got the room for a very reasonable price. Unfortunately he wasnt working that weekend as he was on annual leave but he asked the staff to take good care of us and boy did they!

The hotel was absolutely stunning- by far the best hotel we have stayed in in this country. Traditional with some lovely touches- do not disturb lights on the door, turn down service every night, robes and slippers, the most comfortable bed ever with a cloud like duvet and pillows, the most powerful rain shower i have ever seen, full Sky TV service

We received the most perfect service too- the consierge team are unreal, nothing is too much trouble!

We had a quick pre dinner drink in the Leopard Bar enjoying a Leopard (Snow Leopard Vodka, Frangelico, Amarula)

And El Diablo (Olmeca Tequila, Cassis, Lime, Ginger Beer)

This bar is lovely and they have a piano player quietly playing some classic chill out songs

Our friend had very kindly arranged for us to have the Beach Bar to ourselves when we arrived. This is one of the coolest things i have ever seen in this country- such a great unique concept!

They do a package which is £29 each for their Signature Burger, Chips and Coleslaw with a jug of cocktails equivalent to 3 each- bargain for London! As it was just the two of us they said we could have any cocktails off the normal menu- another amazing gesture!

Morgan in the bar was an absolute gem, so friendly and quirky, we chatted to her for ages and she made us some tasty cocktails

Delightfully Lychee (Absolut Vodka, Lychee Liquor, Rose Water, Lime, Campari)

Montague Spritz (Grapefruit Liquor, Grapefruit Bitters, Lemon, Grenadine, Prosecco)

Paloma (Tequila, Grapefruit, Agave, Lime, Soda)

And a Chocolate version of their traditional Old Fashioned

We could have sat there all night enjoying the chilled music but decided to call it a night around 11 as we had to be ready to leave the hotel at 9am the next day. We were greeted with our first turn down service of the stay

An amazing start to London

[margyloveswdw]

Wow, that hotel room looks awesome!

[princessnicki]

Originally Posted by margyloveswdw

Wow, that hotel room looks awesome!

See more...

It was absolutely beautiful, so glad we stayed here

[Sparksy72]

Amazing, you always find the most fantastic afternoon teas! Love the Hotel, the decor is just stunning and the beach bar is super cool. What an incredible array of cocktails, very inspiring.

[princessnicki]

Originally Posted by Sparksy72

Amazing, you always find the most fantastic afternoon teas! Love the Hotel, the decor is just stunning and the beach bar is super cool. What an incredible array of cocktails, very inspiring.

See more...

Thank you the hotel was stunning, very lucky to have stayed here

[P&S]

WOW that hotel room! Stunning! What a lot of lovely cocktails you managed and those burgers look so yummy

[princessnicki]

Originally Posted by P&S

WOW that hotel room! Stunning! What a lot of lovely cocktails you managed and those burgers look so yummy

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Its beautiful, very happy with the hotel! And the burgers were very tasty too

[WileyCoyote]

What a fabulous day. Apart from the ugh moment with the train seats - but that even turned out well.superb looking food and drinks and oh my goodness the hotel looks AMAZING and what a fab treat having that bar to ourselves. Like a holiday in the holiday.

What was the snow leopard like? Trying to decide if it looks yummy or a bit too sweet !

[princessnicki]

Originally Posted by WileyCoyote

What a fabulous day. Apart from the ugh moment with the train seats - but that even turned out well.superb looking food and drinks and oh my goodness the hotel looks AMAZING and what a fab treat having that bar to ourselves. Like a holiday in the holiday.

What was the snow leopard like? Trying to decide if it looks yummy or a bit too sweet !

See more...

I honestly dont know how people can be so dirty, i mean accidently spilling something cant be helped but leaving all your dirty rubbish all over the seats is grim! The hotel was such an experience, its the same family that own Chesterfield Mayfair, the service was 5*. The Beach Bar was amazing, such a quirky idea and it was lovely, i imagine its great in summer too when its still light until late! The Snow Leopard was lovely, sweet but not too much, i know you love an Amarula too so you would definitely enjoy this

[WIGGYSMUM]

How lovely to have your friend do such amazing gestures for you at the hotel !
Did you actually keep count of how many cocktails you consumed? Hats off again to being able to do this and take such good photos too 😂