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Our London Weekend Getaway
I think I’ve lost count now how many times my wife and I have been to London for a weekend getaway. The last few times we stayed in Hilton establishments “Waldorf” & “Hilton Green Park” and this time we thought that we’d stay with the Intercontinental located on park lane, it’s just a few minutes walk from the famous Dorchester Hotel.
You may have heard of the Dorchester Hotel since it’s a well known celebrity hot spot. Anyway the Intercontinental has an impressive entrance and the rooms are decorated in a classic English style so if you are looking a modern look and feel I’d say go with the Waldorf that was recently renovated.
View From Our Room
Kelly (my wife & Celebrity JKD Editor)
The restaurant of choice this time around was “Gaucho” Piccadilly the finest steak resturant in London. At Gaucho they pride themselves on providing the experience of Argentina on the basic philosophy of provenance.
Gaucho (our table was to the right)
“Me” Seated at Gaucho (Jason JKD GeekTalk Editor)
Our Menu Selection:
Starters
Gambas: Grilled and served with herb aioli and lemon.Ecuadorian: Marinated tiger prawns in a roasted tomato and lime sauce, served with maize cancha. Monkfish, mango, orange, red onion and pomegranate with an Aji Amarillo citrus sauce and coriander. Scottish salmon carpaccio marinated in Argentine olive oil and lime with pickled jalapeño, red onion and coriander.
Main
Kelly-Monkfish marinated in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with lemon grass, lime leaf, chilli and ginger served with a radish and herb salad. Jason-Bife De Chorizo: Sirloin – with a belt of tasty crackling.
Desert
Dulce De Leche Cheesecake-A chilled cheesecake drizzled with rich dulce de leche
Afterwards we went to the London Ice Bar. Kelly wasn’t exactly keen on the idea said more than likely it’s just a tourist thing and not be any good, so I said let’s go for a laugh then. Anyway afterwards we walk to the Ice Bar its maybe 5 minutes walk from Gaucho’s the entry fee is 15 quid per person and you must have reservations to enter. Once you’ve paid you enter and immediately following they place a thermal jacket over you then you walk through into the Ice Room.
London Icebar (at the bar)
The frozen couple (not really the blue jackets are warm)
The London Icebar Credits
It was much smaller than I expected and it wasn’t by far as nice as I had hoped it to be. Our visit did not last more than 30 minutes tops; just long enough to order vodka drinks that were included in the entry fee. The glass was also made of ice and it was actually a bit hard to drink from. Overall I have to say I do not recommend the place but on the other hand I guess I can say I had drinks in an Ice Bar now!
The next day was shopping as per usual because that is why you go to London unless of course it’s first time around and then you must do all things touristy. Shopping then more shopping then we stopped in the Hog in The Pound pub on South Molton Street to have a drink; a pint of Guinness for me and a vodka tonic for Kelly.
Directly after the shopping begins again but this time I noticed a store that interested me located near the pub we just left. “Sen” a traditional Chinese medicine store and of course since I just had my pint of Guinness I a little more open minded if you know what I mean. “Store location: SEN Mayfair 59 South Molton Street”
Why was I interested? For around a year now I have looked tired, felt tired and every morning I wake up with my back hurting. Once you are in the store you are greeted very nicely and basically asked what they can do to help. Afterwards you are taken to a nice room with a large fish tank filled with large gold fish and you are seen by a Chinese doctor that will take your pulse and look at your tongue. The doctor has a translator in the room also, the translator will explain to you what the doctor’s Chinese herbal recommendations are and what you should expect from taking them over the prescribed course.
At this point I am thinking ok I’ll give it go just buy one box of herbs and that’s it. Know that wasn’t the case at all, one box lasts 10 days and they said I needed two different ones which meant I needed two boxes every 10 days. Its gets better the boxes are 20 quid each meaning $40 dollars a box. It’s time to consult with my wife and to my surprise she states get them because she believes it will work for me and if she said if this place can afford 20,000 pounds a month rent on “molton street” it must be the real deal.
It’s been about a week now and you are going to think that I am full of s*** but all my symptoms that I had prior to taking these herbs are gone. The prescribed course is for 3 and half months and I have every intention of completing it. You’re probably wondering what exactly this will cost me. A LOT because I will need ten boxes each a total of 20 boxes total cost of $800. You know what though it’s worth it because I feel the best that I’ve ever felt in my life. Incase your wondering what I purchased, Eucommia +14 and Cornus +5 but I do not recommend just buying the stuff you should actually go to the store for a doctor consultation first.
Only wish that Sen Health had an affiliate program!
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66 Responses to “Our London Weekend Getaway”
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While all the rest of the post was pretty interesting, the bit about the Chinese medicined is truly the best part. Alternate and native medicines have traditionally been given the short shrift by the West. Chinese, Tibetan and Indian herbal medicines apart from other therapies have been quietly making inroads into the allopathy system.
I am not at all surprised that you have got relief. Please persist.
Jason, you gotta stop going on getaways, and making more sitepro posts.
wow..i would like to go to one of those bar
Gaucho looks to be a fine restaurant. And the ice bar, well that’s one i should try and get into. Very interesting post..
What a trip!
hi jason. ur starters and the desert interested me very much. that was a nice trivia about Dorchester Hotel, jacko hanging his baby. the pics look cool and i think u must have had a blast at the Ice Room.
Sounds like a great trip, I bet drinking out of an ice glass id fairly uncomfortable.
When was it you went, this weekend? Were you trying to blow out the Olympic Torch
Have to say that Kelly’s main meal of Monkfish sounded fantastic!
nice pics and the trip sure looks interesting.
Is it cold over there guys?:)
Great pics!
London looks like fun, will go to the place one of these days.
What a trip !! Lovely photos man
I’m wiling to travel LONDON very soon 
Thanks for the tip on the Ice Bar. Granted wearing those jackets makes you look cool, but under your advice, I’ll skip the place.
sure looks cool. the concept of ice hotel sounds very interesting. nice pics. the lady is graceful.
I drank out of an iceglass once, it was great. Was in an ice bar in belgium. Nice pictures
the pics are awesome. seems like you guys had a lot of fun. the ice hotel seems to be a dream place.
London weekend! I love it. But it is way too expensive… and the hotel rooms are way too small.
My wife made me go to that ridiculous Madame Tussauds… never again… good thing I had a flask of brandy with me to make it somewhat tolerable. Cheesier than cheese whiz…
Other than that, it’s a great town, but bring an extra suitcase full of money.
Wow! that’s the most precious weekend getaway dude.. The entire article was great.. your wife was extremely gorgeous. I like most the Icebar, it’s kinda interesting. London is really a great place,EVER…. Time would come I’ll also visit those place, I want to experienced the one you have in your article….
I been to London and that’s a nice place for holiday.
For sure you enjoyed your vacation. London is really one of the good places with great architecture.
Not worried about the exchange rate at all? Seems like how far the dollar has fallen would make your trips less frequent.
No not worried about the rate. Actually my wife and I have just booked 7nights in a luxury hotel in Greece end of next month. We like to go on trips and see different places in the world.
It seems that you enjoyed going to the Chinese medicine store:) Good health for you.
I love London! Hope i could get there someday!
Nice pics… how beautiful! london should be my next trip
I love london too! great city
I have heard abut the ice hotel but never been there. I will be there at least for one time in my life.
If you’re into Chinese medicine you should check out http://www.acumedic.com/ in Camden Town if you return to London. It’s the most amazing place ever, after spending 5 minutes in the shop (in the shop – not actually having a treatment!) you’ll experience the energy and the amazing relaxation that would take a week to accomplish at a spa.
Ice bar!? Sounds interesting to me
Wow…that sounds like a really cool trip.
It is my promise to go over london at least once in my life.
Been to the IceBar. Great experience if nothing more.
John
Nice trip get away it’s interesting.
I’ve been at the ice hotel here in sweden once and that sure was one interesting and COLD night.
Oh wow! I’ve heard about the ice bar from the travel shows. I didn’t know it’s still there. Thought it would be melted by now =P Anyway good to hear you’re having a good trip.
Wow Jason,that’s a wonderful time you’ve had.I wish i could go to the ice bar too.
I always like the combination of old with the new as in this the old city of London and with the new Waldorf Hotel. This would be a perfect combination for my like or i can say my taste, will definitely have a visit on day.
Looks like you had a nice time over there
great vacation you have there….hmmm waiting the right time have a great vacations like you have there…your picture at the ice bar it look very COOL!!!hhahaha cheers
My wife and I spent 2 weeks there in 2005 and what a blast. The thing I enjoyed most was the variety of foods and very tasty as well. The other thing was the tube, what a way of getting around. We were staying west London and in about 20 minutes we were standing at Picadilly circus.
I highly reccomend London as a vacation spot. However I would go during the summer months unless you like it wet.
That sounds like an awesome vacation! What cool pictures too!
Whoa! This does look cool…yeah COOL! Gonna start saving up to go there some day =)
London is great..but i can’t go till the US dollar becomes money again..just too expensive.
The pictures are awesome!!!
i ve never been in London before, but i want to fly next year wth my girlfriend. But there is sooo many time till next year.
Oh, amazing trip!
This really takes me back!
I lived in London for ten years and often had lunch at the Intercontinental or the Hyde Park Hotel.
I’m homesick for London now
Gaucho is the best steak restaurant I’ve ever been to … and I’ve been to a few
There are a couple of them in London, but the one just off Picadilly circus is the best one. It’s kind of “out of the way” too, down that little alley way.
Nice trip and good photos.
I’ve been to the IceBar and it is a great experience. Very cold though!
Might go to Gaucho next time i am around in London.
Your wife was extremely gorgeous. The ice bar seems pretty cool and cold! It’s. London is really a great place
$800 to rid of your pains and tiredness is definitely worth the price. I have always trusted chinese physicians of good practices and it is always the case that my illness such as flu, aches and coughs recovered in only a couple of days.
Sounds like a great weekend trip away. I lived and worked in London for 8 years and while I can’t really comment on your accommodation choices I can say I frequented a few of the Chinese medicine practioners. The best one I found was a bit out of the way in the High Street of Ilford. Yes a bit out of London, but down to earth and realistic prices.
I’ve always wanted to visit london. I’m jealous!
Glad that you found something that made your back better! That is expensive, but totally worth it if it works for you. Seems like sometimes the around-the-house and herbal remedies will fix stuff that normal medicine won’t. I love the first picture of the view from your room, and that cheesecake sounds delish!
Upon reading your post, I also remember my first visit to London with my family. We went to Horniman museum, kew gardens, and National Army Museum. We stayed at Blakes Hotel. London is really a nice place and my kids love to go back there again.
The interesting thing is that living in a place with museums and restaurants and other interesting places to visit doesn’t actually bring you forward to visit these places. I’ve lived in Forest Hill for 2 years and never visited Horniman Museum; everyone at my work talked about the Ice Bar but I’ve never actually went there. On holidays it’s completely opposite – going everywhere, there’s never enough time. I don’t know why this is but I’ll definitely try to find the time and visit the Ice Bar (at least).
Thanks to give a tips for the passing week end in the london…………!
i will keep to visit your blog later…………….!
Totally awesome, the icebar looks sick!
Seems like heaven, i heard only now seen i pictures but sure once in life i wanted to go there ….
Now is the time to go before the dollar goes down in value any more. A year ago it was 2 lbs to a dollar, 1.4 is a bargin!
It looks awesome. View from hotel room is brilliant.
The icebar looks awesome in London.
I went to the sub zero bar on circular quay in Sydney but it was in the height of summer and rather strange being in snowsuits whilst everyone outside was in flip flops.
I love London and it’s only about 3-4 hours away from me so I can even just go for a day and get a fairly late train back or just stay over.
I have heard abut the ice hotel but never been there. e.Thanks for the tip on the Ice Bar.
Great pics here. I would also love to visit this one. But that’s a very big question for now since our economy is going down, including me.
The hotel seem to be fabulous. My next trip in February will be London.