London to Dubai

I’m just back from a trip to London and Dubai with my family.  A few of my notes from my travels …

LONDON

With so many historical sites to see in this cosmopolitan city – I always gravitate towards shopping, restaurants and theatre.  Here are a few of the spots I visited:

Top Shop – of the moment fashion at great prices. With the pound making London a very expensive city these days it’s nice to find fun clothes at bargain prices. Top Shop now has a vintage section – I bought a few frocks that will be fun for the summer.

Dover Street Market – one of my favorite shopping destinations in the world. It’s the other extreme of Top Shop – very high end – they carry a well edited selection of Lanvin and Azzedine Alaïa- two of my personal favorites – but the best is their selection of Comme des Garçons. I have always had good luck at Dover St. Market – finding clothes with a different touch – while Comme des Garçons is not a line I usually wear – the few pieces I have bought there over the years are unique. The sales staff is knowledgeable and extremely helpful ask for Fabio, Anya or Kamel. This time I bought the most fabulous tuxedo jacket and a black tie dress that is over the top – I plan to wear it to the New York City Ballet’s Spring Gala.

Hakkasan and Joël Robuchon

Even though I did shop ’til I dropped – I managed to find time to eat and take in some theatre. Chinese food is not my favorite cuisine – but Hakkasan is a hot spot and the food is good. The Chilean sea bass is delicious. Being the Francophile that I am – I had to try the new Joël Robuchon the well-known French chef who has two restaurants in Paris (the L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown Manhattan is his NYC venue.)

It’s always nice to go to the theatre in London – but the hot new musical Dirty Dancing – taken from the movie was disappointing – it was much too long.  Some of the dancing was good – but there was not enough of it.  The movie was far more charming.

One Aldwych Hotel pool and lobby bar

The One Aldwych Hotel – is superb – great service – the most comfortable beds in the world – a super swimming pool and one of the best massages I have ever had (ask for Lauren).

DUBAI

Hotel Burj Al Arab – Dubai

Perhaps my expectations were too high – from all that I have read – the WOW effect was not there. I am happy to say I’ve been, but frankly I’m not sure what everyone is raving about. To me it seemed like one big construction site. And the shopping??? I could do better at the Short Hills Mall.

Elizabeth Tabak and Susan Tabak

I suppose the shopping is really geared to its constituency – who cannot wear the clothing – therefore, it was all hand bags and shoes from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, etc. – but as for fashion – very little.

Louis Vuitton – Dubai

The best part of my three day sejour was the 7 star hotel the Burj Al Arab.

Hotel Burj Al Arab – Dubai

Architecturally, it looks like huge sail. A two-bedroom suite is larger than most people’s two bedroom apartment in NYC. The service was impeccable – a private butler who was on duty 24/7. Some of the restaurants were nice but not out of this world – my favorite was Al Khayal, a Lebanese restaurant – excellent cuisine and lively entertainment.

at Hotel Burj Al Arab and Al Khayal Lebanese Restaurant

Now that I am back in NYC, I have an exciting and très chic contest for you in my next blog post – stay tuned.

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