What’s New in England?
Hard Rock Hotel is Now Open!
The much-anticipated Hard Rock Hotel is now open, located in the center of London at the junction of Hyde Park and Europe’s longest shopping street. With over 900 rooms, it has the capacity for large incentive groups and uniquely features a stage in the lobby where live bands play every night at the Hard Rock Café. The room decor is attractively and discreetly themed throughout the property.
The Bankside Hotel Appeals to the Contemporary Art Fan
The Bankside Hotel has just opened with 160 mid-century modern rooms, appealing to the contemporary art fan. The hotel is just a short walk from the magnificent cathedral and to modern art at Tate Modern. In Nov 2019 Tate will feature the largest retrospective of Dora Maar ever held in the UK, and in 2020 a major Andy Warhol exhibition.
Scotland Yard Now Home to a New Hyatt Hotel
At Great Scotland Yard, the Bobbies have moved out and the decorators have moved in, creating a new Hyatt hotel which would be right up Agatha Christie’s alley. It’s elegant, traditional and conveniently situated between Westminster and Buckingham Palace.
Hilton to Open the Biltmore
Hilton will open its first LXR brand property with the Biltmore in Mayfair, situated just opposite the former U.S. Embassy building which is slated to be converted into a super luxury Rosewood property.
Monkey Island is Relaunching with Luxury Country House Accommodations
Meanwhile on a quiet part of the River Thames, half an hour from Heathrow airport, a world away from the hubbub and a few minutes from some of the best restaurants in Europe, lies the curiously named Monkey Island, which has re-launched with 27 luxury country house rooms.
Did You Know?
Celebrating Glastonbury’s 50th Year
As festival season begins in the U.K., take note that 2020 will be Glastonbury Music Festival’s 50th year. Dubbed “British Woodstock”, it is best known for contemporary music and draws crowds of 175,000-strong while gathering the best talents in music and upholding environmental standards.
Sunrises at Stonehenge can be Life-changing
Watching the sun rise over Stonehenge, one of the world’s oldest monuments, during the summer or winter solstice can be a life-changing experience, complete with modern day Druids. Since Christian times, Druids have been identified as wizards and soothsayers; in pre-Christian Celtic society they formed an intellectual class comprised of philosophers, judges, educators, historians, doctors, seers, astronomers, and astrologers.
Cultural Experiences in London
A hot ticket for early 2020 will be Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh, through May 3, 2020. And if you’re looking for a musical that’s practically perfect in every way, Mary Poppins, based on the original Disney film, is blowing back into London’s West End with an umbrella, medicine bag and stellar cast in tow, beginning early 2020.
The Field of Cloth of Gold – A Festival of Sport and Entertainment
2020 will mark 500 years since Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France met for a Grand European Summit. Designed to improve relations between the two kingdoms, the princes enjoyed a fortnight of feasts, tournaments, masquerades and religious services. So extravagant was the affair that it became known as the “Field of Cloth of Gold”. From May 23-31, 2020, a spectacular festival of Tudor sport and entertainment will see the “rematch” held at Hampton Court Palace.
Popular Spectator Sports to Enjoy
If you prefer your sport more 21st Century, the U.K. and Ireland will host key soccer matches in the UEFA “Euro” 2020 tournament, the Open golf is at Sandwich (south east England near Canterbury) and the NFL returns in the fall, with its popularity growing each year.