Raffles Boston
August 4, 2026
It’s not Singapore, of course, but there really is a Raffles in Boston. Last time we were in town for David Byrne we stopped in for a very crowded drink at the upstairs speakeasy.
Of course, we know all about the real Raffles…and the Singapore Sling. It’s pretty hilarious to see this transplanted to Boston. But why not?! Wicked Sling???
We are in 1007. This, they tell us, is an upgrade from our requested suite. We’re all for that kind of thing. Thanks y’all.
Extra bathroom.
Not one iota of plastic, of course. And shower pressure that will blow your hair plugs right out of your scalp…assuming you have some.
So how goes it Raffles? It goes, as Sammy would say, pretty not bad. The space is excellent and the staff is top notch. But there are some things that could use some attention and maybe refactoring.
1007 could use some closet space. And engineering needs to fix the drapery. The real problem is inscrutable electronic controls. How do you set the AC to anything less than hurricane? Who knows? And lights? Just press buttons randomly until something happens. About the only other place with these kinds of UI challenges is the College Hotel in Amsterdam.
Greeted with a personal note and a cocktail. Very nice touch. And the Butler thing is actually great. Our man Thomas was hugely helpful and made our visit better.
Bottom line? Excellent staff (and attention to staff development) but some physical plant work required.
FWIW, the spa is apparently great. Go do that. Ask for Paula. (Side note: if you would like to buy some house perfume and then fly. LOL. Good luck with that. Hotel? Travel size for flyers is pretty much mandatory.)
Oh, and the Long Bar space? Lets upgrade that breakfast menu. Great bar. And excellent staff.
Blind Duck happens later.
On rainy Monday, we spent some retail therapy time in Copley and the Pru. Then we went to dinner at a very crowded and touristy Saltie Girl (recommended by the concierge/front desk). It’s pretty Newbury. If you like being surrounded by people from out of town, this restaurant is for you!
Tonight it is La Padrona (where their computer texts you in Italian). We’ll update you on that too.
Five showerheads and some new hairplugs (assuming you used to have those). We’ll be back.
Mimi’s in London: Soho in Ship Shape
August 4, 2026
NPS found Mimi‘s accidentally when in London seeking a Soho cocktail at Henson’s bar. We found great cocktails and also an incredible pile of art. So we figured we would try out Mimi’s on the next London run.
It’s ship shape. Literally. rooms the same size as a cabin on a 42 foot Beneteau. LOL. Lets just say that my partner in crime was not amused. Fortunately it was a quick hit with only a few quick changes.
But we’re not exaggerating about the art. See for yourself.
And it’s a good bar too.
But that was not ENOUGH art. So we went to see some Escher.
We tried to shoot a movie, but the talent was not cooperating.
How do you say “Action!” in Italian?
Faraday seems to be trapped in some kind of cage.
The American bar…take one.
Varvatos has become a regular stop.
The Connaught…though michael has moved to Zurich. Alas for Jacob.
This sign says it all.
Wait…are you SERIOUSLY trying to wear shorts into Duke’s past the woman in the drapery?! Impossible.
The American Bar does not care.
And then a captivating and stimulating version of Arcadia (one of Stoppard’s masterpieces).
So nice to spend time with Noelie and Lisa and Jacob. Romey and I are lucky to have you all.
“The ordinary-sized stuff which is our lives, the things people write poetry about—clouds—daffodils—waterfalls—what happens in a cup of coffee when the cream goes in—these things are full of mystery, as mysterious to us as the heavens were to the Greeks.”
― Tom Stoppard, Arcadia
Five very very small stars for Mimi’s
We were just here…and we’re back, but this time for Madou’s wedding. We stayed in room 15 which has more room to spread out and don a kilt.
We did have an adventure getting to Brugges from Rotterdam, because the Dutch trains were literally a disaster. Apparently an Amsterdam substation fritzed out and took down the entire nation with it. We took a taxi down, driven by an Arfrican flim-flam artist. Ah what fun.
We shared music. This is NPS-led Where’s Aubrey you’re listening to as the Netherlands slips by.
Of course Brugges is magical, even without all of the In Brugges shenanigans going on.
See lots more pictures of Brugges here.
Da Vinchi ice cream is worth a visit!
We had an amazing dinner at De Mangerie, and some excellent breakfasts at Nuba cafe.
How about some fencing??
A pre-wedding fencing fest was absolutely fantastic fun. Lots more fencing photos here.
But we were here for a wedding! So lets get dressed and get out of here.
Follow Romey to Matias and Finn’s excellent wedding.
Five stars and an extra amazing experience. When in Brugges, stay here!
Welp, Hilton has somehow taken over the best boutique hotel in the city
just like it did in Dublin. Sadly that means the Haven hotel is not really up to NPS standards. Alas.
On the other hand, Rotterdam is well worth a visit. Take a water taxi or seven.
Even if you let a Hilton know exactly when you will be arriving early, they will still NEVER be prepared.
Our room had a view…a long long view.
But even a suite here has such a bad layout that you can’t really nest. I mean, who puts a hot tub directly in the room? Or a sauna just across from the shower?
The sauna was actually fun to use.
And the bed was very comfortable.
But the “suite” was not.
Anyway, we were in Rotterdam, so that was a thing. Lots of amazing food: Zeezout was excellent, River Bar was delicious but not as welcoming. We also scoped out a bunch of little street places with mixed results.
The water is a main attraction.
We had a boat tour of the harbor since it was mandatory. It is a great way to experience the architecture.
The felix is definitely worth a visit.
Sunset at the NY hotel is worth a cocktail visit.
Rotterdam has a door to nowhere.
This is an ice cream cone. LOL.
Four showerheads for the Haven. Not our demographic. We will stay elsewhere when we return to Rotterdam.
Sometimes we do things at NPS so you don’t have to. Like stay at an interstate hotel to get a leg up on the beach run.
Candlewood Suites Hopewell – Fort Gregg Adams?? Yeah, no. The family caravan complete with two little kids and two dogs made it halfway.
It’s newly renovated but it still has that prison vibe. Our Diamond Elite status at IHG (the proud ruin-er of Kimpton). But our dogs were welcome!
Baby Leiden did enjoy his dinner.
One plastic showerhead and a knowing smile.
Sonoma: Undisclosed Location
June 4, 2026
Lets just say my friend’s house is better than most hotels.
I mean, just consider the wine cellar alone.
The deer do not give one shit.
Sonoma Lynmar Winery
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But the fire risk? Very much real…just ask this “planter.”
Home in time for a delicious dinner and a Vieux Carre.
Five Showerheads and a hope to return soon, this time not departing at 4am.
San Francisco: The Huntington Hotel Rides Again
June 4, 2026
The Huntington Hotel has some history…including time you did not want to stay there. But it’s back, and swanker than ever.
We were assigned a king corner suite room (number 404) which was spacious and nice, but could use a better design eye when it comes to furnishings.
The bathroom is marble and glass and just a smidge impersonal.
Downstairs, breakfast is superb.
We had some fun with Uncle Jim.
After breakfast we visited the Minnesota Street gallery for some art.
We also visited the David Ireland House.
After a dinner with Cade at Amber India, there was a crazy mixology stop with Jacques to open Bar Esper at Hotel Spiro. That was really fun, but hanging out with bartenders is not something to do lightly.
The Chartreuse Swizzle invented in 2003 by American bartender Marcovaldo Dionysos.
1 1⁄2 oz Green Chartreuse (or alternative herbal liqueur)
1⁄2 oz Falernum liqueur
1 1⁄2 oz Pineapple juice
3⁄4 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
Pre-chill a COLLINS GLASS. Prepare garnish of pineapple wedge speared with a Luxardo Maraschino Cherry and grated nutmeg. POUR all ingredients into chilled glass and two-thirds fill with crushed ice. SWIZZLE and then fill the glass with more crushed ice. Add more crushed ice to fill glass and SWIZZLE some more.
Somehow things ended up at Rye.
Anyway, everyone lived and it was off to Sonoma in the morning for more.
Five showerheads and less ridiculous AI for the Huntington. We’ll be back.
A San Diego Gem: The Orli Hotel
June 4, 2026
is an absolute gem. Of course, being situated in La Jolla is no detriment to the property.
Flying in to San Diego brings back lots of memories.
The weather is still on that same VHS tape loop from the 1970s. “Tomorrow, the weather will be perfect.”
I was assigned the Irving Gill Penthouse. Two stories with a balcony overlooking the Pacific.
The garden area is comfortable and pretty.
Glass shower? Yes, in the now famous death star design.
Upstairs is a small bar.
Sunset balcony.
On the first night, Alex and I headed to the Realm of the 52 Remedies for some craft cocktails. Excellent.
A visit to the QPS summit is always a blast. Five showerheads for the Orli and hope for a timely return with my spouse.
Alexandria Hotel AKA
April 27, 2026
My friend Steph Vogel is at it again, rebooing a hotel. This time the crufty old Holiday Inn is getting repurposed as an AKA. We are not really the right demographic here as we are completely allergic to hamster cages. But lots of people getting married are the right demographic.
You can tell Steph is in charge because the staff is excellent and friendly and fun. But honestly we don’t believe Steph exists. He has been replaced by an LLM.
We were in a king deluxe with a lil balcony overlooking the late night wedding reception. 200-something. But hey, things are just as super slick as they are very rectangular.
We were properly greeted with a nice note and some delicious chocolates.
No sign of plastic in the bathroom which is a fine design.
Anyway. We were here for Florence and the Machine. Early dinner at The Magestic was great. Their cocktail progrem is top notch.
Midnight in Manhattan
Saffron Spirit
The show was fun (lots of pics and vids here).
Breakfast at Milk and Honey was just fine but nothing to write home about.
Four showerheads (which for a property like this is as high as it gets) for the AKA in Alexandria. Time for Steph to take over a Penisula in Tokyo!
Turns out that Florence and the Machine is playing a gig on your birthday in Amsterdam. What are you to do other than go?
So we made that plan, and then it was off to the races for a four leg birthday extravaganza featuring 4 cakes, 67 cards, two world class dinners, some sheep, and more love and attention from friends than we can fathom. Just glorious.
We flew in and out of Brussels and took trains between. Super easy if you don’t count the suitcase schlepping. So nice to travel with Romey.
Here’s how it all unfolded in an index of posts:
1. Leuven
2. Amsterdam
- Hotel Okura
- The Romantic Boat Ride
- The Banana Theme Continues
- A Walk with Friends in Amsterdam
- Florence and the Machine at the Ziggo
- Dive Bar for the Win
- A Welome Reunion
- Yamazato Dinner
- Only the Deepest of Questions
- Don’t Do It
- The Moca Rules
- Ciel Bleu: Arjan Speelman is a Super Genius
3. Lichtervelde
4. Bruges
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