OneFineStay History

Unlike Airbnb, OneFineStay centrally manages the properties that you stay in.  They personally vet each and every property before accepting them into the OneFineStay portfolio.  They supply the linens, towels and toiletries.  They manage the end to end guest experience to ensure consistency and a stress free unique experience from arrival to departure.  Recently acquired by Accor, the French hospitality giant behind 28 (and growing) hotel brands at the luxury end (Sofitel, Mondrian, Fairmont), mid-range (Mercure, Pullman, Swissotel) and budget (Ibis), I expect OneFineStay to expand  to other major travel cities as the home rental market demand increases and Accor figures out how to market (and profit from) the One Fine Stay brand.

OneFineStay Properties

Unique properties abound on the OneFineStay website and app.  The aesthetic is warm and welcoming as you are staying in someone’s home (or second home).  With a bit of background about the owner (i.e. – this artist travels the world and opens their home to guests while they are away), the properties are photographed and details meticulously listed on the website.  There are no surprises and there are even Home Truths (i.e. – walk up three flight of stairs in Paris).  In Europe, many properties will not have air conditioning which is the norm so One Fine Stay will supply fans. The properties are generally apartments with full kitchen and amenities and what you are lacking in service luxuries (think private chef, catering, in home massages, babysitting, etc.) One Fine Stay will arrange (additional fees).

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Booking with One Fine Stay

Where One Fine Stay currently drops the ball in my opinion is the booking process as you can’t just book now in most cases (people are not patient so this is a friction point).  I contacted One Fine Stay directly with three properties of interest (have a few in mind in case your first choice isn’t available).   The online calendars all showed availability and none allowed instant booking.  The OFS rep had to contact the owners and within two days (time differences) had heard that the first property wasn’t available and the second property owner did not reply (he was away on business).  The third property, the largest, was available so I booked that.  I completed the credit card information online and entered my travel information, in this case the train from Paris to London scheduled to arrive at 4pm. I received a confirmation of my payment (in full) as well as information about a OneFineStay stay.

Luxury London Mews House Rental – Arrival

During our train journey from Paris, I received a text from the OneFineStay greeter to confirm our arrival time.  We were still on schedule to arrive at 4pm and with traffic across town, I estimated a 5 pm arrival at the property.  I was provided the OFS greeter’s name and contact details should anything change during our transit.

When the cab driver pulled into the little Mews cobblestone street in South Kensington and stopped in front of the Mews House black door, we were impressed and we weren’t even inside.  Our greeter opened the door anticipating us and helped us with the bags.  Once inside, she took me for a tour of the property after settling Mom into her ground floor bedroom (we noted that the tv didn’t work properly but it wasn’t an issue as Mom didn’t plan on watching tv).  The ground floor had mom’s ensuite bedroom along with the laundry area and door to the garage (off-limits).

Upstairs was the kitchen and living room with windows overlooking the mews homes on the street on one side and a small public garden on the other side. On the third floor (for US folks) was my bedroom en suite with sitting area and cool windows that opened to enjoy fresh air and a view. Every nook and cranny looked exactly like the online photos so there were no surprises. For more photos visit my post of the One Fine Stay Kensington Mews House Rental.

OneFineStay Welcome Pack

On the kitchen table was the standard OneFineStay kitchen welcome – a box of shortbread biscuits (I’m now addicted to them), bottled water, milk, tea and coffee as well as a welcome book and coupon for future stay.  Also included was our own pre-loaded iPhone.  We had a local phone number and only needed to press a button to call OneFineStay (the front desk per se) 24/7 if we had any issues (we would call for a backup hair dryer when Mom’s failed, an iPhone charger as it was missing and a handyman to shut off the closet lights as the owner taped them shut but the lights were on). The iPhone was a wealth of information about the property, the home rules and truths, suggestions by the owner for local restaurants and pubs and apps for many services. It’s a great amenity especially if you don’t want to use your own phone and incur international roaming charges.

OneFineStay also provided a list of services they could arrange for a fabulous stay (for an additional cost of course).  In home massage, private chef dinner, AirPortr luggage delivery to Heathrow were just a few noted items. The walk around included things that were off-limits (similar to an Airbnb stay in someone’s home) – in this house that meant the garage, a shelf of personal food items in the refrigerator and any drawers/closets that were taped shut.

Departure from the Mews House Rental in London

For departure day, One Fine Stay is pretty strict on time you need to leave as they need to get the cleaning staff in to turn the house around especially if it’s being rented later that day. We should have used AirPortr to send our luggage ahead to British Airways for check in which would have allowed us to enjoy our last day without baggage to worry about as there’s no storage option that you would have in a hotel (one downside).  You are required to ensure that the iPhone is put back on the counter charging (hence my query for a charger) and then either hand the keys back to the greeter or in our case putting them through the mail slot.

Overall Review One Fine Stay in London

We were so sad to leave our home in the Mews of Kensington High Street.  OneFineStay was so much better than the original two hotel rooms I had planned for Mom and me.  The home provided us such a unique experience having a full kitchen so we could enjoy our own foods from the local M&S (Mom picked up ice cream of course) and Whole Foods and also relax in the living room after a full day of touring London (our London photo shoot, Tower of London with Mom, the day out to Stonehenge, etc.).  The iPhone was chock full of great apps to use during our stay and a bonus to anyone who is traveling without an international data plan.

By managing their own select properties in the portfolio, One Fine Stay provides a luxury experience unlike any other out there in the city to my knowledge. If traveling with my family or friends, I’d look at One Fine Stay next time rather than have any surprises with Airbnb (there’s always Airbnb surprises in my experiences).  Plus One Fine Stay is a unique opportunity to pretend you won the lottery and are living in the luxury home of your dreams if only for a few days. It really shouldn’t be a secret to anyone that loves to travel and live like a local in luxury.

Have you used One Fine Stay?  If so, in what cities and properties?  If One Fine Stay is new to you, would you consider upgrading your accommodations on your next trip to live like a local in luxury?

Londoners are quite funny as they name the new buildings in the city based on their shapes – there’s the Gherkin, Cheese Grater, Shard and the Walkie Talkie.  I’m not sure of the proper names of the buildings or even their addresses but everyone seems to know what you are talking about if you say the names in the city’s financial district.  When all of these skyscraper (for London anyway) buildings were built, only the Shard had an observation area (for a price).  For other views of London, you can ride the London Eye, climb the stairs at St. Paul’s (not that high) or the free rooftop at New Change Mall on Cheapside.  Now you have Sky Garden.  The aptly named Sky Garden London is just that – a green space in the sky located at the top of the Walkie Talkie building.  Unlike the Shard and London Eye, the Sky Garden London is FREE to visit.  There are, of course, a few hoops to jump to get up in the sky but let’s look inside first.

Sky Garden London – Outdoor Observation Deck

When you exit the elevators and make a right you enter the vast terminal in the sky – it feels almost like T5 at Heathrow but despite the airport security you just endured in the lobby, there is no gate to run to and the food options are much tastier.  If you walk straight through the doors, you are outside with a glass paneled view of the Thames and London below. While I was enjoying the views, there was a guy not content to take a photo through glass that put his camera above the glass for an unobstructed photo and was quickly reprimanded by security due to safety issues (what if he dropped his camera over?).  The sunny day and warm temps made the outside visit quite nice.

Sky Garden London – Indoor Seating & Café

If you choose to sit inside there is a center café selling drinks, snacks and sandwiches.  Some tables have blankets (the air con was quite cold) and can be reserved  but on the day of my visit the sun was streaming in the glass walls and windows making a few spots warm and in need of sunglasses inside.  There was ample room to sit and enjoy the views and greenery (the number of visitors is controlled to avoid crowds).

Sky Garden London – the Gardens

The greenery is located up and around the top floor in a U shape.  There are stairs up and around providing you a 360 degree view of London along the windows.  You need to be able to climb stairs for this part of the visit.  On the interior of each staircase there are benches to sit among the plants.

Sky Garden London Views

The day of my visit was bright sun, hazy and humid (the hottest September day breaking records).  The interior windows are tinted as you can see from the photos and have markers on the windows for the viewing descriptions. The views are 360 degrees which is fabulous although your camera may have issues with the tinting.  As you can see I took a photo of Tower Bridge not of London Bridge which was in front of the marker.

Sky Garden London –  Food & Drink

Also inside the U shape above you are the two posh restaurants, Fenchurch and Darwin Brasserie, (reservations required) which are further enclosed and their views while nice seem a bit obstructed in my opinion.  The two bars, City Garden Bar and Sky Pod Bar also have tables (with reservations).

Sky Garden London Free Admission

While the views and admission are free, you do need to reserve a timed ticket in advance as the number of visitors is limited each hour.  If you are unable to find a general admission ticket, you can always book a restaurant reservation which allows you to visit the Sky Garden at your leisure.  The restaurants are open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. whereas the public free viewing access is open Monday/Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sky Garden London – Check In & Security

You will see a staff member outside the doors as there is a separate entrance on the side of the building.  You are directed into the queue to check in – one line for general admission and another for restaurant guests.  Make sure to have your confirmation page printed out or on your phone to make the check in quicker.  Also bring photo ID to match the names on the reservation. Once you’ve checked in, you move forward to the airport style security check.  Once you’ve cleared security, you can board the elevators (lifts) to the top floor where the Sky Garden is located.

Sky Garden London – Final Thoughts

I was really impressed with our Sky Garden London experience. My mom was with me and she was able to go outside and then sit inside while I explored up, around and down the various viewpoints.  The windows have markers with important buildings that you are viewing.  The café costs were reasonable for bottled water and sweet treats. I’d love to go back to experience the sunset as well as the city aglow at night.  Next time!  Sky Garden London is a wonderful opportunity to see the city from all angles and a great option for families since it is free.

Book Your Reservation at Sky Garden London

The Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the Beefeaters (Yeoman Warders) and the Ravens were all part of our Tower of London tour.  Each has a fascinating story to tell about the history of royalty, tradition and London and no first visit to London is complete without visiting the Tower of London. Seriously, if this is not on your itinerary you are missing out on a key piece of history.

Mom and I would choose to visit the Tower of London with Context Travel which specializes in small group tours with an in depth history led by educational professionals like historians, art history teachers and other specialized professions.  They don’t just guide you reciting facts rote, they do deep dives into the history ensuring that you get more from them than what’s in the history book you’ve long forgotten. Personalized attention and a passion for the site is key. Mom wasn’t in the mood to “jump on the tour bus tour” for our final day on our whirlwind luxury trip.

We would meet our guide, Clare, at the meeting point and then go find the rest of the group (four women from Texas) outside the Tower of London.   After introductions, we entered with the guide (who had our tickets) and up past the larger group tours to the open courtyard.  The last time I visited the Tower of London was in 1988 on my first visit to the city and as this was Mom’s first visit it was on her list of “to do” despite her recent knee surgery and “on the trip” rehabilitation.

The White Tower at the Tower of London

With explanations of the buildings within the walls of the Tower of London we would enter The White Tower first.  The White Tower (one of the oldest buildings on site) entrance involves steep stairs outside and then stairs inside and spiral stairs to exit – Mom was slow but decided to do them (she thought she was bionic apparently or just stubborn).  Once inside we began the tour of the cool stuff as I like to say – it was the armor and all about the Knights.  Oh Lancelot, where for art thou?  On my first visit, I remember the armor room as one of my favorites, it has since been curated and arranged to tell a story rather than just walk by and gawk as the teenage version of me did so many years ago.  You can follow the journey of conflicts – armor needed to fight, torture devices used against prisoners and artillery to defend the Tower of London.

Why Context Travel for the Tower of London tour?

What I like about the Context Travel guides is that they layer the stories of history so that it becomes memorable and you have those “aha” moments of realization as you continue through the exhibits.  Some of your history lessons seep back into your brain – Henry VIII, the beheadings and the creation of the Church of England, etc.  while others seem new until you google and wiki it later and go “right, now I remember that part”. Either way its a memorable visit and lesson.

And if you prefer a visual reason why a Context Travel Tower of London tour is good then this “group tour” with the Beefeater may convince you why a small group tour is worth it.

Yes, it’s more expensive than others, the three hour tour cost $140 + Tower of London admission ticket, I can’t argue with you on that but the knowledge, personalized attention and not getting lost in the large group straining to hear is worth it.  Small group tours with private guides are travel luxuries worth the splurge.

The Crown Jewels

The biggest disappointment in touring the Crown Jewels is that you can’t take photos, you can buy the souvenir book of course, but no photos.  That said, the crown jewels are stunning with all the history, pomp and circumstance made even more fascinating is that they are so much a part of the royal traditions – traditions that continue to live on hundreds of years later.  The ceremony of each tradition is impressive as are all of the accessories that accompany the royal events.  Within a climate controlled vault the tour is led in one direction past the display cases.  It’s hard for the guide to stop and explain within the vault given the number of people and space so we had time before and after for a history lesson and to ask questions.  She did answer individual questions inside that I had along the way which was good. I liked that the guide stays with the group and doesn’t run ahead and wait for everyone to finish – she was with us throughout our visit.  A royal history lesson for those of us too young to remember when Queen Elizabeth was crowned, over 60 years ago, but a memory for when the next Royal succeeds her reign.

Tower of London Tour – The Ravens

The ravens have a much storied legend depending on what you believe.  They have a wing clipped so they can’t fly far and are treated almost like royalty.  The more famous lore is that when the ravens leave the Tower of London, the monarchy and Britain will fall.  So not wanting to test that lore, the ravens are full time residences of the Tower of London and famous attractions in themselves (each has a name). They are cared for by the Raven master of the Tower of London who feeds them and lets them out of their cages each morning to wander the grounds.

The Beefeaters

The guards at the Tower of London are actually Yeoman Warders responsible for the guarding of prisoners at The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels.  Retired from the armed services with at least 22 years of service, the Beefeaters live in the Tower of London residences with their families.  They lead a daily Tower of London tour of the fortress and each night participate in the Ceremony of the Keys, a ritual performed each night.

Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London

Last year, I thought I won the lottery as I found one ticket to the Ceremony of the Keys held at the Tower of London every night.  This special tradition is held every night as the Beefeaters lock up the Tower of London with the various keys, hence “Ceremony of the Keys”.  The tickets are limited each night to a small group and are sold out a year in advance.  They are free with only a slight service fee charge. I missed out on my opportunity when I had the Nightmare Travel Day from Paris.  As much as I wanted to go to this, I couldn’t.  Now since my trips are less than a year in advance, it’s hard to find a ticket.  So if you know in advance you are visiting London, do try to reserve your ticket now!

The Tower of London buildings

You can view the outer building (towers in the walls) with some steep steps to climb.  These towers are not adorned with much and are rather a good way to get perspective on the space and the environment (i.e. – its cold inside).  You can also walk on top of the walls and have a spectacular view of Tower Bridget and the Thames.

Final Thoughts – The Tower of London tour with Context

The Context Travel tour of the Tower of London was just the right amount of time for a visit.  It was chock full of history which I enjoyed, Mom grew a bit weary  as we neared the end (I didn’t have a slushee for her this time) but hey she’s 74 and was recovering from knee surgery so in hindsight was probably not in good shape for all the walking and climbing we did that morning (she recovered quickly with a milkshake from GBK).  She thought our guide, Clare, was very nice and quite knowledgeable (we’d learn that she is the lead guide who trains the other guides) and appreciated the small group vs. getting lost in (or not keeping up with) the larger group tour. Mom didn’t want to be at the back of the crowd not able to hear, she would have quit early if the group was massive, so having our small group of six was perfect for her visit.  As for me, I continue to be impressed by Context Travel small group tours as I delve into a educational visit and learn so much along the way.

Want to Book Your Context Travel Tower of London Tour?  Use code PhilaTravelGirl or call me to book for your London visit.

Disclosure:  My Tower of London tour was provided complimentary by Context Travel and Mom received a 10% discount, however, we each had to pay full price for the Tower of London admission ticket. As always, opinions are uniquely mine (and Mom’s in this case).

Of course on my first visit to London the itinerary included a visit to the mysterious Stonehenge.  Long a World Heritage site, the theories of the stones have abounded for the ages.  Religious, Spiritual, Astrological, Mystical, etc. From “This is Spinal Tap” to a variety of documentaries many have wondered about the stones in the same way folks have theorized the Moai of Easter Island. Some cartoons have featured the Heads of Easter Island with the toes of Stonehenge which is funny to me, having visited both sites.   So for Mom’s first trip to England, we had to add “visit Stonehenge” to check off her list, because all of her friends would ask “did you go to Stonehenge?” and we all know absent social media in the senior citizen circles, we’d need photos to show her friends.  Mom would need to say “of course I visitied Stonehenge” when she was thinking “um, rocks?”

How to Visit Stonehenge

There are a variety of Stonehenge options – big group, small group, private driver – touch the stones behind the ropes at sunrise and sunset – visit directly or as part of a collection of stops along the way.  So deciding what tour is best is a bit tough – for me, I went with price and small group and that was The English Bus Tour, a small family owned tour company.  All of the tours are generally a full day or a good chunk of your day out of the city. The English Bus tour would show us a small English village (think thatched roof homes, small cottages and a village to walk through) as well as a stop in Bath for a quick lunch/visit.

For the most part, Stonehenge tours are similiarly priced so you need to decide what works best for you.  We were able to roam free at Stonehenge as our tour guide did not accompany us to the stones, we used the audio guides provided in our tour price.

Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site

The weather had started sunny and bright but by the time we reached Stonehenge (at the end of the day), as if on cue, it started to rain and turn cloudy and gloomy.  The Stonehenge visitor center (newly built) parking lot was quite empty during our visit (a good thing) so that meant we had no wait for the shuttle to the stones (alternatively you can do the long walk up the road which is nice in the sun but not with Mom and rain).  The quick ride through the farm like surroundings dropped us off near the entrance to the stones in the field with the road in the distance. We walked up the road a bit passing boards of information (hard to read in the rain so we would read later).

Your Visit Stonehenge Experience

There are two paths around Stonehenge to begin your journey – with information boards along the way trying to explain the view ahead of you.  What’s so very interesting is the light and how it passes through the stones and the shadows created.

When the rains stopped and the sun peeked out the view of the stones continued to change. It’s not magic per se but its feels like a magical or spiritual space, at least to me.  I had the same feeling in Easter Island that I was a witness to a piece of history that had special meaning to the residents.  Now I can only guess what that was based on the light, the stones positions and how it made me feel to see different views as I walked around. The thought that thousands of years these stones have meant something to groups of people, for us now, it’s history we can only surmise.

Back at the visitor center, you can walk through history with exhibits, buy your Stonehenge souvenirs and enjoy the cafe before the long ride back to London.

Stonehenge – the Moody Photos

The views of Stonehenge are every changing based on the light and angles.  For this visit, after the rains, it was cloudy and grey, creating a moody view all around.  The grey of the stones mixed with the grey skies and the wheat and green grasses made me more contemplative than a sunny visit may have.  With the stones up on the hill you often miss the highway down below but can see the rolled hay across the road.

Visit Stonehenge, Final Thoughts

Mom thought it was cool and wanted her photo here, there and everywhere.  She had checked off her “see Stonehenge” box when we arrived with her first glance (gotta love her), while I was looking for something more along the way.  Despite having visited Stonehenge in 1988, now as an adult I saw it differently, I had more life to bring context to the “what if” scenarios. It wasn’t a check the box for me or a “but I’ve already been there” moment, I was truly excited to experience Stonehenge. Next time, I might do the touch the stones sunrise or sunset experience. Maybe that’s the magic I need to feel connected to the world.  It’s hard to explain but you need to see it for yourself.

Have you visited Stonehenge? What did you think?  Magic and Mysterious (like me) or a bunch of rocks (like Mom)?

Over the years, I’ve seen many modern art pieces really test my limits on “what is art”…  There have been times where I said out loud what I was thinking in the gallery which wasn’t good when I was thinking “are you serious?  And got a few nasty looks.  But I guess that’s what art is supposed to do – create a feeling that causes a reaction.  I’ve left more than one gallery/museum over the years when my reactions were just too much – I found a cookie to feed my feelings – feelings of “I could do that and it wouldn’t be called art!” or other thoughts that insult my artist friends who will then school me on “what art is”.  A classic example was The Art Institute of Chicago – I loved it until I hit the modern art wing and the rocks in a circle.  So when I happened upon the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, I wasn’t sure whether I would love it or hate it.

When Mom and I finished our Sunday stroll on the High Line in New York City, we found ourselves outside the Whitney Museum of American Art where we met my local friend. Since one of my employee work discounts includes free admission to the Whitney for myself and two guests we decided to explore the museum and take in the views of the city and the exhibits.   Normal admission is $25 and some credit card customers have free or discounted admission opportunities (check out your credit card benefits in NYC). The tickets are timed to handle crowds and not get too overwhelming especially in the large elevators that slowly take you floor by floor.

The Whitney Museum designed by Renzo Piano

The building was designed by the famous Renzo Piano and the open expansive interior along with the tiered terraces outside, make the building itself a work of art. View the interactive design review from the NYTimes.  We started at the top of the museum choosing to explore the outdoor patio/terrace spaces that we had spied from the High Line.  It was a bright and sunny day in NYC and the views were quite impressive.  It’s a bit of art in itself if you think about it – people on display on the terrace, using the stairs between levels and sitting out enjoying the sun.

Studio Cafe at the Whitney Museum

Before our gallery visit, we stopped for cake and coffee in the café.  It’s a bright open space with a portion of the outdoor patio set aside for café guests.  There is table service and we ordered coffee and sweet treats – Mom & I ordered the milk and cookie (hold the milk), my friend chose the scone with fresh crème. The massive triple chocolate cookie that arrived warm was one of the best cookies I’ve ever had (it’s in my top 5). Service was good and the only disappointment was that we were charged $8 for the cookie, I had ordered just the cookie but they sell only the cookie & milk so despite my lactose intolerance and no milk option for me, I had to pay the full price.  That’s a bit cheeky in my opinion.

Whitney Museum Galleries

We left the café and started exploring the floors below, walking from one end to the outdoor patio end on each floor.  It’s a small footprint so you won’t tire easily however, if you need a break, there is seating available on each floor prior to the outdoor patio entrance.

American Art at the Whitney Museum

I won’t lie, there were a few pieces of art that evoked a strong feeling of “seriously?” but this time I kept it to myself (ok, for the most part). However, mom and my friend, both ladies in their 70’s, somehow forgot their inside voices and were quite loud about their opinions in the gallery but they can get away with it.  It made me laugh when both questioned the camping equipment and the gold sneakers as I was thinking the same (if you are an art aficionado, please explain the following to me in the comments below).

While there were a few artists and art pieces I recognized, most were new to me. With a collection of photos, paintings and freestanding pieces, the galleries were arranged to stimulate your senses with a variety of art types.

Whitney Museum Terraces & Garden Views

The outdoor spaces were a mix – one had a sculpture, one was a small garden and the other just spaces for you to stand and enjoy the views of Chelsea.  The views on a clear sunny day were fantastic.  There weren’t many seats available to sit (except for the cafe) outside so many wandered out and back into the very chilled museum (the air conditioning was quite cold the day of our visit).

Final Verdict – Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art is quite easy to visit and for me, at least, educational as I don’t know much about current American artists (too much time in Paris perhaps at the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay?).  The price might be a bit steep for some but do check to see if your credit card offers discounts. The open galleries and expansive spaces made it feel less like a stuffy museum and more like a posh gallery that you want to explore.  The outdoor terraces provide a nice break and incredible views of the city. It’s a nice way to spend a few hours before or after your High Line visit as well as a destination on its own. For more information about the museum and planning your visit to the Whitney, visit their website.

Have you visited the Whitney Museum in its new Chelsea location?  Are you a fan?

One thing I learned about my Mom on our recent trip is that she eats a lot of ice cream – she’d probably eat it for breakfast if she could. She is not addicted to cookies, cake or pastries like I am – she’s all ice cream.  I first learned of Magnum Ice Cream bars when I was staying in Gozo as my friend is a bit obsessed with them.   He is like Mom and would eat ice cream all day if he could as well.  So when Mom & I were done with our Versailles quick visit, I introduced her to this European treat to enjoy while we waited on the bus to arrive to return us to Paris. She quickly fell in love with the Belgium chocolate ice cream luxury treat so it was no surprise that this became her go to ice cream during our Paris visit.

After our day of Champagne in Epernay, we jumped in a taxi to go to dinner at Breakfast in America (Mom wanted a burger).  I forgot to mention the arrodissement I wanted so the driver took us to the nearest location in the Marais.  As he navigated the small streets turning here and there, Mom spied the Magnum Paris shop and asked if we could stop, I told her after dinner.  She said “ok, but we better go there so remember where it is”.  Seriously this woman has an ice cream problem.  As I’m lactose intolerant, there’s only so much leeway that my Lactaid pills can do so I was going to treat myself to a bar on our last night in Paris – why should Mom have all the fun?  So after dinner, I google mapped the location which was about two blocks from the diner.

Despite her recovering knee, Mom seemed to run down the street (never understimate a senior citizen and their affinity for ice cream) to the shop which looked like a very posh ice cream shop.

I had no clue that I could make my own Magnum Ice Cream bar, but this was a temporary pop-up store scheduled to close in a few days so we lucked out.  Now we had so much choice – too much choice!  Even Mom was a bit taken aback. The cost was €5 which is obviously a premium price but this is Paris and it’s a luxury treat.  The corner shop was decorated in popsicle stick art, cocoa beans and sparkling art Magnum bars in the window.  You might first mistake this for a boutique shop or art gallery from afar.

Make My Magnum Paris Ice Cream Bar

Choose your base 

Vanilla

Chocolate

Choose your hand dipped chocolate coating

White Chocolate

Milk Chocolate

Dark Chocolate

Choose your toppings

Here’s where the fun begins! There were close to twenty topping choices!

The staff spoke English which was helpful as Mom was eager to get her ice cream.  She ordered Vanilla, Milk Chocolate and was talked into adding a topping of caramel bits. She’s a purist so I was surprised she was so easily swayed into adding a topping. They topped off her bar with white chocolate drizzle and a white chocolate circle.

As for me, I went all out – Vanilla, Milk Chocolate with multiple toppings – biscuits (cookies) in vanilla and chocolate along with caramel bits. Once they added the drizzle and the chocolate Magnum circle – it was perfect! As the bars were just dipped and covered in goodies, they need a minute or two to harden so your bar is put onto a small box.

The shop had just one high top table and since we were unable to eat our mess and walk we decided to sit down to enjoy our chocolate treats. We shared the table with a couple and all marveled at each others creations – each had an ice cream masterpiece. But don’t worry after the required social media photos #MagnumParis we all quickly chomped into our ice cream art (lest you forget the video screen reminds you to post on Instagram and elsewhere).

Magnum Paris Verdict

I love the concept of make my own Magnum Ice Cream bar and the temporary Pop Up store in Paris – I did go overboard with the toppings as the chocolate was lost in all the goodies so next time, I’d go easy on the toppings despite the staff’s insistent I can add more.  I needed more ice cream and chocolate to goodies ratio.

This was Mom’s last Magnum Ice Cream bar in Paris and a perfectly indulgent way to end our visit to the city. The Magnum Pop Up Stores are a summer treat in various cities each year around the world so be prepared to find one this summer.

If you are going to Paris, I’m likely to give you the following direction “Go to the Chanel counter of Galleries Lafayette, stop and look up!” Your eyes will be richly rewarded.  As for your wallet, well that’s another story depending on your willpower for luxury clothes, accessories and macarons (there is a Pierre Hermes counter with a plethora of indulgent macarons).  The stunning stained glass domed ceiling is just one surprise in this department store.  The decor hanging from the ceiling changes a few times a year – the Christmas theme is fantastic! There are a few other surprises in store for you – you only need to board the escalators and continue up for one of my favorite views of the city on the Galleries Lafayette Rooftop, La Terrasse. It’s one of my secret spots in Paris and I’m sharing with you!

Galleries Lafayette Rooftop – La Terrasse

The Galleries Lafayette Rooftop, La Terrasse, has free views of Paris. Yes, free views of Paris – this is one of my secrets of the city.  You can access the roof by the escalator (by the café) or find the stairs (if you stuffed yourself, the stairs are good exercise).  The rooftop has lovely views of the Paris Opera across the street as well as the Eiffel Tower in the distance.  There is an ice cream cart, a sit down outdoor bar/café and a coffee kiosk.  As we walked around on the roof, we could see folks enjoying the sun and others eating their takeaway. Generally open from 9:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. (weather dependent) you can enjoy a peaceful getaway all day long.

Despite being in the middle of throngs of people shopping on the street and people crossing the busy streets at the Paris Opera, the rooftop seems worlds away from all of the frenzied pace of the area.  Seeing people sit in the sun with friends and families sharing baguettes, macarons and enjoying the day is a great sight that I often think only happens in Paris.   However, you momentarily forget you are in Paris until you hear French being spoken or see the selfies being taken with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

The secret is out as evidenced during a summer lunchtime visit when the rooftop was crowded but there was plenty of space to take a photo along the edges.  During the fall, the tourist crowds were minimal so we felt like we had the rooftop all to ourselves in the late afternoon.  There are guards to ensure it doesn’t get too crowded – during my many visits, there was no need for crowd control which was good.

Galleries Lafayette Rooftop Views

In Paris, you have a few options to see the Eiffel Tower from many parts of the city.  You can see it up close for free or pay to go inside to see the city views.  You can pay to enjoy the views from the Arc de Triomphe or go to Galleries Lafayette for a free view.  Your choice as all are lovely.  Plus you can see the unique Haussman buildings and their uniformity from this view.

Final Thoughts

You may not have thought of visiting the department store, Galleries Lafayette, on your Paris trip because you don’t want to go luxury shopping but you would miss out on the rooftop view of the city and Eiffel Tower.  So go indulge in Hermes macarons, Alain Ducasse chocolates and gorgeous interior and exterior views uniquely Parisian. The Galleries Lafayette Rooftop is my secret spot in Paris so I hope you go experience the free views now that you are in the know.

Like everyone else, I dream of winning the lottery.  I grew up watching the television show “Lifestyles of the Rick & Famous” and while I thought the mansions might be a bit too big, I loved the idea of being able to afford to live wherever I wanted in a million dollar home. Over the years of travelling to London and mulling the idea of moving there permanently (anyone want to sponsor my Tier2 visa?), I’ve always wondered what it was like inside the large stately homes in the posh neighborhoods like Kensington, Chelsea and Knightsbridge as well as the hidden Mews streets that I’d stumble upon during my explorations.  In particular, I wanted to live in the a Mews Home in London and my booking with OneFineStay London let me live out that dream recently.

The London Mews House

A Mews House is generally a former stable/barn (now garage area for coveted parking) with living area above. They would be located behind the big fancy homes or close by.  Today, the Mews home is generally smaller than other homes but the uniqueness, location and privacy can’t be overlooked in a busy city like London.  Over the years, these centrally located charming homes have become the place to live and with that command price tags over one million pounds which in U.S. dollars can range from $1.4 – $2.0 million and above.  So how would I get inside?  I don’t know anyone rich in London that lives in a Mews House or friends of friends but I did know about OneFineStay.  So I was going to pretend I hit the lottery and live like a (wealthy) London local.  Our home was on a cobblestoned street off of Kensington High Street mixed with residents, businesses and other renters.

OneFineStay London

OneFineStay, OFS, is the luxury, curated equivalent of Airbnb which started in London and has expanded to luxury cities like Paris, New York and Los Angeles – cities with million dollar homes, locations and views.  Unlike Airbnb, every property is centrally managed by OneFineStay and each property is individually vetted before it can join the program. Real people live in these homes, some only occasionally, and rent out their spaces when they are away.  You’ll never meet the owners as you might with Airbnb. A representative greeter of OneFineStay London met us to go over the house rules and hand over the keys.  OneFineStay handles the bookings, (usually done via a travel agent), cleaning of the property, supplying linens, towels and toiletries as well as all additional needs that arise during your stay.  What additional needs might that be?  Well, of course, every millionaire homeowner needs a private chef to cook for their dinner party or needs an in home massage to get rid of the daily stresses of life.

Maybe you want your bags picked up and taken to the airport without having to lift a finger – there’s a service that does that – Airportr (offered in London only). It’s all seamless and stress free.  No stress, no worries (until the credit card bill arrives once you get home of course) that’s what living a rich life seems to suggest – there’s someone to take care of all the little things so you can enjoy living life and in London this means you can enjoy your travels that much more.  OneFineStay London provided us an iPhone to use during our stay – it was loaded with home information, helpful local apps and a quick button to contact OFS front desk for any questions or issues.

Staying in Kensington (London)

On my last visit to London, I loved discovering South Kensington when I stayed at the posh Airbnb property – the small cafes, the residential feel and the absurdity of the wealth evidenced by the high-end car dealers and the many expensive cars parked on the street as if they were Hondas. So I looked for a property that Mom and I could enjoy – a two bedroom, two bath that was on par with what I would have paid a hotel for two rooms. The area was close to the tube with many restaurants, shops and markets so we didn’t need to wander far.

At the time, there was a sale ongoing on some properties so the cost of the flat was slightly higher than a hotel but the perks more than made up for the extra.  The perks included a large living room to relax after out long days of touring the Tower of London, Stonehenge and Buckingham Palace.  We also had a fully stocked kitchen (pots, pans, dishes, cooking utensils and spices) and a large refrigerator we could stock with goods from M&S and Whole Foods, each a short walk from the flat.  OFS supplied a welcome basket with milk, cookies, tea and water. Mom would enjoy her own bedroom on the ground floor, while I had the second floor bedroom – we would meet in the middle each morning to enjoy breakfast.

So while I work on my review of OneFineStay London service and the Drayton Mews House in High Kensington, enjoy the sneak peek of living in a million dollar luxury flat in London.  I’m not rich, nor famous but with OneFineStay we felt like we hit the lottery, even if it was only temporary.

If you’d like to stay in a OneFineStay home on your next vacation, contact me to help you arrange your millionaire luxury home dream.

***Warning, their website is a rabbit hole of luxury homes so once you start looking, you’ll not realize that hours have gone by as you dream of staying here, there and everywhere***    

It seemed natural for a Sunday morning to go for a walk in New York City.  But rather than head to Central Park, I thought that visiting the High Line would be perfect for Mom.  It was one thing she hadn’t done on all the prior trips (one day bus tours).  So while I would have normally walked to the High Line from the hotel, given Mom’s recent knee surgery, we opted for a cab to the starting point (not far from the Javits Conference Center at 34^th street between 10th and 12^th Avenues).

If you’ve not heard of the High Line also called the High Line Park, you’re not alone. Many of my friends were unaware and so was Mom.  Years ago, someone got the bright idea to convert the abandoned elevated rail track into a horticultural attraction high above the busy streets of New York City.  The result is a lovely green space with wooden seating areas (and a few lounge chairs), space to sit and watch the world below. They’ve also added food and shopping carts plus an outdoor café.  The success of the High Line has led many other urban cities, like Philadelphia, to reconsider their abandoned rail tracks to see if they can recreate the magic that New York has to attract residents and visitors outside to enjoy nature.

Since the High Line opened, massive gentrification has occurred and old buildings are being replaced by shiny new apartments and condos.  One of the first to take a chance on the area and the High Line was The Standard Hotel.  With rooms overlooking the High Line, for a while it became a voyeurs dream (imagine hotel room, curtains open, audience below). The Standard is a luxury boutique hotel in the area with a rooftop pool and a street level restaurant/café.  So at the end of the walk, you can be among the glamorous folks as well as the baby buggies.

There was a bit of construction ongoing so the High Line was shielded by protective netting and scaffolding in certain parts.  After climbing the stairs (there are five elevators at certain points of the park), Mom and I began our stroll. It was Sunday morning before noon so it wasn’t too crowded yet.  We walked slowly as Mom was pointing out all the cool things to me (I’ve been many times over the years and still find it fascinating).  The concrete benches were designed to come up out of the rail and you would see the rail theme interwoven throughout the walk.  They tore out most of the original rail tracks to create accessible walkways and common spaces for people to enjoy.

As we turned into a more narrow section and walked between the buildings, you could see street art, fancy condos and surprisingly two joggers attempting a Sunday run through the ever building crowds. We stopped for a break and a women pointed out the birds above as we sat in the shade (not many shady spots so wear sunscreen or bring a hat if needed).

Further along the path, it split into two options – one side could sit and watch through the plexiglass the urban scene below, the other walked toward the passageway that contained stalls selling food and vendors selling art and local crafts.  An outdoor café was on the lower level.

As we neared the end of the walk on the High Line, I pointed up and told Mom to look at all the people up there!  It was the new home of the Whitney Museum of American Art.  They had installed three levels of outdoor space and I could see many people outside taking in the wonderful views of New York City.  At the end of the High Line (Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking district not far from Chelsea Market), you can exit via the stairs or the elevator.  The High Line gift shop and restrooms are located here (under shade) if you need to make a stop.

We walked down the stairs and were enveloped by the New York streets of people walking by – some toward the Whitney, others crossing the street for the shops and yet others out for Sunday brunch.  Whereas the High Line was peaceful and serene, the streets of New York were full of life – throngs of people, taxis, Ubers and other trappings of urban life.  We met a friend at the Whitney to explore their interesting collection and to relax with a coffee before becoming those people above looking down at the High Line with a bird’s eye view.

The High Line is FREE in New York City, you only need to bring good walking shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses.  End to end is approximately 1.45 miles so not too far.  There are many places to sit to rest, read a paper, enjoy a coffee or catch up with friends.

Mom enjoyed this small slice of New York City.  Given her current mobility issues, it was much more doable than Central Park would have been and at the end of the walk, she had a coffee and art reward.  Sunday in NYC doesn’t get better than that – coffee, art and visiting the High Line.

Visiting the High Line & NYC?  There are FREE public tours scheduled throughout the year – check out the main website for more information.

Leave it to Mom to introduce me to a travel service I’ve seen over the years but never used – The Amtrak Baggage Service with the Red Caps at 30^th Street Station in Philadelphia.  We were scheduled to board the Acela (I got a deal for our Saturday one way trip) from Philadelphia to New York Penn Station for the weekend before starting our journey to Paris on Mom’s luxury trip to Europe. This was just the beginning of learning new things about Mom for the next ten days.

When we arrived at the station, it was the first opportunity to feel (and see) how heavy Mom’s suitcase and carry on were.  For a petite woman, I think she packed bricks in those bags!  I was just hoping she didn’t pack food this time (she is slightly addicted to those orange over processed cheesy crackers with peanut butter and packed boxes on her trip to Germany). When planning the trip, I said you need to be able to roll your bag or make it easy for me to lift with my bags.  Selective listening on her part with that request as she basically ignored me.  So when I said “can you handle that bag on the escalator down to the train tracks?” she gave me a look and replied “no, I don’t like escalators”.  Ok that was a new one considering the vast amounts of time I spend in shopping malls with escalators as a child and I’m sure Target has escalators now too – she isn’t taking the stairs there.  Now, however, in her mid-70’s escalators are a thing – a bad thing.  So I tuned to the Red Cap desk and asked for help.  The Amtrak Red Cap baggage service is free but they work on tips so add this to your budget and bring cash to tip.  At the beginning of what would be a long trip, I was ready to hand anyone cash to take some stress away.

Amtrak Red Caps

Think of the Amtrak Red Caps as the hotel bellman (woman) and valet service for the train.  They are the front line Amtrak train station assistance to help you navigate the often busy train station and/or platform.  There were five red caps at the desk on Saturday afternoon.  The first red cap asked us for our train number and then passed us along to another red cap since his clients and their bags were going in the opposite direction.  Our bags were tagged and we were handed claim tags and told to come back 20 minutes before departure time.  This allowed us to wander the train station bag free (not truly free with Mom’s monster carry on, which we would abandon in NYC to lessen the load) to enjoy the various food vendors prior to boarding.  Mom, however, was a bit paranoid that her bag would be stolen as it sat in front of the five Red Caps at the stand amid a plethora of bags and carts so we sat nearby with eagle eyes staring at our bags.  I had already made enough comments about the weight of her bag and too many bags, etc. so I wasn’t allowed to comment further about “her bag being too heavy to pick up and run with” but I stuffed a cookie in my mouth to avoid a fight on hour one of our ten-day vacation.

Acela Boarding Time

At our agreed upon time, we went back to meet our Red Cap who had no other passengers on our train so he walked us and our bags to the elevators (my first time on the elevators at 30^th Street Station) and down to the track to wait.  We chatted the whole time and asked him about the highs/lows of the job which he is paid by tips only.  He told us of the busy times and the day going by so quickly and the slow times when it doesn’t (I remember my days as a waitress working for tips so I understood).  He walked us to the end of the platform to wait, telling us “it should be easy to get you two seats in this car”.  It was the first car of the train and no one else was waiting with us, opting for the middle platform.

When the train arrived, passengers exited and he quickly scooped up our bags and boarded the train.  As the train was full, he put our bags in a small empty area and found us two seats together.  He mentioned that he would call ahead to NY Penn Station Red Caps to meet us when we arrived but it was hit or miss depending on how busy they were (no one was there to meet us in NY to Mom’s disappointment but I took her carry-on and she only had to deal with the suitcase that I would later repack and get rid of weight.

Amtrak Baggage Service Final Thoughts

We thanked our Red Cap for his assistance and tipped him $10 ($5 per bag) as he saved us the long line and wait in the train station, saved Mom rom the escalator and dealing with her bag and for chatting with Mom during our wait.  For those already stressed out by the travel journey, the Amtrak Red Cap service can alleviate your ear of missing the train or boarding in the wrong location. For families with kids, large groups and those needing extra assistance due to mobility issues, the service is well worth it.

For future trips on Amtrak, I would totally use the Red Cap Service again even though my suitcase has wheels and doesn’t weight a ton because I enjoyed the skip the line, board quickly service and the conversation. It’s also a wonderful service for those stations that don’t have a platform, like Portland, Oregon for the Cascades Trip to Seattle. It’s a Fast Pass for you and your bags and that’s always a good thing.

Red Caps offer Amtrak Baggage assistance at twelve stations

East Coast – Baltimore, Boston (South Station), New Haven, CT, New York, Newark (not the airport stop), Philadelphia, Wilmington, DE and Washington, D.C.

Central – Chicago

West Coast – Los Angeles, Portland, OR and Seattle