John J

Hi Asia,
Sorry but I haven't checked my messages for awhile. Funny you should bring up water issues. I would have to say that I have experienced issues with plumbing in more than one instance. I have had to ask them to get the spas working at Cuvee, (although Grand Cru worked fine when we were there) and Aspen Red Mountain. I must say they responded very quickly and fixed the problems. In both cases they were not "broken" but "malfunctioning". Switches, breakers, minor stuff which is not uncommon for spa equipment, but a nuisance all the same. The plumbing inside the homes has mainly been leaky faucets or low pressure. This varies from home to home, but George V had issues (no longer in the portfolio). I would say I have had no MAJOR issues, but several minor ones.

Did you go to Florence yet? I would be interested in your take.

John J

Hi John:

Just to give you a London update if you have not been here.

The homes, St. James and Palace View are very different

The St. James home is overlooking St.James palace, very traditional and does not have air conditioning or heating, so in the summer it can be very hot, and in the winter because it has many windows can be very cold. The decorations in the home have a Laura Ashley feel ( but more whites) and the layout is nice, with the master suite having a family room connected.

The Palace View looks completely remodeled and feels like the NYC Bravo apartments (very moderm) except on three floors.

The problems are that the steps up to the first floor is very narrow--so if you are carrying lots of luggage be prepared to carry it up a long flight of stairs before you get the elevator that takes you to the bedrooms on the 3rd floor or the kitchen/dining on the 4th floor-. The elevator here is problematic and they are working on it, but the response time is very very slow-you almost feel like you have to hit the sweet spot before the doors will close properly going down.

The location of both homes is fantastic and if sight seeing--this is probably one of the best locations anyone can have.

I am here right now and the water in the palace view went down , so they put me up in 47 Park Street for 3 out of 4 nights.

FYI, I asked them for a Standard Operating Process on how to handle situations where the home is not liveable and also procedures for compensation.

In the past year, my family and I have had 4 plumbing situations
Paris Ave Ilena--master bathroom out
Grand cru-- jacuzzi heater out
Kolea 5 bedroom-- master bathroom out
Palace View--no water for 3 days.

I don't know if you have had the same problem with facilities.

Hi John J:

Had a few more questions about Florence?

Did you have a chance to try any of the restaurants they recommend
Boccadama

Bocanegra

Quattro Leoni

Il Guscio

Golden View

Omero (closest to the home)

and did you use the home chef service.

It looks like the house is far from the city--spend about 40 euros a day just going downtown--so once your out of the house, its probably not a good idea to come back and forth--you either eat in the city and come back very late. Were there any good restaurants by walking distance to the house. We have small children on this trip, so if kids get tired and we call it a day--we need to find restaurants that we can walk to from the house. we have 12 people so spending 120 euros a day just to go into the city everyday, i am almost thinking of renting a car and driving back and forth--not parking in the city-but just having a car in case of emergency

thanks for any info in advance.

Hi John J:

Had a few more questions about Florence?

Did you have a chance to try any of the restaurants they recommend
Boccadama

Bocanegra

Quattro Leoni

Il Guscio

Golden View

Omero (closest to the home)

and did you use the home chef service.

It looks like the house is far from the city--spend about 40 euros a day just going downtown--so once your out of the house, its probably not a good idea to come back and forth--you either eat in the city and come back very late. Were there any good restaurants by walking distance to the house. We have small children on this trip, so if kids get tired and we call it a day--we need to find restaurants that we can walk to from the house. we have 12 people so spending 120 euros a day just to go into the city everyday, i am almost thinking of renting a car and driving back and forth--not parking in the city-but just having a car in case of emergency

thanks for any info in advance.