SkiAdcock

Well since some May 2006 Dos are already posted , thought I'd start the annual London Presidents (US) Weekend Do thread Dates for 2006 are Feb 17th-20th, 2006, with Monday the 20th being a holiday in America.

Activities, meeting places, etc, to be determined as event gets closer, but tradition has been for: drinks at Ye Olde Grapes pub or White Horse Tavern, dinner at Luigi's or Wagamama or Marsala Zone, clubs or casinos, some matinee plays, etc, etc.

I've booked hotel stay already, although haven't decided if I'll be at the Marriott Grosvenor House or Park Lane Marriott. Will decide as it gets closer as I want an update on the Grosvenor House renovations. BAFTA (British Oscars) are that weekend, and if I make it through the member lotto to attend, the after-party is at the Grosvenor House so just pushing elevator button post-party would be fab (sorry iluv2fly, couldn't resist!).

Definite:

* SkiAdcock; arrive 2/17; depart 2/21; Grosvenor House
* tom911; arrive a few days early; depart 2/20; Thistle Hotel
* lalala; arrive 2/18; depart 2/20; Churchill Hyatt
* bingosf - all the way from marylebone
* ElmhurstNick; arrive 2/17 7:55am; (Friday & Sun evenings); Hilton Metropole
* nor4; arrive 2/17; depart 2/20; Hilton Mews
* skydiver&mrsskydiver; arrive 2/17 6:50am; depart 2/20; Thistle Bloomsbury
* awc4; arrive 2/15; 6:55am; dep 2/22; 2:05pm
* standby4321; arrive 2/17; depart 2/19; Hilton Metropole
* bobovespa; arrive 2/17; depart 2/20
* chemist661; arrive 2/16; depart 2/21; Globetrotter Inn; Ace Inn
* cmtskier; arrive 2/16; claridge's; Fri/Sat drinkies
* auh2o & wingless; arrive 2/17; depart 2/20
* stimpy; staying in Mayfair; arrive 2/19
* grizshel; arrive 2/18; depart 2/20; Jolly Hotel St. Ermins
* joanak;
* WWBGD; arrive 2/17

Activities

FRIDAY Feb 17th

* Day open for sleeping, museum-going, matinee theatre, shopping

* 5:00-8:00pm Drinks at White Horse Tavern; 16 Newburgh Street (Soho)

* 8:00pm-??? - FTers continue drinking or head to dinner or head back to their hotels

SATURDAY Feb 18th

* Day open for sleeping, museum-going, matinee theatre, shopping

* SkiAdcock: Ben Franklin House Museum Tour 2:45pm - anyone welcome to join but ressies required (link to online ressies in thread; p5 I think)

* 4:00-6:00pm Drinks at Ye Olde Grapes; Shepards Market

* 6:30pm Dinner at Wagamama's; 10 Lexington St (Soho)

* Post dinner, FTers continue drinking at pub, club or bar, or back to their hotels

SUNDAY Feb 19th

* 10:15am brunch at St.John in Spitalfields (lala organizing; ressies required; check w/ her re: available space)

* Day open for sleeping, museum-going, matinee theatre, shopping, drinking

* 6:00pm Grenadier Pub/Pizza on the Park

MONDAY Feb 20th

* Early lunch somewhere near Metropole before folk head to LHR?

I'll update & bump up the thread as time goes on. Cheers.

techgirl

Mark me as definite unless something wacky happens. Its already on my calendar as "tradition"!

meducate

As luck would have it, I was invited to give a lecture there later that week. I will try to book my travel so that I can attend this, and meet some more fellow FTers; therefore, mark me as tentative!

tom911

Count me in Haven't booked anything for February yet (though Jan, March and May already have award travel plotted out).

SkiAdcock

techgirl, hope nothing wacky happens. You were the FIRST person i met at my First Do EVER (in London in Feb 2003). It wouldn't be the same w/o you!

tom911, maybe we can arrange for the Arrivals Lounge hook up w/ UA & AA again; look out lounges, the hordes are arriving

meducate, hope you can make it.

Cheers. Sharon

iluv2fly

And you guys are still talking to each other? Wow.

And Luigis - London's answer to the Olive Garden...fab...

meducate

Thanks for that "reality" check, Marty.

I get to London often, and have my own favourites -- Bibendum, The Ivy, River Cafe, Chutney Mary's, Mon Plasir (they have an AMAZING cheeseboard), Langham's -- and many more.

And tell me what you like as far as nightlife -- I am happy to make suggestions! From the upper class to the red light district (not that I have any experience with this...).

SkiAdcock

Whilst we like The Ivy etc, on FT events we try to stick w/ places that are more reasonable in price, although w/ the $$/GBP exchange rate even those places aren't that cheap. And iluv2fly knows Luigi's is not like Olive Garden, but he loves to bust my chops

meducate, the Prez Weekend Dos get anywhere from 18-36 folk attending, so during the day we let folk do their thing - museums, sightsee, plays, pubs - then usually meet up at a pub & then head to dinner at a place that can accomodate that many & is relatively casual. Afterwards folk split according to interests - more pubs, private clubs, casinos, back to their hotels, night clubs, red light activities, etc.

Cheers.

iluv2fly

True, it's nothing like OG. At OG, you get the bottomless salad/soup and pay 1/4 of the price. And those yummie breadsticks too...

dedehans

I am planning to come...Arrive 16, leave 19th......staying at the Goring.....but still wondering if the BKK one going to happen.....

techgirl

I vote for Wagamama again.

skye1

Another vote for Wagamama!

(Waiting on news of potential job changes before making long range plans, so not "confirmed" yet. The comraderie of last year's event: the bonding thru adversity as several dealt with our hotel, the more-money-then-you'd-want-to-know hamburgers at the 4am room service party, the "where's-my parkas/hats/gloves?" frigid stroll along the Thames, the Mr. Furious amenity kits, the LHR Flagship lounge trip reviews, the ORD Flagship Lounge Buffet Devasatation, etc. etc....yep, will try hard to make this one...)

SkiAdcock

techgirl and i talked yesterday, and i'm for the soho wagamama's too. it was the location of my first ever ft do, the food was ok, prices good, and we were able to get ressies for the group. and - they took separate credit cards so that makes it easier. depending on who's around on which dates we might do a smaller group to luigi's. and ditto all that skye1 said - well some of that anyway! cheers.

iluv2fly

[QUOTE=SkiAdcock depending on who's around on which dates we might do a smaller group to luigi's. [/QUOTE]

Table for one, please.

holmedown

Put me down .... will drive up from Devon !!