THE INCREDIBLE HARRODS
IN LONDON

If you ever have a chance to go to London, and I really hope you will, you simply must visit this incredible department store that's much more than just a department store.

By Night

Our first encounter with Harrods came in 1993.  This was a surprise anniversary trip for my wife and we only had a "regular" weekend.  Wheels up at 6:30pm from Detroit Metro Airport Friday night with touchdown at London Gatwick the following Saturday morning at 6:30am.  We got a few hours rest at the Gatwick Airport Hilton and then were joined by our guide for the weekend, the fabulous Nick Wilson.
 

By Day

Since we had such precious little time for our first visit to London, I had a list of several "must things" to do including a trip across the Tower Bridge, at least a drive by the London Tower, a brief visit to Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral, a swing by London's Heathrow Airport (I'm an airplane nut, you know), lunch at a traditional fish and chips place, a Mai Tai at Trader Vic's, and dinner at Simpsons-In-The-Strand.  Toward the end of this very busy day my wife and I were practically falling asleep in the car.  Nick suggested that we visit Harrods and we said we'd "pass" because of the extreme fatigue and the fact that we were hitting the wall.  But Nick insisted that we spend at least an hour there.  He dropped us off at the front door and in we went.  I'm so glad that Nick was so persistent in urging us to visit there.

This trip was in late November and the Christmas decorations were already up inside Harrods.  That was one reason that Nick insisted that we visit.  What an amazing place!  They have everything you could possibly want on several floors but it was the food court that absolutely blew me away.  Every kind of tempting seafood from all over the world.  An amazing array of salads, tarts, meat pies, meat, game, and fowl.  They even have their own brand of beer and wine.  And everything is arranged with an artist's perfection.

Small Part Of The Amazing Food Hall!

In subsequent trips back to London, we always visit Harrods.  Things have changed a little bit.  There are Egyptian touches now that it's owned by Mohamed Al Fayed.  And perhaps it's even more amazing.

Did you know that Harrods has its very own power system and water system?  If London should lose power and water, Harrods would continue to function just fine.  They even have a "falconer" who goes up on the roof a few times each week and releases a falcon to scare off the pigeons!

One My Favorite Areas Of Harrods Food Hall - Seafood!  An Amazing Collection!

Cheeses Second To None

Desserts -- Oh My!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The service is unbelievable.  During one visit my wife and I both had to use the restroom.  We split apart, did our business, and then met outside the loos.  I told my wife about my experience.  Right after I got done using the urinal, a guy came up with a scrub bucket and cleaned the urinal. I told my wife I must have "looked dirty" or something.  But then she laughed and said the very same thing happened to her after she used the girl's potty.  It's their incredible mark of service that every John is cleaned after every use!

The employees are so nice, too.  Once a lady approached offering to give me a sample test of a fine men's cologne.  I wasn't in the market for any cologne but she was so nice and it smelled so good that I went for a bottle.

For some interesting facts and figures on Harrods, go here.

Again -- if you go to London, you must visit Harrods.  But if you can't find the time, you can shop at mini branches at London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

And tour guide Nick Wilson, wherever you are in the world right now, thank you for practically forcing us to visit Harrods on our first London trip!

If you can visit anytime soon, check out their web site here.

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