VS010 JFK-LHR 4 APR 15 (Upper Class)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

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So 4 nights and days in NYC came and went all too quickly. We stayed at the Library Hotel on 41st Street, where each floor and room is related to the Dewey Decimal system. We ate too much (diners mostly, though we took in Grimaldis in Brooklyn), drank too much (The Ginger Man mostly), walked too much (including the Brooklyn Bridge both ways), thought too much (the 9/11 Museum), bumped into colleagues of MrsPJH and entertained a stag party of 10 (which #1 Son had organised) to a "lively" brunch...and we had a photo op outside the place famous for "Say Yes To The Dress". Though we took in a concert at the City Winery, Broadway proved a bust with hugely over priced shows. $200 to see "Jersey Boys"? Really? We also fulfilled the #1 Daughter's request to track down Red Velvet Oreos, which I believe have become a pseudo Bitcoin for the Yelp community in Manchester.
Checked in the evening before the flight, 12A and K secure at Sequence 23 and 24 a good hour and a half into T-24.

A car was arranged at 5pm, in the expectation of getting to JFK for at 6.30 for our 9.30 flight. That didn't work out, as even with some slow traffic we were checking in at 5.40 having had a fascinating discussion about Uber with our driver (all for it).

On entering the terminal there appeared to be no UC check in desks at Virgin area, We were offered the option of checking in using one of the Economy desks or heading over to the "Poor relation of Delta" UC check in which is on the right hand side of the terminal....guess which we opted for?

Priority security worked well, with none of the "move over to the other (slower) line" we experienced the last time we were there.
In the CH at6pm, and settled in to our first experience of it with champagne - last time we were there it was coffee only as it 6am. Again we went for the tapas (the beef empanadas) with a Pinot Noir as the Cabernet Sauvignon was way too astringent for me. One day I will start working down the cocktail list, but I fear I may become as addicted to that as MrsPJH is to the head massage, There was only a little bit of people watching to do, though we had to employ some top quality glaring to suggest that turning the little circular sofa area into a bedroom and creche for one family might not go down too well with those of us there before them.

It was 9.10 by time the first call for the flight came - several folks had got a bit nervous and attempted to sneak out, only to be gently persuaded to return by the staff at the desk. By this time it looked likely that it would be a quiet flight in UC, as there were only a very few of us in the lounge, and when we did make the 2 minute trek to the gate and onto the aircraft that was indeed the case. I think there was a family of 4 in the B Zone, and 4 empty seats in the A Zone..

Now comes the point where I have to register disappointment. Though we did get champagne (one dose only, as doors were closed and we were on our way sharpish) there was neither water nor amenity kit nor menu on either of our seats.. This was clearly a surprise to the crew serving us who did a goggle eyed bit when they were taking the meal order, asked "what would you like" and received the response "well, what is there". "It's on the menu" I was told. "That's as may be, but I don't have one of those". Yer man apologised and then said he'd be back later as we were about to take off. I must admit my thought was "yeah, right" but he was back as soon as he could be with menu, water and amenity kit. After that all was tickety boo, and service was good, though I have to say I wish I had eaten more in the CH. Though tasty, the Thai Red Curry on offer was not filling.

Inbound Amenity Kit
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We'd already decided to skip breakfast and head for Revivals (car booked appropriately) so said no thanks to being woken up. For the first time on an LHR flight I heard Revivals being mentioned as an option to passengers.

By the time I had finished my curry, watched "The Judge" (which featured a scene involving something you don't usually see in films, save for "Bridesmaids") with Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Junior and bedded down for an hour or so (MrsPJH was at one point going to shake me awake to stop me snoring, but for once it wasn't me!) we were on the descent into LHR.

Two jetbridges were deployed which meant that there was little advantage when it came to the race to immigration, Still, it was only 5 minutes to get through once there and we arrived at the baggage carousel a full 20 minutes before any bags started to appear. Then to Revivals, which proved to be busier than at any time we've used it in the past. Unfortunately our stay was somewhat foreshortened by the early arrival of our car, which took us back home in around 90 mins, where we found one circuit of the power tripped and our two freezers defrosted. All I can say is.....b*gger!

Some pictures...

The Hotel
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The Hotel Floor
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The Hotel Room
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Great Sign
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Not Quite The Shot From The Cover of the Manhattan DVD
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What?
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Great, loved the TR and all the pics. Bacon-flavoured toothpaste? Only in the States!!

We love Ginger Man too and what a lot you packed in to just a few days. Definitely a bit of a b*gger about the freezers.

Another great TR, pjh! Amusing pictures, too. Going to check out those red velvet Oreos and, err, bacon toothpaste...

Another great TR.

I found out about uber last time I was in the states, the lady raving about it (an elected counsel women from Phoenix) used it all the time.

Where are we off to next?
D

Sounds like you had a lot of fun in NYC paul ,bet your glad to be home for the rest !
Another good read and another solid flight after the menu blip ,it's hard trying to gauge how much to eat in the CH before a flight isn't it ,One part of you thinks eat lots in case it's no good on the plane but you also try to leave leave room so you can enjoy the full UC experience.

Great TR, thanks for posting, sounds like you had a busy but enjoyable time in NYC.

I'm back to NYC on 18th and I so can't wait.

Super TR, thanks for sharing it. I love your photo additions to the tale, and the part about the elusive Red Velvet Oreos!! Sorry to hear about the freezer, though I'd start researching my next UC trip to make myself feel better, if I were you...

Loved reading this TR, thanks for posting thinking of a trip to NYC this October and this has enthused me a little more Loved the pics as well

Great TR again with pics, and what a lit you did in a short time. I'd have been cream crackered!

Sorry to read about your disaster on return though, ouch!

Great TR. We are stopping at its sister hotel, the Elysee in May and are on VS046 in seats 12A/K on the way back.

Thank you for your TR, we are making the same trip in May, got to start thinking about booking a hotel soon, will certainly be looking at the Library.

oldboy

Thanks all.

@Petmadness and TotallyLost - glad to have delivered some more fizzle for you.

@whiterose and mrsw - I too do not get the bacon toothpaste, but it is a present for #1 Daughter who has previously enjoyed bacon salt and bacon jam. With that amount of salt knocking around, it's no wonder we spent so much time in in The Ginger Man (that's my excuse, and I am sticking to it)

@Bretty - yep, we were knackered by the end and had begun to use the subway and taxis...

@Blacky - I think the balance was only just shy of being spot on, as long as Revivals is in the offing...

@vji6697 and oldboy - the Library had style, is in a great location for mid and uptown and the lounge is a boon. The only downside was the rooftop bar, which had the feel of being separate from the hotel and a bit too cool for its own good. From that perspective we preferred the sister property Giraffe, where the staff in the lounge would give you an extra large glass if they knew you headed up to the roof..

@ultreen1 and spacedog - definitely on the planning for the next UC trip. Next year is a significant birthday, and am kicking around the idea of a whole family trip somewhere before wedding bells start being heard around the offspring.

Thanks for the TR.

What did you think of the hotel?

[buns]

Thanks for the TR and giving me the desire to book a trip to NYC as soon as possible

buns

Thanks for the TR.

What did you think of the hotel?

In short, we were pleased with it;

- Great location if your focus is mid or up town
- Spot on theme for me (the books in our room took me back to my first year of Philosophy at university 41 years ago)
- Good feel to the service, with turndown, weather card and literature themed chocolates at night
- Generous with bathroom amenities, deodorant, shaving kits,dental kits all available
- Boutique feel (fewer than 60 rooms)
- 3 hour continental breakfast & evening wine and cheese sessions very welcome, as was the all day coffee & cookies
- room about the usual NYC size, and quiet

The only downside was the up themselves staff in the rooftop bar who were clearly of the opinion that we were neither an appropriate shape nor age to grace their establishment.