This family loves nothing more than pretending to be tourists in London (which is just 30 minutes from where we live in Windsor) as there’s nowhere quite like the Big Smoke anywhere else in the world I don’t think thanks to the creative energy of the capital, its beautiful bright lights and 24 hour buzz, and of course the luxurious hotels and 5 star West End shows like Aladdin, you can find here, we saw last week.
Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher presents Aladdin, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin at the Prince Edward Theatre London, starring: Matthew Croke (Aladdin), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie), Jade Ewen (Jasmine), Leon Craig (Babkak), Daniel de Bourg (Kassim), Miles Barrow (Omar), Don Gallagher (Jafar), Nick Cavaliere (Iago) and Irvine Iqbal (Sultan) directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw
ALADDIN, , Director and Choreographer – Casey Nicholaw, Scenic Design – Bob Crowley, Costume Design – Gregg Barnes, Lighting – Natasha Katz, Prince Edward Theatre, London, 2017, Credit: Johan Persson/
ALADDIN, , Director and Choreographer – Casey Nicholaw, Scenic Design – Bob Crowley, Costume Design – Gregg Barnes, Lighting – Natasha Katz, Prince Edward Theatre, London, 2017, Credit: Johan Persson/
Oh London, how we love you!
On this recent visit, The Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge had kindly invited us over, providing us with an opulent suite for the weekend overlooking the city from our balcony with every single detail carefully considered, making it a stay to remember. And boy, did they pull out all of the stops.
I won’t lie (Honest Mum and all that) but I did feel a little bit like Princess Jasmine during our stay as the hotel arranged a chauffeur for us (thank you sweet Monty), as well as complimentary tickets to see Aladdin (the greatest musical we’ve seen on the West End stage: moving, magical, hilariously funny and a tear-jerker to boot, it’s honestly unmissable) as well as access to their private gardens with playground, the most ah-mazing hotel dining, and a day in their breathtaking swimming pool and spa (more of how groundbreaking that is, in a minute).
So let’s rewind and I’ll take you through each magical moment because it was an incredibly special stay.
Our suite was apartment size huge, so large in fact, we couldn’t fit it all into one shot, with lounge and dining area, an en-suite bathroom, expansive wardrobes, a queen sized bed and children’s singles. A small hat box of blooms with large headed roses adorned the coffee table along with fresh seasonal fruit, quarters of baklava and Medjool dates (my favourites).
Robes in all our sizes hung in the wardrobe with slippers as well as toiletries for the children, and Molton Brown toiletries for us.
On arriving back from Aladdin, elated by the visual feast and epic storytelling we’d just witnessed, we were touched to find thoughtful gifts awaiting us in our room. A signed programme for the show for Peter and I, and Aladdin themed sugar glass, cupcakes and jelly beans for the boys. What a treat.
We nipped out for pizzas at Pizza Express around the corner for an early dinner before languishing in the bed of dreams and enjoyed a rare lie-in, in the morning. Bliss!
Breakfast was divine, with lots of vegan options for me, and we popped into Harrods, Zara, and Harvey Nicks while were there too. Dinner was our faves Maroush, a Lebanese restaurant I’ve been going to for years and across the road from the hotel was a magical garden with playground the hotel can supply the key for as its solely for residents.
Now let’s just spend a moment on The Peak Health Club and Spa which is out of this world with views of London as you work out and swim. One of the most wonderful spas I’ve ever visited, The Peak’s 20m indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam facilities made me feel like a new girl by the time I left.
The Peak Health Club & Spa is one of very few which use the new revolutionary PoolSan, an alternative to the traditional chlorine treatments which keeps the water cleaner, more hygienic and crystal clear. As it is also hypo-allergenic, odour free and toxin free, our bodies and hair were not affected.
The kids swam for hours and I would still be there if normal life didn’t have to resume.
Excitingly, a reader plus friend can win a day at The Peak Health Club and Spa in the Hotel and luxurious facials each (worth £440 in total).
Enter below
Good luck
Ends 29th April 2019
UK only
No cash alternative
If the winner does not respond within 7 days of the email being sent, a new winner will be selected randomly.
Promoted on Prize finder, Loquax, Super Lucky , UK Wins and Competition Database.
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I’d love to take my partner katy long she needs a break
What a fantastic trip. Looks like you all had a great time. That hotel looks fab
My lovely wife would love this
This is what I long for a nice relaxing spa day. Gotta say you took some awesome pics.
I would take my wife- she deserves a break!
I think I’d take my best friend as I would be guaranteed less stress and enjoy the real 5 star treatment without the moaning and wanting to do something different all the time 😉 …in effect a ‘proper’ break.
Erm wow! This looks like an incredible experience and prize. It would be really hard to decide which special lady in my life to take. I have a few in mind though. I suppose it would come down to who could make it.
I would love to take my partner. We have 5 kids and never get to go away as our money always seems to go on other things. This break is very much needed and would do our relationship the world of good.
I love a bot of pampering and a chance to relax. I would take my hard working daughter so that we could have have some lovely time together.
I need a recharge – this would be an amazing way to relax before coming back to all life’s problems! I’d love to take my bestie with me xx
I turn 40 this year on the 30th April and I would love to mark it in an extra special way. So this would be absolutely perfect if I won I would love to be able to take my hubby and son.
This would just be the ultimate treat – I love visiting London and I’d love to spoil my boyfriend with this before he begins navy officer training in June.
I’d love to win so I can treat my mum!
If I won I’d take my husband as a treat as he has just got a brilliant new job and we could celebrate in some serious style
I’d love to take my boyfriend as a treat for working long hours to afford our family holiday this year
hubby, as an anniversary surprise
I’d like to take my daughter who is a student in her last year of reading history. She’s working hard at her dissertation with exams in May so a relaxing break afterwards would be a fabulous reward.
Looks amazing, I would treat my beautiful sister!
I would love to take my husband Richard for our 54th year of marriage. We always joke because I was born at ‘Cemetary Lodge’ in Diss Norfolk and my Mum’s maiden name is Carlton – I always refer to my birth place as – ‘Carlton Towers!’
I would love to treat my daughter who had her first baby in December. So a bit sleep deprived at the moment but I am syre she would enjoy this
i would treat my daughter
It looks amazing! I would take my friend with me as she is long overdue a little break x
It’s been one of those days. Part of one of those weeks, one of those months and one of those years.
I’d take my little sister – a Londoner that I just don’t see enough of.
amazing competition
This looks amazing! I would love to treat my husband to a stay here.
I’d love to treat my partner and little man. My partner has been serving overseas for the past 8 months with the royal marines and deserves a treat and some quality time together
I’d take my wife for some much needed date-time away from little ones!
I would take my mum who would love this and deserves a break as has fostered for many years and never has much time out. Would be amazing! 😊
I would love a mini break and i would take my friend i think
Id love to take my partner as we work as carers on opposite shifts and have two children under three so a break would be amazing xx
i need a nice spa day treat as i work night shift and i would take a friend
Would love to win to treat my mum
this looks amazing , i’d love to take my mum
I’ve never been on a proper spa day and I’d love to treat my mum as it’s her birthday in April
I’ve never been to a spa or had any professional treatments so would be a special treat. I turn 40 this year so would love to tuck it off my bucket list. I’d either take my partner or my best friend.
I’d take my long time friend Erin – she busts her ass at work and never treats herself – someone ought to give her a relaxing break!
I would take my daughter, would be a wonderful treat for her 21st
would love to pamer the hubby thankyou
I’d take my friend as we try to escape from the kids once a year
I’d take my best friend from Glasgow. I live in Norfolk and we try to meet up on London once a year
I would take my daughter who needs a nice relaxing break after working, runing marathons ad looking after my grandchildren
Looks amazing – I’d take one of my mummy friends because she needs a treat 🙂
The food looks amazing, beautiful photos Vicki! X
We’ll be in London with Emma in November for her birthday and this would be the ultimate treat!
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I would take my best friend of 38 years. We’ve both had crappy times this last year and deserve it!
I would take my mum because we both deserve a treat.
i need a relaxing day away from the madhouse, i’d also take my sister as she could do with the same. 🙂
I would take my fiance. I would love to go because that hotel looks amazing!
Every single thing looks amazing. The attention to detail is incredible.
I would love to win this because a spa day with my friends is literally my favourite activity as it’s such a great way to totally relax. I am also in bad need of a facial teaching and two young boys have taken their toll on my eye bags! I would take one of my Mummy friends and have the biggest laugh. Xx
I’ve only ever been on one spa day before and I had to leave early to get back to the kids, so a whole day with treatments too would be a dream come true!
A spa experience is at the top of my wish list this year. I usually go on my birthday but it snowed this year and the school closed so it scuppered my plans. I’ve never been to this one, it really does look beautiful.