Football and The Beatles
London: The Chelsea Harbour Hotel
Chelsea Harbour Hotels is part of the Millennium Group, and one of the experiences available to My Millennium members is exclusive access to Chelsea Football Club, so we got to see a Chelsea game live! Luckily, our trip coincided with the team’s “London derby” against West Ham.
Before the game, we had a tour of Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s home ground, and one of the oldest stadiums in the world (built in 1877). Tours are held daily, and they include going into the dressing rooms and media rooms. It was really interesting – especially hearing about the complexities of trying to modernise and update this historic site. There are fabulous old photos, too, as well as football shirts from the top players over the decades.
Back at our accommodation, the Chelsea Harbour Hotel, I was heading down for afternoon tea and the lift door opened to six of the players. They got in with me and I stood in the corner feeling like a right “nana” and trying not to look at them! It took a bit to recover from, but the tea, savouries and sweets definitely helped. Later, when it came to seeing them all in the foyer on the way to the match, I felt like I knew them intimately.
The game was really exciting; we were in the hospitality suite with a fantastic spread and drinks (enjoyed only behind closed blinds as drinking anything within view of a football pitch is banned in the UK). Just outside the suite, we had a row of seats to the right of the opposition supporters, and the singing was amazing – like a war chant. It really makes you understand just how big a part of British culture football is; fathers with sons of all ages go on a weekly basis and sometimes more often.
The benefits of staying at the Chelsea Harbour, apart from the possibility of seeing the players and having a massive suite overlooking the marina, was being able to walk to King’s Road. The number 22 bus goes along to Sloane Square and then all the way to Oxford Circus. Alternatively, you can take a black cab or Uber, but the bus isn’t much slower and the top of the double-deckers is still my favourite vantage point.
London in springtime was beautiful, with so many cherry blossoms! The temperature changes daily and even hourly in the UK, so layering is always good, no matter what time of year you go. But when the sun is out, London is stunning.
We also went to another of the Millennium group’s six properties in London, The Bailey’s Hotel, which is right next to Gloucester Road tube station. This Victorian-era hotel is one of the oldest privately built London hotels; it was established in the 1870s by a Member of Parliament, Sir James Bailey. We had a tour and would love to have stayed there too. There are lovely pubs around and obviously easy access to the underground system, and it’s within walking distance to the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Liverpool: Hard Days Night Hotel
The train to Liverpool isn’t cheap, but it’s quick and easy and you get to enjoy the English countryside (and lots of little lambs enjoying the spring) without having to worry about traffic jams or getting lost. It took us under two-and-a-half hours and was almost as impressive as seeing Liverpool itself.
I thought I knew this city, but I soon realised I had only scratched the surface before. We stayed at the Hard Days Night Hotel, Millennium’s Beatles-inspired property. It’s a bit of a mix, but it was very interesting – and so nice to have Beatles music around all the public areas. The rooms were all good-sized suites with different themes. I was in a Paul McCartney one overlooking gorgeous old buildings leading down to the Royal Liver Building and the docks.
Liverpool is the right size of city for walking around easily. There was a large Debenhams down the road, the largest Lush store in the world (it’s amazing) and, a few doors down, The Cavern Club where the Beatles frequently played in their early years. Get down to The Beatles Story museum at the Royal Albert Docks to find out more. There’s also the Maritime Museum, which has free entry and includes the stories of the Titanic and the Lusitania, and Liverpool’s involvement in the slave trade.
Reward programme and lucky draw
To celebrate the new My Millennium Guest Reward Programme, the “Stay like a Millionaire” lucky draw is offering one guest the chance to win a million My Points. With that many points, you can redeem up to 55 free nights at over 100 participating hotels across China, New Zealand, Asia, the UK, the USA and the Middle East. My Points can also be used for room upgrades and an exciting selection of lifestyle rewards. The draw is on until 30 September 2019, and open to new and existing My Millennium members staying at participating hotels across the world.
Key features of the new Guest Reward Programme include exclusive rates, double points every 10 nights, celebration treats on birthdays and other special occasions, and upgrades and more using My Points.
To sign up or learn more, see millenniumhotels.com/en/programmes/mymillennium/introduction.
Directory
millenniumhotels.com
harddaysnighthotel.com
liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
beatlesstory.com
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This article first appeared in the June 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
