THE LONDON CONNECTION has been offering private flats in London for visitors for nearly thirty years. During this period of time, we have had only two Managers who have cared for our properties and have seen to every detail of the London operation–important for our visitors’ comfort. These people will be the ones who are behind the scenes in London who pick you up at the airport (David Norman and his team — Maureen has been with us for 21 years), care for housekeeping of the flats (Conchita, Jamie, Alice-11 years, and Riccardo and others), let-in ladies (Maria,Vanessa, Cristina), and our incredible MANAGER (CRISTINA) WHO IS THE LEADER OF THE PACK. In all the years we have been enjoying this business, we have never had such a team as we have now. THEY ARE FABULOUS, and you will get to know them personally when you arrive.
Twice a year, we get together for a night out. We always go to Chinatown in Soho, and then we go to a pub where we let our hair down and talk about our operation. I listen to what the people on the front lines have to say to improve our operation, and then we laugh with each other about funny events that have happened like the time an elderly gentleman’s suitcase arrived–right suitcase with his name tag and all–filled with a lady’s lingerie. Customs or Airport Security had obviously been checking suitcases before the luggage was loaded on the plane and put the wrong items in the right cases. He was so upset and called our manager who called our driver to take the man to a department store to get him a few clothes so he could carry on with his trip; we didn’t think this 82-year-old gentleman would look very good in a lady’s lace thong and bra! That’s almost as funny as the lady who arrived one month early to her flat. When she looked at her receipts and documents she realized she had booked her flat for October, but came in September. OUR MIGHTY TEAM WENT TO WORK, as you can imagine. Anyway, let me introduce our team to you in one of the images, and then you can enjoy the other photos of the TEAM having a night out.
In this photograph in front of the Chinese restaurant, we see David Norman standing on the left–your driver; Jamie Walker next–the handy man of the team; then Vanessa–veteran let-in lady and in charge of the parties; Riccardo – caretaker of several flats and a real gentleman; Conchita–housekeeper of several flats (She’s the sweetie of the team); Maria -lovely let-in lady and caretaker; and CRISTINA – VERY CAPABLE MANAGER AND LEADER OF THE PACK. Alice, the head housekeeper who has been with us for over 11 years, was unable to attend our little party.
This is a group of professional people who know how this business works. Cristina has been in charge of properties for two other companies and for numerous private families, and there is no one who can match her energy and ability to solve problems (like house alarms going off at 2:00 am), and she comes to the LONDON CONNECTION with amazing experience. There is no one better in the business. We were really pleased to have her lead our London Team. Fabulous attention to detail–THAT’S HER TRADEMARK!
Enjoy these photos. I am posting them so you will have a feeling for our group in London. We are really pleased you will get to know us well. I decided that our formal photographs did not give you a real picture of the team–those kinds of pictures are just stick figures in a studio. THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE. Join us in a good laugh! We really like being together, and we know our business well.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
Pieces of jewelry from the Queen’s collection have very interesting histories. They all have stories about how they came into collection. It is interesting to see the various pieces being worn by several Queens, generation after generation.
QUEEN ALEXANDRA’S STARBURST BROACH is a magnificent diamond creation, designed for a glamorous Queen who enjoyed the society of the EDWARDIAN AGE. Queen Victoria cautioned the Prince and Princess of Wales about extravagant styles, but Bertie and Alex would hear nothing of it. Marlborough House was the center of London society, and Edward and Alexandra held court in contrast to the dreary world of Buckingham Palace with a Queen who remained in mourning, year after year.
During the recent State Banquet at Windsor Castle for the President of France, the Queen wore her dazzling rubies: tiara, earrings, tiara. AND the ALEXANDRA STARBURST is brought out for this very elegant occasion.
I thought you would enjoy reading about this broach which the Queen will have on display at the QUEEN’S GALLERY this summer.
Tom
THE LONDON CONNECTION offers this exceptional conversion of a mid-19th century white stucco terrace in the heart of MAYFAIR (WC1). The apartment at MADDOX SGTREET has been completely refurbished to create very special and luxurious accommodations in a fantastic two bedroom/two bathroom apartment in one of the most fashionable locations in central London.
Thanks,
On 15 August, THE LONDON CONNECTION will have available two fantastic flats on JOHN ADAM STREET IN WESTMINSTER, WC2 LONDON. One of the flats is a one bedroom flat, and the second flat is a two bedroom flat.
The building is a new conversion of a Georgian brick-building which provides two charming apartments situated in the West End a few moments away from TRAFALGAR SQUARE in an amazing location. The apartments at John Adam Street have been completely refurbished to create very special and luxurious accommodations in one of the most central locations in central London.
The apartments are located 30 seconds from Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, one minute walk to the River Thames, 2 minutes from Covent Garden and Leicester Square, 3 minutes from St. James’s Park and Green Park, and five minutes from the house of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben.
Check out our website 
My olest son– whom many of you know in the LONDON CONNECTION OFFICES here in the States– recently was in London working with ourLondon team, looking at new flats, and riding his “miracle” 
After dinner, he left the restaurant only to find that his bike had been stolen. He called me on the phone and said: I HAVE JUST HAD THE MOST HORRIBLE DAY OF MY LIFE. I thought for sure he was in a hospital with a crushed skull and missing one leg. Well, it turned out that some thug had made off with his IBIS bike. He contacted his good friend SCOT NICOL owner of 
The front fork was a pre-production NINER CARBON FRONT FORK in “solid gold” color. The serial number of the fork was also unique as this was the only bike with such a serial number. The racing tires were RACING RALPH TIRES.
And what about the bike? The GOLD fork has been recovered, and IBIS CYCLES and their representatives in London are hot on the trail of this unique bicycle. This carbon fiber IBIS bike won’t be difficult to track down: unique color, unique serial number, and IBIS clearly evident on the frame. The PUNK, Mr. Dean Settle, will be the key to finding it.
We are a busy office–emails, bookings, receipts, sales conversations, new acquisitions, let-ins, follow-up reports, publicity, the BLOG, Taxes, airport arrivals, airport returns, client credit card payments, payments by checks, the hospitality staff, on and on. But we have a new employee in our US office who is really going to help us with our computer work and graphics.
THE COMPUTER AGE has changed the way we do business and communicate with each other. Young minds amaze me. Sheyne’s best friend outside his family is his computer. The name of his office computer is CHURCHILL. By the time I arrived in the office this morning, he had already posted the photographs for the blog.
Buckingham Palace is probably the most famous residence in the world. It is certainly the most photographed building in London and perhaps in the world. it has a dignified, elegant facade which has been the backdrop of some of the most dramatic scenes in history: King George V and Queen Mary’s receiving the cheers of the British people at the end of World War I, King George VI and Churchill declaring victory at the end of World War II, the Balcony Scene after the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Celebration of the Queen’s 80th Birthday. I was in London for the Queen’s 80th birthday and for the wedding of Diana and Charles. The enthusiasm of the crowds will never be forgotten.
The phones never stop ringing in the the London Connection offices. The phone number 801.393.9120 has been our contact number for over twenty years, and we have enjoyed receiving calls from current clients and clients who have worked with us for many years. We get calls about everything imaginable. Travelers want to know if there are hair dryers in the flats, what is the nearest tube station, what is the phone number of their accommodation in London, where do the clients meet the chauffeurs, have we received all their documents, can they switch their payments to another credit card, how do clients leave emergency contact numbers at home, what is the emergency contact number in London, what is the driver’s phone number, what is a good restaurant near the flat, is there a safe in the flat, is Buckingham Palace open during the winter, can the driver give a half day London orientation tour, how far is the flat from their friend’s address in London, how do they arrange returns to the airport, how early do they have to be to the airport before a flight, can they stay in the flat after 10:00 am, how often are the sheets and towels changed, do we have non-feather pillows, can they pay in sterling rather than in dollars, what is the current exchange rate, so we have a roll-away bed, do the master beds pull apart into two twins, what staples are in the flat, can they drink the london water, and so on.
Ricardo–a really helpful fellow
, Alice–the veteran of the group.
The company manager Cristina is not far away with her critical eye, always making sure everything is working and cared for. Note the pictures of this housekeeping staff whom you will meet as they come and go keeping your flat in great shape. Amazing, they are smiling.
will be the ladies you will meet. They all live in central London and can walk to your flat in minutes if an emergency arises. THE KEYS–OH MY GOODNESS, THE MANY KEYS TO ALL THESE FLATS!
Several years ago, we heard of this young lady from one of our clients who came to London every year to the same flat. She was an American from Brentwood, California, and she was demanding, to say the least. She always stayed in the same flat which was owned by a gentleman who lived in Rome and came to London only rarely. He had this young lady and her husband as managers of his flat. One afternoon, our California client called me from the flat in London and said: THE LADY WHO RUNS THIS FLAT HAS EXECUTIVE TALENTS. YOU SHOULD HAVE HER OVERSEEING YOUR OPERATION. SHE IS REMARKABLE. So, for a long period of time, I heard about this CRISTINA lady. When our London manager Fay retired a couple of years ago, I knew immediately it was time to bring Cristina on board in a managerial position. She had worked for a short-let company for several years and knew how it all works. She knew the potential problems BUT BETTER, she knew how to solve them quickly. She seemed to have a sense about boilers, computers, internet, plumbing, and spot removing. She knew of excellent support staff people who were always thrilled to work with Cristina. Almost overnight, she had the entire operation running like clockwork. She seemed unflappable and had several immediate solutions. She coordinates with the drivers for the arrivals, watches the landing schedules each morning, and sends out the let-in ladies–all as a matter of course. In my twenty-five years in this business, I have never known a finer team partner than Cristina. You will sense her organization and skills. She is a problem solver and seems to have an immediate sense of solution. Amazing person.