Well with just over a week to go till registrations close, we thought it would be a good time to fill everyone in on where we myself and Anjee are staying (in seperate rooms of course)

The hotel of choice where a few people have already booked is the Andaz on Liverpool Street. The first of Hyatt Hotels’ exciting new Andaz brand is located in the heart of London, housed in a beautiful red brick Victorian building dating back to 1884. Once inside, you are transported to the 21st century, with 267 beautifully appointed guest-rooms designed to create the ultimate hotel experience.

With no reception desk and no check-in queue, you are invited to relax in the lounge (lobby) while the check-in comes to you (staff use portable PC’s) – offering the highest level of personal and uncomplicated service.

For dining options, there is something to suit all tastes, with five restaurants and five bars within the hotel. Indulge in everything from afternoon tea, to traditional Japanese cuisine, fresh seafood or fine dining in the much reviewed new 1901 restaurant. Swanky huh! but the great thing about the Andaz is that its not that expensive, if you dont want it to be. I have booked myself and Paula into a queen room for 136 GBP or 155 Euro. The way I looked at it was that since we are flying to the UK may aswell have a touch of class about it.

Obviously there are cheaper hotels in London too and it is not essential for YOU to have to feel that you must book the Andaz but it would be great to have a good crowd in there.

For the Irish people flying to London from Dublin the cheapest way I have found of arriving to London is either Gatwick or Stansted. I choose gatwick because when you take into account the time it take to get from Stansted to the center of London compare to Gatwick to London, it proved quicker and the cost for flights and trains worked out somewhat similar.

For those flying from Shannon it seems Heathrow is a good bet as one Across the water registrant has pointed out, from Cork I am unsure but hopefully someone may be able to let me know.

So my plans from Ireland are as follows Saturday the 14th leave Dublin at 6.40, arrive in Gatwick at 8.10. On arrival at Gatwick get the Gatwick express and arrive in London Victoria 30 minutes later. Hop on a tube and get to Liverpool Street. Walk around the corner to the Andaz and start the break away.

Flight back to Dublin is at 4.40 arriving in Dublin at 6pm

Costs worked out as follows

Flight – 65.86 EURO per person (including taxes, charges and handling fees) for return flights with Aer lingus
Gatwick Express – 33 EURO per person return
Andaz Hotel – 154.87 EURO for Queen room for 1 night without breakfast.

So as I say this is how I have done it, Ryanair do provide a slightly cheaper flight but I am talking 10 euro approx and to avoid the hell of Ryanair, I decided to go Aerlingus. The Andaz was chosen also because of Liverpool Street which houses one of the biggest train stations in London thus meaning if people are staying elsewhere we have a central hub in that station. Gatwick was chosen because of the speed of the train (half an hour quicker then Stansted express) and also cause the cost difference of the 2 flights was minimal.

I do want to reiterate though that if you decide to do things differently that is entirely up to you, and wont affect the night itself.

All thats left for us to say is get booking guys!