Simply Abu Dhabi III

189 SIMPLY ABU DHABI An exclusive experience for everyone Situated in swanky Knightsbridge, Harrods attracts thousands upon thousands of tourists and locals through its famous doors – in fact 15 million customers pass through the doors every year to discover what seven floors of exquisite collections across 4.5 acres have to offer. Harrods are committed to providing a pleasurable and memorable experience to every visitor and aim to exceed expectations. In yet another delightful instalment of the A&J diaries, we were thrilled to enjoy the experience first-hand. Easily accessible by both tube and bus, no visit to London would be complete without a visit to Harrods. We took advantage of the valet parking for the full VIP experience and with excellent customer service from the off, we were lucky enough to have the door opened for us by one of the legendary ‘Green Men’ – Harrods Doormen in Green Uniforms – first employed in 1909. You can feel the luxury as you step through the door and with a reputation for being expensive, Harrods does sell the most expensive things to a rich and famous clientele, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great offers and bargains to be found. With Harrods’ motto being ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’ – ‘all things for all people, everywhere’ – you will quickly come to appreciate that despite the exclusive, extravagant ambience, this is a department store accessible to everyone. There are also several 10% Discount days for Harrods account holders through the year. Located right outside the Knightsbridge tube stop, Harrods has long been synonymous with style in London and is today a destination not just for fashionistas and the wealthy, but also day-trippers and tourists wanting to enjoy the genuine London tourist experience. With 5,000 employees, rising to 5,500 at during the Sale and Christmas periods, over 12,000 prospective employees are interviewed per year from over 25,000 job enquiries. Harrods employs seven “Green Men”, the famous commissioners synonymous with the store since the early 1900s. With a memorial dedicated to the late Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed on the lower ground floor, you are reminded of the former Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed and the part he has played in the Harrods success story. In 2010 Al Fayed sold Harrods for approximately £1.5 billion to Qatar Holdings, having been Chairman of Harrods since 1986 and being responsible for a refurbishment plan costing approximately £400 million to date. Designer essentials The store accepts a wide range of currencies and whatever you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it in one of Harrods many comprehensive departments. In Harrods it is Christmas all year – the Christmas department is just one of well over 300 different departments waiting to be explored. Doing it for the kids, the children’s department is well stocked with everything the younger generation could wish for. Every sport and sporting lifestyle is catered for in the Sports Department. Beauty is also big business at Harrods as is fragrance and with many fragrances exclusive to Harrods, we took some time at the perfumery. All the designer essentials are on offer and Harrods is the ideal place to gain some inspiration about the latest trends. I picked up a couple of casual Ralph Lauren shirts before being tempted by some designer cufflinks. Jordana was keen to spend a little time looking at the beautiful handbags and was torn between a Marc by Marc Jacobs tote bag and a stunning Chloe handbag – the handbag just had it! Tempting cuisine The store boasts 29 different restaurants and eateries – serving everything from doughnuts to oysters. If you’re looking for fine dining, you’re truly spoilt for choice at Harrods. In Harrods first-rate restaurants, internationally celebrated chefs prepare avant-garde cuisine from across the globe, from sushi to traditional Lebanese dishes and the Parisian grandeur offered at the iconic Ladurée. With pizzerias, rotisseries and sushi bars, seafood bars, grills and a choice of tempting coffee shops and espresso bars, there is something to appeal to all tastes and appetites when it comes to easy eateries. The family market is also well catered for with Harrods offering an America Diner, an ice cream bar and even the ultimate chocoholic’s fantasy with fondues, thick, pure chocolate drinks and sandwiches and savouries being served at the Harrods Chocolate Bar on the second floor. We simply had to pay a visit to the first floor Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar – perfect really as it is situated within the international fashion collections which we had spent some time browsing! The setting is fantastic with a contemporary bar overlooking the store and an intimate lounge and dining area. Opting to order lunch from the Small Bites Seafood menu, we were not disappointed. The crab and rock shrimp dumplings with a sweet and sour glaze were totally divine. Jordana sampled the Smoked Salmon Croque Madame with caviar and the look on her face said it all! All dishes are specifically created to complement Veuve Clicquot’s fine champagnes and a range of soft drinks are also available. A selection of Veuve Clicquot accessories and gifts are also available to purchase in the store and are exclusive to Harrods, so we picked up a few special gifts. A luxury experience After lunch, we were inspired by our fine dine experience to visit the Harrods Food Hall. The Food Hall is a reflection of the general opulence of the overall store and even if you don’t intend to buy anything, it’s very difficult to resist the temptation. Packed with a delectable range of luxurious treats, we picked up some delicious truffles and Foie Grais before being enticed by the scrumptious display of chocolates on offer. Pralines purchased, it was time to take a look at the enticing biscuits and cakes before moving on to the jams and preserves – this was proving to be somewhat of an expensive shopping trip but well worth every last penny for the sheer quality of the goods we left with. With luxury gifts for every occasion, exclusive beauty products, exclusive launches and limited editions available throughout the year as well as collections from some of the world’s most renowned fashion designers, Harrods is a shopper’s paradise. It is more than simply shopping; it is an experience, a day out, a top London attraction and one that will keep you happily occupied for hours. We ventured to the fourth floor for afternoon tea, having heard that the Terrace Bar serves delicious home baked English scones. In this relaxed and elegant Georgian Restaurant, visitors are treated to a commanding view of London in a mezzanine conservatory setting. Beautiful freshly cut sandwiches were served first – smoked salmon with caper butter for me and truffled egg with cress for Jordana. Then the mouth watering scones arrived served with clotted cream, rose petal jelly and strawberry preserves. The choice of tea from Harrods’s own tea gardens is breathtaking and it was some time before we finally settled on Jasmin Chun and Moroccan Mint which provided the ideal mid-shopping refreshment and pick-me-up required for a final look around this awesome globally renowned department store. There is always something happening at Harrods. For example, Harrods Wine Shop hosts exciting tasting events every month with experts on hand to offer information and advice whilst you enjoy stunning gourmet canapés. Wine connoisseurs may also be interested to know an exclusive new dining room dedicated to the appreciation of fine wine is situated within the newly opened Wine Shop on the Lower Ground Floor of Harrods. The Tasting Room creates the ambience of a traditional wine cellar where up to 16 people can be seated for dining and 18 for wine tasting. With full conference facilities, wine amateurs and aficionados alike can sip fine wines and sample a range of delicious dining options, from informal charcuterie boards through to multi-course fine dining menus. Having whiled away the hours in Harrods, we would strongly recommend you make a day of it, to give you time to look around the whole store. Store guides available at the Information desk located by each entrance were invaluable when finding our way around the store, so remember to pick one up. A&J would like to thank all the welcoming and friendly staff in every department of Harrods for the exceptional service and attention we received throughout the day. Once we have unpacked the shopping bags and recharged our batteries, we’ll definitely be back through those famous doors again!

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