La Costa is a fine work in...

La Costa is a fine work in progress

I was sorry to hear of the poor experience Laura Greanias had at La Costa Resort & Spa during her recent visit, “What Has $140 Million Done for La Costa?” (Weekend Escape, April 11). I, too, noticed workmen and landscape crews and the ongoing construction during my recent stay.

My experience was quite different from the writer’s. Though I agree that the property is still evolving, much of the resort is glowing. I felt a sense of pride and willingness to help among all employees -- those who couldn’t personally respond to a request were willing to try to get answers for me.

The new landscaping and renovations are continuing and improving the property on a daily basis. Yes, the renovations and construction are inconvenient. However, sometimes that is why the special low rates are offered. It’s an opportunity for a preview at deeply discounted costs.

The hotel seems to be committed to improving and is working to achieve accolades from all guests. I hope that Greanias’ comments have generated a response and she will give them another try when the renovation is complete.

Linda Roark

Laguna Beach

#S#

Tea and art in Trafalgar Square

I enjoyed the article on St. Martin-in-the-Fields, (“A Spot of Tea and British History,” April 18) but wondered why the writer didn’t point out that it is right across Trafalgar Square from the National Gallery.

We enjoyed a rainy day in London by visiting the National Gallery in the morning, crossing the square for the midday concert and lunch at St. Martin’s, and then spending the afternoon at the National Portrait Gallery, which adjoins the National Gallery. Altogether a perfect day.

Judith Fujita

Rancho Palos Verdes

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I too was enamored with St. Martin-in-the-Fields. We visited in 1996 and listened to a rehearsal of an upcoming choir performance one afternoon, a welcome and pleasant respite from our day of sightseeing. I left my friends after a while and wandered down into the underground cavernous space because I had read of an opportunity to make a crayon rubbing from old carved tiles and stones down in the crypts. I chose a tile of a medieval knight that reminded me of my husband and created a work of art as a wonderful souvenir. The clerks were very pleasant and offered to clean up small mistakes and deftly rolled it up and slipped it in a tube for easy, safe packing.

There was no mention of that in the article. Too bad.

Marty Wilson

Whittier

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We related completely to Irene Woodbury’s article. One of our favorite places in London is St.-Martin-in-the-Fields for its wonderful day and evening concerts and as always a meal in the crypt, a picturesque restaurant, where last January we had the best soup in town. We stayed at Selfridges, within walking distance to the Wallace Collection, our favorite art museum.

Hinda Beaman

Dan Davis

Santa Maria, Calif.

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