Go for the Gold in London's East End

There are plenty of places to sell your unwanted gold here at home ... and now one of London's hippest hotels has come up with an inventive way to get rid of those old jewels, make a bit of dough (or "dosh," as they say in merry old England), and have fun too. On July 25, the Andaz — a sleek but welcoming hotel in the oh-so-trendy East End — is hosting a Gold Party in its lovely outdoor garden, complete with tawny Pimm's cocktails, a gold-themed soundtrack (do I hear Spandau Ballet in the background?), and the opportunity to convert a few bits of gold into pounds and pounds of shopping money.

There's no charge to attend the party, and guests are all welcome to bring their gold pieces to trade in for cash, with help from a local British company called, appropriately enough, Ounces To Pounds. The Andaz folks are expecting plenty of guys with old cuff links along with necklace-toting women, along with some guests that simply want to enjoy a fun party in the sunshine. (Yes, you read right: there is indeed sunshine in the legendarily rainy British Isles, particularly in late July.)

If you feel like staying anywhere but the West End would be inconvenient, Andaz is likely to change your mind, since it's surrounded by one of London's most vital communities and is literally next door to a bustling tube and rail station. (The picture at right shows the view from one of the guest rooms, including the so-called "Gherkin" modern office tower, just a couple blocks away.) And, although it's modern with a capital M, the hotel has a terribly-British sense of heritage, since it was once a grand Victorian hotel. Yet at Andaz, it feels very new-and-now Britannia, with an uber-fresh sushi restaurant and the occasional Stephen Merchant sighting in the lobby.

And that, in a city with loads of mediocre hotels, is as good as gold. Hopefully there will be a party like this in the United States soon!