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RITZ CARLTON LIVE!

08.12.10

By Sheryll Alexander

Downtown Los Angeles just got a whole lot better now that über luxe The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles has come to tower above the city’s fabulous L.A. LIVE entertainment complex.

Yes, The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles really does tower above L.A. LIVE, a public “plaza” sandwiched between Staples Center, Nokia Theatre and the 54-story JW Marriott Los Angeles. The modern-looking tower houses the 878-room JW Marriott Los Angeles, the 123-room The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles and The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE.

Our room at The Ritz-Carlton was a sophisticated oasis of modern design, warm woods, fluffy beds, long sofas, big desks and lots of cool technology like wireless connectivity, huge HDTVs and TVs built right into the bathroom mirrors (really!).

The rather large and lovely room looked out over L.A. LIVE, which lights up and can be rather noisy at night. On the other side of the tower, however, the rooms at The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles look over a commanding (and peaceful!) view from the Hollywood Hills to Santa Monica to Pacific Palisades.

Another reason we thoroughly enjoyed our room on the 23rd floor was the hotel’s sky high club lounge just steps away. One of the largest club lounges I’ve ever seen and certainly the most thorough so far with continuous self-serve drink stations, five food presentations and an attentive concierge staff (big thanks to home girl Amanda, the suave Asaf and all-smiles Darius!).

Certainly, The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles is the perfect home base for hanging out at L.A. LIVE, attending a concert at nearby Nokia Theatre, watching a sporting event at The Staples Center, bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes, catching the latest film at Regal Cinemas, touring the Grammy Museum or just exploring downtown LA and its varied high-energy cultural, shopping and dining experiences.

What about relaxing? You can do that too. The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a luxurious, 8,000-square-foot sanctuary of peace and quiet. The spa features nine treatment rooms, two customized aromatherapy steam rooms, cold plunge showers and two relaxation lounges.

Or, hang out at the hotel’s private rooftop pool and bar on the 26th floor. With spectacular views, you can lounge in cabanas both morning and night. The hotel’s state-of-the-art 2,000 sq. ft. fitness center is also housed on this floor.

Want to be part of the LA scene? Ask The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles concierge to book you dinner right before sunset at WP24. Located on the 24th floor, WP24 is the latest creation of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. We enjoyed the never-ending panoramic vista, the seemingly never-ending amuse bouche courses and the Asian-influenced entrees like the “angry” lobster and crispy quail legs.

L.A. LIVE, which is located just an elevator ride away when you stay at The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles, also has loads of excellent eateries such as Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Yard House, Rosa Mexicano, Katsuya, Trader Vic’s and The Farm of Beverly Hills.

While there’s lots of great dining at L.A. LIVE, don’t miss L.A Market. Located in the JW Marriott lobby, L.A. Market is rather inexpensive, has huge portions and is helmed by renowned Chef Kerry Simon. In this chill space, Chef Simon cooks up hearty New American cuisine with lots of flavor and flair. The super chill JW Marriott lobby also features a cozy, yet rather serious wine bar (gLAnce) and a cool cocktail lounge (The Mixing Room).

And, you don’t even need to get into the car (or pay LA’s steep valet parking fees!) to party. Nokia Plaza is at the center of L.A. LIVE and hosts some kind of concert or event almost every evening. After enjoying the plaza, head to Club Nokia or The Congo Room for late night dancing.

Truly, The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles is THE place to stay, relax, party, shop and eat in downtown Los Angeles.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa.

SAN FRANCISCO PALACE

07.31.10

By Joanne Tucker

The City by the Bay is irresistible, especially for travelers who love its sophisticated European vibe and distinctive American bravado.

We returned to stunning San Francisco for a stay at the Taj Campton Place Hotel, a boutique hotel located near the Union Square in downtown San Francisco, which caters to discerning business travelers and visitors from all over the world.

Located on Stockton Street just one block from Union Square, this serene retreat is a short distance from the Financial District, Theatre District, Chinatown, Nob Hill and some the city’s best known stores and restaurants. (Transportation by cable car is available one block from the property.)

This historic property was bought by luxe hotel chain Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces. After a slow, but rewarding renovation, Taj Campton Place Hotel offers 110 guest rooms, designed by award-winning interior designer Sylvia Chiang. To add to the distinctive artistic flavor of San Francisco, each guest room is embellished with Larry Cohen’s original artwork pieces of the Bay Bridge and vintage portraits of the San Francisco.

At the check in desk, the Taj Campton’s staff was gracious, along with very beautiful and in-the-know desk persons, who also act as a quick concierge, recommending transportation options, local restaurants and sight-seeing adventures as they check you into your room.

Once in our guest room, we noted the Asian inspired honey maple furniture, built-in maple closet and drawers, leather-accented desk and hand blown-glass bedside lamps. Although the room is rather small like a European hotel, the Frette Italian cotton bed linens, down duvets and cinnamon-colored throws gave us an über luxe feel once between the sheets.

Other cool room features include a Bose surround-sound audio system, CD player, VCR, flat-panel TV and free wireless throughout the hotel.

Unlike the guest room, the limestone bathroom is amazingly spacious with a large soaking tub, glass-enclosed shower, robes, slippers and British-born Moulton Brown toiletries. After a day of walking up and down San Francisco’s hills, a hot soak in the deep tub feels heavenly.

When twilight glowed across the San Francisco skyline, we headed downstairs in the hotels iconic Campton Place Restaurant, which recently scored a Michelin star, for the weekly wine dinner. Yes, one night each week a nearby Napa or Sonoma winery hosts a prix fixe wine-paired dinner. Remember, this restaurant was once the kitchens of the likes of Chef Bradley Ogden, so this dining room is a classic San Francisco foodie hot spot.

When we visited, the wine dinner just happened to be hosted by super green and all-biodynamic Benziger Family Winery of Sonoma Mountain. We had expected a four-course dinner prepared by Chef Srijith Gopinathan, but we got much more.

We were instructed to meet in an opulent second floor meeting room where the hotel’s master sommelier, Richard Dean, hosted a champagne reception. Then, the group of about 40 wine connoisseurs sat down to taste each and every wine with a presentation from the wine maker himself. Finally, the group heads downstairs for a four courses paired with the same wines. Wow!

Chris Benziger, one of the founding Benzinger sons, showed a video, which explains his family’s farming techniques used to produce certified-sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines. We sampled five wines including the award-winning 2006 Benziger Tribute (a blend of Bordeaux varietals).

After drinking everything from a sparkling wine to a muscat, we happily strolled to the restaurant where Chef Gopinathan had masterfully crafted menu of contemporary French cuisine with spicy accents.

We began with a local heirloom tomatoes salad, paired with 2009 Benziger Sauvignon Blanc Signaterra. The 2008 Benziger Pinot Noir Signaterra Bella Luna was a superb fit with the succulent roast squab. The 2006 Benziger Bordeaux Tribute matched perfectly to the delicious Wagyu beef rib eye. For dessert, an apricot and lemon verbena cheesecake paired exceptionally well with a 2009 Benziger Muscat Canelli Barolucci.

Other dining venues include the classic, yet super laid back Taj Campton Place bar for bistro-style food, specialty cocktails and fine wines.

Need a work out before or after venturing out into the city? The Taj Campton Place features a 24-hour rooftop fitness center, which is located on the hotel’s 9th floor, overlooking Union Square and the San Francisco skyline.

For sight-seeing enthusiasts, San Francisco offers popular destinations such as Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Park, Coit Tower and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Leisure options around the city include cable car rides, bicycling, inline skating and strolling around San Francisco’s unique and diverse neighborhoods.
Want to spend an evening at the San Francisco Opera or a theatre event without the kids? Ask the friendly Taj Campton Place staff to set up child care or babysitting in your room. Brilliant!
Obviously, the location of the Taj Campton Place Hotel is perfect for an extended business stay, a family vacation or a romantic getaway. From the bellman greeting you at the door to the gracious front desk staff, everything is definitely first class at this serene city retreat.

Joanne Tucker is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, California.

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