Archive for the ‘Honeymoon’ Category

Indian Wells, near popular Palm Springs, draws its equal share of spa lovers in search of warm weather and resort style. A Mediterranean oasis nestled at the foot of the Santa Rosa Mountains, the Miramonte Resort & Spa boasts luxury accommodations, fine dining, a romantic ambience and one of the highest rated spas in southern California.

Recommended Resort:  Miramonte Resort & Spa. 215 guest rooms, suites and villas await in the herb, citrus, olive tree and bougainvillea-covered grounds of Miramonte. The signature pool is graced with lounge chairs and daybeds, complete with private poolside cabanas for sun-drenched afternoons.

The Grove Artisan Kitchen is the star dining venue on-site, offering farm to table, fresh California-seasonal fare. Local and regional farms and ranches help the restaurant to create the most enticing restaurant menu in the Coachella Valley. The menu features organic produce, “home grown” fresh herbs, farm raised meats and poultry, fresh Pacific seafood, house-made pastas, prime dry-aged meats and innovative vegetarian or spa oriented dishes.

Check In:  45000 Indian Wells Lane in Indian Wells. 877-314-7081, miramonteresort.com

Check Out:  Golf lovers will enjoy the three championship courses the resort overlooks. Located on the resort campus is the Indian Wells Golf Resort, home to the 2007-2009 LG Skins Game. Ranked in the Top 20 “Best Courses You Can Play” in California by Golfweek Magazine, the courses at the Indian Wells Golf Resort are the most prestigious resort courses in the Palm Springs and Palm Desert area.

At the Callaway Performance Centers (CPC), you’ll have your swing evaluated with the exact same cutting edge fitting technology they use on Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els and Annika Sorenstam. You’ll swing the latest clubs from golf’s leading innovator and get fit into the ideal equipment for your game.

Don’t Miss:  The Well Spa. Rated the #1 resort spa by Condé Nast Traveler, it’s hard to argue with top-notch service, a Tuscan vibe and those breathtaking Santa Rosa Mountains. Our favorite treatment is the Desert Rain Massage. Essential oils like marjoram and wintergreen drop like rain along the spine to boost immunities, reduce mental fatigue and calm the central nervous system. A relaxing, full-body massage includes a warm compress to enhance the effects. Designed exclusively for The Well Spa by certified aromatherapist Lori Torquati. Couples may also enjoy a cozy, seated barrel soak for two overlooking the mountains before bedtime.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Miramonte Resort & Spa.

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Where does Hollywood elite escape the merciless flash of the photo hungry paparazzi? The Hollywood Roosevelt certainly tops that list. A tinsel town favorite since 1927, these fabled walls were originally conceived by Hollywood royalty Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Louis B. Mayer. But the film history allure doesn’t end there … the hotel was home to the first Academy Awards ceremony, not to mention the temporary residence of Marilyn Monroe. It’s said her spirit haunts a mirror no longer on view to the public. This just maybe the perfect getaway for you and your loved one this Halloween season.

Recommended Resort:  Extensively renovated in 2005, the Roosevelt is better than ever, but still an icon of a bygone era. The Spanish-style features of the entrance lobby has been beautifully restored, as has the cabana glamour of the Tropicana Bar, a stylish rendezvous with a view of David Hockney’s painted pool.

Rooms are varied and nicely appointed, from the studios and suites of the main 12-story building to the poolside Cabana rooms. The grand dame is the Gable Lombard Penthouse, a 3,200-square-foot duplex with vaulted historic ceilings, and 1,200-square-feet of outdoor space on the 12th floor rooftop underneath the Historic Hollywood Roosevelt sign. You won’t want to miss these stunning views of the Hollywood Hills and the Los Angeles skyline.

Check In:  7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. 323-466-7000, thompsonhotels.com

Check Out:  The eats. 25 Degrees off the hotel’s lobby runs right along hopping Hollywood Boulevard. A little old glamour and a little modern magic mixed with a lot of great burgers, you’ll have dreams about this tasty menu. The Public Kitchen and Bar features American fare from chef Tim Goodell in loft-style environment filled with butcher block tables and ’60s library chairs. Great food at a manageable price. For casual late night fare, don’t miss the scene the Tropicana Bar, where the drinks flow late into the evening.

Don’t Miss:  The Spare Room. Soon the secret’s going to get out on this little hideaway tucked inside the hotel. The speakeasy gaming lounge features vintage bowling lanes and classic cocktails. Throw in the vaudeville theatre of Beacher’s Madhouse and try not to be transported to the days of Chaplin and Keaton. Silence is golden.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Thompson Hotels.

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The rugged Central California coast gives way to a smooth and sandy paradise in Pismo Beach, and the Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa sparkles front and center. South of San Luis Obispo and just off scenic Highway One, this pearl of the Pismo coast offers accessible luxury and a wonderfully romantic getaway in one beautiful package.

Recommended Resort:  Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa. Located on Shell Beach, the property enjoys all the perks of seaside real estate and the convenience of close proximity to many of the Central coast’s biggest attractions, like Cambria, Hearst Castle and Paso Robles wine country.

Dolphin Bay’s suites offer distinctive one-bedroom, two-bedroom and penthouse configurations. Each private entrance opens into designer interiors, complete with well-furnished living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens that are equipped with granite countertops and signature appliances. Master bedrooms are retreats in themselves, featuring designer linens and walk-in closets. Each suite has flat-panel televisions and DVD players, private terraces or patios, full laundry facilities, and complimentary high-speed wired and wireless Internet access. Select units also feature fireplaces and Aire Jet tubs.

Check In:  2727 Shell Beach Road in Shell Beach. 800-516-0112, thedolphinbay.com

Check Out:  Lido Restaurant and Lounge is one of the top sought after dining locations in Pismo Beach. The mesmerizing ocean view provides the perfect backdrop for a casual yet elegant dining experience. Experience the most spectacular sunsets Shell Beach has to offer while sitting on the Lido Patio or next to the Fireside Grill.

Executive Chef, Brian Collins, has perfected his California Coastal Cuisine showcasing a variety of world-class products that can be found right in the San Luis Obispo region. Chef Brian has developed relationships with local farmers who provide produce freshly picked from their fields as well as with local ranchers and artisans so that he can provide the freshest and most natural cuisine. With over 300 wineries from the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez Valleys to the Edna Valley, Paso Robles and Monterey appellations, there are countless exciting and unique local wines to pair with his masterful cuisine.

Don’t Miss:  La Bonne Vie Spa is an oasis of relaxation awaiting your visit. Spend the day unwinding with luxurious, signature spa treatments that are designed to rejuvenate and replenish your soul. Fill your senses with an indulgent experience as skilled therapists use essential oils infused with herbs and rich minerals that are designed to relax you from head to toe.

One of the highlights is the six-hour Escape experience, an indulging sequence of treatments that include an exhilarating body scrub followed by a warm, detoxifying wrap, a massage and a nourishing scalp treatment, a refresher facial, a pampering manicure and pedicure as well as a delicious spa lunch.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Dolphin Bay Resort and Spa.

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La Quinta Resort & Club, the original hideaway Palm Springs hotel, has been welcoming guests with its unique style of hacienda-inspired warmth since 1926. Set amid 45 lushly manicured acres at the foot of the soaring Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta invites you to challenge golf’s legends on five championship courses, indulge in the rejuvenating embrace of Spa La Quinta, savor fresh locally sourced creations from top chefs, hold court at our world-renowned tennis facility or simply sit poolside and relax in the same way Hollywood’s elite have done for decades.

Recommended Resort:  La Quinta’s original adobe structures provide the inspiration for the resort’s deluxe accommodations, from the cozy casitas to spacious suites and spa villas. Many of the accommodations include hot tubs, private yards and gardens, luxurious bathrooms, balconies and much more.

Private residences at La Quinta enable you to join the likes of Garbo, Capra, Arnzer and the many others that have called this place home, by making La Quinta truly your own.

Six eateries await your visit, with everything from authentic regional Mexican dining at Adobe Grill to chic contemporary cuisine at Morgan’s in the desert.

Check In:  49-499 Eisenhower Drive in La Quinta. 800-598-3828, laquintaresort.com

Check Out:  The golf. Home to the PGA West, five of the best golf course in Palm Springs await your swing. Two are located right in La Quinta, the Pete Dye Mountain course and the Pete Dye Dunes course, both challenging and visually stunning courses for everyone from the casual player to the competitor. Other nearby PGA options include the TPC Stadium course, the Jack Nicklaus course and the Greg Norman Course. Access to his award-winning and top-ranked Jim McLean Golf School is available at both La Quinta Resort and PGA WEST.

Don’t Miss:  The Spa. What’s a trip to Palm Springs without a visit to the spa? The garden setting of the resort spa provides a beautiful background to ultimate relaxation.

One of the highlights on the treatment menu is the new HydraFacial. Skin will emerge silky smooth, dewy and bright with this new breakthrough multi-step skin rejuvenation system. Combat tired and aging skin utilizing cutting-edge hydradermabrasion technology and leave looking fresh and renewed. You deserve it!

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of La Quinta Resort.

Do you have the new Real Weddings Magazine iPhone and iPad App?

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Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

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When you enter the grand Casa Del Mar, a luxurious hotel on the sands of Santa Monica, you know you’re in for something extraordinary. The lobby alone, with its sweeping staircases, elegant tiling, warm wood accents and dazzling ambiance instantly transport you to another era. This is not your typical beach hotel…this is a piece of California history.

Recommended Resort:  Casa Del Mar. When the Casa Del Mar says, “Go to your room,” you should willingly oblige. Guest rooms are sunlit with that glorious southern California sunshine, many with beautiful Pacific views. The color schemes are light and airy, the perfect complement to the beachfront setting. Glass shutters open up from the Hydrothermal bathtub to the bedroom, the former covered in Italian marble. Guests enjoy terrycloth robes and plenty of signature amenities.

Check in:  1910 Ocean Boulevard in Santa Monica. 310-581-5533, hotelcasadelmar.com

Check Out:  Catch. The signature eatery at Casa Del Mar, Catch offers California cuisine with more than a nod to the vibrant local seafood in their own back yard. Executive chef Jason Bowlin combines this local fare with fresh market ingredients for a menu that’s out of this world.

There’s also a wine bar for tastings, plenty of steak for you carnivores and a gluten-free menu. The Lobby Lounge is also a great place to watch the sunset and sip a cool cocktail with listening to a live set.

Don’t Miss:  Sea Wellness Spa. This eco-friendly spa will get you loosened up and glowing in time for your romantic night on the town. We suggest the Diamond Magnetic Body Ritual, an incomparable and luxurious experience that purifies body and mind, helping eliminate the effects of the electromagnetic pollution or the stress caused by our daily life.

The treatment begins with a balancing of chakras with gems and is followed by an application of luminous mud with diamond dust combined with a massage using the magnetic tools. This beauty ritual amplifies the energy and unloads the tension and stress gained day after day.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Casa Del Mar.

Do you have the new Real Weddings Magazine iPhone and iPad App?

Download it from the Apple App Store Today: REAL WEDDINGS MAGAZINE!

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

Visit Real Weddings Magazine * Visit Style Media Group * Contact Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine * Visit 2ClicksToSave

Looking for local Sacramento wedding vendors?

Build your dream team at Real Weddings Sacramento Magazine!

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!