Archive for the ‘Mini-Moons’ Category

I’m falling in love with Palm Springs. So much so I may even buy a second home there someday. Can I put that on my wedding registry? Hmmm.

Until then, one of my favorite places to stay is the Movie Colony Hotel. In the heart of downtown, this small, but nicely appointed boutique is a hop, skip and a jump from all the Palm Springs action, from the trendy design districts on the north end of Palm Canyon Drive, to the shops and commercial area due south.

Recommended Resort:  Movie Colony Hotel. Appropriately named for the neighborhood where it resides, this posh strip of Palm Springs once welcomed many of Hollywood’s glitterati, at the Colony Palms next door to the Riviera just down the street. The building was one of architect Albert Fray’s first projects, originally conceived as apartments, hosting the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jim Morrison.

In the recent decade, the structure was restored to its original glory and reopened as a boutique hotel, offering 17 themed rooms for guests. All feature king sized beds and free wireless Internet, and some have the added bonus of a patio or terrace area. Happy hour is a happy time at the hotel, where the staff serves wine and snacks for guests before they head out to dinner or wherever their desert evening takes them.

Check In:  Movie Colony Hotel. 726 N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. 888-953-5700, moviecolonyhotel.com.

Check Out:  The pool area. With such and intimate assortment of rooms, you can count on a low occupancy at the hotel. This means more room for you and your loved one to mingle. I suggested grabbing a cocktail and lounging by the pool or taking a dip in the heated Jacuzzi on a chilly winter night. The starry skies make each moment magical.

Don’t Miss:  The Neighborhood. The design district just across the way on Palm Canyon Drive offers a mix of vintage finds, contemporary furniture and great restaurants. One of my favorites is Trio, a bustling bistro of great food and excellent service. For brunch, you can’t beat Cheeky’s. I recently enjoyed delicious waffle with sea salted butter accompanied by a flight of bacon…yep, a flight of bacon. Come hungry, leave happy.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Movie Colony Hotel.

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When the Hotel Bel-Air closed two years ago for a major renovation, there was a moment of silence among many an Angeleno. Not only one of the finest hotels in Los Angeles, this 12-acre property also enjoys a legion of fans who frequent the lush gardens, spa and restaurants on a regular basis. Luckily those two years flew by and the Bel-Air is back and open for business…and perhaps better than ever.

Recommended Resort:  Hotel Bel-Air. All the rooms and suites feature a completely new aesthetic that reflects the golden eras of the hotels illustrious past, from the glamorous ’30s to the nifty ’50s. The result is California design at its best…airy, fresh, classic and elegant.

Despite the large grounds, there are only 58 guest rooms and 45 suites, and seven one-of-a-kind specialty suites. Many feature wood-burning fireplaces, elaborate bathrooms, private gardens and more amazing amenities.

Check In:  701 Stone Canyon Road in Los Angeles. 800-648-4097, hotelbelair.com

Check Out:  Wolfgang Puck at the Hotel Bel-Air. Meticulously re-designed by the acclaimed architect and design firm Rockwell Group, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air features modern California with European and Mediterranean influences. All of the menus reflect the healthy California lifestyle and showcase the best of California’s wonderful, fresh ingredients such as produce from Chino Farms and local farmers’ markets, all natural poultry and sustainable seafood.

For a more relaxed environment the beautiful terrace has the feel of a Spanish courtyard where guests can lounge in comfy booths, at the bar or in the ultra private terrace alcoves overlooking Swan Lake. Each terrace alcove features curtains between them as well as an incredible seeded glass pendant light, a popular material used during the 1700s for lanterns and other types of glassware. Heated floors and a retractable screen covers the entire terrace for year round enjoyment.

Don’t Miss:  Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie. The luxury Swiss beauty company revered for its collection of powerful, anti-aging products, welcomes you to the namesake spa at Hotel Bel-Air. Experience a world of privilege and pleasure with the finest face and body treatments that state-of-the-art science can provide. From the moment you walk into Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie, your every need will be tended to, allowing you to truly unwind, unplug and enjoy your time of indulgence.

La Prairie’s comprehensive menu of services includes customized de-aging facials for men and women, unique body treatments, pampering nail services and European, Asian and therapeutic massages. All are executed by a highly professional and proficient staff, there to help you de-stress and rejuvenate. Spend an hour—or an afternoon—and allow your mind, body and psyche to enjoy well-deserved luxurious downtime.

With seven treatment rooms, including a spacious suite with outdoor space to accommodate groups of two and more, and a private nail salon, Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie addresses every relaxation and beauty need, from travel therapy treatments to a four-handed massage, gentleman’s facial to a perfect manicure.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Hotel Bel-Air.

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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.

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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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.

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!