Posts Tagged ‘Honeymoon’

After a $35-million, two-and-a-half year renovation, the Santa Monica legendary Hotel Shangri-La is back in business, and not a moment too soon.

Perfectly perched on humming Ocean Avenue, visitors get shopping and restaurants right at their doorstep and the beautiful SoCal beaches are just across PCH. It’s an ideal summer retreat for the couple in search of surf, sunshine and social time.

Recommended Resort:  Hotel Shangri-La. Built in 1939, the modern, deco structure long drew Hollywood’s elite, providing them a seaside retreat to hide away from the masses. The gorgeous, streamline white structure has been lovingly preserved, and interior designer Marc Smith has given the inside an big upgrade, bringing back some of the ’30s glamour and mixing in some modern touches. Rooms are sleek, some boasting kitchens and Pacific views. The Dining Room, also overlooking the ocean and Palisades Park, serves up fresh fare with ingredients from the local Santa Monica Farmer’s Market.

Check In:  1301 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica. 877-999-1301, shangrila-hotel.com.

Check Out:  For the month of August, take advantage of their Romantic Santa Monica Vacation package. This great deal includes two nights in a two-bedroom, Luxury Ocean View Suite, with an oversized ocean-view soaking tub, a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne, bath products by Fresh, a bouquet of flowers, chocolates and breakfast in bed each day!

Don’t Miss:  The pool scene. The Courtyard boasts the only 100 percent solar heated swimming pool in Los Angeles. DJ parties are held every Thursday through Sunday, attracting a good-looking, social crowd for dancing and cocktails through the evening. During the day, lounge back in one of their plush chairs, sip a cocktail and enjoy the amazing view. Life is good.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Hotel Shangri-La.

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Portland, Oregon, is a wonderful town to visit during the summer and fall seasons. Combine warmer temperatures and beautiful Northwestern scenery the place comes alive with visitors out to enjoy the sights.

And, lucky for us, Portland’s only a hop skip and a jump from the Sacramento region…easily accessible by air or road trip. One of our favorite hotels in Portland, Hotel Monaco, puts you right in the middle of the actions, with a terrific downtown location that’s close to many of the city’s best spots.

Recommended Resort:  Hotel Monaco. The 1912 building that hosts the hotel has quite a storied past, having once been home to both Lipman Department Store and retailer Frederick & Nelson before its recent hotel incarnations. 1n 1996, Kimpton Hotels took over and renamed the 221-room property, welcoming Hotel Monaco to Portland’s thriving downtown scene. Designer Michael Booth of Babey-Moulton in San Francisco preserved the original high ceilings and picture windows in the lobby and made some additions to better resemble the structures retail roots. This loving restoration adds to the charm guest enjoy when visiting this historic venue.

Check In:  506 SW Washington at 5th Avenue in Portland, Oregon. 888-207-2201, www.monaco-portland.com

Check Out:  The Red Start Tavern and Roast House. Here you’ll find amazing American cuisine that has all of Portland buzzing. Wood accents make up the setting and wood fire ovens serve up the flavors, with specialties like orange glazed baby back rib and garlic and red wine hanger steak. Yum. If you love Bourbon, try one of their tasting flights and sample from one of the most extensive Bourbon walls in Oregon.

Don’t Miss:  In-Suite Spa Services. Bring relaxation right to your room with one of their delightful in-suite spa treatments. Highlights from the menu include an Aroma Journey Massage, Spirulina Body Wrap and Anti-Oxidant Vitamin C Facial. Oh, and did I mention that Hotel Monaco is pet friendly? So make sure Rover gets some VIP treatment as well!

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Hotel Monaco.

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You’ve done the Strip, but have you done the Four Seasons? When talking Vegas, this luxurious staple often gets overlooked with all the fancy and themed competition lighting up the Boulevard. But rest assured this Four Seasons is a hotel experience worthy of its prestigious name. On the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard, it’s far enough away from the main action to enjoy a less raucous scene…a welcome respite in a sin city.

Recommended Resort:  The Four Seasons Las Vegas. This non-gaming property is a little piece of heaven in a town known for being a little devilish. Tranquil and elegant, it’s everything you’d expect in a Four Seasons, from well-appointed rooms to first class service. The hotel is small and intimate by Vegas standards, with 424 rooms that include 86 suites, sitting high above on the Mandalay Bay Tower’s 35th to 39th floors via private express elevators. If you do want get in on the high-stakes, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is right at your fingertips.

Check in:  3960 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas. 702-632-5000, fourseasons.com/lasvegas.

Check out:  The hotel’s two dining venues, Verandah and Charlie Parker Steak. Verandah offers a mix of American and Italian fair in a gorgeous indoor/outdoor setting overlooking the gardens and pool. Charlie Parker Steak serves an innovative menu in an upscale dinning room and lives up to its reputation as one of the best steakhouses in Vegas.

Don’t Miss:  What would a Four Seasons be without a fabulous spa? Luckily, the Vegas version is no exception with a delightful sanctuary of treatment and relaxation rooms. Sign up for the Vitality of the Glaciers, their signature facial, an intensive age defense treatment designed to rejuvenate cellular metabolism. The treatment begins with a cleansing using glacial spring water, rich in trace elements and minerals, which is followed by a dual-exfoliation process. An RNA, DNA and collagen treatment restores skin firmness, suppleness and resilience, with astonishing visible results.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of The Four Seasons Las Vegas.

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Actress Doris Daymakes her home in the Carmel Valley, so it’s fitting that she would open a hotel in the beautiful seaside enclave of Carmel-by-the-sea. Though Ms. Day has jointly owned the Cypress Inn with Dennis LeVett and the late Terry Melcher for about twenty years, the building itself is a historical landmark dating back to 1929. Since its famous owner took the helm, the property has become well known for its pet friendly policies.

Recommended Resort:  The Cypress Inn. You can’t beat the location when it comes to this pleasant sanctuary along California’s gorgeous coast. The inn is perfectly nestled between galleries and restaurants and just a short distance from the pet-friendly beach. There are a variety of room options, from courtyard views to ocean views, some with fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs.

Check In:  Lincoln and 7th in Carmel-by-the-sea. 800-443-7443, www.cypress-inn.com.

Check Out:  Terry’s Lounge is a great spot to mix and mingle with other guests as the inn. Weekend evenings include musical entertainment, and breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served seven days a week. If you’re just in the mood for a drink, grab a cocktail and enjoy the outdoor ambiance of the Garden Courtyard.

Don’t Miss:  If you have a pet, this inn was designed for you and your furry friends. Pals of the fur variety are welcome in the rooms, and the courtyard offers a place to wash off your dog after a romp on the beach. They also provide a guide to pet friendly restaurants in the area and can suggest an experience dog sitter if you’re looking to hit the town.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of The Cypress Inn.

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I fell in love with Hawaii the first time I visited as a teenager…the sweet smell in the air, the friendliness, the lush landscapes, the warm waters. If, like me, you’ve done busy Oahu and popular Maui, be sure to fly in to Kauai and experience another facet of Hawaiian hospitality.

Recommended Resort:  Ko’a Kea Resort and Spa. Located on Poipu Beach, on the south coast of Kauai, this beautiful resort gives guest access to one of Hawaii’s most exclusive ocean stretches. Recently renovatedduring a multi-million dollar project in 2009, the property is one of the last in the area to undergo reconstruction since Hurricane Iniki devastated the beaches in 1992. Utilizing the original footprint of the former Poipu Beach Hotel, the new resort is better than ever, boasting 121 luxurious rooms, six oceanfront suites and the ocean view suites. With a contemporary design by Anita Books, the interior mixes chic modernity with the vibrant colors of the region’s floral and sea life, touches of coral, crimson and turquoise.

Check In:  2251 Poipu Road, Koloa, Hawaii. 808-828-8888, www.koakea.com.

Check Out:  Romance abounds in the intimate setting, with gorgeous ocean view rooms and seductive dining venues, like the upscale Red Salt. The Spa offers only five treatment rooms, including one couples suite, for a blissful afternoon of relaxation of wellbeing.

Don’t Miss:  A trip to Kauai should always include exploration of the breathtaking natural wonders, from sand to sea to summit. Hiking, horseback riding and golfing are all accessible to the resort, as well as snorkeling, scuba diving and other water adventures.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Ko’a Kea Resort and Spa.

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