Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008 - (Page 12)

SHUTTERS ON THE BEACH (ex- terior shown here) is oceanfront property at its best. Guest rooms (below) are residential in style. Pier, which is sporting a brandnew Ferris wheel (the old one was just sold on eBay). This member of The Leading Hotels of the World originally opened in 1926 as an Old Hollywoodstyle beach club built in a grand Renaissance Revival style. That original design now lends itself to a handsome, expansive lobby, whose many intimate sitting areas with fireplaces and stylish oceanfront bar make it ideal for socializing. Our Oceanfront King room, #618, was perfectly located in the center of the hotel, meaning it had balanced views of the hotel’s oceanfront swimming pool and of course, of the Pacific itself. Nice touch: Newly installed guest room windows actually open, meaning guests can be lulled to sleep by the cool ocean breezes. Our room showed off the best of the Casa del Mar’s recent renovation, which uses a recurring and charming New England seaside theme as its motif. As a result, rooms are painted in a calming blue and boast fourposter beds dressed with white linens so sumptuous we felt as if we were slipping into a giant marshmallow each evening. The vibe is all residential at Casa del Mar and our favorite part of this effort were the many inviting books that lined the bookshelves and bedside tables in the room (Note: This practice is also used at the Canary Hotel). The property, which is overseen by General Manager James Barela—who also gets to approve which pets can stay at the Casa—has three duplex, one-bedroom Penthouse Suites, each equipped with a living room with a fireplace and a formal dining area. Hint: The suites can be extended to two bedrooms on request and be sure to ask for the one Penthouse that has its own exercise studio. The Presidential Suite, meanwhile, has three bedrooms, living and dining rooms and a guest bath. Butler service can be supplied for the asking. Be sure to book the Casa del Mar at least three to six months out for the summer and remember that “awards” season in the beginning of the year can provide a challenge in getting an optimal room at any luxury hotel in or near L.A. Call on Front Office Manager Brett Zapel (bzapel@hotelcasa delmar.com; 310-581-5533) to assist with any special needs or to give concierge-style advice on where to dine in the area. Zapel can also arrange for a private luncheon for your clients on the Casa Pool Deck Bow, which overlooks the beach. He can also assist with setting up a Segway tour along the boardwalk, which is an ideal activity for small groups. Just steps away from the Casa del Mar is its famous sister, Shutters on the Beach (www. shuttersonthebeach.com), the 12 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | July 2008 http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com

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Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter California Coast Tuscan Villas Ranch Vacations Gansevoort South Rancho Las Cruces Reserva Conchal Spas of the Maldives St. Lucia A Gentleman's Touch The Pulse Just Back Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - July 2008

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