Luxury Travel Advisor - September 2008 - (Page 28)

The hotel’s interior décor was created by celebrity designer Chris Barrett. Each room has its own unique furnishings, and Barrett certainly achieved his goal of crafting each room to feel like a residence. What we loved: Management places a variety of books in each room, ranging from novels to art books to antiquarian volumes. Another nice touch: There’s also a game table in most rooms, letting guests socialize over backgammon, chess or checkers. The hotel has 12 standard rooms and 58 suites, in total, with about one-third of the rooms having full or partial ocean views. The six Deluxe Signature Ocean View Suites, which have full ocean views and private balconies, fall into the highest category available. Note: For the absolute best views, book No. 303, which has a balcony off the bedroom; or No. 302, where the balcony is set off the living room. The Ocean Boardroom, which seats 25 comfortably, can also be booked as a living quarter, making it the most spacious accommodation at the hotel. Luxury travel advisors can reach out to Leah Edwards, sales coordinator (ledwards@hoteloceana. com; 310-383-0486). Although the hotel does a lot of corporate business, it’s a supremely kid-friendly property, making it a good choice for business travelers who want to bring the family along. For guests in search of the perfect relaxing massage, look no farther than Becka Starr, an independent spa therapist who works with the hotel. Starr can provide in-room massage, including couples’ massage, and is trained in deep tissue, Shiatsu and Swedish techniques. In-room facials, manicures, pedicures and hair salon services can also be arranged. Starr likes two-day’s prior notice before appointments, so call ahead to the hotel’s concierge, Greg Hutson, whose official title is “assistant front manager” (ghutson@hoteloceana.com; 310-393-0486). Exploring Santa Monica There’s a real sense of ease in enjoying Santa Monica when you stay at Oceana Santa Monica. Walking out the front entrance puts you face-to-face with Ocean Avenue and the beach. It’s a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with the added attraction of fresh ocean breezes. Montana Avenue, a charming 10-block, open-air retail destination favored by affluent Angelenos, is only a few blocks away. Here, you’ll find funky boutiques, art galleries, spas and salons, trendy cafés and hip eateries. The Third Street Promenade, a short walk from the hotel, has three blocks of shopping, dining, bookstores and coffee houses. There’s a lively street scene of buskers, as well as theatrical venues and cinemas. Santa Monica’s historic eightblock stretch of Main Street, with its antique boutiques, art galleries and an eclectic mix of retailers, is a short drive from the hotel. The Santa Monica Pier is an iconic destination that lets you unleash your inner kid. The Pier includes an amusement park, shops and restaurants, and is the perfect spot to catch a Pacific Ocean sunset. Santa Monica’s weekly farmers’ markets are widely considered to be among the best on the west coast. They feature fieldfresh produce, countless varieties of vegetables, cut flowers, breads, cheeses and live music. The market at 3rd Street and Arizona is open Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market at Main Street and Ocean Park is open Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. —Mark Rogers THE POOL (above) is conveniently located near the lobby and con- cierge desk and is undoubtedly the place to see and be seen. SUITES (this photo) are palatial picks for VIP clients. 28 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | September 2008

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Luxury Travel Advisor - September 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Provence India Alvear Palace Hotel Oceana Santa Monica English Country Houses Chewton Glen Summer Lodge Chilston Park Hotel Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago Park Hyatt Milan Intercontinental Montelucia Jackson Hole World Cruises French Riveria Spas Voluntourism Vacations Signature Travel Network The Pulse Profile Luxury Travel Expo Sightings Source List Leaders Speak

Luxury Travel Advisor - September 2008

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