Recommend August 2011 - (Page 45)

which opened in 1917 and is home to dozens of vendors selling everything from Hawaiian BBQ to Salvadorian pupusas. Increased interest for Downtown L.A. came when L.A. LIVE arrived in town and brought along more than a dozen restaurants and bars, as well as The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and the JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE. Visitors stopping in to admire music memorabilia or get a walk-through of the recording process at the Grammy Museum can move right along to trendy Katsuya to sample amazing sushi and then to the Conga Room, which welcomes the biggest names in Latin music and offers salsa lessons on Saturday nights. L.A. LIVE and Nokia Plaza are the new meeting place in Downtown, with the Nokia Theatre bringing in high-caliber performances throughout the year. urban stays Clients might share elevator time with Prince or Lady Gaga during a busy weekend at the JW Marriott or The Ritz-Carlton, but this is where they’ll want to stay if they want to explore Downtown. The sister properties, although each very much their own, share a few floors and a sense of subdued, relaxed luxury that goes well with the new face of Downtown. As convenient and business-friendly as both hotels are, they do relaxation and entertainment superbly well—guests instantly forget that they’re staying in a downtown area. Even the state-of-theart meeting rooms, especially the adorable petite ones that look out to L.A. LIVE, have such a relaxing feel to them that you almost want to cancel spa time and do business instead. Almost. The California-kissed feel of the large, light-filled rooms at the JW Marriott beg for more than a little down time—maybe a quiet read of your just-delivered newspaper on a delicious scoop chair with a priceless view of the city. It’s easy to see why so many celebs choose to stay here—the rooms exude warmth. Ion, the JW’s rooftop pool and bar on the fourth floor, calls for a swim with a skyline view and a nap, maybe at a private couple’s lounge. Guests of the JW Marriott also have access to The Ritz-Carlton’s gorgeous spa—8,000 sq. ft. of white opulence with gold touches that welcomes visitors with champagne and genuine warmth. Our recommendation: an A-plus Ageless Beauty facial from Stephanie. Accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton feature more classical decor yet feel no less gratifying. Those who appreciate a luxurious bath area will love the soaking tub and rain shower combo—done separately and sitting side by side—and the mirror TV to keep an eye on favorite shows while getting ready for a day out. As exciting as the city’s offerings are around these hotels, both have their own sensational dining options. The JW Marriott has the urbancool Mixing Room and glance Wine Bar for quick noshes and beautifully crafted cocktails before or after a memorable dinner at LA Market. This restaurant is the brainchild of “Rock ‘n Roll Chef” Kerry Simon, he of Junk Food Platter fame—homemade recreations of childhood faves like Snoballs, Rice Krispies treats other outrageous and irresistible edibles. But before dessert rolls around, there’s brick organic chicken, sushi pizza and other standouts from Simon and Chef de Cuisine Nona Sivley, the season eight winner of “Hell’s Kitchen.” At The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfgang Puck’s WP24 serves a Peking-style roasted duckling with all the traditional trimmings that is absurdly succulent. Rates start at $189 at the JW Marriott and $299 at The Ritz-Carlton. n Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): La Costa Resort and Spa, California (October 2010) contact information JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE: (888) 236-2427; lalivemarriott.com Red Line Tours: (323) 402-1074; redlinetours.com The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles: (800) 542-8680; ritzcarlton.com $ FROM 109 THROUGH SEP. 5th PER NIGHT there’s hot. and there’s tsr hot. Right now, all the action, excitement and amenities of Talking Stick Resort are yours starting at $109* a night. Book online or call 866.877.9897 to receive this spectacular summer rate for your getaway now through September 5th . *Based on availability through September 5, 2011. Not valid for groups or with any other oﬀer. Proudly owned and operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. scottsdale | 866.877.9897 | t a l k i n g s t i c k r e s o r t. c o m http://www.recommend.com http://agent.recommend.com/magazine-archive/october-2010/la-costa-resort-and-spa/ http://www.lalivemarriott.com http://www.redlinetours.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://talkingstickresort.com http://talkingstickresort.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2011

Editor"s Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Regent Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: The Wayfarers
Africa Travel Options Mix the Classic with the New
Thailand's Koh Samui
Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia
Escaping to San Juan's Condado
San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Central America: Roads Less Traveled
In Search of Flanders' Holy Ale
Downtown L.A. in the Thick of Things
Scrumptious Savannah
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth

Recommend August 2011