Southern California AAA Five Diamonds (2011)

Description:

This restaurant located at the sophisticated and well-known Peninsula hotel at Beverly Hills sets up a standard of its own with its eclectic modern American cuisine. Chef Sean Hardy doesn't refrain from experimenting with the traditional American cuisine and ends up giving you a whole new array of unique dishes, which are a combination of various cuisines. So be it the ever delightsome Biscuits and Gravy for breakfast, a Californian Cobb Salad with Roasted Chicken, Bacon, Avocado for lunch or the wholesome Italian Macaroni & Cheese for dinner, the kitchen here can cosset all your whims! The scenic patio and private rooms prove to be an added luxury.

Description:

Dining at Addison provides an experience in taste and ambiance from individual sips to the arched walkways leading to the restaurant, which is, after all, named for an architect. Artistically arranged bites wear tiny herbs and flowers or perch next to dabs of sauces. The seasonal menu is complimented by a wine list with choices from around the world. Addison is located at The Grand Del Mar resort destination.

Description:

Studio is located within the Montage Resort & Spa. It offers you a delectable French menu blended with Californian influences. Chef James Boyce ensures that all the seasonal ingredients put to use, are of the finest quality, with splendid wines for company! Besides, though the a la carte menu changes everyday, the base for the dishes remains the same with very little experimentation. Attention is given to details and services are personalized. So, sit back and enjoy your meal while taking in the panoramic Pacific coastline!

Description:

Those of you who know Four Seasons quality will not be disappointed, and those who have yet to stay at a Four Seasons resort are in for a delightful treat. 45 miles north of San Diego, you will find one of the newest luxury resorts in the city. Built on a hilltop that overlooks the Arnold Palmer-designed Aviara Golf Club, this resort is also home to the Aviara Golf Academy. Rooms are replete with trademark amenities: original artwork, plush furnishings, marble bathrooms, private balconies, and patios. Its spa deserves a special mention - indeed, it is the main reason many visit this hotel. The 15,000-square-foot Spa offers treatments indoors and outdoors, has a solarium lounge, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and locker rooms, and offers so many services that it would be impossible to mention them all here. Massages can also be given in your room if booked a day in advance.

Our Local Expert Says:

Staying here is your chance to experience some of that old Hollywood glamour at this classic and historical hotel.

Description:

The "Pink Lady," originally built in 1912 and immortalized as the "Hotel California" by the Eagles, underwent a two-and-a-half-year, multi-million dollar renovation in 1995. The hotel re-opened swankier, bigger, and with more attitude than ever. This legendary hotel remains a magnet for Hollywood's elite and rising stars. One of only 14 hotels nationwide, it has received the Five Star award for five consecutive years. Are you a tennis fan? Try your backhand here on Alex Olmedo-head pro and champion from Wimbledon. The Beverly Hills Hotel is famously the home of the Polo Lounge. Even if you don't travel in that rarefield strata, valet park at the hotel and stop by the Polo Lounge for a drink. Or simply relax in the hotel's lavish Spa by La Prairie. It's an experience you will never forget!

Description:

The Peninsula hotel, adjacent to powerhouse talent agency CAA, caters to guests with a refined sense of style and a taste for the good life. The hotel features opulent decor, impeccable service and incredible amenities. For many years it has been one of the premier spots in town to be seen. Power breakfasts and lunches are common at the onsite restaurant Belvedere, which also serves dinner. The Roof Garden Terrace serves light lunches seasonally. The Living Room, which offers a view of the garden, also offers tea, champagne and cocktails. Visit the in-house Spa for some relaxation. Valet parking is additional. Rolls Royce or Limousine service is provided in the area. Check-in is available 24 hours.

Description:

Let's cut to the chase: The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort is one of the finest luxury hotels I have ever had the pleasure of reviewing -- and I've reviewed a lot of luxury hotels. They nailed it with this one, setting a standard for all other resort hotels to follow. Everything oozes with indulgence, from the stellar service to the striking artwork, high-tech electronics, absurdly comfortable beds, stellar restaurants, and a 30,000-square-foot spa that will blow your mind. The $240-million, 172-acre resort opened on July 30, 2001, with a massive star-studded gala, and has since been wooing the wealthy with its gorgeous Tuscan-inspired architecture and soothing ocean views.

Perfection is all in the details, and the St. Regis is full of them: a three-lane lap pool with an underwater sound system; a yoga, spinning, and "movement" studio; a full-service Vogue salon; private poolside cabanas; fantastic cuisine at Michael Mina's popular Stonehill Tavern restaurant; couples' spa treatment rooms with whirlpool baths and fireplaces; an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones, Jr., golf course; and even a private beach club. The guest rooms are loaded with beautiful custom-designed furniture, 32-inch Sony...

Description:

After a sorely needed $40-million renovation to keep up with neighboring resorts such as the Montage and St. Regis, this Dana Point grande dame has recaptured its status as one of the top resorts on the Orange Coast. From its perch on the edge of a 150-foot-high bluff overlooking an idyllic 2-mile-long beach, the view from most every window is spectacular (you can spend hours on your balcony admiring the ocean view). The most welcome change is that every guest room and public space has been completely remodeled with a much more chic and contemporary look (gone are those frumpy prints of English fox hunts). The spacious rooms are now outfitted with 42-inch plasma TVs with DVD players, sumptuous furnishings and fabrics, an Italian-marble bathroom equipped with a double vanity, and the most comfortable feather beds I've ever slept in. The resort's new Restaurant 162' is a dramatic improvement as well, with gorgeous ocean views and superb cuisine (the Ocean Curry is fantastic). Other improvements include a new luxury spa and oceanfront fitness center. As always, lush terraces and colorful flower gardens abound throughout the well-tended property, and service -- in typical Ritz-Carlton style...

Description:

Ten minutes north of La Jolla proper, you'll find this triumphant Craftsman-style creation at the edge of the Torrey Pines Golf Course. The Lodge brims with clinker-brick masonry, art glass windows and doors, Stickley furniture, and exquisite pottery. Most rooms fall into two main categories. The less expensive are an unstinting 520 square feet and lavished with Tiffany-style lamps, period wallpaper, framed Hiroshige prints, and lots of wood accents; views face a courtyard carefully landscaped to mimic the rare seaside environment that exists just beyond the hotel grounds. More expensive rooms overlook the golf course and the ocean in the distance; most of these have balconies, fireplaces, and giant bathrooms with separate tub and shower. The 9,500-square-foot spa specializes in treatments utilizing coastal sage and other local plants, and there's an elegant pool. An excellent restaurant named after painter A.R. Valentien features superb seasonal vegetables; Valentien's wildflower watercolors line the walls, and his personal effects and medals are found in glass bookcases.

Description:

The Spa at The Island Hotel Newport Beach covers 4000 square feet of area. The usual gamut of treatments include body wraps, facials, pedicures, manicures, waxing, full body experience, to Volcanic detoxifying, therapy rituals, aromatherapy, reflexology, and stone therapy. Choice is between an hour to half a day or a full day experience. Prior reservations are required. The spa also has packages which include an hour of treatment, breakfast and parking for one vehicle. Individuals can choose to stay for a couple of days too.

Description:

Nestled near Beverly Hills, the Four Seasons is host to the moneyed elite, quirky creative types, and fabled stars who are used to the best of the best. There is no expense spared when it comes to providing the utmost quality in amenities, style and service. European paintings, exquisite flower arrangements and beautiful gardens are the norm throughout this breathtaking hotel. Host to the working person too, the staff offers a vast array of business services including translation services, secretarial services, audio visual equipment, cellular telephones and much more. The in-house Spa provides various therapies and massages, while the Gardens restaurant provides for an open-air dining space.

Description:

The Ritz Carlton at Marina Del Rey is located near Venice Beach and Malibu, and offers easy access to the numerous attractions in the surrounding area. This picturesque waterfront hotel offers luxurious accommodations, and facilities like a 24-hour fitness center and a spa. Indulge yourself in a stylish setting and an ambiance that never ceases to pamper you!

Description:

Location.
The Resort at Pelican Hill is located in Newport Coast, close to Fashion Island and Orange County Museum of Art. Additional area points of interest include Newport Pier and University of California-Irvine.

Resort Features.
The Resort at Pelican Hill features a restaurant, a poolside bar, and a bar/lounge. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Recreational amenities include an outdoor pool and a fitness facility. The property's full-service health spa has body treatments, massage/treatment rooms, facials, and beauty services. This 5.0-star property has a business center and offers limo/town car service and audio-visual equipment. High-speed Internet access is available in public areas. This Newport Coast property has event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, a ballroom, and exhibit space. Additional property amenities include a concierge desk, gift shops/newsstands, and self parking.

Guestrooms.
Guestrooms have balconies. Beds come with premium bedding. Fireplaces are featured in each room. Coffee/tea makers and minibars are offered. Bathrooms feature bathrobes. Wireless Internet access is complimentary. In addition to in-room safes, guestrooms...

Description:

Location. Nestled between rugged, tree-shaded mountains in a secluded 220-acre valley is the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, Calif. Ojai Village is within one-half mile, Lake Casitas is five miles away and the Ventura County beaches are within 14 miles.
Hotel Features. Maravilla, the resort's signature restaurant, presents California Central Coast cuisine highlighted by fresh local fruits and seasonal vegetables. The Oak Grill boasts American grill favorites and indoor or al fresco dining. Jimmy's Pub serves up thin-crust, New York-style pizzas and a selection of draft beers and coastal wines. Lighter fare including salads, smoothies and wraps are offered at the Spa Café. For business needs, the property hosts conference rooms, a business center and complimentary wireless Internet access in public areas. A championship 18-hole golf course is located on the resort's grounds with PGA professionals on hand to organize group events or individual instruction. Special treatments are available for golfers and mothers-to-be at the Spa Ojai. Menu offerings include the Skin Dream Relaxation Wrap, Sun Lover's Facial and Bindi Sugar Body Glow. Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and meditation sessions are... read more

Description:

Resembling a Tuscan villa transported to the foothills of Del Mar, this luxury resort boasts a Las Vegas-like opulence, from its marbled lobby to its manicured croquet lawn. Paying homage to the Spanish Revival creations of architect Addison Mizner, the Grand Del Mar features fragrant landscaping, Mediterranean-style courtyards, terraces and walkways with sweeping views of the Tom Fazio-designed golf course, as well as outdoor fireplaces and fountains. Other amenities include tennis courts, four swimming pools, a teen activity center, and a 21,000-square-foot spa. The signature restaurant, Addison, is one of San Diego's most refined dining rooms, and is the county's only AAA 5 Diamond restaurant. The resort's name is truly no idle boast; this is one grand hotel. Note: Gay rights activists have called for a boycott of this property in response to the owner's $125,000 contribution to Proposition 8 which, as of this writing, has outlawed same-sex marriage in California; visit www.boycottmanchesterhotels.com.

Description:

This gem of the American Riviera manages to adhere to the most elegant standards of hospitality without making anyone feel unwelcome. It's easy to sense the ghosts of golden-age Hollywood celebs such as Greta Garbo, Errol Flynn, and Bing Crosby, who used to play croquet on the hotel's perfectly manicured lawns and then head over to the private Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club -- because that's exactly what today's privileged guests are still doing. The Four Seasons company acquired this Spanish-style hacienda (ca. 1927) in 1987 and restored the 20-acre property without spoiling a bit of its historic charm. Rooms have an airy feel, heightened by white plantation shutters, light-wood furnishings, and full marble bathrooms with all the modern amenities. Guests can amuse themselves with a putting green, shuffleboard courts, and croquet lawn. In addition to two acclaimed dining rooms, the Biltmore offers a no-holds-barred Sunday brunch that draws folks from 100 miles away. The hotel's most recent addition is the Spa, a multimillion-dollar, 10,000-square-foot Spanish-style annex that houses numerous treatment rooms, a swimming pool and two huge whirlpool baths, a state-of-the-art fitness...

Description:

The Simpson House is genuinely something special. Rooms within the 1874 Historic Landmark main house are decorated to Victorian perfection, with extras ranging from a claw-foot tub and antique brass shower to skylight and French doors opening to the manicured gardens; romantic cottages are nestled throughout the grounds. The rooms have everything you could possibly need, but most impressive are the extras: the gourmet Mediterranean hors d'oeuvres and Santa Barbara wines served each afternoon, the enormous video library, and the full gourmet breakfast (delivered on delicate china). Fact is, the Simpson House goes the distance -- and then some -- to create the perfect stay. Although this property is packed into a relatively small space, it still manages an ambience of country elegance and exclusivity -- especially if you book one of the cottages.

Description:

Location.
Located in Westlake Village, Four Seasons Westlake Village is in the business district and attractions in the region include Pepperdine University.

Hotel Features.
Dining options at Four Seasons Westlake Village include 3 restaurants. A poolside bar and a bar/lounge are open for drinks. Room service is available 24 hours a day. Recreational amenities include 2 spa tubs. Also located on site are an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a health club, a fitness facility, and a sauna. The property's full-service health spa has body treatments, massage/treatment rooms, facials, and beauty services. This 5.0-star property has a 24-hour business center and offers small meeting rooms, secretarial services, and technology support staff. Wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is available in public areas (surcharges apply). This Westlake Village property has 42700 square feet of event space consisting of banquet facilities, conference/meeting rooms, a ballroom, and exhibit space. Wedding services, tour/ticket assistance, and translation services are available. Guest parking is available for a surcharge. Additional property amenities include valet parking, a concierge desk, and multilingual...

Description:

Nestled in the legendary golden triangle just steps from Rodeo Drive, Montage Beverly Hills is a celebration of splendor, of beauty, of art and luxury. It is the first hotel of its kind to be built in the area in 16 years-paying homage to an earlier era of graceful living and refined comfort while also offering the most modern amenities. With an exterior designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style and an interior designed with classically elegant furnishings-reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood and Spanish-Italian and Moroccan aesthetics in sundrenched colors of gold, salmon, coral and cream-Montage Beverly Hills complements the rich history and tradition of Southern California's most celebrated neighborhood. Guests are invited to feel at home in their very own luxurious estate. Over one quarter of the 201 well appointed guestrooms are suites. Parq and the Conservatory Grill share a devotion to culinary excellence. From the topiary garden views to the elegant décor, Parq offers a beautiful setting for people engaging in high society at night or conducting business by day. The 20,000 square-foot two-story Spa Montage offers a true spa experience in the heart of Beverly Hills... read more