Four Seasons Westlake Draws The Diva With Double Your Fun Promo

How could I resist a promo like this: two nights at the Four Seasons Westlake Village for the price of one with spa treatments, dinners and certain services thrown in free for the second person in the room..

We’re talking a super deluxe hotel where even Internet discounted room rates start at $239 a day for “moderate” accommodations and rise to $429 for a Premier spread.


The ongoing “Double the Fun” promotion works like this: one person books spa treatments, the second person gets the same treatments FREE. The two of you go to dinner, one meal is complimentary (excluding alcohol or gratuities).Whatever service you pay for is free for the other guy or gal--quite the recession buster.

Not ones to pass up a good deal when we see it, we booked the Double the Fun for the weekend (yes it’s available on weekends since this is a major business traveler facility).

We opted for a superior king which is $250 a day on Friday and Saturday and $339 during the week, which, on this promotion amounted to $125 daily.

We also booked “Therapist Choice” massages that would normally cost $145 a person and amounted to half that. The 40,000 square foot spa at the hotel is a-one and so are the therapists. Mine was Lora who despite her diminutive size managed to pummel and pamper me to my taste for a deep massage--ditto for Richard’s masseuse, Beth.

“Organic Protection Facials”, normally $165 a pop, cost that for both of us, as did any salon or spa service we opted to book.

Spa facilities include steam, Jacuzzi, amenities, fluffy robes, lockers, showers, and gorgeous relaxation lounges stocked with assorted beverages and fruit. There’s also an indoor pool nearby and a top notch fitness center with all the latest equipment.

We managed to rack up about a $120 tab in the Asian Restaurant, ONYX, which was reduced to $60 since one of us got to eat “free.”

The 270-room Four Seasons provided a welcome addition to the burgeoning Westlake Village area when it opened four years. Nestled near the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains it rests roughly 35 miles northwest of LAX and about 45 minutes from downtown Los Angeles.

Don’t let the rather drab exterior deceive you, once you get past the entrance you walk into all the opulence that is Four Seasons—marble, wood, signature Four Seasons floral arrangements, fine art and upscale furnishings and appointments.

Its claim to fame is the California Health & Longevity Institute, which sits adjacent to the Spa and offers medical, dietary and life style training and screenings. Many house guests are participants in the program, but you don’t have to stay at the hotel to enroll.

Guest rooms are well put together with the obligatory flat screen TVs, fine linens, coffee makers, mini-bars, marble bathrooms stocked with plush robes and towels, but not lots of toiletries. There was one bar of soap and one hand lotion on the sink, a bar of soap on the tub, and a bottle of shampoo, condition and body wash in the shower.

In addition to the Asian restaurant, the hotel hosts Hamptons, a fine dining experience offering healthy gourmet cuisine or regular menus. The setting is warm and elegant the food’s usually good and fairly pricy.

I loved the Lobby Restaurant where we had healthy breakfasts. I opted for the tofu scramble; Richard had the buckwheat pancakes, both tasty. We truly appreciated the waitress who obliged our request for strong coffee with just that. Business people on the go can also take out food from a little area at the entrance of the Lobby Restaurant that offers assorted whole fruit ($1.50), pastries ($2), granola with yogurt ($6.50), bagels for $2 (add $8 for salmon), fresh juice $6 and espressos or coffee ($3.50).

And if you’ve booked the Double the Fun Deal, you get one free of anything you order.



In addition to the Spa the hotel sports two pools (one indoor, one out). Gorgeous gardens, on the back grounds, add a transcendental ambiance enhanced by 25,000 varieties of flora, 50-foot high sequoia trees surrounding the waterfalls, boulders imported from the River Kwai and an original Chinese poet’s house pagoda for meditation or special events.

The hotel serves as a pleasant getaway for Angelenos craving a quick escape, especially during the Double the Fun promotion. Basically there’s no limit to how many spa treatments, meals, etc. you can enjoy for half the price when there are two people participating.

Hard to beat that.

The Four Seasons Westlake Village, Two Dole Dr., Westlake Village, 818-575-3000, www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage.com.

Be sure to check out my slide show for an up close and personal look at what the place has to offer.

The Travel Diva Rings in the New Year on the Crystal Symphony

Happy New Year. It's been a bumpy start to 2010 but no complaints. Especially since I'm about to sail on the Crystal Symphony, one of the spiffiest ships afloat-- a super luxurious 922 passenger luxury liner featuring fine food, service, amenities and well above standard staterooms and suites.

I've packed my bags and I'm ready to go from Miami to Costa Rica. Because we live in LA it's necessary to fly to the east coast a day early. But this is a good thing as we get to overnight at the EPIC Hotel. Never stayed there before and looking forward to experiencing this Kimpton property.

I'll be reporting back on my adventures at sea as well as the pre-cruise experience. So come on back for more.
For more information on LA-based Crystal Cruise Lines check out http://www.crystalcruises.com/.

The Travel Diva Does Brunch at the Belvedere at the Peninsula Beverly Hills

Brunch on the patio at the Belvedere Restaurant at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, it doesn't' get more civilized than this......

I
(The salmon was superb)

(Dessert Buffet)

(This chocolate cake was yummy)

(Breads were hard to resist)

(Superb salmon)

Your Travel Diva's been on the road and found some deals on meals, fun spots and more.

My husband and I discovered a fabulous priced fixed $36 menu at Sirocco at the Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells, California--not far from Pam Springs. We're talking five courses and a glass a wine. The food was about as good as it gets, no kidding. Not over the top gourmet but really tasty, had two starters each, Mahi Mahi entree, creamy dessert, but bought our own bottle of top notch Rombauer Chard ($60) hey we saved so much on dinner it was worth the splurge.

(That's the Pen's executive chef James Overbaugh and I).

Sunday Brunch at the Belvedere Restaurant at the Peninsula Beverly Hills. $69 for multi-course gourmet meal created by executive chef James Overbaugh (whom we've followed from northern California to New Orleans to Beverly Hills). The food's amazing, here's proof:

Lunch at Red Seven by Woldgang Puck at the Pacific Design Center, one of Wolfie's best auxiliary eateries. Moderately-priced, my crispy, spicy, Asian Chicken Salad was the just as good as the one at his Spago but a lot cheaper at $8.75. My friend Vicky and I had wine which added quite a bit to the tab at $12 a pop, but if you don't drink, it's a real deal. 700 N. San Vicente Blvd. at the Pacific Design Center, valet parking is validated. http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/

Monday nights at Michael Mina's XIV when any $100 bottle of wine is half price. The food's fantastic, too. Not a place to go for intimacy, it's quite the rowdy scene, but lots of fun. Expensive but worth it.

Dog day Tuesdays at the Hippest Hotel in San Diego

Holy canine what will they think up next? While your Diva on the Go isn't exactly a fan of hotels that allow dogs in their rooms, I must go with the flow. I still don't think no matter how well they scrub and clean it ever gets the scents out. Don't get me wrong I love dogs, but prefer cats, but both belong home. Those on the opposing side will love this...the new pet-friendly Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, downtown at 509 9th Ave.. is offering Canine Cocktails happy hour where guests, locals and their dogs can mix and mingle over cocktails.

Dog-friendly tippling Tuesdays begin on Sept. 8 through Dec. 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the hotel lobby adjacent to the Phi Bar and Bistro. It's free--no cover charge for man or dog--and there's even a doggie menu to bark for, including complimentary dog bones, snacks and bottled water. People can enjoy tasty gourmet tapas from Phi Bar and Bistro and specialty cocktails like the signature Blue Indigo “Phi” Martini. One dollar of every drink sold will support the San Diego Humane Society (your Diva likes this).

Hotel Indigo partnered with the San Diego Humane Society earlier this summer, adopting an adorable six-month-old Labrador mix puppy named Sandie – as in San Diego minus the “go.” As the hotel’s mascot and puppy ambassador, guests and locals will get to meet Sandie when Canine Cocktails debuts on Sept. 8. Canine Cocktails is part of Hotel Indigo San Diego's popular pet-friendly policy. The hotel understands that pets are family too, so there are no additional charges, deposits or size limits for four-legged friends traveling with guests. Since the hotel’s grand opening in July, dozens of guests have checked in with their pet pooches. Canine Cocktails began five years ago at sister property Hotel Indigo Atlanta Midtown. The pooch happy hour has been a big hit with guests and local dog owners, making headlines in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Similar to San Diego’s Canine Cocktails, the Atlanta property rolls out the puppy carpet every Tuesday during the summer – Memorial Day to Labor Day. Given San Diego’s temperate postcard-perfect climate, Hotel Indigo San Diego is picking up the weekly tradition after Labor Day and hosting Canine Cocktails through December. Please keep in mind socializing dogs must follow a few standard rules of conduct: Wear a leash, stay out of the bar area and keep paws off the tables and chairs. About Hotel Indigo San Diego Hotel Indigo San Diego is located at 509 9th Ave., just one block from PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres, and less than a mile from the San Diego Convention Center. The 12-story, 210-room property, including five suites, is San Diego’s first sustainably-built, LEED-certified hotel. It features a rooftop terrace bar with a reflection pool, fire pits, lounge seating and panoramic views of the San Diego skyline and baseball games at PETCO Park. Owned and managed by IHG, Hotel Indigo San Diego is a west coast flagship and marks the brand’s second property in California, along with the Hotel Indigo Ontario Rancho Cucamonga. For more information on Hotel Indigo San Diego, or to make reservations, visit www.hotelindigo.com/sandiego. About Hotel Indigo Meeting the desires of today’s business and leisure traveler, Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique brand that delivers a refreshing and inviting guest experience that is truly reflective of the local community. There are currently 31 Hotel Indigo properties open worldwide and more than 60 hotels under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiation. By the end of 2009, Hotel Indigo will almost double its footprint in the Americas with properties opening in New York City, Miami Beach, and Baltimore. For more information on Hotel Indigo, or to make reservations, please visit www.hotelindigo.com.

Hotel Indigo participates in IHG's guest loyalty program, Priority Club® Rewards. With 44 million members worldwide, Priority Club Rewards is the industry's first and largest guest loyalty program.

Guests can enroll for free by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of this hotel or any of IHG's more than 4,300 hotels worldwide.

The Diva Goes to a Party in the Poconos

Scenes from Linda's Pocono Mountain Home

That's Linda in the kitchen prepping to feed her house guests----
And that's her Uncle Richie grilling yummy steaks compliments of cousin Johnny.

The Travel Diva's Trip to New York

The view from our suite at the New York Palace Hotel

Gavin Couper, manager of the Executive Lounge--an amiable Brit imported from the Dorchester, Gavin gave a pleasant, sophisticated touch to the room.

The extravagant entrance to Gilt.

It was an eventful week away. All came up roses until our Avis rental car was stolen. But let’s start with the good stuff first.
We flew Virgin America to JFK–our first time on this carrier. It was okay. Seats a bit cramped in main cabin (really coach) but didn’t look much better in “main cabin select” or “first class”. Had to buy food–opted for chicken wraps which were pretty good for $9 each. Anyhow it got us there on time.
First stop the New York Palace–now operated by the prestigious Dorchester Collection, the handsome hotel sports one of the most accommodating staff’s in town (at least they treated us well), gorgeous appointments and public areas. We had a massive suite on the 41st floor in the “Towers” which offers private check-in and privileges. We also opted for the executive lounge add on and were thrilled we did.
The suite life: huge living room WiFi, views, two baths, one big one with tub, shower, two sinks, lushes Acqua di Parma toiletries, comfy bed covered in divine, upscale linens; flat screen tvs, robes, slippers and of course hair dryer etc. . There’s a fully equipped fitness center that’s free for all and has it all including a locker room with steam bath and showers, workout clothes to borrow, toiletries and best of all it’s free for hotel guests.
We needed the gym to counteract all the tasty food. But of course we got plenty of exercise walking around the city. We even did museums. We were actually in town during restaurant week and had a price fixed three course lunch at Alto, nearby for $24 each, unheard of here. We did the museums, took out Mexican one night from Chipotle nearby and even watched a Yankee game on the flat screen.

We made good use of the Executive Club Lounge--a tres elegant spot for breakfast, lunch and evening drinks and snacks. The morning spread is a real feast with everything from fresh raspberries to scrambled eggs and bacon, breads, cheeses and a whole lot more. Our yeah, I discovered I could actually order an espresso or cappuccino, so I did 'causee I could. Lunch is slightly less generous but enough with great sandwiches and salads. Evening is just a few nibbles served with wine, beer and soft drinks.
And a glorious dinner at Gilt……..the piece de resistance
Where we had a romantic table with a view of the knock down gorgeous room. Richard (my mate) sipped a Martini while I started on a bottle of mighty fine Talbot
Chardonnay. We dined on a truly amazing English pea ravioli–delicate and delicious, perfectly prepared halibut with poached oysters and baby veggies, Tangy Ono ceviche, moist and deliciousblack cod, authentic NY cheesecake (man it was good) and Strawberry short cake. Since we just flew in from the west coast and were guarding against jet lag we skipped coffee but I sure was jonesing for a cup.
Some Gilt-toids: two Michelin star rating, housed in Landmark Villard Mansion. New American cuisine created by executive chef Justin Bogle. Gorgeous appointmentsAn 8,000 bottle wine cellar, artisanal breads, real 14 K Gold bar.

________________________________________

The Diva Does Dodger Stadium

Patti & Richard in the Stadium Club....

TheDiva at Dodger Stadium

The Diva Got Taken Out to the Ballpark
July 19, 2009
The Diva and husband Richard in the Stadium Club enjoying a sumptuous buffet--no hot dogs or cracker jacks for this Diva-- and mighty fine Chard.
Our friend Tom invited us out for a Dodger-Astro game. LA won.

I was a reluctant participant at first seeing that I’m a major NY Yankee/American League fan. But the Diva on the Go is up for anything and this proved much better than expected. Largely due to the company. It was my first outing to this ballpark and I must say I was impressed.

It was Tom’s annual Georgetown U get together and began with a dinner buffet at the Stadium Club buffet followed by the game. We had nifty right field seats in section 46. Didn’t catch any balls but one did fly close and was caught by a fan. I assume he was a fan as he was cheering a lot for the home team.
Got to see Manny,who’s pictured here out in the field huddled with other players. He struck out but also got a double.
FYI: the team moved to LA in 1958 but the stadium wasn’t fully operative until 1962. It has seen many changes like a $20 million renovation in 2005 which added 1600 seats and improved dining venues as well as Martini Barnear the Dugout Club–which we didn’t get to sample. http://www.dodgers.com/.