Santa Monica, California: A Valentine’s Deal…

Oceana Santa Monica, California

Happy Friday, my little Jauntophiles! Time seems to be flying faster than clam in high tide, so we’re here to remind you about the always dreaded and shamelessly hopeful holiday… Valentine’s Day! The perfect time to indulge in a romantic getaway, The Oceana in Santa Monica, with her seaside views and ocean breezes, is offering SoCal couples the perfect escape to celebrate. Guests can count on Oceana for a sexy evening including an in-room couples massage, strawberries, chocolate, and champagne. An ideal romantic setting for cocktails around their signature heart-shaped pool decorated with floating votives and red roses, it’s only minutes away from LA, but couples will feel transported to a relaxing, beachside oasis.
The “Love is in the Air” package includes:

· One night stay in one of Oceana Santa Monica’s ocean view rooms
· Complimentary valet parking
· Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries delivered upon arrival
· In-room couples massage
· Cocktail hour with music in the courtyard surrounding the hotel’s heart shaped pool
· Breakfast in bed in the comfort of your hotel room
· Late check out on February 15 (because you’ll need it)

A great respite from the city, Oceana Santa Monica is one of LA’s hidden hideaways giving guests the comforts of home with the luxury and sophistication of a chic boutique hotel by the beach. It was completely transformed in fall 2007 to offer extra-large guest suites, many with ocean views, the Ocean Lounge restaurant, featuring a menu of fresh California cuisine from local farmer’s markets and purveyors, a heated outdoor pool, an intimate lounge area with a fireplace, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a well-equipped oceanview boardroom (a favorite for either business meetings or personal vacations). Steps from the sand and minutes from the trendy shops and restaurants along Montana Avenue, Oceana’s beachside location gives couples the chance to hang by the ocean or stroll along Santa Monica’s charming streets.

Price per couple @ $499

http://www.hoteloceanasantamonica.com
Tel: 310-393-0486

Sleep It Off: An Eco-Chic Boutique B&B – Hollywood, CA

An eco-chic boutique B&B right in the middle of Hollywood? Wait a minute. Why haven’t I ever written about this before? I know I’ve seen it.

Good thing I was chatting up Erika McQueen, my Pilates instructor at Whole Body Gallery; otherwise, I never would have known just how cool it actually is. She and her hubby, Dougald, own the place.

Perfect for the semi-working actor, DP, writer, or family member, Hollywood Pensione is a 1915 Craftsman specializing in weekly stays. Featuring eco-pure rooms with specially-made organic mattresses, fine organic bed linens by Anna Sova, complimentary organic wine and dark chocolate truffles, and state of the art in-room technology like flat screen TV’s, DVD’s, and high speed WiFi, it was ‘designed for the discerning traveler and professional seeking the privacy of a hotel, with the comforts and conveniences of home for short and long term visits to Los Angeles.’

Walking distance from the Hollywood sign, Griffith Park, the Metro Station, cafes, markets, shops and Hollywood landmarks including the Mann Chinese Threatre, Walk of Fame, Kodak Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, and Hollywood & Highland, it’s close to the studios and offers a different, more unique sort of experience than the other (more pricey) digs near Sunset or Beverly Hills.

Just what you might be looking for when it comes to planting those creative seedlings.

Oh, and the owner? She says she’s adding a yoga studio so you can thankfully leave Hollywood with a tighter ass too.

Rates are from $149/daily – $2,000/month

1845 N. Wilton
Hollywood Ca. 90028
Tel: (323) 369-2411
hollywoodpensione@gmail.com

http://www.hollywoodpensione.com

LAX: The Luxe Layover

Finally! A hot hotel near LAX for the design-driven diva in need of some budget-conscious digs.

The Custom Hotel, located at the southwest corner of Lincoln and Manchester near Marina Del Rey, is Avi Brosh’s answer to the luxe layover. An ultra-modern 250-room hotel intended to fill a void in the LAX area, The Custom was originally designed by Welton Beckett, the renowned mid-century architect known for his modernist approach with LA landmarks like the Capitol Records building, Cinerama Dome, and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Now, with the help of Brosh’s Palisades Development Group, the 12-floor hotel has undergone an extensive renovation, transforming the tower into a sleek contemporary space.

Accents include a stadium sundeck, an outdoor heated pool, poolside tapas bar, fire pit and DJ lounge.

“We saw a need in this area of Los Angeles for a lifestyle-driven hotel that caters to a customer looking for great design at a modest price,” said Avi Brosh, President of Palisades Development Group. “Over 80% of transient business to L.A. stays near LAX, and those travelers are craving some place fresh and fun to visit. It will be the antidote to boring beige airport hotels.”

We agree, Avi. Beige is such a snooze.

The hotel boasts some of the city’s most panoramic views, including those of the ocean, Malibu, Hollywood Hills and Downtown LA and features espresso check-in, a 24-hour restaurant, live DJ’s nightly, layover rooms and numerous lounges. Rooms include flat screen TV’s, iPod docking and stocked mini bars. Other creature comforts? Complimentary wireless, high-speed Internet and organic bath amenities!! That’s right… our eco-loving spirit gets giddy at the thought of organic products.

Room rates start at just $119/night.

Jaunt says, “Have a lay….over.”

http://www.customhotel.com