OMNI-ficent Tut!

 

To celebrate the Los Angeles arrival of the most celebrated royal we know, the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning Omni Hotel has unveiled a spectacular museum package that ensures you will feel like royalty when paying your respects to King Tut.

 

Located in the cultural hub of downtown Los Angeles, the Omni is not only adjacent to the Museum of Contemporary Arts, but also within a stone’s throw from the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theater, the world-renowned Walt Disney Hall and cultural neighborhoods like Chinatown, Olvera Street and Little Tokyo.  On weekends, all you have to do is walk out of the hotel to find yourself at the California Plaza alive with outdoor concerts and classic movies projected onto a screen.

 

After a two million dollar renovation, the hotel has come up with some exciting changes, one of the most creative ones being the New Kids Fantasy Suite replete with Pottery Barn Kids bunk beds, beanbag chairs, plenty of engrossing games and toys, and even a turn down service with cookies and milk and a bedtime story reading with the in-house “Captain Cool.” 

 

But in case the adults feel left out, consider the complimentary Town Car chauffeur service to venues within a three-mile radius, the sensational Noé restaurant where Chef Robert Gadsby whips up the most enticing prix-fixe dinners and six and nine-course tasting, and exclusive Club level accommodations on the 17^th floor which include three complimentary food and beverage presentations through out the day including a continental breakfast.

 

“Live Like A King…Tut” package offers a deluxe room, two VIP tickets to the coveted ‘Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” exhibit (at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art) so you’re not herded around, complimentary valet parking, and a sumptuous three-course dinner at Noé  restaurant.

 

Now there’s something to ‘tut’ about!

 

OMNI Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza 251 South Olive Street, Los Angeles (213) 617-3300 “Live Like A King…Tut” package at $269 per night (not including tax and gratuities) at 1-800-THE-OMNI

 

-GD

 

 

 

The Legendary La Quinta

 

La Quinta Resort & Club is located in California’s picturesque Coachella Valley.  Celebrating 78 years and having enjoyed a rich Hollywood pedigree, it’s still the place where Clint Eastwood chose to celebrate his Oscar win for “Million Dollar Baby.” Just a short drive off HWY 111 (a dirt road in 1926 and an escape passage for tinsel town’s paparazzi-fleeing celebrities) it is also easily accessible by traveling through the Palm Springs’ regional airport.  Revered for it’s many elaborate and challenging five golf courses, the Club provides more than 90 holes of tournament quality golfing and also serves as a heaven for a weekend of relaxation.  

 

The long driveway and entrance to the resort leads to a palatial grouping of Spanish/Moorish influenced buildings.  The pristine blue sky above the Santa Rosa Mountains just beyond the resort matches a sea of azure umbrellas dotting the grounds and surrounding outdoor restaurant, Morgan’s.  Cascading water trickled all around us in fountains and streams, punctuating an environment that is not sleepy, but bustling with a relaxed energy.

 

Where once the likes of Frank Capra, Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Errol Flynn and Katherine Hepburn roamed, we now saw Edward Furlong, a member of young Hollywood’s echelon.  It’s common knowledge that Matthew Perry, Britney and Kevin, Gwyneth and Chris with Apple in tow, Adam Sandler, and other hot celebs also make this their place to “be alone.”

 

Walking up a winding path to our private Casita, our senses are bombarded with vibrant flora of bougainvillea, low-hanging jumbo grapefruit and orange blossom.  The private sanctuary is replete with a fireplace for the cooler nights, a huge deep soaking tub for our frayed city nerves, and a California king bed with cool white linens to melt away in.

 

At the famed restaurant AZUR, cobalt blue tiles lead into two large adjoined rooms with vaulted ceiling and open rustic beams as “Let’s Stay Together” floats in the air from the live performer at the piano.  Consulting Chef Eric Ripert (New York’s La Bernardin) presents French seafood specialties in a parade of posh delectables -- Tuna Tartare of finely diced Yellowfin Tuna, sautéed Halibut with Chick Pea Puree, and butter poached Main Lobster with chive and Champagne.  A Cocoa-Espresso Rubbed and Pan Roasted All Natural Beef Sirloin with Wild Mushroom and Cipolini Onion Ragout precedes a finale of Red Berries in a Tiramisu with Port-Balsamic Reduction.  Eric Wadlund, Chef de cuisine, oversees the restaurant which is open Tuesday – Saturday.

 

-Steve Valentine

 

 

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Upgrading Coach

Giving yourself an upgrade has never been easier than with a new range of travel amenities that can ease the stress of traveling without breaking the wallet or your mileage account.

 

	1st Class Sleeper is supposed to feel like your bed in the clouds.  Easily stored, this inflatable body cushion uses the overhead air vent or 10-11 deep breaths of air to provide comfortable support for your lower back, head and shoulders.  Invented by an airline pilot, Bob Duncan, the sleeper weighs only about a pound and promises to make you feel just as light! www.1stclasssleeper.com or 1 866 683 4534
	AirRight Say goodbye to pesky colds and viruses after flying now that you can attach this convenient filter to the air nozzle above your passenger seat.  By directing a filtered stream of air onto you, it forms an invisible air curtain that removes 99.5% of unwanted viruses and allergens. www.airright.net
	Travel Tote A little spa touch in your cramped space.  The little blue tote with a Germ Free Travel Mist, Roll-On Soothe Motion Sickness oil, Traveler Boost Shower Gel, Calming Headache Oil and Soothing Travel Body Cream uses essential oils and holistic care to help you float in the clouds. www.Soothingsols.com

 

 

 

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SOUNDS

MASTERBEAT: SPF 20 SUMMER PARTY FAVORITES – DJ Brett Henrichsen (Master Ent) Dance compilations don’t get much better than this.  Packed with soulful divas delivering dance floor anthems mixed by some of the hottest remixers (Offer Nissim, Friscia and Lamboy, and Tony Moran), this double-issue is “off the chain” all the way
VIVIAN GREEN Vivian (SONY) Is this jazz, R&B, pop?  Whatever it is, Green blends the genres and delivers fantastically.  A worthy follow-up to her first ‘emotional rollercoaster’ of an album, Green returns with a truly sublime album with instant classics like “Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired).”
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS (Milan) The sleeper family film which has awakened box office sales can also boast of a remarkable soundtrack that combines composer Wurman’s love of classical and jazz to create a sweeping, emotional score that helps relive the film but, as is essential for any good music, can also be enjoyed on its own.