USA - Los Angeles
by Ben Poole
LA - Lights, Camera, Action!
My fascination with the lifestyles of the rich and famous has become a growing addiction over the past few years. My religion is ‘celebrity' and my daily ritual is to trawl the showbiz gossip websites in search of my latest fix of red carpet scandal.....I think it is safe to say that Perez Hilton is my idol! So can you imagine how excited I was when I found out I would be going to LA on business!
Welcome to Beverly Hills where every street is lined with pristine mansions and perfectly manicured gardens, designer boutiques, and the highest concentration of cosmetic surgeons in the world! Beverly Hills is all about status, if you haven't got the right make and model of car and a home north of Sunset then you may as well be a nobody and as the local motto suggests ‘walking in Beverly Hills is only for the homeless'.
My first stop on the celebrity circuit was to be none other than the infamous Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire. This grandeur hotel proudly boasts the best address in Beverly Hills, overshadowing Rodeo Drive and the likes of Tiffany and Bvlgari. Every guest that stays at the Beverly Wilshire receives star treatment and only the finest in service and attention to detail. The classical styling of the Boulevard restaurant provides the perfect backdrop to an intimate candlelit dinner whilst, in contrast, the new contemporary Cut restaurant and Side bar are regular haunts of the A-list and perfect for people watching over a few champagne cocktails.
After my surreal and mind blowing experience in Beverly Hills I was ready to hit the beach in search of Baywatch beauties!
Santa Barbara is a sophisticated Oceanside town. Here you will find quaint streets adorned with boutique gift shops, restaurants, cafés and superb tasting rooms. Santa Barbara is also rich in culture due to its Spanish Colonial past and a trip to the impressive Mission is well worth a visit. The Four Seasons Santa Barbara is the ultimate beach retreat and a perfect example of understated luxury. Each guest room is individual in shape and size and all are complimented with Andalusian tiled bathrooms most of which have open style log fires perfect for snuggling upto with a fine glass of Santa Barbara Merlot.
Laguna is where you will find a dramatic rugged coastline kissed with long wide stretches of sandy beach and rolling hills bejewelled with multi-million dollar real estate. This very scenery has for years provided inspiration to writers and artists from around the world. The bohemian shops and art galleries of Laguna compliment an array of fine dining establishments which exude a real sense of cosmopolitan living.
Nestled 150ft above sea level lies the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. The views from the hotel's observation deck are truly sensational, especially at sunset when the warm tones highlight surfers who await their last ride of the day. The impressive design and modern elegance of the hotel allures the eye and charms the mind, making any stay a magical experience.
Unfortunately I seem to have run out of space to mention the other highlights of my trip which include a cycle tour of Santa Monica, whale and dolphin watching from Dana Point, the Hollywood walk of fame and the amazing nightlife of West Hollywood!
I look forward to hearing from you so I can help inspire and plan your perfect star quality vacation to the land of the rich and famous!