Monthly Archives: June 2018

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

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For serious consideration, are you aware that studies indicate that modifying your routine to include mental breaks will increase productivity, replenish attention, solidify memories and encourage creativity? Consider an escape to relieve you of cerebral congestion!  Recent getaway for a few days of client meetings in Beverly Hills landed me at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on Doheny Drive.

Quick access from LAX, I promised a poolside lunch to longtime friends who insisted on picking me up at the airport, treading those traffic lanes truly deserves a special lunch!

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Lobby Floral Power

We arrived to a busy Sunday afternoon crowd, this property seems to be very popular with locals for lunch. Early check in was offered, well done Four Seasons! My lovely light filled suite had a wrap around balcony and French doors to let in the sunshine! All good…we moseyed down to the pool distracted by the spectacular floral display in the lobby.

Internationally celebrated floral designer Jeff Leatham has returned to his original roots in Los Angeles, from Four Seasons George V in Paris, where he spent 16 years dazzling Parisian guests. His style and artistic sensibilities are incomparable, his floral displays are instantly recognizable and breathtaking! In 2014, the French government bestowed Leatham with one of their most distinguished titles: Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters, for his outstanding contribution to the culture of Paris.

I digress, back to our lunch adventure – arriving at the pool, I was surprised to find the ‘pool restaurant’ wasn’t really at the pool, it was near the pool, however the table-side reservation would be in a garden alcove near the pool…I was confused as I had called the restaurant to specify poolside. The very affable hostess, inquired: Ms. Books would you like us to set a table in a pool cabana? Hmm, why yes, that would be perfect, how long will that be? Five minutes, Ms. Books. We trailed behind the hostess, servers and our table to the cabana. The restaurant staff literally carried a table and chairs to our own private cabana! My friends gave me the look – the look that says we follow you on social media, we see how you travel…my immediate response: we are at a Four Seasons property, they unravel dilemmas! When we discovered there wasn’t a table at the pool, the extremely well trained Four Seasons staff solved a problem and made this guest very happy…they did not know I was on a site inspection trip, this is typical Four Seasons service! Champagne all around! It’s the little touches that make a property special.

There is a row of cabanas at the pool for snoozing and dining. The Four Seasons doesn’t let a city space, define its décor, they’ve created a tranquil rooftop oasis.

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Of course, everyone who traipsed by our cabana peeked in looking for celebrities, sadly for them, it was merely high school girlfriends catching up and utterly delighted with our decadent Cabana lunch!

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills a Tranquil Oasis

There are two Four Seasons in the Beverly Hills area, the other property is literally downtown near Rodeo Drive. More on that property soon. The gardens here are spectacular, a little sanctuary in the midst of Los Angeles, water features add a sense of tranquility to the spacious lawns and lush shrubbery. From sun-filled guest rooms featuring private step out balconies to award winning see-and-be-seen dining, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is a city icon, buzzing with energy and excitement.

The property is well known for celebrity sightings, press junkets and has a history as a power lunch location. Located in a quiet residential area which is great for morning walks, it’s only a five-minute drive to the chic Rodeo Drive shopping. There are 285 rooms including 98 suites, I liked the rooms on the back side of the property with balconies. L.A. rooms should always have a balcony or French doors, it’s rarely cold here, we want to soak up that So Cal sunshine!  High-tech features (temperature control and in-room dining via iPad) and on-demand movies. Entry-level rooms are big for LA standards.  Open-air 24-hour fitness facility with cardio machines, weights, pulley. Full-service spa and nail salon on the premises. Breakfast and muffins provided in the lobby every morning

Huge bathrooms with sunken tubs, as you know if I can drown in a tub, I’m happy; these tubs definitely provide the perfect soak!

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Suite

Relaxed luxury – my beautiful suite was decorated in soothing tones of glossy black doors, pale gray walls, with an emphasis of whites and metallic accents, very restful in the frenetic LA atmosphere.

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Gym outside access!

One unique feature in development is the Wellness Rooms near the spa. The rooms are designed in partnership with Delos, with the creation of five wellness-themed guest rooms and two suites that aim to optimize guests’ physical and emotional well-being while travelling. Located on the fourth floor Spa level, the Wellness accommodations combine the latest technologies from Delos with a stylish new room design and eco chic features. Upon arrival, guests will have access to Wellness by Delos room features and programs, including sleep, stress and nutrition programs from the Cleveland Clinic, GoWell! nutritious menu options endorsed and approved by Cleveland Clinic, and guided mediations by Deepak Chopra, MD.Separate post coming on this innovative health conscious aspect of the hotel.

Dining – Who doesn’t want to be my guest when I come to town! Late dinner at hotel restaurant Culina which has been recognized as one of the “Best New Restaurants” by Esquire magazine, one of the “100 Best Wine Restaurants”  by Wine Enthusiast magazine, one of the top restaurants in Los Angeles by Zagat, and one of the “Hollywood’s 25 Top Power Lunch Restaurants” by The Hollywood Reporter.

Milanese chef Luca Moriconi Culina Restaurant Four Seasons Los Angeles

The Roman kitchen led by Milanese chef Luca Moriconi is channeling his Italian childhood with old school recipes with a sense of a family kitchen. He frequently visits the tables to share stories behind the dishes. I was tired and seeing artichoke Risotto on the menu, I knew it was the comfort food I craved. The artichoke Risotto is part of Moriconi’s new Tuscan-inspired spring menu at Culina, and apparently, he is taking this yummy recipe to Milan for a cooking competition. One distinctive aspect of the dish is the crown-cut wheel of Piave Vecchio cheese which the risotto is spooned from – rather than using Parmesan, he uses this distinctive cheese. A server follows him to a table and drops a smidgen of balsamic vinegar on each plate. While talking to the guests, Moriconi finishes his table-side Risotto preparation by stirring the warm rice in a crater at the center of the cheese wheel and spooning out the creamy result onto each plate.

My friend who ordered salmon, nibbled from my plate in obvious delight. Delizioso!

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – come for the sunshine, come for the Cabanas, come for the people watching and don’t miss the spa or the Artichoke Risotto!

Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Loved my all to brief visit where the professional staff proved again that it’s the little things that matter and make for a special visit. Four Seasons never disappoints!

Yachting? Oh Captain! Croatia Cruising

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Yachts rarely make the credits in a movie, but boats have held leading roles on the silver screen for eons. Our roster of superb charters have included Regina, a stunning sailing yacht featured in the James Bond ‘Skyfall’ film. Charter areas have migrated from Turkey and are now dotting the shores of  the most popular seas off of Croatia. Croatia is one of Europe’s most stunning sailing grounds with more than 1,200 islands off this part of the Adriatic coast. From a base in Dubrovnik, Trogir, Zaton and, new for 2018, Pula, you can explore the Kornati and Krka national parks with their waterfalls, lively ports, uninhabited islands and protected coves. One of Europe’s most fascinating countries, Croatia’s thriving cities, ancient monuments, stunning national parks and distinctive gastronomy are attracting increasing numbers of tourists to this incredible destination.

Aman Sveti Stefan Hotel

We would suggest arriving at Tivat and soaking in the luxury of the Aman Sveti Stefan Hotel for several days in Montenegro. Located south of Budva, this stunning Aman resort sits along Montenegro’s magnificent stretch of coastline and overlooks the Adriatic Sea. An atmospheric peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic Sea, Aman Sveti Stefan is a place of complete beauty and escape, set amid the natural splendor and historical riches of Montenegro. There isn’t a dock at the hotel, but we have the yacht anchor out off the hotel, and our crew will motor in and fetch you from a small tender dock at the hotel, begin the Journey in utter style and comfort!

Once you have boarded your luxury yacht, cruise for 5 – 7 days, enjoying the chic highlights of southern Croatia. Need more? Why not cap off your week with a quick flight to Venice where we will reserve the Dogaressa Suite at the Cipriani, a veritable oasis in the heart of Venice, as you benefit from the refreshing pool. It is a suite fit for a Queen, with a classic vista of the basin of San Marco, captured like a Canaletto painting and framed in floor-to-ceiling gothic windows. Or perhaps you yearn for a very special private palazzo in this ultra-chic city? We have many exceptional properties, many of which are not available to the less than discerning visitors. And did I mention the remarkable private touring options while in Venice?

With an Adriatic coastline of more than 1,750 km and 1,246 islands and islets, incorporating some truly breath-taking beachscapes, Croatia is a wonderful place to explore by luxury yacht.

Grad Hvar

The Dalmatian Islands in Croatia are among the most famous in the Mediterranean region. Wild, rugged, and mostly uninhabited, many are protected as national parkland and offer a varied and diverse cruising ground for an Agana yacht charter vacation. The cruising is splendid, encompassing long and short passages to charming anchorages amid rocky islets, ancient villages steeped in history, and translucent waters.

It might come as a surprise, but Croatia is a well-known destination for foodies –year after year, fresh seafood and excellent wines exceed the expectations of those who come to this little corner of the eastern Mediterranean. Our Captains have resourced the most exclusive shell farms for on the spot oyster tasting direct from the docks or reserve a table at a local restaurant near the best oyster farm bay, where the oysters are prized for intense flavor. Anchor out and pluck oysters from the shell over a sizzling grill over a wood fire and to accompany these tasty morsels, a refreshing Croatian white wine.

Dubrovnik

Oysters are considered one of the delicacies on offer and what is so special about the ones cultivated in Malostonski Bay is that they belong to an almost extinct species called the European oyster. Visitors are fascinated by the fact that it’s possible to eat them straight from the sea — the waters of the Adriatic are that clean! The Dalmatian coast has a very long tradition of mariculture. Written chronicles dating back to ancient Roman times mention oyster farming in the area, using a more primitive version of the way it is done today. Records from the 17th-century provide details about the collection and sale of oysters, while companies dedicated to oyster cultivation started developing at the beginning of the 19th-century.

An Agana yacht charter typically focuses on the more than 30 islands off the central Dalmatian Coast near the city of Split, including lovely Solta, Hvar, Vis, and Brac. The Kornati National Park lies to the north, with a mostly barren landscape. So many small and large islands are in the park it has been likened to a maze of unparalleled natural beauty. Pristine beaches, lively nightlife, fine cuisine, secluded coves, fascinating historic sites, and an unspoiled natural setting make an Agana yacht charter an unforgettable adventure on the water.

And of course, you can rely on our private guides in every port to share local history, provide a list of the hottest Hvar nightlife locations, and reserve loungers and dinner at the chic beach clubs – dance till dawn if inclined and welcome the sunrise!

An Agana yacht charter features a wonderful blend of the historic and the natural, with ancient cities and towns situated in beautiful harbors fronting islands with sandy beaches and lush vegetation. Serene anchorages far from the crowds or bustling towns with boutiques, restaurants, and bars are all attractions of the central Dalmatian Coast, where wildlife abounds, the snorkeling is excellent, and history is ever present. A Croatian luxury yacht Journey is a voyage into some of the prettiest offshore channels in the Mediterranean region, a sojourn to remember on the Adriatic Sea.

Ports of Call:
The main square in Dubrovnik Old Town is alive at night with many outdoor restaurants and cafes.  If weather allows, the yacht can anchor in the bay near Old Town and access all town activities by ship’s tender. Culture Club Revelin is a snazzy nightclub in the Old Town Fortress walls.  Banje Beach is outside Old Town, and usually has a tender dock to deliver the guests by ship’s tender. The Sky Bar next to Pile Gate, Cele, outdoors in the main square. Where can you find monarchs, Jedi, spies and dragons? Dubrovnik has hosted a captivating array of worlds recently from Sherwood Forest stand-ins to Game of Thrones filming locations. Its historical beauty, cobbled roads, and ancient buildings, the city is now Hollywood’s newest filming location of choice, let us help you visit the film locations during your cruise!

Social life on the island of Hvar centers on Hvar Town, and the Pakleni Islands bordering Hvar Town Harbor.  Hvar Town Harbor is a large protected harbor, with very calm water, and is a great location to be anchored for several days if desired. Social life in Hvar Town begins with sundowner cocktails at Hula Hula Bar, reachable from the yacht by ship’s tender, festivities continue in the main square, and at midnight, Carpe Diem nightclub opens on the harbor front. Carpe Diem beach in the Pakleni Islands is open from 10:00am to 5:00am and is a grand location at night. The ship’s tender can deliver guests right to Carpe Diem Beach, or the yacht can anchor during the day right off of Carpe Diem Beach. Nightlife is vibrant in Hvar Town with many popoular bars and restaurants.

Our experienced Captain and crew know the best spots and will assure you the best off yacht tables. Coupled with our on the ground luxury team for ports of call touring, why isn’t Croatia on your list this summer?