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Hawaii Snorkeling Tours
Hawaii Sunset Cruise

Observe Hawaiian Humpback whales while sailing the waters of the famous North Shore, the least crowded whale watching spot on Oahu. Our Small groups give you a personal and up-close experience

www.sailingcat.com

Embassy Suites Hotel - Mandalay Beach Resort - Oxnard

TO FLY L.A.
16303 Waterman Drive
Van Nuys, CA 91406
877.863.5952

The Hotel Shangri-La: Gem of the Ocean - Avenue
By Gerry Furth-Sides

One clear, crisp evening when it seemed like every car in Los Angeles was headed to the beach, I easily had the grandest view of all from the recently renovated ($30 M) iconic, art deco Hotel Shangri-La penthouse with its sweeping view of the entire curvature of the bay- plus what amounted to an all out, full blown catered beach clambake spread to boot. Named "Suite 700," it is available for private parties the year round.

A handsome boy in jeans held the door open for me and leapt out when we arrived on top, jauntily announcing he would "buy me a drink of the evening and show me around."

This was only the beginning of a magical evening; the friendly "boy" turned out to be lead hotel designer plus Food and Beverage Director, Marc Smith, world renowned for his nightclub design, such as Edison downtown.

Renaissance man Marc's jaunty, warm welcome permeates the hotel, as casual and friendly as the Ferris wheel across the way at the Santa Monica Pier, and backed by just as enormous a weight of talent and professionalism. The stand-alone property is not to be confused with the international chain by the same name. And by the way, restaurant guests, day or night, are invited without charge to the pool area below, a priceless gift in a pricey beach area.

Blending classic, timeless deco Art Deco elegance with Hollywood allure, the hotel's gigantic ship appearance set up close to the street on a corner is a traffic stopper. The surprise is just inside the door and up a few steps to the pool. There you discover that what appears from the outside to be a gleaming, massive solid block, actually divides into two very personable and manageable wings, one east and one south. In fact, the entire boutique hotel is a right angle with only 71 rooms in all. Each room looks inward to an inviting elevated pool with a row of intimate cabanas next to it. Tables placed on each level for leisurely reading, conversation dining or drinks.

Marc's interior design for the cozy, minimalist yet plush and intimate ground floor gourmet restaurant, The Dining Room was carried out in collaboration with Kelly Architects. The nightlife impresario described it as "new American with a California fresh feel, still reminiscent of the 1920's luxury ocean liners."

That it is. Dominating the room is low, comfy mahogany and leather furniture that offsets the massive curved bar and dark hardwood floors. The windows with propeller-like features are original, we learned, fulfilling a conservancy rule requirement to keep the integrity of the original design.

The smart and friendly (the server remembered my name and what I ate between visits) is headed up by manager William, who arrived from the legendary Ivy at the Shore a few doors down. Drinks and dessert served poolside end a meal with what feels like an additional luxurious gift.

Another friendly party guest was a young, dark, petite, casually dressed young woman who introduced herself to all of the guests. She turned out to be none other than Tehmina Adaya, a second generation owner of Hotel Shangri-La! A real estate and music entrepreneur, Tehmina was appointed a few years back to spearhead her family's business enterprises, which included the historic Hotel Shangri-La's renovation and relaunch.

With Marc she revived the star-studded destination and timeless retreat and propelled it into a global attraction for jet setters, all the while committed to preserving the art-deco style of the hotel for which it had become iconic and its neighborhood friendliness

Heading up The Dining Room and catering is congenial and genius, Executive Chef, Dakota Weiss, whose dishes are filled innovative seasonal, fresh ingredients, such as delicate, light octopus cerviche salad and homemade ice cream and sorbets, which are the very essence of their fruits. And her memorable, flaky, buttery croissants are the best in the world.

The ShangriLa Hotel is a treasure for its architecture, interiors, staff and restaurant alone. But best of al Hotel Shangri-La l, in an era of VIP-driven economics, it remains a rare and intimate gem that welcomes the public. www.shangrila-hotel.com

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