Everywhere you look these days, the environment is taking center stage…that is, when the economy isn’t distracting everyone. Spas might just be the perfect nexus for the two topics of debate as more and more of these havens of luxury pampering are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental impact.

Representing a sign of the times, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is re-opening its 7,000-square-foot Ocean Spa & Fitness center with a renewed dedication to using environmentally friendly architecture, products and treatments.]]> EricRosen 2009-04-22T15:14:40-05:00 34.0094485 -118.49260 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/3/26/111414/319 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/6929/santamonica_rs_01.jpg" class="top"> <p>We understand late check-out situations. We understand that when we call the front desk at 11:30 and beg for a late check-out, the front desker may be unsympathetic &#151; they've gotta get us out so they can clean the room to check the next people in. We understand. Really. <p>Which is why we're not entirely sure how exactly it is feasible for <b><A href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Loews+Santa+Monica+Beach+Hotel/local/248">Loews Santa Monica</a></b> to offer this: if you book the <b>Double Your Sunset</b> package, you score yourself a 6:00 p.m. check out. Yes, 6 pm. Seriously. Again, we don't know how they're able to do this &#151; what time does everyone else check in? (Note: the website says 4 pm, so, which tells us Jenna 2009-03-26T12:02:28-05:00 34.0094485 -118.49260 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/10/27/103836/10 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/margaritas.jpg" class="top"><p> We&#146;ve started noticing that every hotel we visit these days immediately thrusts a free beverage into our hands&#133; not that we&#146;re complaining. The &#147;complimentary cocktail&#148; is quickly becoming ubiquitous. To keep up, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/loews%20hotels"><b>Loews Hotels</b></a> has devised a signature drink for every one of its hotels. Awhile back, an <a href=&#148;http://www.hotelfandb.com/biol/july-aug2007-loews-cocktails.asp&#148;>industry trade magazine</a> got the details on some of these elixirs. <blockquote><p>In L.A., the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel mixes up the Raspberry Mojito with 10 Cane Rum, mint leaves, brown sugar, lime juice, a top-off of Sprite, and a float of Chambord Liqueur Royale. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson features the Ventana Stargazer, made with Grey Goose L&#146;Orange vodka, Grand Marnier, freshly squeezed orange juice, ced138 2008-10-27T14:14:40-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/5/30/14411/6767

So the Los Angeles Lakers are in the NBA Finals this year. (Um...yay?) Should you find yourself needing a hotel room in Los Angeles to cheer on the Lakers, or either the Detroit Pistons or Boston Celtics, we've put together a few selections for the different types of fans.

Keep Reading for Our Hotel Picks ]]> juliana 2008-05-30T14:52:26-05:00 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/4/30/102150/788 <![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/charliemap.jpg" class="imgborder"><p><a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/maps/Guess-The-Charlie-Sheen-Hotel-in-Santa-Monica"><img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/charliesheenmap.jpg" align="right"></a> <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/04302008/gossip/pagesix/sheen_stayed_hot_for_hookers_108732.htm">Page Six</a> has the scoop on a new article from <i>Rolling Stone</i> about a high-end call girl service that once sent pretty girls to allegedly "work with" <b>Charlie Sheen</b> at a hotel in Santa Monica last year.<p>Sheen's rep told the gossip column, "This is an old, old, old story." But he didn't quite deny it. <p>Thus, a new version of <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Guess%20the%20Hotel"><b>Guess The Hotel</b></a> begins. This one is slightly different because whereas in previous editions we held the answer, this time we're asking you to put your guesses forth as to where high-end call girls would go to service clients. <p>To help you out we've come up with a list of potential call juliana 2008-05-01T13:28:55-05:00 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/