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Tags: Hotel Renovations / Hotel Hell / Viceroy Hotels / Santa Monica Hotels / → All Tags
Viceroy Santa Monica Will Be Getting a Renovation
The other day we took a look at What's on The Block at the Viceroy Santa Monica, a happening hotel near the beach that is always giving us good enough excuses to get drunk on a random weekday.
But could it be that the guests are also partying too hard? A commenter on our story pointed us to his TripAdvisor review which showed an Empire Suite (about $640 a night) in seriously worn down condition. Cigarette burns in the carpet, wrecked furniture and low shower head pressure were some of the complaints.
Needless to say our commenter was pretty unhappy about having paid so much for just a so-so room. We were sort of shocked ourselves since we've stayed in a regular room not too long ago and the room, while definitely not brand, spanking new, it was in good condition.
We asked the hotel's rep if they could comment on the situation for us and they told us they would answer the TripAdvisor review instead. Here's what Caroline Dyal, Director of Hotel Operations, wrote:
Tags: What's On The Block / Whats-on-the-Block-Map / Santa Monica Hotels / → All Tags
What's On The Block at the Viceroy Santa Monica?
We talk about the Viceroy Santa Monica fairly frequently since, as part of the Kor Hotel Group er...Viceroy Hotel Group, it hosts quite a few swanky events and special packages. But this week, we thought we’d throw in some value-added info by telling you What’s On The Block to give you a better idea of all that’s in store when you stay there. And thanks to its location right at the nexus of several different areas of Santa Monica, there is plenty of action for tourist and native alike.
Tags: Hotel Restaurants / Pink Hotels / Breast Cancer Awareness / Hotel Cocktails / Santa Monica Hotels / → All Tags
Cocktails for a Cause at Viceroy’s Whist
Everybody likes happy hour, but what we love even more than drinking discounts is drinking for a cause. Luckily, we can now feel philanthropic as we sip and swig thanks to the Viceroy Santa Monica’s new Cocktails for a Cause happy hour at Whist.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, every Tuesday from 6:00-9:00pm throughout the month of October, when drinkers, uh, we mean guests, order a specialty “Strawberry Vice” cocktail, 100% of the proceeds will go to the Beautiful Day Foundation.
The Strawberry Vice will cost you $10, and we got our hands on the top secret recipe: half an ounce of homemade strawberry jam, 1.5 ounces of Remy Martin VS, and 1.5 ounces of champagne put into a shaker with ice, stirred and served I a champagne flute. The pink cocktail should match your pink breast cancer awareness ribbon perfectly. We’ll cheers to that.
Tags: Hotel Restaurants / Santa Monica Hotels / Etc Hotels / Beach Hotels / → All Tags
'Catch' The Ocean Views at Casa Del Mar and Maybe Even Pull in a Celeb Sighting
We often forget about Casa Del Mar, located on the beach in Santa Monica. That's probably because we're too busy focusing on the celebrity sightings at the valet at Shutters on the Beach or the tequila tasting that goes on at the party-centric Viceroy Hotel.
However last Saturday, we remembered just how much we loved the views from Casa Del Mar's lobby bar which has full-frontal views of the Pacific Ocean. And since we hadn't tried dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Catch, we thought that would be the best way to enjoy a low-key Saturday night with friends.
We picked a good day too as the waves in Southern California were hitting record heights, giving us a little more action with our ocean view. The restaurant, just to the left of the lobby bar, is actually quite small and most of the tables are situated near the windows, of course.
We were seated in a small booth which had comfy, neutral-colored cushions with cute little back pillows. We actually sank into the booth which we much prefer over of one of those hard wood booths or one with squeaky leather seating (ladies who wear short dresses you know what we mean.) However, we probably sank a little too low as we felt like a small child sitting at the grown-ups table. Want more rigid seating? Ask for a table directly next to the window.
Tags: Hotel Packages / Santa Monica Hotels / Sheraton Hotels / → All Tags
Sheraton Delfina Sends Us To The Circus
So we didn't like it when the Sheraton Delfina wanted to charge us for using their iPod and we didn't much like the view, but it's amazing how fast we can forget these indiscretions now that they've put together a package with our favorite lil' circus of all, the Cirque du Soleil.
With Cirque's incredible Kooza show soon to start running in a big top on Santa Monica Pier, the Sheraton Delfina has put together a combo package so we can enjoy the circus and have a decent place to sleep nearby. Despite the corny name - Kooza for Twooza - the deal seems good: you can get overnight accommodation for two, tickets for two to Cirque du Soleil, a bottle of wine and free transportation to and from the show.
Packages start from $359 plus tax which isn't too bad for a room and tickets, but you have to buy them at least a week ahead of time. The deal is good for nearly all of Cirque du Soleil's season from August 16 to December 20 but there's a blackout on November 3 to 11 – and the performers get Monday off so make sure you time your stay right or you'll have to entertain yourselves with your own circus antics.
[Photo: spcbrass]
Tags: Celebrity Scoop / Santa Monica Hotels / Viceroy Hotels / Hotel Restaurants / → All Tags
Lionel Richie and Bai Ling Debut Romance at Viceroy Santa Monica
Today in celebrity 'WTF' news: Lionel Richie and Bai Ling went on a date on Thursday night. Yes, that would be he of The Commodores and she of the perpetually-over-exposing dresses. This "date" of theirs is not only of interest to us because it is one of the most bizarre-o celebrity pairings ever, but because it took place at the Viceroy Santa Monica's signature restaurant, Whist.
According to X17, this "date" involved the two of them arriving and leaving from the hotel/restaurant in separate cars — but their "eyewitness account" maintains that he was rubbing her back during the dinner, and they were sitting mighty close to one another. Of course, this could all be an overhyped celeb spotting with out-of-thin-air rumors of a romance (along the lines of that disconcerting Natalie Portman/Sean Penn thing earlier this year), but we have reason to believe (mainly faith in the weirdness of both of these people) that this could be for realsies.
Man, why are we never at these places at the right time? All we've gotten in a hotel restaurant was a Hanson sighting.
Tags: Hotel Restaurants / Fairmont Hotels / Hotel Breakfasts / Santa Monica Hotels / → All Tags
Kegs and Eggs at the Fairmont Miramar’s FIG Restaurant
First we told you about the delightful dinner service at FIG, the restaurant at Santa Monica’s Fairmont Miramar Hotel. Then we told you about their new lunch service. Now it’s time to let you in on Chef Ray Garcia’s Sunday “Kegs and Eggs” brunch, launching this Sunday, June 28.
For $37, you get a bottomless pint of specialty draft beer like the Koningshoeven “Quadrupel” Trappist, and any egg dish (usually stuffed, filled or sided with the latest seasonal ingredients) like the Frittata Verde with green veggies and avocado tomatillo salsa. Beer not your thing? You can also order a la carte.
Tags: Weekend Hotel Happening / Hotel Restaurants / Hotel Bars / Santa Monica Hotels / Viceroy Hotels / → All Tags
Do Summer Santa Monica-Style On The Cheap at Viceroy's Whist
Whist, the restaurant at the swank Viceroy Santa Monica Hotel, is bringing back its poolside summer specials, including “Summer Fridays” (a nice alternative for those of us who don't get 'em at work) and “Taste of Tuesdays.”
Since Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer, Summer Fridays begin today with a 4-hour happy hour from 2-6pm. For the 2 o’clock hour, drinks are just $2; at 3:00, they cost $3, and so on. There is also a new bar food menu including fried chicken and biscuit sliders for $2, and oysters on the half shell for $3. Summer Fridays will run through August 28.
Tags: Hotel Restaurants / Fairmont Hotels / Santa Monica Hotels / → All Tags
FIG at the Fairmont Miramar Launches Lunch
Chef Ray Garcia at FIG.
We were already big fans of the new restaurant, FIG, at the Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica (as is the LA Times) which is why we were excited to hear that restaurant will soon start serving lunch.
Yesterday, we were able to check out the menu at a tasting sponsored by Bombay Sapphire Gin. And lunch? That's right up our alley.
Tags: Hotel Delays / Santa Monica Hotels / → All Tags
Shangri-La Santa Monica Slowly Putting on the Finishing Touches
The Shangri-La Santa Monica finally soft-opened last December after numerous delays, so we decided to check in on how the place was doing. Last night, we strolled by the hotel and found it to be ... quiet. Very quiet. And there's a good reason for that: the hotel's bar, restaurant and pool are still under construction.
The restaurant and bar will not be ready until May, according to the hotel's website. But we're not sure what's going on with the pool, which was to be ready in March. A recent TripAdvisor reviewer had a room "that overlooks the pool and deck in the courtyard below. It was unfinished, but looks to be great."
So why stay here? The hotel does have a killer location across from the ocean and it's close to all the shops and some decent restaurants in Santa Monica. Plus, room rates are as low as $169 on Quikbook.com.
With the summer season approaching, we hope that the Shangri-La can get these crucial elements open quickly.
Tags: TV Set Hotels / Paris Hilton / Celebrity Scoop / Santa Monica Hotels / → All Tags
Paris Hilton Tramps Around Santa Monica Hotels
Paris Hilton and HotelChatter collided on Friday during some after-work drinks. We arrived at The Penthouse atop the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica only to find a filming crew had set up in the back of the restaurant, near the choicest of choice views.
We scurried behind the crew and hit up the other half of the restaurant which was blissfully free of any cameras, television monitors and the like. Later as we left The Penthouse, filming had wound down so we casually asked a crew member what they were filming. The reply? "Oh Paris Hilton's "My BFF" show." Gag.
Later we found out that Paris had also recently completed a photo shoot at the nearby Hotel Oceana wearing some futuristic bathing gear.
When will LA hotels be free of Paris Hilton? It's times like these when we wish her family did own and operate Hilton Hotels then she would be contractually and familially obligated to spend her time there.
PS. If you look closely, you can see us in the pic above.
Tags: Hotel Packages / Loews Hotels / Hotel Deals / Santa Monica Hotels / → All Tags
Loews Santa Monica Won't Make You Check Out til Sunset
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 — they've gotta get us out so they can clean the room to check the next people in. We understand. Really.
Which is why we're not entirely sure how exactly it is feasible for Loews Santa Monica to offer this: if you book the Double Your Sunset 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 — what time does everyone else check in? (Note: the website says 4 pm, so, which tells us that you should really not show up expecting to check-in early).
The Double Your Sunset includes a one-night stay in a deluxe room, a 6 p.m. check out time and a $75 credit to use at the hotel's just-renovated Ocean Spa & Fitness (ah! You have some time to spend it and somewhere to use that resort cred!)
The package is available April 1 to Dec. 1, with rates starting at $359 per night (standard rooms without the package start at $319). Book here.
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