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Destination: Southern California

Issue: Winter 2010 ORANGE COUNTY Miles of spectacular coastline topped by sunny skies. Carolyn Burns Bass Orange County begins at the Pacific and stretches 30 miles inland where coastal breezes sweep through sundrenched hills. Along with the beaches, Orange County boasts championship golf at several courses, two deep water harbors, fine-dining in scenic and to-be-seen establishments, spas where guests are pampered and polished to perfection, two prestigious shopping malls, plus convention centers, performance arenas and mega-stadiums. Here you'll find the popular cities of Anaheim, home of Disneyland; Newport Beach, shopping, sunning and yachting capital of the OC; Huntington Beach, the original surf city, and Laguna Beach, the arts colony famous for its galleries and creative culture. John Wayne Airport is only minutes away from most venues, while international guests zip down the coast from nearby LAX. Hot Properties Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, Anaheim >> Disney's Grand Californian Hotel has unveiled a new addition with 203 guestrooms and 50 two-bedroom villas. Other elements include a new swimming pool, plus lounge areas and terraces ideal for networking events. The addition also provides convenient access to the hotel's 20,000-sqare-foot convention center. Hyatt Regency, Newport Beach >> A recent $2.3 million renovation to its 26,000 square feet of function space gives the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach plenty of room for indoor and outdoor events. The new arbor with a fountain, palm trees and native California foliage make a perfect open-air ballroom or reception venue. 8/13/2010

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Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim >> In addition to a redesign of guestrooms, the landmark Disneyland Hotel now offers the most sought-after hotel suite in Anaheim for hospitality functions. The 1,600squarefoot Mickey Mouse Penthouse boasts stunning views of Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure parks. The first phase of guestroom redesign (The Dreams Tower) opens in June 2010, with the final phase set for 2012. The Island Hotel Newport Beach >> Last June saw the conclusion of a two-year renovation of the Island Hotel Newport Beach. All guestrooms, public spaces, Palm Terrace Restaurant and Lounge, and its 20,000 square feet of meeting facilities now sport a fresh, cosmopolitan finish. Hilton Anaheim >> One of the most popular convention hotels in Orange County, the Hilton Anaheim recently completed a $60-million dollar renovation, touching nearly every inch of this 1,572-room hotel, including an extensive transformation of its fitness center, into a 25,000-square-foot, full-service fitness and wellness facility. Shorebreak Hotel >> The only hotel in downtown Huntington Beach, and steps away from the Huntington Beach Pier, the Shorebreak offers 157 rooms and suites. Shorebreak's trendy designs evoke the hip surf culture that made this city famous. A total of 8,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor function space includes a 3,000-square-foot ballroom. SANTA BARBARA State street and environs ooze with a quaint charm. Tara De Lis The city of Santa Barbara is an idyllic, island-like paradise. Between pristine beaches, trendy State Street retail and restaurant spaces, the touristy Stearns Wharf, a youthful college town vibe and worldclass resorts, it's a popular destination for Californians and international groups. Santa Barbara shares a "South County" designation with Carpinteria, Goleta, Montecito and Summerland, the boundary line being the beautiful Santa Ynez mountains, which run along the eastwest section of the coast. Not far away are Santa Ynez Wine Country and the Channel Islands. The municipal airport is only a short commute into the city. A new terminal will accommodate increasing consumer demand and is projected for completion in 2012. Hot Properties Canary Hotel >> The former Hotel Andalucia was renovated in 2008 and reopened as the Canary Hotel, a boutique sister property to Santa Monica's Hotel Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach. The makeover encompassed the nearly 100 rooms, lobby, restaurant and 5,000 square feet of meeting space. Fess Parker Doubletree Resort >> Fess Parker Doubletree Resort is a relative behemoth in the meeting and events scene. Guest rooms number 360 and meetings space tops out at a whopping 40,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor space, half of which is at the ocean-viewed Plaza del Sol. A spa was added in the spring of 2008. Hotel Oceana >> In the fall of 2008, beachfront Hotel Oceana underwent a vibrant redesign, aligning its décor scheme with the colorful and well-manicured grounds. The executive meeting space accommodates five to 40 people. Catered meals are available in the conference room or in an outdoor setting. Bacara Resort & Spa >> Celebrity favorite Bacara Resort & Spa opened to great acclaim in 2000. Each year, its green practices continue to improve, reflected in everything from electrical usage and carbon dioxide reductions to composting practices and aggressive recycling goals. Among event capabilities: a 220-seat screening room and a ballroom for up to 850 attendees. 8/13/2010

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Hotel Corque >> Solvang's longstanding Royal Scandinavian Inn has transformed into Hotel Corque, which opened in April 2009. The valley's first luxury boutique property, the onsite Root 246 restaurant is another coup, helmed by none other than Michelin-starred Chef Bradley Ogden. Meeting space includes nearly 4,000 square feet of versatile space. The Four Seasons Resort, the Biltmore Santa Barbara >> Located on beautiful Butterfly Beach in Montecito, the Four Seasons debuted its Coral Casino in November 2008. Its La Pacifica Ballroom and Terrace are both ideally situated with 180-degree oceanfront views; the latter space is often used for receptions prior to moving inside to the ballroom. Hotel Maya >> Boutique hotel company Joie de Vivre invested $20 million in transforming the Coast Long Beach Hotel into a tropical, Latin American-inspired property. There are 15 indoor-outdoor facilities available, with a total of 20,000 square feet of event space. Unique teambuilding experiences, such as sailing lessons or Segway tours, can be arranged. LOS ANGELES It's a big place, and especially on the hotel front, there are a lot of new places to check out. Tara De Lis Downtown Los Angeles is seeing a resurgence of new hotels-and there's a diverse new collection of meeting spaces to choose from. But there's more to L.A. than the downtown area-there's also Hollywood, Beverly Hills, the beaches, the Valley and many other neighborhoods. Greater Los Angeles tops outs at nearly 500 square miles. The City of Angels is an ideal location for meetings, partly due to its temperate climate but also because of the many options for leisure-time activities, from shopping on Rodeo Drive or chilling out at the beach to swank nightclubbing and celebrity-spotting in Tinsel Town. Hot Properties Montage Beverly Hills >> World-class luxury is the hallmark of this exclusive resort in heart of Beverly Hills, the area's first ground-up property in 17 years. Fully LEED Gold-certified, the hotel is greenfriendly, and every inch of its more than 9,000 square feet of meetings space is fully equipped with the latest technology. Hotel Shangri-La >> This beachfront boutique hotel reopened in April 2009 after a nearly two-year closure and $30 million in renovations. In addition to more traditional meeting spaces for 18 to 30 people, there are also private pool cabanas and a rooftop bar and patio with views of the Pacific, and a suite is available for group rentals. AVIA Long Beach >> Located in downtown Long Beach and walking distance from the convention center, trendy Pine Avenue and the Aquarium of the Pacific, this cozy design hotel features more than 1,400 square feet of flexible meeting space. The most coveted spot is a rooftop pool deck for cocktail parties of up to 100 people. SLS Hotel >> This chic and sleek property was conceptualized by trendsetting designer Philippe Starck. The on-property Bazaar restaurant is currently the only one in L.A. to be awarded a coveted four stars by the Los Angeles Times. 30,000+ square feet of indoor/outdoor space is available, with 12,000 square feet dedicated to meetings. Terranea Resort >> It's one of the most talked about hotel debuts of recent times. This expansive luxury property is located on 102 acres of prime Palos Verdes peninsula property. Opened in the summer of 2009, indoor meeting space totals 60,000 square feet, including a grand ballroom; outdoor function space exceeds that amount by 15,000 square feet.

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Andaz West Hollywood >> Opened in early 2009, the hotel is situated on enviable Sunset Strip real estate. One of the unique features of the hotel is its more relaxed "social spaces" concept, which includes four studio-style meeting rooms and a 200-person capacity rooftop ballroom adjacent to the pool. JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles >> Also planned to open in February is the newest Marriott property in the city. Guestrooms number 878, and meeting space here also tops 77,000 square feet, including three floors of stacked ballrooms. Both the Ritz and the Marriott will support conventioneers attending trade shows and events at the blocks-away convention center. Hotel Erwin >> Another Joie de Vivre property, the funky Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach also opened in 2009. Smaller and more casual than the Maya, this is an ideal space for smaller groups. The 1,000 square feet of meeting space was designed in a contemporary "gallery style." W Hollywood Hotel & Residences >> The long-anticipated opening of the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences at the famed intersection of Hollywood & Vine was slated for January 2010. Part of a larger, $350 million revitalization effort, it will include about 50,000 square feet of retail space. Bonus points for convenient access to the Metro Red Line subway station, which is directly underneath hotel. The Ritz Carlton, Los Angeles >> One of two new hotel properties expected to debut at Downtown L.A. Live complex in February 2010, its "Gallery Collection" of meetings space will encompass 77,000plus square feet, including a small boardroom adjacent to the restaurant Lounge on the 24th floor. SAN DIEGO It's a big city doing business with a small-town friendliness. Ron Donoho San Diego boasts a population that puts it in the top 10 in the nation, and offers world-class, awardwinning convention facilities. The population has a reputation for being laid-back, but the city has a hard -to-define international appeal, and its year-round temperate climate adds to the allure. The city of San Diego has added a new convention center-proximal hotel in the last year, and several high-end and boutique properties in the downtown area. The North County region also continues to welcome groups to its wide-open spaces and upscale properties. And there are plenty of beachside hotels and resorts beckoning business-from the iconic and historic to the new and trendy. Hot Properties Hilton San Diego Bayfront >> The new, 30-story Hilton, which has 1,190 rooms and 165,000 square feet of meeting space, is a beautiful behemoth. It's adjacent (just to the east) of the San Diego Convention Center, and contains more than $2 million of commissioned public art. Hotel del Coronado >> This iconic, historic property recently added Beach Village at The Del, an enclave of luxurious oceanfront cottages and villas. Accommodations range up to two-floor, threebedroom suites, and include gourmet kitchens, fireplaces and private pools. Hotel Indigo >> The new, eco-friendly Hotel Indigo San Diego is the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified hotel in the city. The 12-story, downtown hotel has 210 guest rooms. On evenings when the Padres are in town, the Phi Bar Terrace offers a great view into the seating bowl of PETCO Park. Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina >> The Hyatt Regency recently completed a $1 million renovation of 20,000 square feet of meeting space. A 10,000 square-foot Regatta Pavilion will accommodate approximately 750 guests for a banquet; 900 for a reception. The newly renovated Bayview Ballroom can accommodate 500 for a banquet; 650 for a reception.

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Residence Inn San Diego Gaslamp >> Scheduled to open in the Gaslamp Quarter in November 2009, the 14-story, 240-room Residence Inn will include 1,305 square feet of meeting space. A newly designed meeting room will hold 120 attendees, or 110 guests in banquet seating. Colony Palms Hotel >> The 56-room, Spanish Colonial-themed property recently underwent a $16 million renovation. It has eight casitas that are regularly sought by Hollywood celebrities. The Purple Palm Restaurant & Bar is situated just steps away from a cool outdoor pool. PALM SPRINGS Even when the temperatures hit triple digits, there are plenty of places to meet and recreate. Ron Donoho To date, the hospitality industry in the Palm Springs Desert Resorts region has more new product that recently opened, or is in progress to be completed, than ever before. From early 2007 and through 2011, hotels and businesses in each of the desert's cities-Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage-will have introduced a new hotel, a newly remodeled hotel, golf course, restaurant or other amenities that collectively total more than $2 billion. Palm Springs had been dubbed The Spa Capital of the World. For decades, the natural mineral waters that run beneath the desert floor have been tapped to relax and rejuvenate visitors. The region offers a plethora of celebrity hideaways, day-use facilities and European or full-service spas. It's also a golfing mecca. The world's most seasoned pros, celebrities and several United States Presidents have played on the desert's challenging designer courses, many with impressive mountain backdrops. Hot Properties Ace Hotel & Swim Club >> Opened in February 2009, this $30 million property features a classic midcentury desert style, with folk-modern interiors. This hip property includes 180 guestrooms for both budget and luxury travelers. There's a diner and the Amigo Room bar with seating for up to 100, a private pool, fitness room and a public pool swim club. Riviera Resort & Spa >> The 406-room Riviera recently underwent a renovation that gives the property a 1950s nouveau vibe. Hipper-than-hip Riviera has more than 45,000 square feet of flexible meeting spaces, and an 11,000 square foot SpaTerre, which has 18 treatment rooms. Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Villas and Spas >> This Indian Wells resort spent $20 million to open 24 additional luxury villas. The one- and two-bedroom villas come with personal butler service, exclusive dining and private whirlpool spas. This 530-room property holds more than 88,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Miramonte Resort & Spa >> The Tuscan-inspired 215-room resort reinvented itself with a $1.4 million remodel of its pool area in February of 2008. The new design features direct connection to WELL Spa, and has upscale furniture and five private cabanas. Get Connected: Anaheim/Orange County Visitors & Convention Bureau // 714.765.8888 / www.anaheimoc.org Disneyland Hotel // 714.520.7079 / www.disneylandmeetings.com Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa // 714.635.2300 / www.disneylandmeetings.com Fairmont Newport Beach // 949.476.2001 / www.fairmont.com/newportbeach 8/13/2010

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Hilton Anaheim // 714.750.4321 / www1.hilton.com Hilton Waterfront Resort // 714.845.8000 / www.waterfrontresort.com Hornblower Cruises // 949.646.0155 / www.hornblower.com Hyatt Regency Newport Beach // 949.729.1234 / www.newportbeach.hyatt.com Island Hotel Newport Beach // 949.759.0808 / www.theislandhotel.com The Resort at Pelican Hill // Newport Coast / 949.467.6800 / www.pelicanhill.com Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel // 949.240.2000 / www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/LagunaNiguel Shorebreak Hotel Huntington Beach // 714.861.4470 / www.shorebreakhotel.com Santa Barbara CVB // 805.966.9222 / www.santabarbaraca.com The Four Seasons Resort Biltmore // 805.969.2261 / www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara Canary Hotel // 805.884.0300 / www.canarysantabarbara.com Fee Parker Doubletree Resort // 805.564.4333 / www.fessparkersantabarbarahotel.com Hotel Oceana // 805.965.4577 / www.hoteloceanasantabarbara.com Bacara Resort & Spa // 805.968.0100 / www.bacararesort.com Hotel Corque // 800.624.5572 / www.royalscandinavianinn.com Upham Hotel & Country House // 800.727.0876 / www.uphamhotel.com Santa Barbara Zoo // 805.962.5339 / www.santabarbarazoo.org The Granada // 805.899.3000 ext. 106 / www.granadasb.org W Hollywood Hotel & Residences // 323.798.1300 / www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels Montage Beverly Hills // 310.860.7800 / www.montagebeverlyhills.com Hotel Shangri-La // 310.394.2791 / www.shangrila-hotel.com Terranea Resort // 310.265.2800 / www.terranea.com SLS Hotel // 310.247.0400 / www.slshotels.com Andaz West Hollywood // 323.656.1234 / www.westhollywood.hyatt.com Hotel Maya // 562.435.7676 / www.jdvhotels.com Hotel Erwin // 310.452.1111 / www.jdvhotels.com Avia Long Beach // 562.436.1047 / www.aviahotels.com The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles // 213.742.6855 / www.ritzcarlton.com JW Marriott Hotel // Los Angeles / www.lalivemarriott.com Hyatt Regency Long Beach // 562.491.1234 / http://longbeach.hyatt.com 8/13/2010

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Beverly Garland Hotel // 818.980.8000 / www.beverlygarland.com Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center // 562.436.3636 / www.longbeachcc.com Westin Bonaventure Hotel // 213.624.1000 / www.starwoodhotels.com/westin Millenium Biltmore Hotel // 213.624.1011 / www.millenniumhotels.com Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island // 619.291.6700 / www.hilton.com Hilton San Diego Bayfront // 619.564.3333 / www1.hilton.com Hotel del Coronado // 866.433.3030 / www.hoteldel.com Hotel Indigo San Diego // 877.270.1392 / www.hotelindigo.com Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina // 619.224.1234 / www.missionbay.hyatt.com Lafayette Hotel & Suites // 619.296.2101 / www.lafayettehotelsd.com Loews Coronado Bay Resort // 619.424.4000 / www.loewshotels.com/coronadobay Manchester Grand Hyatt // 619.232.1234 / www.manchestergrand.hyatt.com Morgan Run Club & Resort // 858.756.2471 / www.morganrun.com NIC Promenade // 619.573.9260 / www.ntcpromenade.com Residence Inn San Diego Gaslamp // 619.487.1203 / www.marriott.com Seaport Village // 619.531.0151 / www.restaurantevents.com Riviera Resort & Spa // 760.327.8311 / www.psriviera.com Colony Palms Hotel // 800.557.2187 / www.colonypalmshotel.com Hyatt Grand Champions // 760.341.1000 / grandchampions.hyatt.com Indian Wells Golf Resort, Villas and Spa // 760.346.4653 / www.indianwellsgolfresort.com Miramonte Resort & Spa // 760.341.2200 / www.miramonteresort.com Jackalope Ranch // 760.342.1999 / www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com/jackalope.php Desert Springs, JW Marriott Resort & Spa // 760.341.2211 / www.desertspringsresort.com Ace Hotel & Swim Club // 760.325.9900 / www.acehotel.com/palmsprings 2727, www.rancholaspalmas.com Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa // 888.999.1995 / www.hotwatercasino.com

Destination: Southern California Source URL (retrieved on 08/13/2010 - 8:39am): http://scal.meetingsmags.com/article/destination-southern-california

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