New Paradise Power in Santa Monica
The 71-room Shangrila Hotel overlooking the famous Santa Monica beach walk is setting a new style in this trendy L.A. beach town with tony new suites and an Art Deco theme carried out in sweet details and collectables throughout the property. The full service property has a gourmet comfort food restaurant and a chic rooftop lounge with cozy fire pits overlooking the California coastline as well as rooftop meeting and event space and an urban pool space with bar and cabanas. But the circa 1939 Streamline Moderne hotel also now has rooms that can run toe to toe with any luxury hotel in the area. Many of the rooms and suites come with gourmet kitchens, Deco-style ceramic tubs and terraces overlooking the ocean and California sunset.
Regular room rates start at $295 per night. Two value-packed vacation packages available through 2013, however, turn the Shangrila into a true Shangri-La:
The Artful Lodger
- One Bedroom Suite
- Private Towncar to Getty Villa
- Entrance and Reservation for Getty Villa
- Relaxing Foot Massage at Sybaris (onsite full service spa) for Two
- Special “House” Confectionary Turndown Amenity
- Complimentary Valet Parking
Price: $765 per night for one or two persons (tax and gratuity is not included) 
Your Very Own Private Shangrila
- Veranda Suite Accommodation with outdoor verandas with view of the sea
- Alfresco Breakfast
- Stocked Refrigerator with Farmers Market produce
- Entrance to Soulcycle – an intense full-body workout with a fun and energizing atmosphere
- Complimentary DVD of the film Lost Horizon depicting the journey to Shangri-La
- Dual Massage at Sybaris for 90 minutes
- One of the hotel’s highly touted signature cocktails
Price: $1,297 for two persons / $985 for one person per night (tax and gratuity not included)
Contact:
(310) 394-2791
www.shangrila-hotel.com
Family Vacation in Mexico at Las Alamandas
For a warm Easter holiday and invigorating Spring Break make it an all-inclusive family vacation in Mexico. Las Alamandas, a luxury hideaway made for the family bonding experience, offers an affordable Spring Break package for a perfect family pleaser:
- Four nights in a luxurious Ocean View Suite
- Fresh Lime Margaritas upon arrival
- Tropical Fruit Platter in the room
- Three gourmet meals daily with non-alcoholic beverages for two
- All meals and drinks for children under 12 years of age complimentary, up to two children
- 50% discount on a second suite for the kids
- Family picnic setup on an exclusive private beach
- Complimentary one-hour horseback ride and kayak use
- Transportation from Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo Airport
Las Alamandas on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is an all-suite, self-contained boutique resort accommodating up to 42 guests and spreading out over its own 1,500-acre private nature reserve on the Pacific. The Spring Package sets up magical memories such as beach picnics, boat excursions, surfing sessions, horseback riding and kayaking. Location is midway between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, along Mexico’s famed Costalegre.
Rates start at $3,678 for two adults plus tax and service. Offered March 15 – April 15, 2013
Contact:
(888) 882-9616
www.alamandas.com
Spring Training Getaway at The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix
Baseball enthusiasts can step up to the plate in style with Spring Training Getaway at the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix this season.
The Ritz-Carlton Spring Training Getaway package pays tribute to the popular Cactus League, which hosts nearly daily Major League Baseball pre-season games for some for 15 Major League Baseball teams throughout March.
- Deluxe accommodations
- Exclusive Spring Training Amenity
- Maps and directions to all Spring Training facilities
- Spring Training game schedules
- American Breakfast for two in bistro 24 or through In-Room Dining
- Overnight valet parking
Ritz-Carlton’s Spring Training Getaway package runs through March 31, and is priced from $409 per night.
Contact:
(800) 241-3333
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/phoenix
Hong Kong on Sale at the Upper House
The Upper House, a chic luxury hotel in Hong Kong above Pacific Place in Admiralty, has a new selection of 2013 room packages that include suites with spectacular harbor views and authentic culinary and cultural journeys through this vibrant city.
Guests may supplement their stays at The Upper House with any of the following city experiences:
Culinary Experience ($747)
- Dim Sum lunch at private members-only Kee Club for up to 2 guests (includes round trip Lexus transfer)
- A cooking class in a private kitchen located in one of Hong Kong’s most exciting neighborhoods (includes roundtrip Lexus transfer)
- Four-hour food tour to several of Hong Kong’s most interesting restaurants, including local cuisine samplings and a cultural tour of Sheung Wan and Hong Kong’s Central area
- Exclusive turn down amenity
Cultural Express ($386)
- Three-hour private sightseeing tour of Hong Kong Island, including customized routes of Hollywood Road art galleries, Man Mo Temple, Cat Street antique stalls and Causeway Bay fashion hub, Stanley Water Front and more
- Chinese Dim Sum lunch at award-winning Tea House (for up to 2 guests)
- Handpicked reading on Hong Kong’s culture
- Exclusive turn down amenity
Experience More ($126 per night) 
- Daily breakfast for two at Café Gray Deluxe
- Unlimited pressing service
- Champagne and selection of wines with light refreshments at The Sky Lounge or The Lawn, from 3-6 pm
Suite Ride
- Minimum two consecutive nights’ stay in a 1,230 sq. ft. harbor view Upper Suite at the Best Available Rate
- Welcome refreshment menu from Café Gray Deluxe
- Daily breakfast for two at Café Gray Deluxe
- Round-trip airport transfer via Lexus Hybrid RX450h
- Andre Fu-autographed Bespoke Journey book
Room rates at The Upper House begin at $580 for Studio 70 island view accommodations. The hotel is linked to the Admiralty MTR station,
Contact:
(+852) 3968 1111
[email protected]
www.upperhouse.com
Religious Pilgrimage Tours to Portugal
Premier Catholic pilgrimage provider Regina Tours has five 2013 departure dates for its new tour: Catholic and Cultural Portugal. Travelers enjoy a seven-night exploration of Portugal, including stays in Fatima, Lisbon and Oporto. Along the journey, travelers visit the fishing center of Setúbal; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Évora (notable for its Cathedral and Sacred Art Museum); and the historical city of Tomar, home of the 12th Century Castle 
and Convent of the Order of Christ. Portugal’s most sacred sites drive insight for visitors into country’s spiritual life and Catholic history, while simultaneously allowing them to experience Portugal’s architectural, artistic, musical and culinary treasures.
Catholic and Cultural Portugal is priced from $2,698 to $3198 per person, depending on the season. The price includes roundtrip airfare New York City, five nights of top class accommodations, and breakfast and dinner daily.
Contact:
(800) CATHOLIC
www.regina-tours.com
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