Stay and play in downtown LA

The Los Angeles Downtown Center Business Improvement District has launched its Holiday Vacation Campaign, “L.A. Holiday Stay-and-Play,” offering a wide range of hotel, dining and entertainment packages aimed at making winter holiday vacations easy and affordable.

Major hotels in Downtown Los Angeles have created attractive, holiday-themed travel packages for vacationers interested in making the most of their holiday dollars, while immersing themselves in the culture, entertainment and exclusive shopping opportunities available in Downtown L.A. 

The various room packages include a exclusive shopping tour in the Fashion District; gift cards at Macy’s, Grady G. Taylor Jewelry and the FIDM Museum Store; StarLine Tour bus passes; a personal training session; tickets to sporting and entertainment events; dining packages at the city’s best restaurants; spa treatments; free valet parking; in-town shuttle transportation; discounts on shopping and sight-seeing excursions and other services to make a visitor’s winter sojourn in Downtown the best holiday option for Californians.  

By saving travel time and the expense and hassle of air travel, Californians enjoying the holidays closer to home have more time to relax – and less of the usual holiday stress and anxiety – while enjoying world-class music and theater, museums and cultural centers, sports, and a tremendous range of restaurants, nightclubs and lounges. 

 “The holidays are such a great time to visit the heart of L.A. — Downtown Los Angeles — and discover the many gems this city holds,” says Carol E. Schatz, President & CEO, DCBID. “Whether it’s Pershing Square’s radiant ‘Downtown on Ice’, the Christmas trees at City Hall, the Music Center or the ‘Light of the Angels’ holiday celebration at L.A. Live, Downtown really comes alive this time of year.”

Marking the start of this festive season, below are several premier hotel packages that are ideal for travelers looking for outstanding holiday deals in Downtown L.A.:

 For more information, please visit www.downtownla.com.

Hilton Checkers

 “Private Shopping Tour in L.A. Fashion District” – Starting at $214

Stay at the Hilton Checkers Los Angeles and experience L.A.‘s fashion industry first-hand. Find the best buys for that perfect gift or to spice up your wardrobe. A knowledgeable personal shopping guide will escort guests to small boutiques and sample sales known only to locals and insiders. Snag the hot L.A. trends in apparel, all at near-wholesale prices.

 Package includes:

Deluxe Guestroom

  • Late Check Out Guarantee
  • Private Shopping Tour with Urban Shopping Adventure
  • Map Package of Downtown Los Angeles
  • Breakfast for Two
  • Free valet parking

Available Mondays through Saturdays. Not available on Christmas Day, or Dec. 26.

 The Los Angeles Athletic Club

“Bubbles and Baubles” – Starting at $249

Come see all that sparkles in Downtown L.A. After an exhilarating day of shopping for jewels, relax with a bottle of bubbly compliments of The Los Angeles Athletic Club. Starting at $249 / night for single or double occupancy.

Package includes:

  • Deluxe Room Accommodations
  • $100 gift certificate to Grady G. Taylor Jewelry Inc., private showroom across the street from Los Angeles Athletic Club, specializing in diamonds and fine jewelry
  • Complimentary American Buffet Breakfast and parking

Promotion code: STAYB

“Rest and Rejuvenate” – Starting at $229

Take a break from the holiday frenzy. Rejuvenate at The Los Angeles Athletic Club. Starting at $229 / night for single or double occupancy.

Package includes:

  • Deluxe Room Accommodations
  • One hour of Pilates or Personal Training session
  • Seasonal amenity and one luxurious Los Angeles Athletic Club Robe for guests to take home
  • Complimentary American Buffet Breakfast and complimentary parking.

Promotion code: STAYR.  Specials good through Dec. 30, 2008.

The Millennium Biltmore

“Silver Bells Package” – Starting at $219 for Classic rate / $269 for Club rate

Package includes:

  • Accommodations in one of the elegant Classic or Club Level* rooms
  • Valet parking
  • Daily breakfast buffet for two at Smeraldi’s Restaurant
  • $25 Macy’s gift card, valid at either of Downtown’s two large Macy’s stores

* Club Level rooms include additional in-room Club amenities such as turndown service, bottled water and cozy Biltmore bathrobes and slippers. Both packages subject to availability. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. One Macy’s gift card per package, while supplies last. Valid Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, 2008.

Omni Los Angeles

“Nimble Nutcracker Package” – Starting at $279

Rejoice this holiday season with the Nimble Nutcracker. This package is exclusively designed in celebration of The Nutcracker, presented by the world-renowned Kirov Ballet at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Package includes:

  • Deluxe accommodations
  • Valet parking
  • Roundtrip sedan transportation to the ballet
  • Ballet-themed amenities for children and adults  

Available Dec.17-20, 2008. Subject to Availability.  Terms and Conditions May Apply.

O Hotel

“Stay & Play Package” – Starting at $156-$168

One-night stay: $168

Two-night weekend stay: $156/night

Package includes:

  • Two-night weekend stay
  • $25 voucher for FIDM Museum Store
  • Choice of red or white wine
  • Complimentary valet parking
  • Opportunity for an upgrade to an exclusive Flower Room if available

Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown

“Concerts & Events Package” – Starting at $199

Whether attending a game at the Staples Center or a concert at the Nokia Theatre, visitors can stay at the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown. Guests can keep the fun going just a little longer and get into the groove with this package, starting at $199.

Package includes:

  • Breakfast for two
  • $15 iTunes gift card
  • Complimentary bar appetizer
  • Complimentary parking

The Standard

“MOCA Stay and Play Package” – Starting at $275

Package includes:

  • Overnight stay in Large Room for one night
  • Breakfast for two in the Restaurant, open 24/7
  • Two general admission tickets to Museum Of Contemporary Art
  • Complimentary parking

Available through Dec. 30, 2008, based upon availability. Package rate excludes tax; breakfast value up to $50 excludes tax, gratuity and alcohol. Package components have no cash value and may not be exchanged for cash. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, group, or previously booked reservation.

Stay Hotel

“Stay Package” – Starting at $239 per person

Package includes:

  • Accommodations for two nights
  • One-day StarLine Tours bus pass for a tour of Downtown L.A.
  • Fresh specialty brand cup of coffee
  • Daily parking

Wake up to a freshly-brewed cup of coffee at Marty, Stay’s new caf, and prepare for a fun-filled day of shopping and sightseeing. The hop-on, hop-off pass allows guests to stop on a whim, visit L.A. Live, the shopping district, or one of the many exciting art galleries in Downtown. The pass is also valid on other StarLine Tours hop-on, hop-off routes. Hotel reservations will be honored based on availability.  Special offer expires Dec. 31, 2008.

 Westin Bonaventure

“Renewing Holiday Spa Experience” – Starting at $269-$397

Enjoy an In-Room Spa Service by Westin as we create a renewing and relaxing experience.

Holiday In-Room Spa Service includes:

  • One bedroom suite
  • Your choice of: a sixty-minute full-body massage; a beautifying manicure & pedicure; or a one hour of healing energy work.
  • Breakfast
  • Valet parking
  • Single occupancy: $269/night
    Double occupancy: $397/night

Package is available through Dec. 30, 2008. Package is based on availability and is exclusive of occupancy tax and gratuities.

 Wilshire Grand


“Steak Dinner For Two” – Starting at $149-$169

 

$149 – Deluxe room

$169 – Executive level room, incl. deluxe continental breakfast in Executive Lounge

 

Package includes:

New York Steak Dinner for Two at Cardini Ristorante.*

 

Ask for an additional night and guests will receive a special rate of $99 Deluxe / $119 Executive and Grand Discount Coupons, including:

 

  • 10% discount for Breakfast at the City Grill Breakfast Buffet
  • 15% discount off all services at Salon Belleza spa
  • Free 10-minute Chair Massage at Salon Belleza Spa
  • 10% discount off all Guideline Sightseeing Tour Packages
  • $10 discount / day at Avis Car Rental
  • $10 discount off two flower arrangements at Basic Flowers
  • 20% discount at Nina Ricci Boutique for Men & Women
  • 10% discount at Travel Traders Gift Shop
  • 20% discount off LACMA & Beverly Hills Tours
  • 20% discount off LACMA Family Tour
  • 11% saving pass at Macy’s
  • 50% discount for various events in Los Angeles

 

* Inclusive Tax & Gratuity for Dinner/Alcohol not included

Desert Springs Marriott beckons

Until the end of this year, Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA offers rates starting at just $199/night, plus free breakfast and a $50 resort credit for each night of your stay.  The credit can be used at the award-winning restaurants, spa, or golf facilities.

A sprawling oasis in the Coachella Valley, the four-diamond property’s rooms include a private balcony in wings surrounded by swimming pools, lakes, verdant fairways, lush English gardens and manicured lawns.

Recreation facilities include two championship golf courses, an 18-hole putting course, 20 tennis courts, basketball courts, lawn croquet and biking.

Also on property, year-old Spa Desert Springs was named to Cond Nast Traveler magazine’s Hot List for luxurious details such as Turkish-inspired hammams, desert-inspired citrus scrubs, indoor and outdoor communal areas, programmable Desert Rain Showers and a decadent VIP suite staffed by a personal butler.

To add to the adventure, local Jeep-tour company Desert Adventures has exclusive access to a 1,000-acre parcel of land directly on the San Andreas Fault. Led by knowledgeable naturalists/guides, participants learn how tectonic forces created the slanted, wave-like structures, then hike through box and slot canyons to a breathtaking overlook of the entire Coachella Valley.

The three-hour trek also visits a natural palm oasis and touches on the area’s Cahuilla Indian history.  Until the end of this year, Desert Adventures is offering $20 off tour price in celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary.

Furnace Creek offers golf package

The Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort is again offering its popular “Stay & Play” golf package this fall and winter. The package is for two people and includes overnight accommodations at the Furnace Creek Inn or the Furnace Creek Ranch, unlimited golf for one day at the Furnace Creek Golf Course, golf cart and club storage.

 

The rate is $199 at the Ranch and $332 at the Inn through Dec. 18. Beginning Jan. 1 through Feb. 12, the rate begins at $204 at the Ranch and $338 at the Inn. And from Feb. 13 through Apr. 19, 2009, the package price begins at $262 at the Ranch and $438 at the Inn. Rates are for two people based on double occupancy and do not include taxes. Some blackout dates apply.

 

“We are able to keep the Furnace Creek Golf Course playable year-round by using state-of-the-art approaches to seeding, water conservation and course maintenance,” said Phil Dickinson, director of sales and marketing for the Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort and an avid Furnace Creek Golf Course player. “Winter is such a beautiful time here, and we have many guests who come just to get in as many rounds as they can. This is the perfect package for those travelers.”

 

At 214 feet below sea level, the Furnace Creek Golf Course is the lowest golf course in the world.  The 18-hole Furnace Creek Golf Course measures 6,236 yards from the back tees with a course rating of 69.7 and a slope rating of 117.

Although a relatively short course, the low elevation and challenging greens earned it a place on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 50 Toughest Courses.” Because the golf ball does not fly as far as it does at sea level and higher elevation courses, players must adjust their club selections as well as their mental approaches.

The course also features small greens, strategically placed Palm and Tamarisk trees and water on nine holes. Originally opened in 1931, the course underwent a major renovation in 1997 under the direction of world-renowned golf course architect Perry Dye.