Darling,

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was romance, so we must keep in touch more often. Please accept this Valentine from me – I have stuffed it full of lovely things like luxury hotels, insider Oscar buzz and exclusive Beverly Hills finds for Valentine’s Day.

Every couple of months you can look forward to hearing from me with the latest news, and don't forget, I love hearing from you.


Love, Beverly Hills xx

Photo courtesy of Raffles L'Ermitage

Academy Award excitement is in full swing around Beverly Hills! From the day the nominees are announced until the last late night reveler returns to his or her hotel suite, Beverly Hills is the place to be during Oscar season.

On January 31, the nominees for the 78th Academy Awards were announced at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences headquarters in Beverly Hills. Locals and visitors alike can take advantage of the special seminars and events hosted by the Academy, such as the “All Access at the Academy Awards” photograph exhibition on display in the Academy’s Grand Lobby Gallery now through Sunday, April 16. The exhibition features 120 stunning color photos from the last five Oscar ceremonies taken by photographer Art Streiber.

The recently remodeled Beverly Hilton, the annual site of The Golden Globe Awards, is also the scene for important pre-Oscar events. For the 25th year in a row, the hotel will host the annual Oscar Nominee Luncheon on February 13 in the International Ballroom. The luncheon, which has never been hosted by any other venue, will feature a menu including Crisp California Spring Salad, Sauteed Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sun Dried Tomato Ragout and Chilean Sea Bass with Papaya Maui Onion Salsa. On February 18, the first round of Academy Awards will be handed out at The Beverly Hilton when Rachel McAdams hosts the Scientific and Engineering Awards Dinner in the International Ballroom.

Raffles L’Ermitage, one of Beverly Hills’ five-star, five-diamond hotels, is a home away from home for some of the biggest stars. In the weeks leading up to the Academy Awards, the hotel offers celebrity guests an exclusive entrance – complete with red carpet – providing for total privacy and security. Allowing further privacy, Jaan, the hotel’s restaurant, offers a private room so that high-profile guests can enjoy a delicious, uninterrupted meal. For the big winners on Oscar night, Raffles L’Ermitage surprises those staying in the hotel with a very special gift – such as The Tiffany Mark watch – placed in their room along with champagne before they return from the ceremony.

At The Beverly Hills Hotel, Justin Timberlake will be among the hosts of the 4th Annual Night Before celebration on March 4, the day before the Oscars. The event will benefit the Motion Picture and Television Fund.

Photo courtesy of The Beverly Hilton

“Golden” would be the perfect word to describe The Beverly Hilton hotel. The historic property, coming fresh off its annual hosting duties for The Golden Globe Awards, is celebrating its golden anniversary. The landmark hotel is nearing completion of an $80 million renovation that features a transformed main lobby and bar area and newly remodeled guest rooms and suites. A brand new spa and fitness center and redesigned restaurants featuring exciting menu offerings will complete the renovation process.

The newly renovated and expanded Peninsula Spa at The Peninsula Beverly Hills is truly a “gem.” The $7 million project features a dazzling menu of new and exclusive Shiffa Precious Gem Treatments, featuring diamonds, emeralds and sapphires together with an opulent relaxation room, a couple’s treatment room with views of the rolling Hollywood Hills and revamped fitness and retail spaces.

The Regent Beverly Wilshire is the perfect place to people watch and name drop. Start with Chef Wolfgang Puck, who will open a new steakhouse in the famous hotel this year. Then add renowned architect Richard Meier, who has teamed with Puck to create a contemporary design for the new restaurant. If that’s not enough, imbibe in drinks at The Blvd, the Regent’s sophisticated restaurant, bar and outdoor dining experience.

Having purchased The Best Western Beverly Pavilion, The Thompson Hotel Group is overseeing a full redesign to transform the property into the Thompson Hotel Beverly Hills. Slated to finish in fall 2006, the 110-room property will feature interiors by Dodd Mitchell, a sleek restaurant and lounge, and a rooftop pool boasting stunning views of both Beverly and Hollywood Hills.

Photo courtesy of Le Palais des Thés

Sure to get the “mojo” going on this romantic day are K Sensual “Chocolates for Women Only!” available exclusively at K Chocolatier in Beverly Hills. Over the years, proprietor Diane Kron’s devoted clientele have included Jacqueline Kennedy, Estee Lauder and Henry Ford. Her signature K Sensuals, a combination of seven chocolate experiences, are designed to make every woman’s heart race and have developed an allegiance all their own.

If the sweet taste of chocolate doesn’t satisfy your special someone, perhaps the spice of tea will hit the spot. Tea lovers in the mood for romance can enjoy “Thé des Amants: The Tea of Lovers” at Le Palais des Thés on Valentine’s Day. The Paris-based tea emporium’s only United States location invites sweethearts to share a complimentary cup of this specialty blend on February 14 from 10 am to 6 pm at the store’s Canon Drive location in Beverly Hills. Limited edition canisters of “Thé des Amants” will be available for purchase.

• New Sunset Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel is on the horizon
  
• Renovated spa facility at The Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel will soon provide the ultimate in relaxation
  
• Rodeo Drive welcomes additional sparkle with a relocated Harry Winston Jewelers and new De Beers store, its only West Coast location

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