Jetsettersblog

Tracing its nurturing roots back to 1886 when visionary investors dreamed of a sumptuous seaside sanctuary that would be the “talk of the western world,” Coronado was created for rejuvenation and indulgence.

Cradled between the calm waters of San Diego Bay and the refreshing seascape of the Pacific Ocean, this little slice of paradise is the perfect backdrop for rekindling the soul and pampering the body.

Today, the enchanted “island” of Coronado is home to three luxurious resort spas and several day spas, specializing in relaxing, invigorating and imaginative treatments.

RESORT SPAS

The historic Hotel del Coronado, located on the Pacific Ocean, was considered the premier vacation and health destination when it opened in 1888.

Victorians were drawn to the therapeutic qualities of the sea-swept breezes and beautiful, soul-satisfying aesthetics of its spectacular setting, and the Del still has the power today to restore the mind, body and spirit.

The Spa at The Del, featuring a décor of calming tones with Victorian accents, was named “one of the top 20 hotel spas in the world” by Travel + Leisure Magazine (2008).

This spacious sanctuary features 21 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy tubs, steam rooms and a spectacular private beachfront terrace with vanishing edge pool.

The spa’s signature line of ocean-inspired treatments includes the Shell Coronado Massage, Shell Coronado Facial, Island Sands Body Polish and Goddess of the Sea Body Wrap.

New offerings include a “That’s S’more” package, featuring a couples massage, followed by a private bonfire with s’mores and champagne on the beach; a “Get Lifted” facial using NuFace microcurrents to provide instant toning, and the “Celebration of Life” treatment, benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego, which helps boost circulation and release toxins from the lymphatic system.

Also available are yoga and meditation classes on the beach and the Yamaguchi Salon where celebrity hair stylist Billy Yamaguchi integrates the ancient philosophies of Feng Shui into modern hairdressing techniques. www.hoteldel.com/spa.aspx

Sea Spa at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, located on San Diego Bay, is an ocean-inspired retreat reflective of the resort’s picturesque waterfront setting.

Fifteen luxurious treatment areas include a couple’s suite, four private outdoor rooms, a Vichy rain shower and authentic Watsu pool.

Sea Spa offers a bounty of blissful services like seaweed wraps, sea-salt scrubs, massage therapy and specialized services for men, teens and couples.

Signature treatments include the “Wisdom of the Waves,” featuring a relaxing Lomi-Lomi style of Hawaiian massage, nourishing body scrub, body wrap, floral facial and scalp massage; the “Voga Voyage” couple’s massage performed aboard a Venetian gondola gliding through the canals of the Coronado Cays, followed by champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, and the “Watsu Flotation,” a shiatsu massage performed in water.

Additional amenities include a full-service Aveda beauty salon, exercise and art classes, sauna and steam rooms, fitness center, tranquil relaxation lounge, Jacuzzi and lush spa garden. www.loewshotels.com/coronadobay

Spa Coronado at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa is a sanctuary of calm on San Diego Bay, featuring six elegantly appointed spa treatment rooms, a heated 75-foot lap pool, men’s and women’s dry saunas and fitness center.

Guests can reenergize and renew with a variety of pampering massages, facials, body scrubs and therapies. Signature treatments include a Hot Stone Therapy Massage, Sea Side Salt Scrub, Papaya Soufflé Body Wrap, Island Detox Mud Wrap and Saving Face Hydrating Facial, plus specialized services like an in-room couples massage and Gentlemen’s Facial.

Special spa packages include a “Day at the Beach,” featuring a choice of body scrub or body wrap, Coronado Custom Massage, Coronado Custom Facial and Ultimate Pedicure, followed by lunch at the spa, and the “Relaxation by the Bay,” featuring a Coronado Custom Massage and Facial. www.coronadoresortmarriott.com

DAY SPAS

Coronado Bliss – An Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa, located at 930 Orange Ave., offers customized facials like the Elemental Nature Facial, Botanical Skin Resurfacing Facial and Green Science Skin Renewing Facial, and beauty treatments like manicures, pedicures, waxing and make-up application. www.coronadobliss.com

Coronado Beauty Salon & Spa, located at 1010 C St., offers reflexology and many varieties of massages like deep tissue and Swedish, seven specialized facials, including purifying, calming and one for teens, and beauty treatments like waxing and make-up application. www.coronadobeautysalon.com

Domani Salon of Beauty and Wellness, located at 1010 Park Pl., is the largest salon in Coronado, featuring skin and body care, manicures and pedicures. www.domanisaloncoronado.com

Mariann’s Salon of Beauty, located at 1330 Orange Ave., Suite 240, offers facials, massages, skin treatments, chemical peels, waxing, laser skin rejuvenation, permanent cosmetics and more in a serene setting. www.MariannsSkinCare.com

Orchid Day Spa, located at 1033 B Ave., Suite 104, offers a menu of massages, including deep tissue, Swedish and shiatsu, along with oatmeal mask facials, orchid body scrubs and a foot reflexology spa. Its VIP Package includes a body massage, orchid body scrub, table shower and body shampoo. www.orchiddayspacoronado.com

Spa Nicos, located at 801 Orange Ave., Suite 206, offers a variety of spa services, including massage therapy, facials, diamond tip microdermabration and waxing. www.spanicos.com

La Petite Comfort Day Spa, located at 1309 Ynez Pl., offers facials, massages and make-up application.

Sanctuary Salon & Spa, located at 874 Orange Ave., offers massages and skin care.

Happy happens in Coronado. For more information on Coronado and San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Web site, www.sandiego.org  and www.sandiego.org/coronado  or call (619) 236-1212.

In San Diego, visit the International Visitor Information Center, located along the Embarcadero at the corner of West Broadway and Harbor Drive in downtown; the La Jolla Visitor Center, located at the corner of Herschel Ave. and Prospect Street in La Jolla; or the California Welcome Center, located at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine.

Kingsbarns Golf Links is looking forward to its second decade in operation after a successful 10th anniversary season in 2010.

Having celebrated the anniversary last year by staging qualifying for the Open Championship the highly rated links in the East Neuk of Fife saw more than 27,000 rounds played throughout the season.

The main focus of the green keeping team, led by Course Manager Innes Knight, was to continue improvements to all playing surfaces.

In 2010, with the help of ‘state of the art’ fairway cutting machinery and the addition of an extra patching team, the maintenance team were able to work ahead of daily play unnoticed. This winter’s maintenance included work to augment the existing fairway drainage system by improving certain areas which have been affected in the past by torrential downpours.

Maintenance has also included work such as bunker revetting, tee and walkway alterations and coastal defence improvements.

The green keeping team work closely with the Sports Turf Research Institute, the leading independent turf care body, to monitor the quality of the greens.

The STRI uses highly advanced turf quality measuring equipment on the playing surfaces to help Innes and his team consistently achieve traditional links conditions and true running surfaces.

www.kingsbarns.com

Kingsbarns Golf Links

Located just seven miles south-east of the Home of Golf at St Andrews Kingsbarns is a must-play seaside links course which regularly features in top 100 golf courses rankings in the world. Designed by Kyle Phillips, the golf course opened in 2000 and is set on land which gently slopes down towards the coastline, so nearly every hole boasts spectacular views of the sea.

At 7,181 yards from the championship tees, Kingsbarns is a formidable enough test to be included in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship rota each autumn alongside the Old Course at St Andrews and Carnoustie Golf Links.

Kingsbarns prides itself in excellent customer service and great accessibility for tee times. Visitors are treated as members for the day and enjoy assistance from the moment they step out of their car until they leave.

For more information please visit www.kingsbarns.com  or call +44 (0)1334 460860. Follow the latest happenings on and off the course at Kingsbarns on Facebook and Twitter.

“The course performed very well in 2010,” said Innes. “The Final Qualifying for the Open in June and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the beginning of October were our biggest events of the year and we received very favourable feedback from both tournaments.

“We have been very busy over the last few months working hard to lay the foundations for a successful start to the 2011 season.”

Improvements have also been made to the facilities for golfers including the upstairs locker room, 1st tee starters hut and to the half-way house.

The half-way house has undergone a makeover and will continue to sell a selection of chilled beers, hot or cold drinks and snacks, along with its world famous hotdogs.

The green fee at Kingsbarns for next season is £185 with a 50% discount for golfers playing a second round within seven days.

STARTING APRIL 1

M Resort Spa Casino and Rock ‘n Roll Wine partner to create an approachable and interactive wine experience

LAS VEGAS – Unorthodox wine pairings, interactive wine showdowns and live music all collide starting Friday, April 1 inside the award-winning Hostile Grape wine bar as the M Resort Spa Casino and its newest partner Rock ‘n Roll Wine introduce the Rock ‘n Roll Wine Tasting Room & Sound Bar.

Held weekly, starting at 5 pm, the Rock ‘n Roll Wine Tasting Room & Sound Bar will combine elements of a traditional wine country tasting with Rock ‘n Roll Wine’s signature brand of musically-themed wine pairings, first class live entertainment, and personable customer service. Each week guests can expect a unique selection of delicious wines, featured wineries, and an entertaining, energetic atmosphere.

Beginning at 9:30 pm each Friday, Rock ‘n Roll Wine will introduce up and coming breakthrough bands and musicians from around the country to perform semi-acoustic and acoustic concerts that evening.

“The Rock ‘n Roll Wine Tasting Room & Sound Bar is about more than just a glass of wine. It’s about a wine experience,” said Chris Hammond, Founder, Rock ‘n Roll Wine.

“It’s a blend of delicious wine, amazing live music, and unparalleled hospitality in an exceptional award-winning setting. Whether you stay for one hour or six, our goal is to treat you to an experience like none other.”

In addition to the wine country style tastings, Rock ‘n Roll will also bring their trademarked style of wine pairing to the underground wine bar.

The group will take a section of the wine dispensing Enomatic machines and custom-match selected wines to a musical genre based on each wine’s unique characteristics. Musical genres will include Reggae, R&B, Indie/Alternative, Top 40/Pop, 80’s Hair Band, Hippie, Classic Rock and Hip Hop.

“The concept of musically-themed wine pairings is something we trademarked years ago.

Whether you’re new to wine or have an exquisite palette, our signature brand of wine tasting will peak your curiosity and challenge you to think about each wine’s unique blend of flavors and decide for yourself what type of music pairs well,” said Sonny Barton, Co-Founder of Rock ‘n Roll Wine.

To add an interactive component to the evening Rock ‘n Roll Wine will invite guests to participate in its Weekly Wine Showdown. Each week two wine flights will be offered for guests to purchase and vote on. Voting will be conducted via text messaging. Participating guests will receive bounce back drink and dining specials.

Votes will be displayed on televisions positioned around the venue that will also stream a real-time Twitter feed of favorite wines and social conversation.

“The entire program that Rock ‘n Roll Wine has put together for the Hostile Grape is something we believe in and know will appeal to a variety of people,” said Jody Lake, General Manager, M Resort. “We’ve worked with Chris and Sonny on a number of outdoor events throughout the years and know they have a proven track record of success. We are excited to build our relationship with them and introduce an experience like none other in the city.”

The Rock ‘n Roll Wine Tasting Room & Sound Bar will open this Friday, April 1 and will return each Friday thereafter. On April 1, guests are invited to taste and explore featured wines from Rock ‘n Roll Wine including the debut of their highly-anticipated new white wine, Rhapsody.

The Weekly Wine Showdown will feature Reggae Wines vs. Hippie Wines and at 9:30 pm guests will be treated to a live performance by breakthrough artist Jared Lee. Lee was named an “Artist to Watch” by Clear Channel and his singles “It’s Over (Goodbye)” and “Beautiful World” have recently been featured on this season of American Idol.

Rock ‘n Roll Wine Tasting Room & Sound Bar
April 1 Line-Up

Featured Winery: Rock ‘n Roll Wine
Weekly Wine Showdown featuring Reggae Wines vs. Hippie Wines
Live Musical Performance at 9:30pm with Jared Lee
No Cover Charge/Concerts are free
21+ Only

ABOUT ROCK ‘N ROLL WINE

Founded by Sommelier Chris Hammond and business partner Sonny Barton, Rock ‘n Roll Wine is a wine events, marketing and promotions company dedicated to revolutionizing the way people approach, perceive, and enjoy wine.

Rock ‘n Roll Wine produces their signature high-energy wine tasting events in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Ann Arbor in addition to making their own line of award-winning wines.

They believe the wine experience is just as important as the quality of the wine. Combining the right atmosphere, with the right music, and the right people is when “the juice” truly shines. For more information, visit www.rocknrollwine.com.

ABOUT M RESORT SPA CASINO

M Resort Spa Casino is located on over 90 acres at 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. S. on the southeast corner of St. Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Boulevard. Situated higher in elevation than other resort-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, the M Resort provides optimal views of the world-famous Las Vegas skyline from its guest rooms, suites, conference center and restaurants.

The resort offers 390 guest rooms and suites, over 92,000 square feet of gaming, seven restaurants and five destination bars, more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center and a 100,000 square foot events piazza. For more information, visit www.theMresort.com

Find us on Facebook – M Resort Spa Casino. Follow @MResort on Twitter. Read our M Point of View Blog. Read the Jetsetters Magazine feature about MResort.

The Army Mountaineering Association commenced in October 2010. The team travelled to India with the aim to conduct exploratory mountaineering in the Himachal Pradesh region and sumit several unexplored peaks.

For the past 53 years the AMA (Army Mountaineering Association) has been responsible for sending mountaineers all over the World, following a military mountaineering tradition that can be traced back to the 19th Century.

Recently an 11 strong expedition called TIGER KARAKORAM continued this custom.

The AMA expedition commenced in October 2010 when the team travelled to India – their aim was to conduct exploratory mountaineering in the Himachal Pradesh region and sumit several unexplored peaks. Major Matt Hing, the expedition leader stated ‘The Himachal Pradesh area of northern India offers a vast amount of mountaineering opportunities. There are tens if not hundreds of unclimbed peaks and unexplored glaciers that would all make excellent mountaineering expeditions.

This is a fantastic area’. In preparation for the expedition and to minimize the teams impact on the surrounding environment and terrain, which is an ethic the team try to abide by at all times, the intention was that they would be equipped and prepared to climb ‘alpine style’ throughout.

This style of climbing requires the mountaineer to move light and fast and being the Himalaya’s, it also requires competency, confidence and mental commitment.

Due to this expedition being the first trip for many of the team, both to the Himalaya’s and at this level of altitude, the training and selection process was intense – ensuring that they developed the physical skills to deal with the mountaineering challenges and the mental skills required to deal with the other challenges likely to face them during the ascent.

Unfortunately as they say with the best laid plans, the expedition did hit some stumbling blocks and constant adjustments were needed to meet the ever changing circumstances, such as the unexpected and un-seasonal snow storms together with the expeditions ill equipped porters, both of which gave rise to additional challenges for the team.

Notwithstanding this, 3 members of the expedition made a first-ascent of Peak 5900 and named the peak, ‘Sher Khan’ early in the campaign. However, not all ascents were quite so successful, as demonstrated by an attempt on an unclimbed 6030m peak.

One of the climbing teams was forced to turn back at 5922m when they encountered increasingly technical terrain and an unexpected snow storm. The unseasonal storm deposited a foot of snow over the area making the climbing conditions too dangerous for the team to continue and another storm was also forecast, which raised concerns over the team being trapped at Base Camp, consequently they moved south to a different climbing area where the expedition successfully climbed a 5928m high peak and named it ‘Hanuman Tibba’.

In summarising the expedition and his personal experience, Sergeant Mark Dowland said that, ‘As a developing mountaineer this Expedition was an invaluable experience and insight into the world of high-altitude mountaineering. As soldiers we are taught to prepare for the unexpected, but exploratory mountaineering provided us all with extreme physical and mental challenges. It definitely pushed all of the Expedition members beyond their comfort zones’.

During the duration of the TIGER KARAKORAM expedition, the team experienced extremely harsh conditions, such as living at 4600m+, the unseasonal weather and temperatures dropping to minus 13 degrees C in the team’s tent at night.

All of these challenges combined to test the members both mentally and physically and to ensure success dynamic risk assessments were required along with strong leadership skills and teamwork.

Equipment was a fundamental part of the planning process and key to the Expeditions success was a robust communications plan.

This enabled the team to remain in constant contact during the expedition and also provided them with a failsafe in the event of an emergency.

In addition to this an Indian based company called RIMO Expeditions provided support and this proved successful due to both the added security it gave the team and allowing the expedition to support an Indian based company ensuring that any fees paid would benefit the local economy.

The expeditions’ communications plan utilised many pieces of equipment designed specifically for use in rugged terrain and harsh environments.

This equipment was supplied by Blazepoint and included BGAN Satellite Antenna’s in conjunction with Blazepoint’s ndura RUGGED laptop, which facilitated the team having access to the internet allowing them access to e-mail, blogs and weather updates.

Thales UK gave free air time allowing the antenna’s to provide outstanding performance to the team and it is hoped that given the experiences of this latest expedition, all future camp sites or base camps will undergo a communications recce to fully establish whether the antenna can ‘hit’ the satellites in a geo-stationary orbit over the equator.

The expedition leader Major Matt Hing said that “The rugged laptops provided by Blazepoint, sustained plenty of knocks and unavoidable ill-treatment during transit and on the mountain. The laptops handled the trauma with ease.

They continued to perform to an optimal level in temperatures as low as -20°C for over 5 weeks, providing a quality service for internet access, word processing and information exchange.

Exercise TIGER KARAKORAM chose this particular rugged laptop brand, based on robustness, endurance and the ability to perform in an arduous environment, they did not disappoint.”

Blazepoint specialise in rugged technology, such as the rugged laptops used in these mountains.

For more information visit Blazepoint at http://www.blazepoint.co.uk

Las Vegas, Nev. – The Venetian Resort – Hotel – Casino and The Palazzo Las Vegas® have rolled out two new mobile web sites to enhance the guest experience.

The mobile sites provide users with useful information including hours of operation, contact information and click-to-call abilities to make dining, suite or entertainment reservations.

“We are excited to provide our guests a unique way to experience the opulence of two of Las Vegas’ most luxurious resorts in the palm of their hand,” said John Celona, corporate executive director of eCommerce of The Venetian and The Palazzo. “The new mobile sites allow our guests access to instant information by the click of a button.”

The Venetian and The Palazzo have partnered with long-time e-mail partner, CheetahMail, an entity of Experian Marketing Services, and iLoop Mobile, the industry’s leading mobile platform provider, to create this innovative mobile experience. The mobile sites, which givers users a first-hand glance into the luxury amenities of the resorts, were carefully designed for optimization across a wide variety of handsets.

Along with the mobile sites, The Venetian and The Palazzo are developing mobile texting (SMS) initiatives as part of a multi-faceted mobile strategy.

The SMS opt-in group will provide ongoing touch point with customers to offer information and promotions accessible anytime, anywhere.

With the new mobile websites, the resorts now offer an optimized experience to view a full website on any Internet enabled mobile device. With a clean and polished mobile site design, the site offers an easy to use interface to explore The Venetian and The Palazzo’s Grazie rewards programs, suite accommodations, entertainment venues and dining options.

Early Risers Reap Restorative Rewards With Discounts On All 9am Massage Appointments

WHISTLER, BC– Spring has arrived and Scandinave Spa Whistler is offering an enticing discount to early risers this season.

Guests who start the day with a 9am appointment for Swedish massage can take advantage of the Scandinave Spa Whistler’s $99 Early Bird Special that includes unlimited access to the outdoor spa on the day of appointment.

“What better way to greet the day than with the rejuvenating effect of massage and hydrotherapy in the heart of wilderness?” says Annique Aird, General Manager at Scandinave Spa Whistler. “Our early rising guests can embrace the day with serenity, and feel refreshed and relaxed after a 9am massage and spa experience.”

The Scandinave Spa Whistler has Early Bird Special rates for all massage treatments booked for 9am through the months of April, May and June 2011. Learn more about each package and access booking information at www.scandinave.com  or by calling 604-935-2424 or 1-888-935-2423.

Scandinave Spa Whistler Early Bird Special Massage & Bath Rates

• Swedish – 60 minutes – $99
• Deep Tissue – 60 minutes – $110
• Sports – 60 minutes – $110
• Swedish – 90 minutes – $150
• Hot Stone – 60 minutes – $160
• Thai – 60 minutes – $160

While the massage has to be booked for 9am, Scandinave Spa Whistler guests are welcome to enjoy the spa facilities for as long as they want on the day of their treatment.

The health bistro, catered by the award-winning Bearfoot Bistro, beckons with fresh fruit smoothies, hot homemade soups and stews, and a variety of fresh baked snacks in a sunny setting overlooking the outdoor baths.

Guests are welcome to have a bite and lounge over steaming cups of tea before heading back outside to the sprawling spa spread over three acres.

The Scandinave Spa overlooks Whistler’s incredible landscape, offering the experience of hydrotherapy in the heart of nature.

This year-round activity cleanses the body and skin while improving blood circulation and physical conditioning and producing the effect of increased wellness and intense relaxation.

Occurring in three stages, just a few hours are required to fully enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy. In sequence, the body is first heated in the Eucalyptus steam bath, hot baths or wood burning Finnish sauna.

Then, the body is cooled quickly in the Nordic waterfalls, cold baths or shower.

Finally, relaxation takes place in the serenity of solariums, terraces or by the outdoor fireplaces.

And for the ultimate relaxation, combine a Swedish, Thai-Yoga, Deep Tissue, Sports or Hot Stone massage with the baths.

About Scandinave Spa

Scandinave Spa is a group specializing in the conceptualization, design and management of hydrotherapy spas.

Scandinavian-style spas provide an authentic spa experience in natural and urban environments.

The group’s portfolio currently includes four spas.

One in Mont-Tremblant, PQ, which was recently voted one of top 12 Best eco-spas in the world by Organic Spa Magazine, one urban spa in Old Montreal, PQ, proud recipient of interior design awards, one franchised spa at Blue Mountain, ON, named one of top 50 spas in America according to Spas of America and now their fourth in Whistler, BC named one of top 100 spas in America by Spas of America and the best spa in Whistler by Pique Newsmagazine.

$50 resort credit increases savings even more!

The Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa on Mission Bay is offering special savings on summer getaways.

Guests who stay at the resort between June 17 and September 30, 2011 for a minimum of two nights can receive a discount of 30% off their stay and a $50 resort credit.

To be eligible for the savings, guests must make their reservations between now and April 30, 2011 for an arrival on Sunday through Wednesday. Reservations must be prepaid and are non-refundable.

For information and reservations, call 877-313-6645 or visit www.sandiegohilton.com

ABOUT THE HILTON SAN DIEGO RESORT & SPA

Not considered a typical “Hilton” property, the 357-room, award-winning Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa is nestled on 18 lushly landscaped acres and is one of only three destination resort spas on famed Mission Bay.

The resort features its signature Acqua restaurant overlooking the bay and pool, the hip Olive Lounge, Aroma coffee bar and Fresco’s, the popular poolside bar and grill.

In addition, the property boasts 25,200 square feet of meeting and event space, a multitude of outdoor banquet venues, its own private dock with an array of water sports and recreational activities, a full service spa and fitness center, and five championship tennis courts.

The property is located within minutes of San Diego’s most popular parks and attractions. The Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa is located at 1775 E. Mission Bay, San Diego, California, 92109.

For further information or reservations, call (619) 276-4010 or visit www.sandiegohilton.com

June marks the 100th anniversary of the three oldest remaining theaters in LA’s Broadway Historic Theatre District — and the 25th anniversary of the Los Angeles Conservancy’s “Last Remaining Seats” vintage movie screenings.

In recognition of both these milestones, a month-long “Bringing Back Broadway Centennial Summer Celebration” is planned throughout June. Although still in the planning phase, expected activities include a film festival, art displays, live theatre performances and tours.

The historic theaters being honored are the Arcade Theatre (originally The Pantages), which opened in September 1910;

the Cameo Theatre, opened in October 1910;

and the Palace Theatre (originally the Orpheum), opened in June 1911.

In all, the Broadway Corridor is home to 12 historic theaters (most from the 1920s and 30s) and boasts the largest concentration of historic theaters and movie palaces in the nation.

Many of the theatres screen vintage movies during the annual Last Remaining Seats program and are popular for Hollywood movie shoots, live performances and special events.

The 2011 AAA Diamond ratings are out — and Los Angeles County has the most AAA Five Diamond hotels on the West Coast. Visitors have a choice of six best-of-the-best hotels. The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey overlooks the yachts in the Marina del Rey harbor and features 304 rooms including exclusive Ritz-Carlton Club Level rooms and LA’s only waterfront pool.

The quietly elegant Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has 285 rooms including two presidential suites and a spa and pool. The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers a sumptuous Renaissance style, with 193 rooms including 16 garden villa suites, LA’s only Five Diamond restaurant: The Belvedere, and a roof garden spa.

For contemporary sophistication, the L’ Ermitage Beverly Hills Hotel has a 1,600-square-foot rooftop pool terrace with a panoramic city view and a 4,400-square-foot presidential suite.

Timeless Hollywood glamour defines the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, which has 210 rooms including 23 bungalows and is adding two new 5,500-square-foot presidential bungalows this year.

The Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village offers Euro chic with a purpose including a spa with 28 treatment rooms and four treatment suites designed for groups; the on-site California Health & Longevity Institute, with group cooking classes and therapies; and 270 rooms and suites.

The 175h annual Los Angeles Film Festival, organized by Film Independent is set for June 16-26 in Downtown Los Angeles, a burgeoning independent arts community.

Over the past 16 years, the Los Angeles Film Festival has grown from a one-theater event, with 5,700 attendees, to a multi-location program that attracts some 92,000 attendees. The festival will present its screenings and events throughout L.A., with the Festival Village centered at L.A. LIVE.

Screening and event venues including Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, REDCAT, the GRAMMY Museum, the Downtown Independent, Orpheum Theatre, 7+Fig at Ernst & Young Plaza, and California Plaza.

The festival also continues the tradition of nighttime screenings at the outdoor John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood, which it started in 2006. The festival screens more than 200 narrative, documentary, short form, and international features to a diverse audience.

Special events include VIP galas, celebrity-studded premieres, a variety of panels, educational seminars, live music performances and free outdoor screenings.

Other L.A. film festivals include the Hollywood Black Film Festival, which is a showcase for the work of Black filmmakers; OUTFEST,

The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the largest film festival in Southern California and the region’s largest gay and lesbian arts event, featuring more than 200 films, nine venues, and attendance of more than 40,000 people;

Docuweek, an annual showcase of the year’s most promising documentary films and the event which qualifies documentaries for consideration for the Academy Awards; Downtown Film Festival — LA, one of the newest film festivals in town, this series of Hollywood, independent, and classic films, lectures, panel discussions, exhibits, and parties, all celebrate Downtown L.A.’s renaissance.