Insider’s Los Angeles
February 6, 2009 By: Luxury Travel Advisor Luxury Travel Advisor  |
Los Angeles is a city
that’s constantly reinventing itself and one that encourages
travelers to embrace a little self reinvention of their own. Because
it’s the major transportation hub for the West Coast, meetings
attendees will find it easy to jet in from practically any corner of
the globe.
Getting Around
L.A. is a car culture
to the max, so groups will want to arrange transportation before they
arrive. Why not go green with a biodeisel bus from Econation Green
Limousine Service? The company is making a name for itself by
providing environmentally friendly luxury ground transportation and
limousine service with reservations around the clock. Green vehicles
from the company also include Town Cars that run on compressed
natural gas, as well as hybrid SUV's and sedans. To book, contact
Managing Partner Ben Bloch (877-326-6286).
Those seeking more
traditional high-end luxury will find it at Wilshire Limousine
Services (310-846-5147). The company has an elite fleet comprising Bentleys,
Rolls-Royces, Lincolns, Mercedes-Benzs, BMWs and Cadillacs.
Venues
The Kress
(323-785-5000) might be built upon the former Kress Department Store
(built in 1934 and listed on the National Register of Historic
Places), but the similarity ends there. This newly restored modern
multi-level venue on Hollywood Boulevard is the first of its kind in
Los Angeles. It’s a rare night in L.A. when it’s not a
comfortable and balmy temperature outdoors, and The Kress takes full
advantage of this with its rooftop lounge with cabanas providing
360-degree views of the Hollywood Hills and the brightly lit
cityscape. This is a full-service venue, with a restaurant,
nightclub, private dining room, in-house catering service, sushi bar
and LIVE entertainment. The maximum reception capacity is 350, while
the capacity for alfresco groups is 800.
A venue with broad
appeal for groups is the recently opened Sports Museum of Los
Angeles (888-540-8223), located in downtown L.A. The museum
has 30 galleries displaying more than 10,000 pieces of memorabilia
and collectibles dating back to the 19th century. The museum can host
small groups and even provides catered meals under an outdoor tent.
For private functions call 888-540-8223.
L.A. LIVE has taken the city by storm. The $2.5 billion
redevelopment project is considered one of the largest developments
in Los Angeles' history.
The Grammy Museum
recently opened in L.A. LIVE, which can host group events in its four
floors of interactive music exhibits. Next year will see the opening
of a new 54-story hotel tower at L.A. LIVE, making it even more
appealing for groups.
Restaurants & Nightlife
L.A. LIVE presents a
compelling mix of restaurants and nightclubs—including Jennifer
Lopez’s The Conga Room, already being hailed as L.A.’s
place to go for a Latin-tinged evening. L.A. LIVE also contains the
NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE, Club Nokia and the Lucky Strike Lanes, where
guests can bond on 18 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, including a
four-lane VIP area with surround sound. Restaurants at L.A. LIVE
include the pan-Asian Rock’N Fish, Lawry’s Carvery, The
Farm of Beverly Hills, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine
Bar, Yard House and ESPN Zone.
