TRAVEL . . .

Arlington Tavern

Santa Barbara For The New Year

                              Open For New Year's Celebrations

Arlington Tavern brings the traditional tavern experience to modern day, in a contemporary atmosphere. The chef will serve his seasonal, farm fresh take on American Tavern classics, using the best local ingredients he can get his hands on. Signature dishes include AT Fried Chicken, Lamb Shank, Crispy Pork Belly, AT Burger made with Rancho San Julian Beef and crowd-favorite Mac & Cheese.

Partner Diego Barbieri takes craft beer and local wine seriously, recommending food and beverage pairings that take the meal to the next level. Cozy tables set amongst red leather booths, exposed brick walls and a buzzing open kitchen set the scene for modern comfort cuisine at its best. Patio seating aows guests to enjoy dinner and drinks outside all year long.

 Open daily for dinner 5pm- Close, happy hour 4-6 pm.
 See website for holiday menus:    www.arlingtontavern.com
 21 W. Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 805.770.2626.

Arlington Tavern Gift Cards Available

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VISIT IRELAND AND EXPERIENCE GAME OF THRONES

TOWER CLUB AT LEBUA USHERS IN 2015

WITH WORLD’S HIGHEST BALL DROP

Seven-Foot Ball Drop atop World’s Highest Alfresco Restaurant

Puts Bangkok on World Map of New Year’s Celebrations

On the 31st of December, The Bangkok Ball Drop at lebua once again put Thailand’s capital on the world map of New Year’s Eve celebrations as the 7-foot Bangkok Ball droped 49 feet from above Sirocco, the world’s highest alfresco restaurant. Able to be seen for more than a mile across the city, the ball was 872 feet in the air, making it the most visible icon in Bangkok. For the second consecutive year, the descent of the Bangkok Ball was the city’s first and most memorable sight of 2015 followed by an eye popping fireworks display.

In addition to enjoying the best view of Bangkok’s latest New Year’s Eve phenomenon, the guests at lebua’s four altitude-defying restaurants and bars – Sirocco, Mezzaluna, Breeze and Distil – were treated to redefined celebratory cuisine and a welcome reception of complimentary champagne with the visionary CEO of lebua Hotels & Resorts, Deepak Ohri.

Each of the restaurants and bars at Tower Club at lebua provided exclusive one-night-only New Year’s Eve menus. Chef Gonzalo Ruiz at Sirocco, lebua’s Mediterranean fine dining venue and the world's highest alfresco restaurant 63 stories up, and Chef Sam Pang at Breeze, the “new face of Asian dining,” offered eight course menus. At Mezzaluna, renowned German twin chefs Thomas and Mathias Sühring will served a special nine-course European set menu to the soothing strains of the classical quartet. lebua’s chic tribute to innovation and style, Distil presented an alternative venue for the celebrations. The bar, which has become known for elevating culinary mixology to a whole new level with new flavors, textures and visuals, offered an exceptional eight-course set menu with the same legendary skyline views plus a special guest DJ for the evening.

With its incomparable vantage points, record-breaking Ball Drop, and exceptional menus, New Year's Eve at Tower Club was the most desired seat in town. The cost of dinner at Sirocco wasTHB 21,999 (approximately $676 USD); THB 23,999 (approximately $738 USD) at Breeze; THB 25,999 (approximately $800 USD) at Mezzaluna; and THB 17,999 (approximately $553 USD) at Distil. Prices were per person and did not include tax and gratuity.  For more information, visit www.lebua.com or www.facebook.com/lebua, or follow @lebuahotels on Twitter

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HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Nestled within one acre of English gardens, The Simpson House Inn features 15 guest rooms, suites and cottages. Less than 1 mile from downtown and State Street shopping, it is conveniently located so you can enjoy the best of Santa Barbara. Rates include: gourmet breakfast; wine & hors d’oeuvres; bike and beach equipment rentals; and self parking. Haved stayed here many times and simply love it! BC

121 E. Arrellaga St.  Santa Barbara, CA

www.simpsonhouse.com

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 Redondo Beach Goes App With Its New Visit Redondo Mobile Concierge^TM

iPhone/Mobile Web App’s GPS technology answers visitors’ question, “I’m right here, what should I do next?”  

In a move that will provide visitors with a full spectrum of conveniences in choosing attractions, activities, shopping, dining, nearby and timely events, special offers and more in Redondo Beach, the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau – www.VisitRedondo.com -- has rolled out its free Mobile Concierge^TM for use on the iPhone and Google Android.  Everything that visitors could need or want is at their fingertips with the new app, ensuring seamless vacation and business travel planning, and instant access to interactive GPS maps, weather information, and other useful information.  

The Mobile Concierge^TM application can be downloaded for free by visitors from Apple’s iTunes Store or by pointing the mobile phone’s web browser to http://m.visitredondo.com. The system’s GPS capabilities turns the visitors device into a Mobile Concierge^TM making it easy to explore Redondo Beach where there’s More to Sea™. 

For users with mobile devices other than an iPhone and Android, VisitMobile includes a GPS mobile web application that uses the same search functionality as the smartphone application. It’s universally compatible and works for both international and domestic visitors. Visitors can also opt into an SMS alert service to receive specific in-destination content by texting to a specific short code, or by signing up on www.VisitRedondo.com 

About Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach offers More to Sea™ with surfing seaside cool; accommodations at Palos Verdes Inn, Redondo Beach , Best Western Redondo Beach Inn, Portofino Hotel & Marina, Redondo Inn & Suites, Seaside Motel, Redondo Pier Inn, Ramada, and Best Western Galleria; restaurants; shopping at South Bay Galleria and Riviera Village; visitor attractions, water sports, and beach recreation.  For information, contact the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau at (800) 282-0333, or visit www.VisitRedondo.com. Opening in 2014 are the Hilton Garden Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott, and in 2015, the Shade Hotel debuts.

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LE MERIDIEN DEBUTS IN THE BIG EASY WITH THE OPENING

OF LE MERIDIEN NEW ORLEANS

Newly Transformed Hotel Unveils $29 Million Renovation of Public Spaces, Restaurant and Bars, Guestrooms, and Expanded Meeting Space

 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today unveiled Le Méridien New Orleans, following a comprehensive $29 million transformation. The newly renovated hotel features 410 fully redesigned guestrooms, including 22 suites; three new food and beverage outlets, including a new destination restaurant; and the addition of 1,600 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.  

“Le Méridien is experiencing strong growth momentum in North America, and New Orleans has long been on our short list of dynamic U.S. cities that share in our brand passions for the arts, culture and cuisine,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien and Westin. “Le Méridien New Orleans will provide a unique experience for creative and curious minded travelers as we help them unlock the destination through locally influenced design, programming and food and beverage.”  

The renovation of Le Méridien New Orleans is taking place in two phases, with the first round completion including the full-scale renovation of all 410 guestrooms and respective corridors. Throughout the hotel, the design incorporates lines and grids inspired by the cartography and geography of New Orleans as seen from an aerial perspective. The design also features patterns and textures influenced by cultural and architectural elements, creating discovery moments for guests at every turn.  

Le Méridien New Orleans also features the signature Le Méridien Hub™, a social gathering place that further builds on the brand’s award-winning arrival experience, offering guests and locals a coffeehouse environment by day and a wine-inspired setting by night.  An essential element of Le Méridien Hub, Longitude 90 bar invites guests to sip on carefully brewed cups of illy® coffee by a Master Barista, engage over Le Méridien Sparkling cocktails and indulge in succulent éclairs. 

“Watching our hotel go through such a significant transition over the past few months has been an exciting journey,” said John Thompson, General Manager of Le Méridien New Orleans. “Today is an important day as we finally open our doors as Le Méridien. We look forward to helping our guests unlock this unique destination through a redefined, contemporary experience.”  

LMNO, the hotel’s new destination restaurant, is open for dinner service each evening, beginning tonight. With Executive Chef Mauricio Gutierrez at the helm, the restaurant offers New American fare infused with global flavours and a menu that provides a new perspective on local cuisine. The restaurant offers a dinner menu with select menu items available for lunch at Longitude 90. 

Renovations completed on the second floor include 1,600 square feet of new, flexible meeting for a total of 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space as well as the addition of a new breakfast restaurant, Marché. As part of Le Méridien signature breakfast, guests receive a fresh start each morning with complimentary Eye Opener shots. These shots combine unconventional ingredient pairings and local flavours to awaken taste buds.  

The final phase of the hotel transformation will include a redesigned front desk and porte-cochere valet entrance, the enhancement of existing meeting space and a landscaped palm garden that incorporates an art component and outdoor seating for guests and private events. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for March 2015. 

Centrally located on Poydras Street, Le Méridien New Orleans is adjacent to the Arts District and just a few blocks from the jazz clubs, restaurants and night clubs of the world-famous French Quarter. Nearby attractions include Harrah’s Casino, the Warehouse District, Contemporary Arts Center, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Outlet Collection at Riverwalk and the French Market.  

For more information, visit www.lemeridienneworleanshotel.com. Connect with Le Méridien New Orleans on social media through Facebook at www.facebook.com/lemeridiennola and on Twitter and Instagram @lemeridiennola.

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