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Le Merigot A JW Marriiott Beach Hotel and Spa
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Restaurants and shops, hiking and biking paths, historic buildings and modern architecture are all within walking distance of Le Merigot. Over the last few years, the 3rd Street Promenade, a multi-block pedestrian mall lined with stores and eating places and festooned with street artists and vendors has become a very popular gathering place.
The suites and rooms at Le Merigot have been designed with an eye towards distinctive style and ultra-comfort. Informal, yet elegant, room furnishings combine their exclusive "Cloud Nine Beds" T, dressed in Frette Linen, down duvets and feather pillows with plush, oversized upholstered chairs, couches and marble baths. Deluxe accommodations, boast spectacular views of the ocean and feature large patios overlooking the Hotel's Spa terrace and the aqua blue Pacific. All rooms are equipped with 25-inch television with in-room movies, mini bar, three telephones with two lines, high speed internet access, data ports for computer modems, voice mail service, terrycloth robes and slippers, and evening turn-down service. Suites provide the ultimate in luxury with double-sized patios, spacious sitting areas and stunning views of the beach and ocean. Rooms are sold primarily according to the views they offer. They do extend corporate rates, please call their reservations department for additional information!
Pet Sitting is available so that you might enjoy the following:
The Spa provides an unparalleled atmosphere of luxuriant beauty, peaceful tranquility and privacy; essential elements to creating peace of mind. The finest aromatherapy essences greet guests as they enter. Tranquil and serene music relax your mind and spirit. Only the finest natural products and botanicals are used in their restorative treatments.
Guests can exercise and relieve stress in an ambiance which contributes to an outstanding sensory experience, while receiving the ultimate in quality service and unmatched gracious hospitality.
Spa services and treatments include Massage, Body Treatments, Skin Care, Hand and Foot Care, Personal Training, and complete Spa Packages.
Le Merigot A JW Marriiott Beach Hotel and Spa
1740 Ocean Avenue · Santa Monica · CA · 90401
310.395.9700 888-539-7899
http://www.lemerigothotel.com/
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Concierge Dick West phoned our mom and asked her if she would be needing any dinner reservations. Hold up, did he mention food already? This was starting out to be a grand adventure indeed. My tummy clock is always ticking so I counted the days until we hopped into the van, destination Le Merigot, Santa Monica California.
Being the Directors of Barketing, Zoey and I are often recognized on our travels by puparazzi however, never have we received such star treatment as we were about to experience at Le Merigot.
In the timeless tradition of the very finest hotels of France's Cote D'Azur, Le Merigot blends European elegance with the vibrant lifestyle of Southern California. Located at the beach in the city of Santa Monica, Le Merigot offers its guests luxurious accommodations combined with a full-service, European-style spa and superb cuisine.
Our car pulled up to greetings from the valet and parking manager, Edgar Garcia. Not only did he know our parents names but asked which one of us was Zoey and which one of us was Mattie. 4-paws up already for that one. Edgar showed us a secret garden, gated on the side of the hotel and told us we could use it whenever we wanted. We liked Edgar. He has a German Shepard at home. Upon entering the hotel, I nudged my nervous sister Zoey to calm herself. Although elegant by any standard, I sensed a casual elegance and assured Zoey that a good time was about to begin.
Sig Ortloff, General Manager of the hotel greeted us as well as Stephanie Thomas, director of marketing. Sig brings his yellow lab, Meg to work on Saturday's and Stephanie has a Jack Russell at home. We were definitely in dog loving company.
Our bags were whisked away as we headed toward the elevator to the sixth floor. Waiting in our room were two Pet Amenity Care Packages including a water bottle, bowl, and a Frisbee in a carrying-case PLUS a bag of Liver Biscotti. Feet don't fail me now. Our treat was all a part of the hotel's Club Meg program. Club Meg, is a luxury pet program for the pampered pooch. The program is named in honor of Le Merigot's resident canine, Meg Ortloff, the four-legged child of the property's General Manager Sig Ortloff. Meg is an eight-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever with a nose for luxury. With her feedback, Le Merigot has put together a program that allows cats and dogs to travel in style.
Pet parents are encouraged to bring their four-legged children to the property to experience Le Merigot's extensive pet program. Unlike most luxury properties, which also allow pets, Le Merigot does not impose restrictions on pets based on their size and weight, and pets are allowed into all of the hotel's guestrooms.
Club Meg features a myriad of amenities and services, including:
- Diverse Pet Menu - Features a variety of treats and food choices for dogs and cats, including many options for pets with special dietary needs. Entrees such as Barkley's Beef & Rice Bowl for dogs and cats with long-grain rice, chunky, tender roast beef, carrots and brown gravy, are available, as well as traditional wet and dry pet food from a variety of leading brands. Treats such as Nature's Recipe healthy snacks, which feature crunchy, savory, biscuit-like shells wrapped around smooth and creamy gel centers enriched with nutrients to target specific dietary needs, are sure to please the most discerning palate.
We started to nose through our pet packages but were sidetracked to the open patio. Yeowzah! That ocean breeze was knocking us out! With our noses up in the air we were taking it all in. Our beautiful patio had a view of the Santa Monica pier and our parents wasted little time in claiming lounge chairs for themselves to soak up the mid-day sun. Zoey and I stretched out on the cool tile and took a short, dare I say, 'cat-nap' before heading out to explore.
Taking the elevator back down, we visited the secret garden and then took the short stroll to the beach. Lot's of activity going on, people and their dogs running, rollerblading, and bicycling. But we were about to have a run-in with the law. Unbeknownst to us, this wonderful beach was off-limits to dogs, leashed or otherwise. But as they say, ignorance is bliss so we all strolled along the shore until the petstoppo pulled up in his lifeguard mobile. Oh well, we tucked our tails between our legs and turned to meander back to the sanctity of the sidewalk (but not before my mom took a few photographs!).
Out on the pier, it was thrilling to walk past the carousel and rides that have been there forever. Designed and built in 1916 by Charles I.D. Looff, and faithfully restored in 1981 through 1984, The Looff Hippodrome carousel building is listed as a National Historic Landmark.Its Byzantine-Moorish California style, and its setting overlooking the beautiful California coastline and ocean, attracts celebrities and tourists from all over the world, as well as children from everywhere.
The present carousel has been owned since 1977 by the City of Santa Monica and is a reminder of those golden times in California. Motion picture directors, TV writers, fashion photographers, painters and the public have been bewitched by it for three generations. Paul Newman and Robert Redford perpetrated their "sting" at the carousel. The Santa Monica Pier is open 365 days a year. Admission is free. Parking is available on both the Pier Deck and the Beachfront nearby. Limited short-term parking is also available. For more information call (310) 458-8900.-City of Santa Monica
Heading back to our luxurious digs, it was time to get ready for dinner! We were pretty excited as we had heard about the pet menu and that we were allowed to dine on the patio of the restaurant with our parents. Cézanne, Le Merigot's acclaimed restaurant, is a feast for all the senses. With menus inspired by local Farmer's Markets fresh, seasonal ingredients, and with world-class professional table service in the European tradition, Cézanne provides an exceptional dining experience. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner is served seven days a week, including a scrumptious Sunday Brunch, both inside and on the adjoining patio.
Our decision was an easy one. We chose Science Diet Adult as our Entrée which was the
Chicken Recipe, with real White Meat Chicken, Low Calorie and Low Fat although neither one of us need to count our calories. We did look at the Cat's menu, but it wasn't nearly as appealing.
Our parents however, had a tougher choice with their menu selection and as we were brought water bowls, we waited patiently as they discussed wine and appetizers. I still don't understand how they can get so worked up about Lobster Bisque, but I guess there is no accounting for taste. I must say, it did smell good. Dad finally decided upon Filet of Beef, Horseradish Whipped Potatoes, Pickled Artichokes, Roquefort Cheese, Chanterelles, Bordelaise Sauce while mom chose the Seared Diver Scallops, Hand Rolled Gnocchi, Clam Shell Mushrooms,Arugula in Spicy Caper Brown Butter. For dessert, we had Old Mother Hubbard, Assorted Flavors Biscuits which included flavors such as Natural, Oven Baked, Original Chicken, Cheddar, and Charcoal while our folks shared Crème Brule.
We barked our approval a couple of times but were given stern warnings by mom and dad. Geez, lighten up, it's not like this place hasn't heard an appreciative bark or two. After dinner, everybody got on their feet very slowly. Must be the ocean air. Anywho, we took a little walk to aid digestion (that's what are parent's say, but we just needed to visit the secret garden before turning in for the night).
Back on the 6th floor, we all took to the patio to do a little stargazing before turning in for the night. The pier and Ferris wheel were all lit up like a birthday cake and visions of Old Mother Hubbard cookies danced in our heads as we nodded off to sleep. I am not sure what our folks were thinking of as they held hands under the starry sky, but they sounded pretty content to us.
The morning brought in-room breakfast of coffee and Fresh Fruit & Juices for our folks and afterward a long walk down to the Hydrant Cafe, a dog and people cafe with it's own Barking Lot. They have specialty bones and ice cream too! 1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice 310/401.2275
Well, time to say goodbye to all our new friends. Stephanie, Sig and Edgar, you made our stay a joyous occasion and we were sad to leave. As our bags were loaded into the car, we took one last trip to the secret garden. We wagged our tails goodbye and headed towards home. It can't get much better than this we think as we press our noses to the window and watch the ocean fade to a distant memory. Say, where did they hide that Liver Biscotti?
About the Authour
Susan Sims is the publisher of Fido Friendly, the only magazine dedicated to the travel lifestyle of man's best friend and the one magazine your dog will thank you for!
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