Keeping my Balance: February 2012

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

A Tale of Two Hotels

We decided to get away from what we expected to be a tough winter - based mostly on the fact that our Siberian cats had developed a very heavy coat in late fall. Turns out maybe that was just a sympathy coat for the coming terribly hard winter in Europe.... We have basically not really had a winter in Minnesota this year.
So we planned a trip to Los Angeles to visit two of our daughters who live there. About a week after making the reservations, we found out Bill was being sent to a conference in Florida again this year. I have gone along in the past because they provide free food for spouses also so it's a cheap vacation.... So, two trips to warm weather only a week apart....when it rains, it pours.
We chose for our LA hotel, an old luxury hotel in Pasadena, the Langham Huntington, where the prices were actually not too bad since we were staying 4 days. It's a lovely charming hotel, built at least 80 years ago, actually in beautiful, elite San Marino, right by South Pasadena. We did feel a bit outclassed immediately upon arriving in our rented compact Ford, in the midst of much more expensive cars at valet parking (the only parking). We actually saw either 2 or 3 Bentleys there, lots of BMWs and Mercedes. The hotel just has that old money classiness, lots of wood, beautiful gardens, incomparable sunrise out our window. Here is one from each beautiful day....

Beautiful, spacious, well cared-for grounds...

My conclusion on the hotel was lots of old money touches but smaller rooms, noisy elevators, and not so comfortable beds (just not used to soft feather bedI guess) and a slight feel that we really didn't "belong".
Beyond the hotel, we had a great time - got to watch Christina reviewing her work with her boss and making changes he wanted.

Ate at wonderful restaurants that Katie found

And an old favorite of Christina's , Hedley's in West Hollywood.
Went to Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, beautiful even in the somewhat off-season. We (mostly Chris) took a LOT of pictures. Here are a few

Bye California...

So, a contrast in Florida where the conference was held at the Renaissance Orlando at Sea World. Also a beautiful, luxurious hotel but so different with its emphasis on conferences and also families. Here we have a spacious 10 story tall lobby with indoor palm trees, beautiful movies of sea life on display, predominantly businessmen at trade show/conferences and a Starbucks.... Lush, large and beautiful grounds in a sultry way that more arid LA can never be...