A Happy Client

Dear Wendy Krueger,   Hello. This is William Chang from HANATOUR. How are you today?  Thank you very much for all of your favor. It was very nice experiences to stay at your hotel.  I will do my best to make production with your hotel.  Ok then,  Have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,  William Chang  [Operation Assistant Manager]

Thought for the day

Experience is what you get when you do not get what you want.
-Anonymous

Sushi man

Seen here is our new Chef James Jung preparing sushi for Stefanel's reception in the Rodeo Drive Penthouse.  He has revamped the cocktail hour menu.  It's a must for the end of a long day!

Travel Fact

Hotels nationwide discounted rates to fill rooms during the economic downturn. With the economy improving, hotels, particularly upscale properties, are able to increase rates, according to PKF Hospitality Research. "This recession is a tale of haves and have-nots," said Bruce Baltin of PKF Consulting USA. "Those who do have jobs are doing better than they were last year, and they're the people who go to the higher-end hotels. But there's still a high unemployment rate, so those who would be traveling to the lower-end hotels are not working."

A Happy Client

Hello Wendy,  I was at the hotel this morning.  Abbott put on a little event for our staff.

Everything was set up and went well. 

Love to catch up.  Let me know when you are available.  Hope you can make it to the event this year.  It is unfortunately on the Westside this year, as opposed to all other years being in BH.   Best to you, Coni

Back to the Future

Maclaren, Chloe and me at Ratzsch's.

This past weekend I went back to Milwaukee and stayed at The Pfister Hotel where I began my hospitality career but this time I was accompanied by my two young nieces.  We thoroughly enjoyed over overnight jaunt into the 'big city' where we explored the neighborhood, swam in the rooftop pool, went to the Pabst Theater to see Hairspray, explored the Milwaukee Domes and had dinner at Karl Ratzsch's landmark restaurant.  It was two days of whirlwind sight seeing - including the beach.  It was 28 degrees with light snow flurries and they wanted to see Lake Michigan.  Oh well; they're young.

Chocolate Truffles - new on our Happy Hour Menu

Seen here is Catering Manager, Jessica Park, at the recent Dolce & Gabbana Girls’ Night Out. She is holding a tray of our very popular and decadent house made chocolate truffles. 

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hello Wendy,
Thank you for remembering my birthday! It was a nice surprise to receive your card. Tell April that I look forward to meeting her ~ hopefully soon!  Sincerely,  Linda Yonan [Director of Sales ,Luxe City Center Hotel]

Tour Connection LA 2011

Enjoyed participating in Tour Connection last evening with Linda Yonan, Director of Sales at Luxe City Center Hotel.  We were all 'Luxed-out' at our table 54.  There were many familiar faces and new ones too. Everyone seemed to enjoy mingling and nibbling.

A Happy Client

Hi :  We are back at work now after our amazing trip away.  Thank you so much for hosting Danielle & myself recently. It’s great for us to experience the products we sell & we defiantly enjoyed ourselves whilst doing so, so thank you again!  Regards, Brooke [Product Coordinator - Value Tours]

Happy Hour in Cafe Rodeo

Wendy,  I had such an amazing time with you!! must do again- thank you for everything!!
Jennifer [Regional Manager, Catherine Malandrino Maison]

Luxe Trio would make a great 'happy' meal; only $13.60!

Westweek, March 22 - 24

WESTWEEK is Pacific Design Center's largest annual design industry event. Attended by thousands of design professionals annually, this year's WESTWEEK kicks off with an exhibit featuring the stunning photographs of Scott Frances. Follow up the next morning at our keynote with a 'who's who' of the design editorial world. Continue with over 70+ showroom programs and receptions as well as many new product introductions. Vital information for an inspired design community.  On March 26th, All Design Enthusiasts Welcome 10am to 4pm.
http://bit.ly/WESTWEEK2011Schedule

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Wendy,
Thank you for the birthday card. I’m in LA for conferences in May and June. How’s rates at the Luxe Hotel around then?   Thanks.  Best regards, Jerome [Director, Business Development, GAMCO Investors, Inc.]

Marathon runners take a shower

This Sunday March 20^th,  was the Los Angeles Marathon which came through Beverly Hills.  The route featured Rodeo Drive and there was a spectator hotspot located at Dayton and Rodeo with booths, live music, etc.  Let's hope it was a huge success and not a wash-out.

Moonstruck

Moon as seen in India today.

I'm completely moonstruck over this super sized moon tonight.  But I'm completely out of luck to see the biggest moon in about 20 years because of rainclouds obscuring even a giant moon.  Because the moon's orbit is oval, there is a point at which it is closet to the Earth and this case it coincides with the phase of the full moon.

Girl Scout Cookies

This may be one of your last weekends to snare some of those famous Girl Scout Cookies.  The Beverly Hills troops are posted outside of Nate 'n Al Delicatessen and William Sonoma every Saturday.  If you can't live without those thin mints, now is your chance to buy a box - or two.

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

…and for reminding me I’m a year older!!
Hope all is well with you!  Andrea  [Santa Barbara Travel Bureau]

More than highway debris

Ed Ruscha's series of ten paintings included in "Psycho Spaghetti Westerns" at the Gagosian Gallery on Camden Drive [in Beverly Hills], are canvases filled with images of assorted objects in various stages of abandonment and decay.  The 73-year old artist states "These are just objects; they could be looked at as if they are brand new."  "The whole world is so homogeneous that at this point trash found in Russia or France could end up here or being from here."  Definitely worth a visit to the gallery to view these 10 new pieces.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Luck of the Irish - May all your traffic lights be 'green' today.

A Contented Guest

Stephanie [Beverly Hills CVB] – a big thank you for helping us with this group. I haven’t been to Rodeo Drive for a LONG time and I can say it was quite a buzz to come into the Los Angeles area by driving down Rodeo and checking into the amazingly located Luxe Hotel – fab property and a great location. Dinner was also beautiful.  Thanks so much and look forward to working with you even more so!  Tristan [Gate 7 Australia]

Fine art of Alan Aldridge

Curated by Sam Milgrom of Mr. Musichead Gallery, Stephen Webster hosted an exhibit of Alan Aldridge's work in their private 'No Regrets Lounge' this evening.  Over the course of his 40-year career, Alan Aldridge had been the design guru for the Beatles and a designer of posters and album covers for the Rolling Stones, Elton John, The Who, Cream and Led Zeppelin.  My favorite was Ganesh, inspired by a trip to India while Aldridge was creative director for the House of Blues.  Terrific people watching while sipping a bit of Grey Goose and being surrounded by Webster's celeb-worthy jewelry.

A Happy Client

Hi April, We had such a wonderful stay at your hotel. I have to tell you that the penthouse was perfect! It could not have a been a better set up for what we needed. Lots of space and the beds were really comfortable. I also wanted to make sure to tell you that every single staff member was exceptional. They went out of their way to be helpful no matter what the request was. The valet guys even gave us a fantastic breakfast recommendation! Staying at your hotel really made the weekend memorable. Thank you again for all of your help!   Best, Hope

Breakfast in Beverly Hills



Seen here with Director of Operations for Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, Mark Wagner, awaiting the arrival of 15 journalists.

 The breakfast dish below is offered in conjunction with Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau's "Breakfast in Beverly Hills" hotel promotion.  Nine participating hotels are offering a free night stay.  In the case of Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel: Stay two nights, get the third night free.  The campaign, in its third year, has provided visitors more than 1,800 rooms and 12,000 complimentary breakfasts to Beverly Hills.  http://www.breakfastinbh.com/

Breakfast in Beverly Hills all day long

Breakfast ingredients are making their way into late night snacks, cocktails, entrees and desserts.  To satisfy this craving for comfort of breakfast, six restaurants in Beverly Hills are inviting locals and visitors to get their breakfast fix with unique morning meal creations that are offered all day long.  Through June 30th, our breakfast inspired dish will be featured in Cafe Rodeo.  Ask for Eggs Rodeo and you'll find a decadent version of eggs Benedict made with poached eggs on house made potato latkes, smoked Scottish salmon, steamed asparagus and hollandaise sauce topped with salmon caviar. 

Travel Fact

Southern California's $54-billion tourism and hospitality industry is the region's top job creator, providing 861,000 jobs. Tourism and hospitality took over as the region's top industry after the recession decimated the workforce in top industries like wholesale trade and manufacturing. Now, economists predict, tourism will remain the top job creator in the region. "For the foreseeable future, tourism will continue to be the leader," said Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Southern California Assn. of Governments.

Love it Leavitt

MOCA at Grand Avenue held a public opening on Saturday night of William Leavitt: Theater Objects.  This was the first solo exhibit and retrospective of the work of Los Angeles based artist.  One of the most significant and influential figures working in Los Angeles, Leavitt has created a remarkable oeuvre that has influenced generations of artists.  When I parking my car in the neighboring lot, I recognized John Baldessari who had arrived early and was leaving.  Through July 3rd, the exhibit includes sculptural tableaux, paintings, works on paper and photography.  The crowd on Saturday was lighter than I expected but many admirers attended theatrically costumed.

The Turk in Italy

We enjoyed the opera thoroughly last evening.  First sipping wine and dining on cheese at Patina.  Then slipping into balcony seats for Rossini's, Il Turco in Italia.  James Conlon conducted the zany comedy, which has been described as The Barber of Seville meets Così fan tutte. In a nutshell, Fiorilla is a woman determined to rid herself of the two men in her life – her exasperated husband and her tedious admirer in favor of a more exotic suitor, a pompously beguiling pasha Selim.  Of course there are all sorts of amorous adventures with tongue-tangling patter arias and blazing coloratura.  Only through Sunday, March 13th at LA Opera.

Quick Energy Boost #7

Smell a Lemon: Vitamin C is a miracle worker. Not only does drinking it help, but even smelling the stuff can revitalize your senses and cure chronic fatigue. Citrus scents from oranges, lemons, and limes stimulate alertness. So grab the fruit, or a lemon-scented body lotion, and sniff away.  Marie Claire Magazine

Don't forget to vote today

General Municipal Elections are today in many communities across the south land.  Make sure to get out and participate!

The Latest Boutique to open: Tom Ford

The first of 28 locations worldwide to offer womenswear, Tom Ford's new Rodeo Drive destination introduces a new retail design concept for the brand. Ford and long-time collaborator William Sofield re-interpreted the two-story, 850sqm location to appeal to the female consumer, resulting in light-filled spaces, pale grey, high-gloss silver and blue-grey marble floors.The Rodeo Drive boutique houses a perfumery, where Tom Ford Beauty and Tom Ford Private Blend fragrances line polished chrome shelves. My friend Pamela and I climbed the mirrored staircase to discover the full collection of the recently launched womenswear, divided into three salons: handbag and shoes, eveningwear and daywear. P.S. The men in the  men's collection are so Tom Ford.  Worth a trip around the ground floor whether you have a certain man in mind or not. http://www.tomford.com/

Sunset over Malibu

So rarely do I visit someone with an oceanside home. I had to ask Barbara if I could go out on the balcony and take a photo of the pink sunset reflecting on the water's surface. Seen here is a lone gull sweeping over the shoreline. Sweet dreams!

Rodarte: States of Matter

This past weekend I made a point of visiting MOCA at the Pacific Design Center in order to see the Rodarte: States of Matter installation. The recent work in fashion and costume design by Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodate has been installed in a series of interrelated conceptual vignettes. The garments including the original ballet costumes designed by Kate and Laura for the feature film Black Swan are seen as sculptural objects. Both floors, in black and in white, are their first solo exhibit on the west coast and definitely worth a visit. Through June 5, 2011.

2011 PaleyFest

The Paley Center for Media is proud to present the 28th Annual William S. Paley Television Festival, known as PaleyFest - an interactive pop culture event connecting fans with the cast and creators of their favorite television series. This year's festival will included screenings and special guest celebrities from programs including The Walking Dead, True Blood, White Collar, Hot in Cleveland, Parks and Recreation, Eastbound & Down, An Evening with Jimmy Fallon, Freaks and Geeks/Undeclared Reunion, Supernatural, American Idol, Community and Raising Hope. Visit http://www.blogger.com/www.paleycenter.org to learn more about the festival line-up and to purchase tickets. The Paley Center is located one block from Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.

Travel Fact

In Southern California, where tourism is the top industry, not everyone is happy with the visitors flocking back to Hollywood after a recession-fueled slump. In the high priced environs of Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills, some residents say an increase in tour buses - crowded with photo snapping tourists, is clogging narrow residential streets, generating noise and causing gridlock. Tour bus operators say that they have tried to lower their profile, to keep noise down and to be more respectful. But they say that they also want to serve the growing demand of visitors, whose spending fuels Southern California's $54-billion tourism and hospitality industry. - LA Times, Business, Saturday, March 5th

Mardi Gras Party all weekend

Mardi Gras Party all weekend at the Farmers Market on Third Street, March 5, 6 and 8th. Extended over three days, the market features eight bands, numerous activities for children, periodic bead tossing and Mutti Gras pooch parade and costume contest. It's a great celebration for all ages. Fairfax Avenue at Third; adjacent to The Grove.

The Eye Bamako by Malick Sidebe

The 75-year-old Malick Sidibe's magnificent portraits of sweeping personal and cultural changes in post-colonial Africa have been celebrated around the world. Relatively unknown outside of Mali until the mid-1990s, Sidibé was the first photographer to receive the prestigious Venice Biennale's Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in 2007. The exhibition includes his iconic black and white photographs that recorded the history of his countrymen as well as the lesser-known "chemises," or vintage proof sheet style works on construction paper. Positioned at the junction of Malian independence and a period of rapid modernization, the works exhibited bear witness to confidence of Africa's youth revolution. This very special gallery show runs from February 5 through April 9, 2011 at M+B Gallery, 612 N. Almont Drive in West Hollywood.

Thought for the day

True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing. - Socrates

Today was my lucky girl day

Today was my 'lucky girl day' because I was doing sales calls with Stephanie Nakasone, Beverly Hills CVB. The Japanese tour operators whom we met informed us that today, March 3rd, is Japanese Girl's Festival known as hina matsuri (hina doll festival) or momo no sekku (peach flower festival). Although Japanese Girl's Festival isn't a national holiday, it's an important tradition for wishing girls happiness and good health. We were informed that hina dolls are displayed in homes beginning sometime after Risshun (the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar). Seen here are porcelain dolls from Lladro, Beverly Hills.

A Contented Guest

Hi Wendy,
We enjoyed our stay last week. I just wanted to follow up with you as Nancy and I were both charged a late check out fee. I thought it we checked out by 2pm there would be no charge? Can you confirm? Thank You! Jennifer [Tracy Paul & Company, Inc.]

Kimchee and more

Yesterday I did met some very interesting Korean tour operators. We tried Korean cuisine at a local restaurant along Sixth Street. The fragrant boiling beef soup was surprisingly delicious. [So hot that I got a complimentary beef broth facial.] Seen here are our entrees and samples of vegetables that accompanied the soup.

Travel Fact

I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada. - Britney Spears

Quick Energy Boost #6

Step Outside: Sure, the last thing you probably want to do when you're feeling a little blah is bundle up and go walk around aimlessly in the freezing cold. Well, do it anyway. Just a few minutes outside in the fresh, crisp air — and away from your desk — will work wonders on your energy and mood. Obviously, this trick works well on a warm, sunny day, too. It's the gift that keeps on giving all year round. Marie Claire Magazine

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy, A pleasure to accept your invitation to Linked-in. Your hotel product is superb. Thank you again. Linda [Contract Travel]