Most travelers can relate miserable stories of having had to put up with cramped hotel quarters and dingy environs at one time or another, whether because of schedules or proximity needs. Happily, when your travels find you in Los Angeles, whether business or just traveling through to get some extra sunshine or sea air, there is the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel that literally becomes your home away from home.  It may very well offer greater indulgences than you ever get at home.

You have to try it to believe it.  Those of you, who know the hotel from past stays, will be surprised at the added enhancements since your last visit. The fitness suite is even better than you might remember.  It is now equipped with free weights, a multi press gym, treadmills, an elliptical machine, and recumbent bikes, that will surely appeal to any sports enthusiast.  The operating hours, 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m., are perfect for those that like to workout early in the morning or can’t get there until late at night.

The boutique gift shop on the ground level of the property now offers high-end sundry items – a comforting thought for travelers missing those very needed items. Soon, the store will also stock Luxe-branded apparel and accessories including polo shirts, hats, mugs, and beach towels.

The rooms at the hotel located where Bel Air meets Brentwood are 45% larger than the national average size, making for a more comfortable stay.  The outdoor heated pool with its spacious deck and cabanas, all nestled in a hillside in the shadows of famed Getty Center, provides in and of itself, a quiet respite in the second largest city in the USA. The deck, often used for special celebratory occasions, is just steps away from the newly opened Luxe Hotels Sanctuary Spa.

Locals love the property and often frequent its upscale bar and restaurant. Indeed, the hotel is as much a part of the local community as it is a luxury destination for worldwide travelers, whether in Los Angeles for business or pleasure.

But you really have to check it out for yourself, the next time your travels take you to LA.

Those of you who have visited Los Angeles know that Wilshire Boulevard is a main artery used to navigate through the “City of Angels.”  It is a long street that winds itself through several neighborhoods from downtown, to Korea-town through the mostly Russian district and makes its way through Beverly Hills and ends up at the Pacific Ocean beaches.  It is a landmark street that serves as a guide to all arteries throughout the LA landscape.  On this long stretch of a road, the area closer to the ocean, sits a newly constructed hotel that is a ‘must’ when you next visit Los Angeles.

The stylish, Hotel Wilshire, LEED-certified, is a 74-room boutique hotel, designed by award-winning Killefer Flammang Architects and KNA Design.  It combines chic and contemporary style elements, appealing to a cross section of guests, whether leisure or business traveler.  The eco-friendly property boasts an impressive private Penthouse Suite and versatile, multi-media suites with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills, an ideal setting for any social event.

On the beautifully landscaped rooftop with 360-degree views spanning the LA skyline and Hollywood Hills, sits “The Roof on Wilshire” restaurant, serving cuisine created by celebrity Chef Eric Greenspan. Guests can enjoy culinary masterpieces, along with a classic or imaginative cocktail (if you have the spirit for something new) from the rooftop bar, near the poolside cabana or the fire pit.  Wait till your friends take a look at this!  I bet even business associates will chuckle and marvel at the views…

This trendy spot is perfectly situated for heading out to the beach, or taking in a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, (if it’s summertime) or one at the Disney Hall downtown, where the famed LA Philharmonic performs.  Or just go and browse at The Farmer’s Market, in the center of the city.

Long known for its wide distances between sights to see, LA can really get exhausting.  But, at end of the day, the Hotel Wilshire offers the joy of knowing that once ensconced at the hotel, you will be indulged with comforts.  And don’t sleep too late and miss the great breakfast.  If you have the time, check out its 24-hour business center and guest lounge and surely make use of the complimentary high-speed Internet access and Wi-Fi.

In short, it offers the kind of comforts one expects from a Luxe Worldwide member property.

Need we say more?

By all accounts, Shanghai is a bustling city that offers visitors a mix of the old traditional Chinese culture and the “new.”  If an upcoming trip finds you in Shanghai, you will want to be within walking distance of Shanghai’s hottest new business and entertainment district of Xin Tian Di, near the bustling shopping streets of Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road, a popular shopping area with dining establishments located in the French Concession area of Shanghai, but also near the ancient Yuyuan Garden, built in the Ming Dynasty under Emperor Wanli (AD 1559-1577), as well as the Jing’an Temple and Jade Buddha Temple.

The Pentahotel Shanghai offers a perfect location for these explorations. Conveniently situated in downtown Shanghai, 10 kilometers west of the Hongqiao International Airport, the Pentahotel is found in the city’s commercial hub in the Changning District, directly opposite Zhongshan Park. Moreover, there is direct access to the metro and light rail station from the hotel, which makes for hassle-free commuting around town, a big plus for both business and leisure travelers.

After an exhausting day of taking in the sights, including the Shanghai Museum, Zoo and Grand Theatre, treat yourself to the hotel’s “lifestyle lounge,” the only one in China, which offers a selection of Chinese and Western comfort foods in a cozy ambiance, where you can either relax with friends or continue interactions with business associates while sipping and tasting and have the hotel’s complimentary Wi-Fi, at hand.

The Pentahotel Shanghai, (259 guestrooms) is a member of the nearly 200 independently-owned member hotels of Luxe Worldwide Hotels collection, spanning 31 countries across four continents. Every member hotel offers originality in décor, reflecting local cultural sensibilities or compelling design and architectural elements.

An insider’s tip… after your complementary breakfast, if you have the time, do take in the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, a landmark of the city, which is located at the tip of Lujiazui in the Pudong district on the bank of the Huangpu River, opposite The Bund.

It’s a night not to be missed on famed Rodeo Drive. Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) tonight, from 6 to 10 PM, is a night where you can ‘shop till you drop’, literally.

Rodeo Drive, the well-recognized fashion mecca, will also be transformed into an entertainment ‘mecca’ for that night.  For example, as a break from shopping or when looking for a place to sit, you can get on a ferris wheel and “fly” 60 feet up in the air, and get a breathtaking view of the street.  Or you can sample from the more than 15 food trucks and participate in 95 in-store events, or as many events as your feet will hold out.

With too much to do, you might get confused as to where to go first, so we suggest that you head over to Chanel to get your hands on three new nail shades, created exclusively for Fashion’s Night Out by Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup. Or get over to Fendi, to take a look at the ‘Atelier Fendi’ exhibition of images from the FW11 ad campaign, shot by Karl Lagerfeld.  You can also head to Lanvin, where you are invited to the store’s “Roaring 20’s Cocktail Party.”  But you kinda need to dress for the occasion, so think about it in advance – or just buy an outfit.  What the heck, it is Fashion Night’s Out, after all.

Don’t forget about Bally or Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. And don’t worry about taking your time, for stores will be open until 10 PM.

There’s another fun thing to do.  Try the Cirque de Soleil’s Flipbook Experience, which will allow visitors to magically insert themselves into the new IRIS flipbook from the highly acclaimed Cirque de Soleil show, now playing at the Kodak Theatre.

And of course, the media is readying to be out in droves.  Bloggers, reporters and broadcast anchors are itching to get “the best view in town.” Their hub will be at the highly coveted Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel rooftop, which will offer the media a perfect view of the action on the famed Rodeo Drive and unreal photo opportunities.  They can point their camera and shoot in between sipping special FNO cocktails and munching on delectable appetizers.

Also, a word of advice… Since there is so much to do, get to the FNO early and start at the Luxe Rodeo Hotel’s Café Rodeo and whisper “It’s the New Black” to choose one of the signature cocktails for only $6 during happy hour at the Hotel’s Bar 360, between 4 PM to 7 PM.  And later, when energy starts petering out, don’t end the night early. Just head back to Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel’s lemonade stand – conveniently situated on Rodeo Drive and cool off.  And if you just are really too exhausted to make it home, the hotel is also offering a special FNO rate of $265 per night (plus taxes) complete with a welcome glass of wine, new Popperazzi appetizer from Chef James Jung and chocolate truffles at turn down.  You may want to plan this ahead of the night, just in case…

And who knows whom you will meet at FNO… A few celebrities have been known to drop by FNO in years past including Christina Hendricks, Lauren Conrad, Lisa Love, and Will.i.am.   Maybe they will be sipping wine at the next table at the Hotel.

FNO is a global initiative originally created in 2009 to celebrate fashion and restore consumer confidence.  Thanks go to The Rodeo Drive Committee who, in association with the City of Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau, organized the one-night-only of fashion fun.

It’s sure to be a night to be remembered.