Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
257
For Bored Non-Shoppers: A Lamborghini Test-Drive
So, your better half has planned a full day of shopping and spa treatments and,
after you drop her off at the mall, she won't need your services for a while. Since
you're in L.A.—where everyone's judged by the car they drive—this is the perfect
time to call Shawn Williams, a very down-to-earth car enthusiast who co-owns an
exotic car dealership called
Exclusive Motorcars.
Even if you have no intention
of buying or leasing a Ferrari or Lamborghini, he'll be happy to talk cars, take you
on a tour of his showroom, and perhaps test drive a new or slightly used Bentley
Continental GT, Mercedes SL600, or Porsche Carrera GT. If you're the type that has
to have it
now,
you can drive your new baby while vacationing in L.A. (Shawn can
arrange financing and insurance while you wait), then either take the car home
or have it shipped. He'll be happy to arrange a short-term rental as well (me, I'd
go with the black Ferrari F430 Spider F-1). If you want to make an appointment,
call Shawn at
&
310/558-3300,
or just drop by the showroom at 10534 W. Pico
Blvd. near Overland Avenue. (Tell him Matthew from Frommer's
says hello.) It's
open Monday through Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturday 10am to 5pm. Log onto
www.emcars.com.
Peninsula Spa
Condé N ast Traveler
r ecently rated the 4,600-squar e-foot
Peninsula Spa number one in Service and number two inTreatments for Urban Spas, and
indeed, this is one of the top spots in the U.S. for pampering. S ure, it's pricey, but what
would you expect from the only hotel in Southern California to earn both the AAA Five
Diamond and M obil Five Star awards for 13 straight y ears? Bonus: The spa just had a
$7-million revamp, adding an extra 1,000 squar e feet of space, with mosaic tile wor k in
serene shades of blue and pur e white Calacatta marble. The spa is the first in N orth
America to offer S hiffa pr ecious gem oil tr eatments, which contain r ubies, emeralds,
sapphires, and diamonds, and ar e said to bring healing po wers. In addition to the sev en
treatment r ooms, y ou can opt to hav e some ser vices in one of the P eninsula's famed
cabanas overlooking the 60-foot lap pool. They even offer a good selection of ser vices
geared to ward the guys, such as the 50-minute M en's F oot R ecovery and 60-minute
Gentlemen's Facial Rejuvenation. The Roof Garden restaurant is the per fect spot for a
pre- or post-treatment lunch or tonic. And don 't be surprised if y ou spot an A-lister, as
the Peninsula is a per ennial celeb favorite.
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd. (near Wilshire Blvd.),
Beverly Hills.
&
310/551-2888.
http://beverlyhills.peninsula.com.
Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel
There's already something so indulgent about
the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, that a caviar facial in the spa seems positiv ely pedes-
trian. The 4,000-square-foot spa has eight tr eatment rooms, men's and women's locker
rooms, and a menu full of rejuvenating services. The wildly popular Punta Mita Massage
uses tequila and sage oil; combined with the M argarita Salt Scrub, it's like a happy hour
for your skin. O ne of the signatur e treatments—a California Cabana M assage at a pri-
vate, candlelit poolside cabana—is oh-so-v ery L.A. Along with the full-ser vice spa, the
view-endowed fourth-floor deck featur es a lap pool, poolside cafe, and glass-walled fit-
ness center, all of which guests are welcome to use before or after a spa treatment.
300 S.
Doheny Dr. (at W. 3rd St.), Beverly Hills.
&
310/273-2222.
www.fourseasons.com/losangeles.
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