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Sing of the Ring of Kerry

3rd April 20243rd April 2024 funtime65

It’s defined my 35 years of travelling and writing about it, going around in circles, but I will always sing of the Ring of Kerry.

The kingdom of Kerry and an overnight sleeper to Edinburgh from the south of England were my first travel assignments.

Of course nothing stays the same although my fellow travellers then would see I’ve aged very little.

The Swansea-Cork Ferry whose inaugural voyage we were invited on has long been discontinued… and more of that later.

While the rural Cromlix House in Perthshire is now the property of one Andy Murray.

A toddler with a mini-racquet back then.

The Ring of Kerry honed into view this week for me as it will for you.

If God is good and isn’t covering it in mist when you visit.

‘Avin’ AVOCA

The announcement that high-end retailers and old favourites of ours, AVOCA, are resetting up shop on the Molls Gap will see the cash registers ringing.

With the sound of American Euro clinking in tills on every available piece of Irish merch they can lay their hands on.

Set high on a rocky ridge, the store overlooks mountains and lush countryside with Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohill, to one side, and the Gap of Dunloe to the other.

There is a food market on the ground floor with those artisanal, Irish ingredients.

The freshly baked breads and scones, homemade jams and chutneys, sauces, spices and lots more.

There is a curated selection of Irish cheeses and fine wines, hand-prepared meals and a mouth-watering range of sweet treats and tray bakes.

You’ll also find a hand-picked range of fashion, homeware, books and more.

And brand soaps, mugs, scarves and throws, woven in Ireland’s oldest weaving Mill in Avoca, Co. Wicklow.

And yes, it’s where Colin Farrell made his name in the town that was transformed into TV’s Ballykissangel.

Bally good

Now we come in here too from our 13 years in Greystones, just down the road.

And Herself was on first-name terms with management at Powerscourt where you can also stay in plush surroundings.

AVOCA has 13 stores and is famed for their award-winning cafes, luxury homewares, fashion, accessories and gifting ranges.

Established in 1723 as a handweaving company, AVOCA continues today.

To produce quality wool products from the original site at AVOCA, Co. Wicklow.

Victoria was amused

Horsing around: Jarvies on Ring of Kerry

Now back to the Ring of Kerry though and it has been a favourite tourist spot since the days of Queen Victoria.

When her Ladies in waiting were so mesmerised by the view that it was chronicled.

And the name Ladies View was born then and there.

Victoria, it should be said, would have travelled in style to Kerry then.

But the cruel sea would be no respecter of class or position.

And we should imagine that she took to her quarters as our entire party had to… when we were struck with seasickness.

Our tip… take the gentler Irish Ferries’ Holyhead-Dublin ferry route or fly in with Aer Lingus.

Hire a car, ours back in the day was Citroen, and give yourself over to the local festivities (Joe Dolan for us) and sing of the Ring of Kerry.

America, Canada, Countries

Pillow talk

2nd April 20242nd April 2024 funtime65

And haven’t we all done it as kids, and big kids, so let’s indulge in a bit of pillow talk?

No, not that, you mucky divils but pillow fighting, because this Saturday is International Pillow Fight Day.

We owe the flash mob, global participation day, to Kevin Bracken.

Kiddie Kev co-founded Newmindspace, an interactive public art group based in New York and Toronto.

With his pal Lori Kufner while they were students at the University of Toronto.

Lie back and laid-back

Imagine: Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal

Now it’s pertinent that the bedroom shenanigans should have been sprung in laid-back Canada.

With the most famous lie-in of them all happening just down the road in Montreal.

When John and Yoko had their lie-in for peace in the Sixties.

Now our pals Kev and Lori are clearly students who have never grown up, a bit like ourselves.

And have also championed bubble battles, capture-the-flag games and even a massive civil war with marshmallow bullets, held in Brooklyn.

More than 150 cities participated in the big pillow fight.

Which, I think we’ll all agree is better than bombing each other… if you’re listening Vladimir and Volodomir.

Celeb central

We remember you well: In the Chelsea Hotel

Now Kev’s pals, the Torontonians and New Yorkers have their share of high-end hotels.

From the Fairmont Royal Hotel where the celebs stay when in Canada’s biggest city…

To the Chelsea Hotel of Canadian poet laureate Leonard Cohen fame and anyone who was anyone really.

Where the feathers would have flown and much else besides.

And, oh, to have been a fly on the walk to hear the pillow talk.

Of course, on all things trans-Atlantic we advise through our own transport experiences.

To fly Aer Lingus with that crucial pre-clearance.

America, Countries

A dark sky at night is Oregon’s delight

27th March 202427th March 2024 funtime65

We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.. happen Oscar Wilde should have visited America’s west coast where a dark sky at night is Oregon’s delight.

Who knew? Well we do now after our pals out West shared the good news with us.

That a 2.5-million-acre area of southeastern Oregon has just been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International, making it the world’s largest Dark Sky Sanctuary to date.

Now it’s worth remembering that everything is bigger out West and The Sanctuary in Let ‘Er Buck state is approximately one-half the size of New Jersey.

Stars align

Light up: Warner Valley Overlook. Pic by Joey Hamilton/Travel Oregon

Within the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary (OOIDSS) are the unincorporated communities of Adel, Plush, Summer Lake and the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.

As well as a portion of the Fremont-Winema National Forest, nearly 1.7 million acres of land managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Summer Lake Wildlife Area, nearly 80,000 acres of state-owned rangeland, and the Oregon Outback Scenic Byway.

‘This four-year collaboration brings together so many of the elements we try to achieve in regenerative tourism,’ said Bob Hackett, Executive Director of Travel Southern Oregon.

‘It not only elevates the destination experience for visitors to Lake County and opens up opportunities for local businesses, but it also helps agencies and residents steward their lands in ways that celebrate a legacy of starry night skies for generations to come.’

You are not alone

Shooting stars: Falling Stars Lake County. Pic by Sharon Theall

This unique geography we’re told is home to an array of wildlife, including American pronghorn, bighorn sheep, sage grouse, white-tailed jack rabbit, and migratory birds navigating the Pacific Flyway.

The region is also culturally significant and is home to a 13,000-year-old human occupation site.

While dispersed within the OOIDSS are hot springs, wild horses, private rangelands, ranches, and cattle… so you’re never alone!

Education and outreach efforts here have included: Stargazing & Natural Night Skies Webinar Series, screenings of the film Saving the Dark and tri-county library access to Night Sky Adventure Kits.

As well as dark sky gatherings, local dark sky videos, educational exhibit tables, dark sky presentations and workshops, and library programs as well as partnering with the neighboring Idaho Dark Sky Alliance for events.

Reach for the sky

Starry, starry night: Milky Way Lake County. Pic by Sharon Theall

The Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary now joins more than 210 Places that have demonstrated robust community support for dark sky advocacy and strive to protect the night from light pollution.” Learn more by visiting www.darksky.org/conservation/idsp.

So there you have it, a dark sky at night is Oregon’s delight.

And ours too from Dublin through LA to Portland on a round trip with Aer Lingus from €739

So maybe check it out with the rest of the world as we celebrate International Dark Sky Week next week (2-8 April).

And reflect on both good (Mount Teide in Tenerife) and more challenging experiences (food poisoning in the Sahara Desert in Morocco).

And plan on getting out to Oregon to the big country.

America, Countries, Flying

Flying high to Minneairpolis with Delta

23rd September 202323rd September 2023 funtime65

Season of trips and mellow flyfulness, Autumn is here and we’re flying high to Minneairpolis with Delta.

The Autumn, or the Fall as the Americans so lyrically refer to the third season of the year, is ripe for new flight routes.

And Ireland, or Airland as it could easily be called, is among one of the most connected countries per size in the world.

Only this week we see routes open up from May 24 with Delta Airlines from Dublin to Minnesota.

Minneapolis, where the doves (and Delta and Aer Lingus) fly, has seeped into our consciousness because of one Prince Rogers.

And all purple roads (and yes they have coloured their signs in Prince plum) lead to Paisley Park.

Take me to the Mall game

So let’s go, let’s go crazy.

And we all know when two Irish women get together then they’ll persuade each other to hit the shops.

And when that mall is the biggest shopping centre in the States, the biggest in the Western Hemisphere, the Mall of America.

Then you’ll not see them all day.

We’re thinking then that the only way to keep an eye on them is to go along on a couples trip.

And if you’re the sporty type then you’ll want to explore the Twin Cities’ teams.

Home run

Happens that the Mall of America is an appropriate place to start.

Because there’s a plaque in the mall’s amusement park commemorating the former location of home plate.

And one seat from Met Stadium was placed in Mall of America at the exact location it occupied in the stadium.

It commemorates a 520ft home run hit by hall of famer Harmon Killebrew in 1967.

All of which you’ll be dreaming of seeing at the new ball park, the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome, also home to the Vikings American Football team.

Of course The National Sprawl of America (3 million sqft of retail space/520 stores) boasts entertainment galore within its walls.

Life is a roller coaster

With the largest indoor theme park in the States, the Nickelodeon Universe, formerly Camp Snoopy at its centre.

The rides include the roller coasters SpongeBob SquarePants, Rock Bottom Plunge, Fairly Odd Coaster.

It also boasts an 18-hole astroturf miniature golfing section Moose Mountain.

While at the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, guests travel through a 300ft curved tunnel through 14ft of water.

To view over 4,500 sea creatures including sharks, turtles, stingrays and many more.

And what gets even better is that Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium offers sleepovers, scuba diving, snorkeling and birthday parties.

Delta’s seasonal service will operate five-times weekly.

The Minneapolis route will complement the airline’s existing seasonal flights to Atlanta and Boston.

And the year-round service to New York JFK.

Delta will also return service to Shannon adding a seasonal service to New York effective May 25.

America, Countries, Ireland, Sport

Aviva AmAerican Football

26th August 202326th August 2023 funtime65

Aviva AmAerican Football and let’s throw this thing forward.

To today’s latest iteration of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin (7.30pm).

Between this year the powerhouses of Notre Dame and Navy.

Throwing forward is, of course, the point of American Football… that and touching down.

All of which was news to Mrs M when we were invited to a previous match by Aer Lingus during our 13 years in Ireland.

And, more used to rugby she asked, and this is the third quarter mind, if it was OK to throw the ball forward.

The Fighting Irish

Now anyone who has come across the phenomenon that is College Football will know their fans will travel anywhere to see their Alma Mater.

Notre Dame, or the Fighting Irish as they are celebrated, are the most famous name in college football.

Drawing crowds of tens of thousands snd even having their matches televised live on TV.

Noter Dam, as they’re pronounced, hail not from Irish New York or Boston as you might expect.

But north of South Bend, Indiana.

And they regularly draw 70,000 attendances.

The Fighting Irishmen wrap themselves up in the Oul’ Country with their leprechaun mascot and team song Band of the Fighting Irish.

In the Navy

And the Blue and Golds (surprisingly not green) walk the walk and talk the talk, having nailed 11 championships throughout their history.

And judging Notre Dame on how their alumni have fared in NFL.

Then there have only been five Super Bowls that did not feature at least one former Notre Dame player on either team’s roster.

And twelve former Notre Dame players, plus one non-player alumnus, have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall.

So that’s just four off USC (University of Southern California).

With whom they compete for the wonderfully-titled Jeweled Shillelagh.

ND’s rivalry with today’s opponents, Navy, is rather more one-sided.

Navy and Notre Dame played 93 games without interruption from 1927 to 2019 with ND enjoying a 43-game win streak.

The record only snapped by Navy’s win in 2007.

ND also hold an 82-13-1 record over Navy to date.

The Annapolis, Marylanders have a fight on their hands then to overcome the Irishmen back in the Oul Sod.

In truth though today’s game will be a celebration of the ties between Ireland and America.

Aers and Stripes

Cheerleading: Bandanaman and the Bandanettes In Denver

And a reminder of Aer Lingus’s connection with the States (and Canada).

With 16 direct routes with the latest addition to the roster Denver, the Mile High City, and home to the Broncos.

Now Maryland is clearly easier to reach than Indiana, through Washington DC.

We found an 11hr 23mins round trip through Orlando with Aer Lingus to South Bend from €945 round trip.

So as we go all gridiron today and say Aviva AmAerican Football just something to throw forward.

So that you can experience a truly authentic American experience, college football.

America, Countries, Ireland

Denver the Aer High City

18th August 202318th August 2023 funtime65

Things are looking up, as they always do when our old friends at Aer Lingus announce a new North American route… it’s Denver the Aer High City.

Denver, in the apron of the Rockies, has one of the most spectacular vistas anywhere to fly into.

You could even be tempted to tarry awhile in the airport were they not an artsy party city awaiting for you.

The oft-told joke the locals will tell you about their city is that because of the altitude, with being a mile high, it’s a cheap date.

And the thin air means you only have to drink half as much to get twice as drunk.

The Milk High City

The Mile High City is indeed a mind-altering experience and that’s even if you do decide to body swerve the local weed.

Nothing is as it seems when the Denver Milk Market, the cornerstone of the historic Dairy Block, is a beverage and culinary magnet.

The downtown Denver LoDo Wazee Street institution bills itself as a 16-venue space with the whole panoply of culinary delights.

This being Denver craft beer capital of America, of course you’ll never be far away from a bar.

And the Milk Market boasts Moo Bar, the Stranded Pilgrim and the Cellar.

When we visited for American Travel Fair brunch we had an Otterbox stainless steel thermal tumbler thrust into our hands.

With Welcome to Colorful Colorado branding.

And were invited to fill up the booze stations.

I wear, of course, my white Milk Market band to this day to promise myself that I’ll return.

A high old time

And when I do I’ll make fun again jumping on and off the city’s free shuttle bus on the 16th Street Mall.

And take in the LoDo Historic District and the ornate Denver Union Station and maybe take in a game in this sports-mad city.

You will be on a high right through your stay.

While Colorado is indeed colorful as Otterbox promised us with an array of must-see attractions out of town.

From wild west pilgrimage at Buffalo Bill’s graveyard to the natural Red Rocks auditorium.

Jocky Mountain High: With my Scots buddy Neil at Red Rocks

And then out to Golden, home of Coors beer, Steamboat Springs and its open steam baths.

To Boulder, home of Mork and Mindy and its great outdoors at Open Space and Mountain Parks.

While if you’ve the stomach for it why not ride the rapids?

Just the ticket

You’ll truly not want to leave and have an airport that boasts an art gallery and roof putting course.

But don’t take it to my lengths where you mistime your connections.

And find yourself on an eight-hour lay-off and then miss your London link to Dublin through misreading your ticket.

No problem there with your new Dublin to Denver route, commencing on May 17 next year and operating four times weekly.

All of which means with the reboot of Minneapolis/St Paul that’s 19 transatlantic routes on April 29.

Initially operating four times per week, before increasing to a daily service from October next year.

Why not set yourself the challenge then of getting around all the destinations starting with Denver the Aer High City.

America, Countries

San Francisco, what’s in a name?

31st July 202331st July 2023 funtime65

San Francisco, what’s in a name? Well, the good folk of… well, they helpfully tell us what to call them.

Easy, you think… San Fran, right?

But no, wait, our friends in San Fran tell us, no, they hate that.

Fair, having just returned from San Antonio in Texas I knew right off the bat that not to call them San Ants.

Even worse is the F-word ‘Frisco’ which the Pulitzer-winning San Francisco columnist Herb Caen railed against.

When he wrote: ‘Caress each Spanish syllable, salute our Italian saint. Don’t say Frisco and don’t say San-Fran-Cis-Co.

‘That’s the way Easterners, like Larry King, pronounce it.’

City on rock’n’roll

Marconi plays the mambo: Jefferson Airplane

Of course we’re loath to criticise our most-loved musicians who are keen to promote the city.

Particularly when they’re prepared to leave their home in Georgia when they’ve got nothing to live for.

Which gets us to the one San Franciscans like best ‘City by the Bay.

Something’s going to come my way: Otis Redding

And putting aside past monikers Caen’s ‘Baghdad by the Bay’, a Babylon reference.

Or ‘Paris by the West’ when everyone wanted to reference themselves to the French.

Grace Slick perhaps had it best when she sang about ‘building this city on rock’n’roll’.

Gateway to excess

Hippy shake: San Francisco’s Janis Joplin

As well as Jefferson Airplane, the world knows the City by the Bay as the spiritual home of hippies.

With Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, Carlos Santana and Steve Miller and their flower-wearing fans down by Haight-Ashbury.

Of course, as much as every tourist to San Francisco checks out Haight-Ashbury.

We’re advised by Green Day’s biggest fan, my little post-punk rocker, that Billie Joe Armstrong is from across the Golden Gate Bridge in Oakland

All of which is prep work for when we finally get ourselves out to San Francisco.

Which has, of course, been on the radar for ever and certainly since our Aer Lingus trip to Dublin, San Francisco, which Covid stalled.

So, San Francisco, what’s in a name? And now we know, thanks for sharing.

America, Countries, Ireland, Sport

Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland

11th June 2023 funtime65

They spun it around to say it is a football town with a working-class problem and the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland.

Who says so? Well, only the NFL who have awarded the Steelers rights to expand their brand and activities for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

As part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program.

And so what does that mean?

Well, as an active NFL marquee franchise, the Steelers can host exclusive events, such as fan and youth football activities throughout Ireland.

And the Global Markets Program licence also allows them to engage corporate sponsors, merchandise sales and marketing relationships.

Best of all is the news coming out of friend of Ireland and former US Ambassador to Dublin Daniel Rooney is what all gridiron fans want to hear.

Touchdown

“Our aspirations long term are to play a game in Ireland,” said Daniel, the team’s director of business development and strategy.

To date, Ireland has never hosted a regular-season NFL game.

But the Steelers beat the Chicago Bears 30-17 in a pre-season match-up at Dublin’s Croke Park in 1997.

And we’ve enjoyed the biennial college football at the Aviva.

Back to Croke Park and it holds 82,300 and would likely be the site of any future Steelers game.

Of course, the best way to get on board the Steelers is to get out there for yourself… and grab yourself your 15 minutes of fame.

Either down the Steelers stadium or maybe even take in the Andy Warhol Museum

All with Aer Lingus with a round trip from here in Edinburgh from £1,224.

In the family

During his time in Ireland, Rooney helped establish the Ireland Funds programme.

Founded to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development across Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.

Daniel also worked to further the knowledge gridiron throughout Ireland, efforts that included an annual flag football contest.

The Steelers have launched dedicated Irish social media accounts and are planning a fan watch party.

“My family has deep roots throughout Ireland and being able to connect with our fans across the Island is something special to our organisation,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II.

Clearly, as a Rooney, and his grandfather, Art Rooney Sr., was the founding owner of the NFL franchise.

According to the Pew Research Center, Pittsburgh ranked first among large U.S. cities with 17 percent of its population claiming Irish ancestry.

Piling up the teams

Bridge of highs: Pittsburgh

A confession here, your favourite blogger favours Boston and New England in all things American sport.

But now Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to Ireland I might be persuaded.

Heck, who am I kidding? I adopt extra teams every time I tick off a new American city.

And so after my trip to San Antonio the Spurs are now on the roster.

Now I have two horses in the NBA final between Denver and Miami.

And the Stanley Cup with Florida and Las Vegas.

Countries, Europe, Flying

Kos they love Heracles

27th April 202327th April 2023 funtime65

If I’d only paid more attention in my Ancient Greek class I’d know the saga but Kos they love Heracles the Kosians are helping out.

Just like they did back in the hunky Hellenic hero’s day.

The Koans have opened up a new Irish route to their island for the first time from Tuesday, 2 May.

Where you can explore the Dodecanese (that’s 12, so I was listening Mr McCafferty) island’s Herculean history.

The story goes that Hercy and his buddies were driven ashore by a tempest after seizing the girdle of the Amazon Hippolyta.

Where he crossed swords with the renowned athlete Antagoras.

Heracles a her

Now we’re familiar with Hera the macho man but it seems he was comfy too with his female side.

And dressed in women’s clothes to protect himself and see off Antagoras.

All of which drew the attention of Chalkiope who drew a veil over Hera donning a wedding dress too for their nuptials.

Chalkiope bore Hera a son, Thessalos, father of Antiphos and Pheidippos.

Who I don’t have to tell you commanded the ten ships that Kos, Nisyros, the Calydnian islands and Kasos sent to the Trojan War.

All of which you can find out whichever Greek odyssey you take in your island hopping.

All of which may be worth reflecting on on your Aer Lingus flight to Kos.

Modern Kos

And certainly as you curl your tootsies into Kos’s golden sand or tread the old countryside paths Hera once trod.

Heracles is still revered, and rightly so, around these parts.

Where he is a traditional patron-deity of marriage and where poor couples could celebrate their nuptials in his sanctuary.

Modern-day Kos caters too for young romantics.

And we’re advised that Zia is the go-to village for Greek fare restaurants.

Where you can enjoy a plate of Pitardia, similar to lasagne.

While Averof Street in Kos Town is known for its fish taverns.

Trad dishes include Pitardia, Lambropites, Posa cheese, Marmarites, Thyme honey.

And Kanelada, a liquor made with cinnamon and Alefaskia, an island herb.

Lingus and Hellas

While for beach lovers, Lambi is the most popular on the island and Paradise Beach is more remote, but worth exploring.

All the more reason to get on board Aer Lingus’s New route, one of 53 summer excursions.

Kos they love Heracles.

America, Countries

Holy Hollywood Batman

23rd April 202323rd April 2023 funtime65

Holy Hollywood Batman, shine the Bat Signal on that sign… there’s something happening this year.

Well, a lot actually, as Hollywood marks 100 years of its iconic sign.

Our friends from LA, who clearly hang with the Caped Crusader, have brought us up to date with the celebrations.

And pointed us in the direction of Batman’s Cave which Batfans will tell you he carved out in Batman Begins.

And which LA tells us is one of the best vistas to see the Hollywood sign.

It’s a sign

Now those of you who follow my meanderings, you loyal Bandanini and Bandanettes, will already know how close I got to the sign.

From my Starline Tours bus on my Weekend with Marilyn.

Missing out on our party’s hike up to the Griffith Observatory because of a 24-hour bug.

But availing of the hospitality of the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood and binge watching Golden Girls.

Star status

Bandanaman… The star and the duck in Hollywood

Starline have the inside story on Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice Beach and it’s all light.

With their mantra ‘Starline doesn’t do politics’.

They do do one-hour Hollywood Sign tour, with views of Lake Hollywood.

The vista of Downtown LA and the tinsel town glamour of Hollywood Boulevard.

Walking or bussing it aren’t the only way of getting within sight of the Hollywood sign, of course.

Get there how you can

With Bikes and Hikes doing what they say on the tin.

And Sunset Ranch Hollywood offer guided horseback riding tours with spectacular views of the Sign day and night.

While if you want to go all action you can always take a helicopter over the hills.

The Group 3 Aviation will see you flying out of Van Nuys Airport on a 35-minute Hooray for Hollywood Tour.

While Orbic Air takes to the skies from Hollywood Burbsnk Airport on a ten-minute tour.

And that includes bird’s eye views of Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory.

Bat crazy

And, of course, if you want to see Batman himself and join in his adventures then you’re only a stone’s throw away.

From Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.

Where every September 17 they hold an annual Batman Day.

And who knows you could even mock yourself up in a scene.

With a Hollywood sign background and a bubble quote: Holy Hollywood Batman.

CalAerfornia Dreamin’

Of course you need to know how best to get there and where to stay.

And we always recommend availing of Aer Lingus’s pre-clearance through Dublin.

We’re advised too of the best hotels to stay at from which to get the money shots of the Hollywood Sign.

And often the best place to start is at boutique hotel specialists Kimpton.

Hotel signs

The Kimpton Everly Hotel: Right in the heart of Hollywood glitz and glamour the Everly offers views from the rooftop and select guest rooms.

Thompson Hollywood: The chic rooftop pool, dining experiences and event spaces at the laid back, yet refined Thompson Hollywood offer impressive vistas.

Loews Hollywood: An urban oasis at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, Loews Hollywood a collection of guest rooms and meeting spaces offer the best observations.

W Hollywood: On Hollywood Boulevard, W Hollywood offers expansive vistas from their rooftop pool and lounge, guest rooms and suites, and event venues.