Escape to a world of glamorous Nirvana with a distinct French verve next to such idyllic spots as the Rodeo Drive, Sunset Boulevard, and Melrose Avenue. Plus, there are heaps of places to visit in this recreational/cultural mecca. The arty crowd loves to flock to places like the Getty Center with its riveting architecture and serene gardens. The more playful populace, on the other hand, prefers the joy rides and frolic of the Los Angeles Disneyland. The moment you walk into Sofitel Los Angeles you will be engulfed by the slight asymmetry characteristic of Rococo art and the bold designs symbolic of the Art Deco style. Check into any guest room of this five star luxury hotel and the pleasing functionality combined with deep-felt aesthetics cannot fail to impress you. The Superior Double guestroom, for instance, radiates artistic chic even as it houses all the up-to-the-minute trappings including high speed internet, an MP3 radio alarm clock, a 32-inch LCD flat panel television set etc. Attached to your room is a luxury bathroom complete with a glass-enclosed shower and bath tub. There is also a hair-dryer in your bathroom as well as a magnifying mirror. A sense of easy cordiality pervades throughout the hotel. Walk into the glossy yet dimly-lit interiors of the luxury bar Stone Rose Lounge. Sip your cocktail in a delightful Franco-American setting next to candle-light simulated lamps with soft music playing in the background. Sample what are called ‘fusion delicacies’ at the Lounge or step into the famed Simon LA restaurant offering a range of mouth-watering fare under the expert guidance of its talented chef, Kerry Simon. Heavenly! Do not forget to check out the luxury resort spa of the Sofitel Los Angeles for an experience of real ecstatic bliss. Not only does it house a state-of-the-art fitness center but also a luxurious hammam in which you can soak and lose yourself to paradisiacal bliss. If you like swimming you would love the Sofitel outdoor heated swimming pool. The various body treatments, massages and sauna will have you coming back for more. If you feel like giving vent to your exploratory instinct walk up to the Rodeo Drive, the favorite haunt of film stars. A plethora of Christian Dior, Chanel, Armani and Gucci makes these labels appear common place and every day. Shopping at stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Pierre Deux could burn a huge hole in your pocket so you should be content with window shopping, not a bad enough activity in itself. Or, from your hotel turn into Melrose Avenue, another star shopping haven. Slightly cheaper than its statelier cousin it has great night clubs and unique stores selling old books and records, even Disney memorabilia, antiques and the like. You can sample tasty North American fare here in funky yet high-grade restaurants like Patina, Have A Nice Day, or Ago. The best way to explore Melrose Avenue is on foot so that you can get to savor and soak in its delicious ambience. There’s a lot more to do, of course, in LA. Why not discover for yourself?

The Sofitel Water Tower on East Chestnut Street in Chicago’s downtown area embraces a whirlwind statement in post-modernity throughout its 32 glass-constructed storeys. It disposes of 415 state-of-the-art guest rooms, including 33 luxury suites. Guests love the Superior Room of this five star luxury hotel replete with two double queen-sized beds. The a la mode technological finesse is evident right through with relevance to the 32-inch LCD screen television set, an upgraded Bose musical system, high-speed internet and laptop safe. All the guest rooms are steeped in luxury, sleekness and comfort. Here, functionality meets indulgence in a perfect confluence. All rooms have radio, TV, a safe deposit box, a security peephole, smoke alarm and so on. The modern bathrooms of this luxury hotel come with all the latest trappings like a telephone, hair dryer, magnifying mirror, and separate shower. The Sofitel Chicago Water Tower is pretty conveniently located as well. Take the time to visit the historic Water House which is right next door. Oscar Wilde, who’d visited the structure in the 1880s, had said of it, “It is a castellated monstrosity with little salt and pepper shakers stacked on top. ” That may be so but it is definitely worth a visit for it withstood the Great Fire of 1871. The luxury hotel is barely a sneezing distance away from one of the noteworthy landmarks of the city, the Tribune building which won the international competition for the ‘most beautiful office building’ in 1922. Its soaring buttresses over a crowned tower are patterned after a cathedral in Rouen in France. After you get tired of staring up at the summit, relieve that crick in your neck by staring down at the base. You’ll be surprised. Your eyes will be greeted by stones from practically all the magnificent sites of the world including the Taj Mahal and the Parthenon. For connoisseurs of the fine arts there is the Art Institute of Chicago some two kilometers away. This is a visual treasure house of sorts featuring African-American artists, Chicago artists etc. The museum is also divided into various themes such as Mythology, Children, Portraits, Silk Road and so on. And if you want to take a nice brisk walk somewhere, go over to the Chicago Botanical Gardens and breathe in the natural beauty there. And after you are tired of your excursions return to your luxury hotel and check into Le Bar with its ultra-modern furnishings. Enjoy specialty martinis or a wide range of Champagne and other cocktails here while taking in the sleek glass ambience and stylish décor. You can later dine inside your room or, better still, we recommend strongly that you try and sample some of the delights from chef Martial Noguier’s pan at the Café des Architects. The mouth-watering dishes prepared by this highly talented head chef have to be tasted to be believed. The main theme of the cuisine is French (what else?) with an eclectic international flavor. Don’t forget to sample some of it at least, during your stay at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower!