Sponsored by Long Beach Days & Getaways by Visit Long Beach
In Long Beach, we know sunshine is the best medicine and a good ocean breeze puts a mind at ease. This SoCal coastal community is the quintessential place to unwind your body and soul with a one-of-a-kind urban luxe getaway combining truly unique relaxation and spa treatments with an opulent resort stay and the city’s most sumptuous cuisine in glamorous settings.
Step 1 – The Stay:
Check in at the Hotel Maya – a DoubleTree by Hilton and soak in waterfront accommodations with unrivaled views of Queensway Bay and Long Beach’s cityscape. Where Mayan mystique meets urban chic, the open-air concept resort with lush, tropical landscaping has 199-rooms, most with balconies or direct patio access to a sandy and secluded beach, huge fire pits and a heated pool with floating cabanas. The extravagant décor and picturesque views make Hotel Maya the most romantic setting around, and a popular wedding venue, too.
Step 2 – Relax:
Following some intentionally unstructured time at the pool, keep on floating with a visit to FloatSpace, a health spa with an isolation tank heated and saturated with salt to create a unique urban oasis for mindful meditation that promises to leave you with a tranquil glow. You’ll find FloatSpace on Pine Avenue – easily accessible from Hotel Maya’s private dock for seasonal water taxi service or a complimentary Downtown shuttle.
On day two of your weekender, consider a stop at the city’s hippest place to unwind, The Salt Lounge, where you can privately lounge in a low-lit, calming and rejuvenating pink salt room, balance your chakra with a trippy blend of light and crystal therapy, discover the color of your aura, and enjoy general good vibes.
Step 3 – Dine:
Dinner reservations are recommended for the award-winning 555 East American Steakhouse, which boasts an outdoor patio for dining under the stars as well as a classic indoor chophouse – replete with rich leathers, woods, and soft lighting – for a dressy night on the town. The cocktails are top-notch, as is the wine list, and you’ll want to take your time over a long evening of exquisite tastes, including 555’s renown hand-cut, corn-fed beef that’s butchered in-house and dry aged for 30 to 75 days. The restaurant is located just across the bay from the Hotel Maya—about a 2.5-mile walk via the Queensway Bridge or less than 10-minute drive (valet available) or rideshare from the hotel.
For night two of your weekend stay, Parkers’ Lighthouse and Queensview Steakhouse boast fine cuisine, including mesquite-grilled seafood, and some of the best cocktails around, with clear views across the harbor of the iconic Lions Lighthouse for Sight or RMS Queen Mary.
Step 4 – Nightcap:
If you’re not ready to sink your full stomach into bed for the night, consider hopping over to Pine Avenue’s BO-beau kitchen + roof tap for a California spin on French nightcaps. Located in the heart of the Downtown Long Beach’s entertainment district, BO-beau is the perfect spot for a glamorous evening out. The first floor, indoor dining room features cozy, private booths surrounded by lavish décor reminiscent of a French salon with a nightlife vibe. Upstairs, the more casual rooftop (or as they call it, “rooftap”) offers bartop or picnic table dining under twinkling lights – plus, playful arcade games.
On night two, check out a truly unique gem, Risü. Specializing in shared plates, crafted cocktails and a varied wine list, Risü is located on the Rainbow Bridge that connects the Terrace Theater on Ocean Boulevard to the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center’s promenade on Pine Avenue. The stunningly designed pedestrian bridge is bedecked with LED lights that perform a rainbow-colored light show nightly, and make for a glamorous backdrop as you enjoy your nightcap beside one of Risü’s firepits.
Step 5 – Brunch:
You won’t have to go far from your hotel room for the not-to-be-missed brunch at Hotel Maya’s Latin-infused Fuego restaurant and lounge, where the spirited cuisine is served al fresco on a patio so close to the water you might feel the sea spray. Weekend brunch is a hot commodity for visitors and locals alike, with an innovative menu created by renowned Executive Chef Victor Juarez, a native Salvadorian, who provides upscale takes on foods that transport your taste buds direct to Cuba or Mazatlan without having to go through customs.
Step 6:
Before you leave town and hop into freeway traffic, clear your mind and stretch your body with Yoga on the Bluff, a free and relaxing workout overlooking the beach. Classes take place every day just across the street from Bixby Park from 11 a.m. to Noon, and are incredibly popular among locals and visitors alike.
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