HeroVacations.com also offers plenty of other travel packages for those who are more interested in relaxation. The site includes packages of all price points to more than 700 destinations in United States, Europe Caribbean and Mexico. Interestingly, many packages are available to cities that one may not necessarily think of at first but price and inclusions make them quite attractive for even budget traveler.

Next on agenda, states Davis, “is to add more aggressive travel specials to preferred destinations for our clientele. We expect to make an announcement soon regarding a partnership with a major hotel company to provide specials in these destinations. Additionally, plans include offering full ski packages in time for winter ski season.”

HeroVacations.com is a privately held marketing company that provides travel opportunities through affiliate partnerships and individual contracts. The principles have more than 75 years of experience in travel industry. For more information, please visit http://www.herovacations.com.

I am surprised on how hilly downtown Los Angeles is. A short walk around hotel finds me puffing for air and thinking of a subdued version of San Francisco. I am within walking distance or short cab ride to West Coast culture, including Ahmanson Theater, California Science Center, Chinatown, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Flower Market, Garment District, Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Japanese American National Museum, The Jewelry District, Little Tokyo, LA Zoo, Mark Taper Forum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Our Lady Queen of Angels Cathedral, and LA County Museum. The new Walt Disney Concert Hall is not far away, home to Los Angeles Philharmonic. A beautiful LA County library is right across street on Grand Avenue.

The Biltmore’s Sports Bar is rated best downtown by locals, so I can not leave out nearby sporting venues, such as Brookside Golf Course, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and Staples Center, home of Lakers. The Sports Bar offers happy hour specials and Sierra Nevada pitchers for under $11. Try snappy sounding drinks such as Two Point Conversion, The Grand Slam, A Day At The Ball Park, or upbeat Cheerleader.

For more elegant apertifs and drinks try hotel’s Gallery Bar and Cognac Room, near lobby, an elegant lounge offering fine wine, exclusive liqueurs, and signature drinks, such as Black Dahlia. The Black Dahlia Martini is named after actress Elizabeth Short who disappeared after she was last seen catching a cab by a doorman at Biltmore in 1947. She was later found murdered, unsolved to this day.

The Black Dahlia was invented by Greg Guzelian, hotel’s winner of award, “Downtown’s Bartender Of The Year” in 2003. The $14 Black Dahlia is comprised of Citron Vodka, Kahlua, and Chambord, and result is a purple brown drink that tastes like chocolate. It is served in a martini glass with an orange rind. Phone Gallery Bar, at 213/624-1011 to find out about jazz artists that play Thursday and Saturday nights.

With striking elegance and grand ambience dining choices at Millennium Biltmore are a mélange of culinary delights.

Sai Sai, famous Janapense restaurant, has a Peruvian Chef, Ricardo Zarate, who specializes in Japanese cuisine, even throughout his Latin America career. Enjoy small plates and pan fried oysters with jalapeño chilies and Shishito peppers with tomato salsa and lemon dressing, or his Ceviche with orange panzu coriander juice and yuzu dressing. Or try kaki shihito — a single deep fried Kumamato oyster dressed in shell, with tomato yuzu salsa and charred Shishito pepper. Sai Sai lunch and dinner menus feature popular dishes, including sushi, sashimi, Robata grill, tempuras, Kobe beef, shellfish, and vegetarian dishes, and infused South American pan fried oysters. Dinner for two runs about $65. Sai Sai is open Monday thru Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for dinner Monday thru Saturday from 6-10 p.m. Sai Sai reservations: 213/624 1100.

Smeraldi’s Restaurant is where I dined for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it offers a more California - style cuisine in a casual atmosphere that suits my every need. The two level restaurant is a splash of glowing gold and frescos and painted clouds on high carved wooden ceilings. The Mediterranean tile floors are bright. I had dining rights to floor-to-ceiling window seat on upper level for evening dinner so that I could watch famous LA dusk descend over Grand Avenue and Pershing Square across street. A vintage menu from hotel’s archives is featured monthly at Smeraldi's. I opted for lighter fare of Salmon Salad, grilled to perfection, with baby greens, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, and roasted shallot and balsamic vinaigrette. My waiter, from Mexico, has been serving hotel guests for over 25 years. I was only diner in restaurant, but it soon fills up with artists, writers, and loyal locals. Smeraldi's reservations: To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/millennium/lax/biltmore.html

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent– Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com