That evening I attended, ad hoc, a non-profit fund raising Renaissance Faire in Trade Center courtyard, sponsored by "Who's Who" of Long Beach, drumming up money for local legal aid committee. Local California and imported wines from around world were poured and tasted and spilled while costumed period actors from Elizabethan era mingled with crowd. I had a spot of Australian merlot whilst in company of Queen Elizabeth and Henry VIII and court courtesans. My favorite character was Court Jester. A jazz band played into early evening and it was a great way to meet local "peasants," so to speak.

After meeting Jay, Long Beach Hilton's General Manager, who has been with property since it opened in early 1990s, I surmised that hotel has established itself as a pillar of local art community as well as a hostelry. The collection of tapestries and art works is incredible for a hotel. A 70-year-old hand-made Thai seeded and pearl tapestry hung on one wall and a six panel folding Japanese screen from early 20th-century, depicting a scene from "Tale of Genii" by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, was positioned unobtrusively.

The artist Yoko Watanabe, who is an internationally respected printmaker and woodblock carver, has a rice paper print over Lobby Bar depicting scenes from Far East. A commissioned mural in Ascari Restaurant by Fred Crostic, a Long Beach native known in international café society, contrasted with another California artist - Pat Everet. I didn't check to see if any of art work was for sale.

After checking my email in Hilton's little alcove around corner from registration desk, my last scene of lobby was Allen sprinting to assist a new arrival. I quess this is why Hilton Long Beach has twice earned Hilton Hotels' Top Guest Service Award.

Upon further inspection next day I examined Hilton's period costumes from China to Balkans to Morocco and Nigeria and Scotland. Someone has put an enormous amount of effort to make this Hilton a cultural and artistic high note in Long Beach.

The 393-room Hilton Long Beach offers 15 stories of great views of bay. From my Deluxe King room (bigger than standard rooms, smaller than suites) on 8th floor I had a bird's eye view of historic and legendary Queen Mary floating in art deco spendor in distance.

Below me, Hilton roof top pool atop valet entrance saw travelers reveling in cool, blue waters. The hotel also has a 4,500 square foot health club with free weight machines and massages by appointment.

Every room has two line phones and dataport and executive level rooms come with cordless telephones and CAIS high-speed internet. All rooms have an in-room refreshment center. There are bike and jogging trails nearby that gently rolled past Hilton into a harbor-side park. I wanted to rent a bike for day.

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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

Local delicacies are focus of Terrace's menu, whose mantra is,"serve fresh, serve local". By marrying British and French cuisine with fresh resources, Executive Chef Mike Taylor and Sous Chef Simon Jenkins present a unique and sophisticated five-course menu that changes daily. With an expanded à la carte menu, a traditional table d'hote continues to be available along with a new "light bites" menu that is available all day. A most delicious and refreshing addition to menu is a variety of ice creams and sorbets made fresh daily with local ingredients.

The first paragraphs of this article is a description of evening I enjoyed at The Terrace Restaurant. My fellow travelers and I were greeted by General Manager, Hamish and Linda Watson, who lead us to a lovely outdoor garden patio where they insisted we all try legendary "Cobblers Cooler". This innocuous concoction looks innocent enough but try more than one and you might find yourself on wrong end of conga line. The Cobblers Cooler is a delicious and dangerous combination of three ounces of local white and brown rum, fruit punch mix, peaches, pears, grapes, fruit cocktail fruit, a splash of Grenadine for colour, garnished with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.

We enjoyed tasty canapés with our Cobblers Coolers before moving to The Terrace Restaurant on edge of crescent beach, under a cozy thatched roof to savor a menu that was a delight to palate.

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Kris King, 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