The bathroom was best designed I've ever seen. The shower contained two shower heads, so that Bob and I could shower together without fighting over water. Plus he could lift shower head to reach over his 6'3" height, and I could lower mine to my comfort as well. The tub is not to be missed. It's large enough for two of us plus a large dog, quite comfortably. Jets give your tired feet and back a delightful massage. As an extra touch of comfort, tub is heated from underneath, so no matter how long you sit in tub (and I was there a very long time), water never gets cold. If that isn't enough, tub overlooks same view as living room. Needless to say, I acquired a rather permanent pruny quality to my skin over three days we visited.

The staff wants you to feel as though you are visiting a friend's home, a place where your soul is replenished, where abundant natural beauty brings you back in harmony with yourself and nature. The Lodge's heart and soul are about balance — wonderful nature, fun-loving people, a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. How do they do it?

It starts even before you arrive. If you notify Matakauri of your likes and dislikes, they will have everything waiting for you. But even if you didn't plan ahead, they make it appear as though you had. We had been traveling so much that we didn't quite get around to telling them that I am allergic to wheat and mushrooms. No problem . . . cook was able to make some adjustments on fly.

But we really put them to test when we asked if my step-son and his girlfriend, who had been living in Queenstown, might be able to join us for dinner. This was trickier because Lodge only hosts 16 people when it is full, and there were only eight guests when we were there. The chef usually only cooks for number of guests, but he was cheerfully able to accommodate our last minute request.

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Cymber Quinn, 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

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