Los Angeles: Where the stars stay: L.A. trendy's Sheraton Gateway offers celebs comfort away from home 
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(BlackPressMagazine.com) - Anyone who has seen the shows, "Pimp my ride" and "Cribs," knows that celebrities like to drive fly whips and live in great homes. But where do the nation's hottest stars stay when they travel?
We wondered the same thing, so over the next six weeks Black Press Magazine Travel Team will take our show on the road for a 12 part, four-city Celebrity Travel podcast series entitled, "Pimp my trip: Travel like a rockstar." The podcasts will take place in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and special mix of the states of Florida/Georgia.
First up, Los Angeles, CA's ultra hip Sheraton Gateway Hotel.
Right about now, the City of Los Angeles is buzzing about a secret hotspot. It's the kind of place that you have to tell a friend about. In fact, the hotel has housed music executive Suge Knight, rap star Snoop Dogg and his family before they flew off on a plane. And when the NBA was looking for a swanky but discret venue to host the NBA MVP award ceremony, it chose the Shertaon Gateway Hotel, the hip and happening division of the Kor Hotel chain that calls the Los Angeles Airport home.
"I got a call saying the NBA saying they wanted to reserve the area for an event, but I had no idea what it was for," said Rachael Ferguson, the African American Director of Catering for the Sheraton Gateway. "A few hours later I got the call that said the event was for Kobe's MVP ceremony. I was shocked, but we did a great job. The entire team - past and present - came for the event. It worked out really well," Ferguson said.
Like Snoop Dogg, Miss Black USA Christeney White (picutred above) loves the Sheraton Gateway hotel which houses the only Shula's restaurant inthe entire state of California. The Sheraton Gateway hotel was also selected by the National Basketball Association for the ultra exclusive MVP award ceremony for L.A. Laker star Kobe Bryant.
"I was in town for the BET Awards and I had a lot of things that I needed to do. But most importantly, I needed my sleep. The Sheraton Gateway provides a cool, hip and fun atmosphere and the luxury and pampering comfort that I'm used to. I love it here," said White.
Committed to diversity
With an all-Black female management staff the hotel is nicely positioned to provide a little extra something that many of its patrons appreciate. There's Doreen Mills who heads up the hotel's Business Travel Sales, helping companies plan top-notch parties and corporate team building. Plus, Fila Jones is the general manager of Shula's 347, the restaurant that seats up to 125 people and boasts a relaxed but upscale dining experienc. So why are people buzzing about an airport hotel? Probably because it isn't just any hotel property.
Now the hotel is hoping to attract more people of color, both within the city of Los Angeles and outside to stay, play and reply on the hotel to deliver an unfortable experience.
"I want to be the first choice that African American businesses think of when planning their meetings," said Ferguson. "We have a heavy presence here, I know that you will be happy here. When you're planning an event in the area, I that I ask is that you call me and give me the opportunity to see what i can for you," said Ferguson.
Rooms with a view
Even from street level it's clear to see that the Sheraton Gateway is not your average hotel. The Sheraton Gateway Hotel sits tucked away behind a extra wide horseshoe shaped drive way next to other chain hotels on Century Blvd. The hum of engines can be heard in the background as planes land and take off from LAX's Terminal 7, but that's where the airport feeling ends.
Once inside the lobby excites the senses and plays tricks on the eyes. With a plush black-based decor, the hotel designed is fung shui-inspired with overside chairs, leather furniture and a blend of Asian beauty. The splash of red throughout the lobby accentuates the carefully selected knick knacks that grace the backgrounds of the reservation and check-in desk. But if you'd think this hotel is stuffy and run-of-the-mill, think again. Everything about the property is designed to for bring back repeat customers.
JetSet Sundays: Blinged out pool parties
But by far one of the exciting places in the hotel has to be the blinged-out pool area which has private, draped heated cabanas that can be sealed off from the rest of the pool area.
Every Sunday from 2-7 pm, the Sheraton Gateway hosts JetSet Sundays and is transformed into a happening pool party complete with a live musical feast from L.A.'s own P.J. Butter of 92.7 FM JAMS, unlimited grilled and vegetarian selections, ice cream treats and impressive drink specials like the Barackatini, which is a delicious carmel appletini. Bed like couches - complete with pillows - are flanked in between oversized patio couches which allow provide the perfect pampering moment for private parties up to four or five people to sit comfortable during any type of weather easily bring an air of oppulence while spacious seating options lend well to unfortable evenings or days by the pool. Each of the four couches comes with a waiter, coffee table and a large heating device to offset the sometimes cool California nights.
"We break out the grills and serve up some BBQ, crank out great music, but best of all there's free admission," Ferguson says. Patrons can opt to pay $15 to have unlimited access to the food and bar or just sit back and enjoy the experience.
"We can even host events by the pool that can accomodate up to 200 people," said Ferguson, who has contracted with two of L.A's hottest promoters to transform the hotel pool area into a social oasis that draws some of L.A.'s most affluent African American from communities like Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills, and Baldera.
"The proceeds from our popular Jet Set Sundays events benefit Chocolate Keepsakes for Los Angeles-based youth," Ferguson said. "We have an upcoming "White Party" that will be complete with food, music and fireworks for the 4th of July," she said. And we're very excited about the "All Black" party on August 31, 2008 where everyone must wear all Black. BlackWeekly.com (first fridays).
From Hollywood TV Trivia to Family Reunions
From a lively bar to a delicious family style eatery called The Brassiare to the world class Shula's 347, the Sheraton Gateway hotel takes it food choices seriously. Even general manager Fila Jones holds a culinary degree. The Sheraton Gateway hotel has even featured on an episode of the wildly popular TV show, "Top Shelf."
"Shula's 347 is a great restaurant and the city really enjoys us," said Jones, who will be heading to the Carolinas in August to open a new restaurant. Named after former NFL coach Don Shula, there are other Shula's located in Texas, Chicago, Alabama and Florida.
The hotel enjoys a healthy revenue stream of family reunions and other large group events. And it should. With 50,000 square feet of meeting space. 11,400 square feet of meeting room space, there's more than enough room to house a well-attended event. The 26 break out rooms are complemented by smaller salons and three ballrooms. Plus, for those who prefer a private party the "PDR Room" can hold up to 40 people and comes complete with a mega-inch flatscreen TV.
Ferguson hints that the experience will be enhanced soon as new menus will be unveiled in July. Executive Chef Thomas Moran developed new banquet menus that are perfect for weddings, private functions and business meetings.
To learn more about JetSet Sundays pool parties which lasts through Labor Day, call Fila Jones at 310-642-4825. To schedule a business event call Doreen Mills, director of business travel sales at 310-642-1111 or visit their website at http://www.sheratonlosangeles.com and tell them BlackPodcasts.com sent you.
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