Everyone needs some time to relax and have a refreshing holiday. I planned a voyage to one of the beach hotels in Manhattan, California. Eager, I zeroed in on the Belamar Hotel after hearing some positive word-of-mouth. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. Far from it!

The Belamar is about one mile from the beach and is next to the Manhattan Village Mall. The whole place has a very Victorian feel to it. As I entered the lobby through sensor-activated glass doors, I walked into a huge lobby decorated with a tasteful mix of wooden and brass settings. The hotel can house guests in its 120 rooms spread over three levels. Every room has down comforters, signature products, a flat screen TV, a CD player, as well as free Wi-Fi access.

The hotel offers a splendid assortment of rooms, namely, the skyline and tranquility suites. The skyline rooms have a very charming touch to their dcor, with a light colored hue to the walls and linens alike. The tranquility rooms offer a scenic view of Manhattan Beach and are designed for nature admirers. The general suites are suited for a king-size lifestyle and even have a personalized garden patio. It is notable that the Belamar also has rooms for newlyweds eager to spend some quiet time snuggling.

While there, I was privy to a pleasing wedding ceremony. Turns out, the Belamar takes pride in offering exquisite wedding banquet services. There is an in-house ballroom designed for lavish arrangements, with ceremonies taking place in their exquisite garden. For the guests driving into town, parking is no problem. The hotel offers valet parking around the clock and your vehicle can be checked from the comfort of your own room. For business travelers, of which I was not one, the Belamar makes basking in the Californian sunshine easy. The business center is well equipped and offers complementary high-speed internet facilities, AV-equipment for rent, and concierge services.

To add to this majesty, the Belamar allowed me to bring my pet along! Although they charged me a minor fee, I was able to bring Scotty, my Dalmatian, to Los Angeles. Now, for smokers, you should know that the hotel is completely smoke free. Being a non-smoker, myself, I was happy to enjoy all that refreshing air (in Los Angeles, no less). Inside the Belamar is a marvelously huge dining space called Second Story. The food? Great. And the service? Exemplary -- just like everything else at the Belamar. It's certainly a four star place in my little black book.