Relax in an AVIA Long Beach Grand King room

Tired of staying in the same big hotels with no personality? On your Long Beach vacation, snag a room at the AVIA Long Beach, and enjoy living well without depleting your bank account.

The boutique hotel’s 138 rooms include crisp linens, Italian-cotton coverlet, McCartan-designed furniture and lighting fixtures, complimentary wired and wireless Internet, MP3 docking station, large bathroom with walk-in shower and waterfall shower head, coffeemaker and flat-panel TV. My room, a Grand King, included a seating area and office space, so I could get my work done.

It may be tempting to lounge in your luxe room, but venture out to the hotel’s handful of restaurant/lounge options. The AVIA Kitchen offers Southern California farm-to-table fare for breakfast and dinner. Right across the lobby, the AVIA Lounge is a swanky bar where you can enjoy drinks and small plates. When the weather is good, head upstairs to the Rooftop 360˚ bar to enjoy the view.

The AVIA Long Beach is just a few steps from The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, located
in the heart of downtown Long Beach’s waterfront dining and entertainment district. It’s also within walking distance of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific.

AVIA Long Beach, 562-436-1047
285 Bay Street, Long Beach, CA 90802

Photo courtesy of AVIA Long Beach

More Long Beach area-related information:
Parker’s Lighthouse in Long Beach

Will you see a ghost during your stay on the Queen Mary?

The elegant Queen Mary evokes a romantic era and style of travel. Built from 1930 to 1936, the grand ocean liner is permanently docked in Long Beach, Calif., as a hotel and museum—but did you know the ship is also home to ghost stories?

Before we get into the spooky stuff, check into your stateroom. There are 314 original first-class staterooms on board, including nine full suites. Each room has original built-ins and wood paneling, as well as iPod clock radios. Most (not all) rooms include 32-inch flat-panel TVs. The size and layout of the rooms vary, and all feature portholes. The suites include a living room with a pull-out sofa bed.

On-board entertainment includes the Queen Mary Spa, guided tours, exhibits, boutiques and shops, and a variety of dining options.

But let’s get to the ghosts. Year-round paranormal tours are given at night for the bravest guests. Will you meet the little girl who wanders near the first-class swimming pool? Who knows unless you seek her out. This month, however, the Queen Mary adds the Dark Harbor event—full of mazes, food and cocktails, and live music.

The best place to stay after you’ve scared yourself silly? Your stateroom on the Queen Mary.

The Queen Mary, 877-342-0742
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802

Photo courtesy of dlofink, Flickr

More haunted information:
Five Haunted Hotels in New Orleans