I am really looking forward to my travels this coming week. On Tuesday I head south to Los Angeles to meet up with my Global Traveler colleagues as we gather to celebrate the winners of the 2012 GT Tested Reader Survey Awards. This provides a rare opportunity for me, as the last time (and the first time) I met, face-to-face, the people I work with daily was nearly four years ago, at the celebration in New York of GT‘s fifth year of publication. Telecommuting does have its benefits and its drawbacks!

The night before the big event we’ll gather for dinner at a fine restaurant in Beverly Hills, followed the next day by a staff meeting. I know some of you who attend business meetings on a daily basis might stiffle a yawn at such a prospect. However, I enjoy the opportunity to hear and see how other departments of the publication work, affording me insights into their issues that we on the editorial side don’t face. The party Wednesday evening will be the climax of the trip, held at the beautiful Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel.

My two nights in L.A. will be spent at the Hotel Palomar in Westwood. This will be my first stay at a Kimpton property, and already I’m impressed. Part of the booking process included inquiries as to my favorite snacks and beverages, so that they might be stocked in my room upon my arrival. A few days ago, hotel concierge Josué Ticas Amaya contacted me to invite me to email a favorite photo so that the staff could frame it and have it placed in my room to provide me with a welcoming touch of home. The hotel hosts a wine hour every evening in the lobby and tea and coffee each morning. I also plan to take advantage of their complimentary car service to take me to the events at The Peninsula and to do a little window shopping on Rodeo Drive.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor