Experience One of the Most Talked About Afternoon Tea & Etiquette Classes on the West Coast with the

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. October 14, 2008

LOS ANGELES, CA, June 8, 2005. Imagine holding court in the surroundings of a historic palace complete with Italian-Spanish Renaissance style architecture and servings of elegant afternoon tea. Fanciful? Not in the least because this is a vision brought to life at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, where one can experience daily afternoon tea and tea etiquette classes in the hotel's spectacular Rendezvous Court.

The afternoon tea and classes is an opportunity for guests to revel in the grand surroundings of the Rendezvous Court and savor the elaborate Moorish-type ceilings, ornate double staircases, bronze and crystal chandeliers, fountains and beautiful painted murals.

The Millennium Biltmore's Special Events Package offers guests the opportunity to stay at the hotel at a special rate to experience afternoon tea and the attractions of Los Angeles. Guests who show ticket stubs used in the last seven days for the Music Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Staples Center, and Dodger Stadium will receive an exclusive Special Events Package rate. The package includes: classic guest room accommodations, complimentary breakfast for two in Smeraldi's Restaurant, and valet parking. Additional breakfasts will cost extra. The rates for the package begin at $169 and are valid through December 31, 2005, based on availability.

Reservations for afternoon tea or classes are separate from package reservations. For afternoon tea and etiquette class reservations please call 213-612-1562 and for more information on the hotel and packages please visit www.millenniumhotels.com or call 800-245-8673.

While at the hotel guests can enjoy several tasteful tea-time events including:

Daily Afternoon Tea at the Rendezvous Court

Daily afternoon tea is available in the refined settings of the Rendezvous Court from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Tea selections range from Ceylon & India Black Tea Blended to Apricot Cinnamon Herbal Tea. Guests can also choose from two set tea courses, the Empress Afternoon Tea, which includes choice of pot of tea, a selection of tea sandwiches and exquisite miniature pastries. Another option is the Princess afternoon Tea, which offers choice of a pot of tea plus freshly baked scones and an assortment of freshly baked pastries. The Empress Afternoon Tea is priced at $20.50 per person and the Princess Afternoon Tea is priced at $16 per person, all excluding tax and gratuity. Guests have a choice of sparkling wines and champagnes to choose from as well for an additional cost.

Fairy Tea Garden & Etiquette Tutorial (August 6, 2005, from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.)

Children will love the magic of this tutorial, which teaches about fairy folklores where every blade of grass, flower and leaf has a story to tell. They will have the opportunity to construct their own miniature fairy landscape garden with an assortment of items such as summer flowers, herbs, pebbles (for pathways) and fairy seats, etc., and bring their creation home. They will then learn about the joy of afternoon teas and the correct etiquettes and protocols of various styles of tea. The Fairy Tea Garden & Etiquette Tutorial is priced at $59 for adults and $49 for children. The tutorial is conducted by Linda Bibalo Etiquette Consultant.

The Millennium Biltmore's British Royal Tea Tutorial (October 15, 2005, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

Explore and enjoy the world of tea with experts Linda Bibalo and Alan Scherner who will impart their knowledge on the rituals and customs of the British afternoon tea tradition. The tutorial includes tastings of different varieties of tea. The British custom of afternoon tea is seen as an opportunity to relax and melt into comfortable surroundings to catch up with friends and family. The tutorial is priced at $39.

Teddy Bear Tea & Etiquette Classes (December 10, 2005)

*Session 1 for children ages 4 - 7 at 2:00 p.m.

*Session 2 for children ages 8 and up at 4:00 p.m.

The teddy bear tea and etiquette classes are not only a great holiday gift but an excellent way to spend time with the kids and learn about the customs of afternoon tea. Parents, children and cuddly teddy bears will enjoy afternoon tea while learning etiquette lessons that they can put to use immediately including the art of handshaking, eye contact, usage of napkins, conducting polite conversations and table manners. Children can take their new found friends, the teddy bears, home as well, or donate to a local charity! The tickets are priced at $29 for children under the ages of 12 years old and $39 for adults.

Victorian Tea & Etiquette Classes (December 11, 2005, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

The Victorian era was known to be an opulent and extravagant period, with much importance placed on social graces. Linda Bibalo will discuss with participants the differences and similarities between modern afternoon tea customs and the tea ceremonies of the Victorian era. This fascinating class includes servings of a complete Victorian Holiday Tea course, a tea tutorial, an illustrated pamphlet for reference, and a tea gift. Tickets are priced at $39 per adults and $29 for children ages 12 and under. This is a great class for men to attend.

The atmosphere for afternoon teas at the Millennium Biltmore is heightened by the surrounding architectural beauty of the hotel, which was designed by celebrated New York City architectural firm, Schultze and Weaver. The firm's portfolio of projects included landmarks such as the Waldorf-Astoria, the Pierre and the Park Lane Hotels in New York City, and the Sevilla Biltmore in Havana, Cuba. Senior partners, Leonard Schultze and Fullerton Weaver considered the hotel as one of their finest architectural achievements.

The architectural ingenuity of Schultze and Weaver was complemented by the dazzling imagination and artistry of Italian master artist, Giovanni Smeraldi who created many of the hotel's elaborate frescoes and murals with the assistance of local artisan, Anthony Heinsbergen. Smeraldi's trademark was his fondness of depicting mythical figures such as goddesses, cupids and satyrs, which can be viewed in numerous public spaces around the hotel. Smeraldi's work can also be seen in New York's Grand Central Terminal and the Blue Room in The White House. Heinsbergen contributed by producing the Rendezvous Court's Moorish ceiling, which has wood beams adorned with rams and cherubs and frieze of a Spanish coat of arms. Heinsbergen also designed the court's grand doorway with an intricate surface decoration reminiscent of the Churrigueresque or Spanish baroque style.