Queen Mary Hotel

Location. Permanently moored on San Pedro Bay in Long Beach, Calif., the Queen Mary outlived her sea-worthy days and now offers guests a unique portal into her historic past. The Queen Mary Hotel floats adjacent to the Russian submarine, Scorpion, and the ship provides access from her pier to the Catalina ferry. The Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Marina are less than two miles away.

Hotel Features. Art Deco ambience permeates the Queen Mary Hotel with brass-and- nickel fixtures and vaulted ceilings. Piped-in classical music serves as a reminder of the era's original resplendence. Measuring 1,019 feet in length, the hotel features original art, and 1930s dinnerware and furniture. The Queen Mary Hotel features three harbor-view restaurants and an on-board spa that offers massages, facials, reflexology and chiropractic treatments. This Long Beach hotel also features a bar, wedding chapel, a three- level, 45,000- square-foot exhibition hall, and conference and reception space that accommodates up to 2,000 attendees. Cabaret, comedy and live-music shows are presented in the ship's salons throughout the week.

Guestrooms. Lacquered-wood hallways lined with polished handrails lead guests of the Queen Mary Hotel to 365 staterooms that are individually furnished with Art Deco decor and ocean-themed art. Subtle reminders of the Queen Mary's ocean-faring past include non-functional faucets labeled for salt water. All accommodations feature dial-up Internet access (fees apply), multi-line telephones and complimentary toiletries. Coffeemakers and refrigerators are available upon request.

Expert Tip. Daily guided tours reveal the history of the Queen Mary, including tales of documented hauntings. The Queen Mary Hotel's staff recommends cocktail hour following the tour, especially if apparitions made an appearance while the tour was being conducted.