We’ve all heard how damning and abysmal the statistics of long distance relationships all turn out. For the most part, the flux that comes with being in a long distance relationship (or an LDR if you will) soon turns into a chaotic and routinely expensive lifestyle.

For two folks who both work from home, the take-turn-visits quickly start to cramp your style – both in a professional and personal manner. Having been a serial LDR-dater for some time, I thought I’d try something new this go-round. Instead of having to play tour guide in Houston with a visit from him or me heading into the bright lights of Las Vegas to see him, we decided to venture into neutral territory in hopes of keeping the romance alive – Beverly Hills!

For our first two nights, we stayed at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. My first thought for two people in the sports world who are practically sponsored by Under Armor and Nike was that we may stick out like sore thumbs in the common areas, but like so many other things in life, assuming is never a good thing.

The entire staff (we’re talking front desk, valet, waiters, maids, you name it) was not only friendly, but more importantly, welcoming during our stay. If you’ve ever ventured into one of the more luxurious brands of hotels, you know that a welcoming attitude goes far beyond friendly smiles and opening of doors.

We were put up in a corner room on the sixth floor complete with a step-out balcony overlooking the Beverly Center, the infamous Hollywood sign, and the overflowing landscape of Los Angeles. Luckily the hotel was big enough (certainly an understatement) to host our individual morning routines.

Each morning he’d get up and head into the library just beyond the lobby and I’d head off to a five-mile running trail down Santa Monica (thanks to the suggestion of the fit-and-friendly morning concierge who always greeted my return with an ice cold Fuji water). Then we’d meet up for a delicious and hearty breakfast at an outside table at the hotel restaurant, Culina. Our breakfasts were filled with fruity smoothies, runny eggs and delightful pomegranate syrup for my almond wheat pancakes.

Chauffered in a Rolls Royce

On our first day we were chauffeured by the hotel’s courtesy car, which just so happened to be all things Beverly Hills — a Rolls Royce. It took us a few miles to The Grove for some shopping and prosecco perfect for toasting the start of our trip at Whisper Cafe.

After a nice stroll back to the hotel in 70-degree sunny weather, we stopped off at Windows Lounge where the bar boasted some of the finest vintage wines, thanks to hand-selected bottles by wine director and sommelier Brick Loomis.

The celebrity sightings in the bar alone were enough to warrant jealousy from all my friends, but the private and quaint ambience of the property was a telltale sign why celebs chose to frequent this particular establishment opposed to the paparazzi-laden feel so many nearby hotels haphazardly welcomed. Fairly new, Windows Lounge opened in August with its internationally inspired strEAT menu and eclectic wine tastings from Argentina, Spain, Mexico, England, France and Singapore.

Amazing wine selections aside, the cocktail menu reflected drinks made with fresh produce from the property’s on-site herb garden, supporting a local and healthy flair all in one bubbly glass.

Finally some time to relax and catch up with each another, we lounged around our comfortable room and played around on the iPad2 (which comes standard in all 285 guestrooms and suites) before heading to the Staples Center to see the Lakers take on Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. Thankfully the concierge gave us some back road tips so we could avoid the nightmarish traffic that undoubtedly comes with thr territory in LA.

Bikes on the boardwalk at Santa Monica Beach

The next day we took the hotel up on some of their wonderful couple’esque suggestions and rode bikes on the boardwalk at Santa Monica Beach and hung out on the pier housing the brightly colored ferris wheel. We headed back to the hotel for lunch and relaxation at the beautiful poolside restaurant enjoying yet another 70-degree day of sunshine (thankfully the smog had lifted).

For the second night in a row, we headed to the Staples Center, but this time to see my Miami Heat take on Chris Paul and the Clippers. It was a painstaking loss in overtime for Shane Battier and the rest of the Miami crew.

After two glorious nights at the Four Seasons we opted to change scenery and head over to the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, which was, you guessed it, right smack dab in the middle of the illustriously expensive Rodeo Drive.

If you’re shocked to hear there’s a hotel on the world-famous street, it’s for good reason. Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel boasts the distinct advantage of being the only hotel on the street with one of the highest real estate price tags in the country.

Although the traffic to get to Luxe was a bit intense (although only two miles from the Four Seasons), once we arrived and met up with valet, we didn’t need the car the rest of the trip. Everything we needed (and much we didn’t) was within walking distance.

Because of the limited real estate, the hotel had a very European feel. It was small, yet intimate with a luxurious minimalist feel to it (86 guestrooms and suites on four floors). We grabbed appetizers and wine (surprise, surprise) at the famed Café Rodeo with comfortable Victorian-style armchairs where we basked in the sunlight on Rodeo Drive sitting among the shoppers and passerbys. The experience brought real meaning to the phrase “Walk of Style."

Comfort food with a Mexican flair

For dinner we walked two blocks and hit up Taberna Mexicana, which serves refreshingly authentic comfort food with a Mexican flair. The place started off on a great foot – ESPN was on the TV at the bar, which felt refreshingly odd just two blocks off the fancy pants of Rodeo Drive with the coveted 90210 zip code.

Our server, Tinh, was by far one of the most attentive and suggestive servers we’ve ever witnessed and started us off with basil-infused skinny Margaritas. He was right on the money by proposing the crispy duck tacos and fresh guacamole (made with pumpkin seeds, pico de gallo and queso fresco). We also shoveled down a course of the mushroom quesadillas (made with Oaxaca cheese, roasted poblano peppers, crimini mushrooms, fresh corn tortillas and tomatillo salsa) which were the most decadent ‘dillas I’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring.

We kept going with a 14-oz. grass-fed Texas prime rib eye with a molé rub, and finished off the meal with another recommendation by Tinh, the pastel tres leches with a torched marshmallow topping. Texas excitement: The owners of Taberna are the same owners as the Original Ninfa’s in Houston. After such a wildly tasty dinner, we staggered back to our room for a nightcap.

Just before heading back to LAX, we waded through a few blocks of shops and grabbed lunch on the outdoor patio of Xi’an for flavorful Chinese cuisine. Tao, the legendary manager for 16 years (he said he used to have black hair when he first came to work here pointing to his now fully gray mane), greeted us and asked, “Healthy or tasty?” As we both practically yelled “tasty” in unison, Tao laughed.

“Even our tasty is healthy; it’s light and doesn’t have a lot of oil. Being in Beverly Hills we have to be healthy,” he stressed.

Eating Chinese usually gives me a bit of anxiety because I’m a wuss when it comes to hot and spicy, but luckily almost everything at Xi’an came with additional spices to add more kick for the boy. If you ever visit Xi’an there are two must-haves: The fried spinach with sugar and salt and the crispy onion pancake served with multiple dipping sauces.

More Texas excitement: the Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel was just two blocks from Kendra Scott’s boutique jewelry shop, which the Texas entrepreneur started in Austin. I spent almost an entire hour playing at the Color Bar while the boy took a business call. Imagine that – a man working while on vacation.

Another outstanding resource for planning our trip was the Beverly Hills Conference and Vistors Bureau, which highlighted some of the great restaurant and bar choices for our stay keeping us happy and within our budget.

Although the trip, the accommodations and company were truly amazing, sadly, I can’t tell you when or if there will be another romantic frolic in our future. Stay tuned.

Resources for your own Beverly Hills romantic getaway:

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills | 300 South Dohney Drive, Los Angeles, California 90048 | 310.273.2222

Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel | 360 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310.273.0300

Beverly Hills Conference and Vistors Bureau

Taberna Mexicana | 369 North Bedford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310.858.7070

Xi’an | 362 North Cannon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 | 310.275.3345