Oh, the Golden Globes, the Oscars, and the Academy Awards! With awards season approaching, you can vacation like the stars by staying at some of Los Angeles’ most opulent hotels.
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood
This Spanish Colonial Revival gem, which opened in 1927, was created by movie royalty Douglas Fairbanks and his wife, Mary Pickford, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer co-founder Louis B. Mayer, and Sid Grauman of the nearby Chinese Theatre. This was once home to the very icon of glamour, Marilyn Monroe, and was named in honour of former President Theodore Roosevelt. Her second-floor Marilyn Suite overlooks the Tropicana Pool, which is lined with David Hockney’s million-dollar swirls of paint and surrounded by 250 palm trees. In the intimate Cinegrill Theatre, you can enjoy cabaret or vintage films. Dine at The Barish, the restaurant of acclaimed LA chef-baker Nancy Silverton. Order a burger at 25 Degrees, a classic diner and bar where Murano glass chandeliers make it the most glamorous “burger joint” ever.
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills
The Waldorf Astoria, which opened in 2017, blends in seamlessly with the haute hotel establishments in this exclusive LA zip code. The gleaming marble floors of the grand lobby lead to the elegant, cavernous Jean-Georges Beverly Hills restaurant (French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s western outpost). An elevator takes guests to the second-floor La Prairie Spa, where the veteran Swiss skin care spa’s signature facial gives Beverly Hills A-listers a glossy makeover. A rooftop pool deck with a saltwater pool and the exquisitely grand Presidential Suite, which includes a movie room and gym, are located above it all. Both the deck and the suite have stunning views of the city and the mountains beyond.
Downtown Los Angeles, Conrad Los Angeles
This top-tier Hilton brand’s LA outpost, which opened in 2022, is located in the Frank Gehry-designed The Grand, an upscale shopping and apartment complex opposite Gehry’s magical metal-clad angular masterpiece, the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The modern luxury of superb functionality in design — the very foundation of elegance — and supremely comfortable furnishings is shared by both guest rooms and suites. The 10th floor lobby leads to four bright, airy bars and restaurants designed by chef José Andrés, the most opulent of which, Aqua Viva, is an exotic oasis lined with tropical shrubbery and overlooking downtown Los Angeles.
Century City’s Fairmont Century Plaza
The landmark Century Plaza hotel, dubbed the Western White House due to Nancy and Ronald Reagan’s frequent patronage, was transformed into the Fairmont Century Plaza after a $2.5 billion (yes, billion) renovation. The stone and wood interior’s Japanese minimalist, nature-inspired aesthetic pays homage to original architect Minoru Yamasaki’s mid-century modern design. A 14,000-square-foot wellness spa with hydrotherapy suites in the women’s and men’s locker rooms is located near the lower-level ballroom, which regularly hosts Grammy, Emmy, and Academy awards. A hammam, a salt cave, “facelift” facials, and homeostasis-restoring biohacking treatments are among the many amenities available at the spa. Enjoy jazz in the lounge and step inside the signature restaurant, Lumière, to be transported to a true Parisian brasserie!
1 West Hollywood Hotel, West Hollywood
Nothing is more glamorous than actively caring for the planet, and this eco-chic enclave goes above and beyond when it comes to caring for our planet. There will be few single-use plastics and non-biodegradable products, and all without sacrificing comfort, luxury, and, yes, glamour. The open-plan restaurants, 1 Kitchen and Juniper, look out onto an urban jungle of greenery. The large guest rooms are finished with raw wood and natural fibres, creating a relaxing environment for beauty sleep.
Santa Monica Hotel Casa del Mar
This grande dame, built in 1926 as an opulent beach club hotel for the high-flying Hollywood elite to escape from studio duties, has retained her good looks and sense of style. Luxurious accommodations give way to lovely common areas where guests can enjoy cocktails and culinary treats. The private, guest-only Palm Terrace pool is ideal for unwinding, but the Earth-conscious Sea Wellness Spa is a must-do for relieving urban stresses. The hotel is close to the historic Santa Monica Pier, as well as all of downtown’s dining and shopping, as well as the beautiful Palisades Park.
Per La Hotel, downtown Los Angeles
Taking a suite in this 1922 Art Deco, Italianate tower, which was originally the headquarters of the Bank of Italy, feels like stepping into The Great Gatsby. However, the old-school opulence is balanced by a modern and uncomplicated approach. Per L’Ora, the hotel’s restaurant, combines spectacular original architecture with comfort. This sofa-lined restaurant has no hard seats. The bar offers a high perch through the arched entrance. Either seat will transport you to the glitz and glam of the Roaring Twenties. The cocktail menu includes both classics and new creations, and the food menu focuses on small plates, all of which can be enjoyed beneath the ornate gold-and-blue panelled ceiling.
West Hollywood Pendry, West Hollywood
The Sunset Strip in West Hollywood is admittedly more rocker glam than Hollywood glamour. The colour scheme of this newer boutique luxury brand from swanky Montage Resorts is light, duck-egg blue and sandy yellow, echoing California sand and sea. Below the hip rooftop bar and adjacent pool, Los Angeles spreads out like a sprawling sea. The hotel’s spa, located on the second floor, is a tranquil haven for mind, body, and beauty treatments. Ospero, an Italian concept from LA celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, is located on the ground floor and overlooks the bustling Sunset Boulevard and The Comedy Store across the street.
Beverly Hills’ Beverly Hilton
This legendary Hollywood hotspot first opened its doors in 1955 as a Hilton flagship property. The Beverly Hilton, located at the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards, underwent a $35 million, top-to-bottom renovation in 2020, bringing a contemporary look to guest rooms, suites, and public spaces while retaining the classic mid-century glamour. This is especially true in the luxury suites. The International Ballroom at the hotel hosts events such as the Golden Globe Awards and the Oscar nominee luncheon. The Aqua Star Pool, billed as Beverly Hills’ largest heated pool, is perhaps best known for Angelina Jolie’s post-Golden Globe splash in celebration of her win.
The London West Hollywood is located in Beverly Hills, California.
The opulent London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills features all-suite accommodations, the most opulent of which is The Penthouse, designed by Vivienne Westwood. A spacious rooftop sundeck atop the building is also lined with private cabanas that surround the pool. Back on the ground floor, Boxwood, the signature restaurant, serves lounge-style dining in the evenings, making it ideal for a quick bite before attending an industry event in the private screening room.
