I was warned by my Vogue colleagues that Hotel Bel-Air – nestled up in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, northwest of Beverly Hills – was a very special place and, upon arrival, I could immediately see what they meant. Swathed in luscious, tropical nature (water-soaked foliage, three resident swans, a constantly trickling lake), staying at Hotel Bel-Air is the closest I’ve come to checking into rehab (except, with cocktails). This is a place that prizes privacy and tranquility above all else (though the hotel was packed with guests, I rarely saw or heard them – a reason plenty of A-listers stay here over other, buzzier or more central spots).
Rooms are spacious and decked out (ours had its own pool, three bathrooms and the techiest toilet I’ve ever encountered), with design that sits somewhere between Spanish villa and classic Hollywood (think: low-slung pink bungalows with slick, cream interiors). The hotel’s crowning jewel, though? Their restaurant, which is simply called “The Restaurant”, and includes highlights such as black burgundy truffle linguine, Bluefin tuna tartare and a “Stone Canyon Smoked Sour” that balances a citrussy sweetness with a musky umami so perfectly I had to order another. Finally, do not miss out on their steam room, with its star-studded ceiling, essential oils and iced face towels.
The Sun Rose West Hollywood
The Sunset Strip, once famous for the likes of Mötley Crüe falling out of the Rainbow Bar & Grill, now also hosts a number of hotels and The Sun Rose, formerly The Pendry, is easily one of its best. Unlike plenty of older, more classic LA hotels, the vibe at The Sun Rose skews young and stylish, though still luxe, with dark blue interiors, a splash of leopard print and an entire music venue, bowling alley and spa across its many floors (I had one of the best massages of my life at The Spa at Sun Rose from head masseuse Malia – and I’m not being superfluous). Essentially, this is where you should go if you want to be slap-bang in the action, with a quiet sanctuary to rest.