Chic travel things to do to feel like a celebrity in Los Angeles
WANT to know the best of the best from eating to drinking, shopping to a mighty fine hotel? This is a taste of LA’s finest.
IT MAY have been just a few days but, boy, experiencing a handful of places in Los Angeles that give you that celebrity feel is worth every single moment. And every single cent.
In this certified capital of celebrity-watching, it literally is who you know in LA, not what you know, especially when it comes to testing out some the city’s serious hot spots.
The best of the best from eating to drinking, shopping, facials, spin classes and one mighty fine hotel, this is just a taste of LA’s finest.
● We checked into the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood
This is the hotel that, for the past 50 years, has been the home away from home for actors, comedians, writers, artists, filmmakers, fashion designers, supermodels, restaurateurs, billionaire entrepreneurs and the newest breed of entertainer when the hotel opened its doors in 1963, rock stars.
What started out as a well-kept secret on a secluded residential street has matured into a world-class destination with fine dining, luxurious suites and villas, a recording studio where dozens of Grammy-winning songs have been recorded, tranquil gardens, and one of the most notorious bars anywhere. Yes, the kind of bar, where you bump into anyone, even Aussie actor Michael Caton and 60 Minutes reporter Michael Usher.
“Party like a rock star” is the hotel’s mantra but the great thing about this place is its proximity, its discretion and its simply fantastic rooms.
● The exclusive private members’ club Soho House
On the famed Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Soho House is a serious social star. It is a members-only bar, restaurant and screening room. (There are a few Sohos dotted around the world, by the way.)
We had a brilliant dinner and after-dinner drinks and couldn’t help but crane our necks to see if any stars were trying to go under the radar. The best part of arriving at Soho House is the only way to get in is via a suburban-like underground carpark. It is secret society stuff but once you are in, your lips are sealed.
● SoulCycle Spin Class
SoulCycle doesn’t just change bodies, it changes lives. With inspirational instructors, candlelight,
epic spaces and rocking music, after a big night out, this was just what the jet lag doctor ordered. Riders can let loose, clear their heads and empower themselves with strength that lasts beyond the studio walls. Getting the entire upper class into really good shape seems to be the mission of SoulCycle, which has diehard followers such as Victoria Beckham, Chelsea Clinton, J Crew’s Mickey Drexler, Katie Holmes and Lady Gaga, who took two $2200 custom-made bikes on her tour and threw her 26th-birthday party at their studio in West Hollywood.
● Lunch at one of the hippiest foodie spots in LA, Gracias Madre
With the arrival of Gracias Madre in Los Angeles, Chef Chandra Gilbert found herself once again reliving her lifelong dream of opening a vegan Mexican restaurant featuring bold flavours and seasonally conscious ingredients. This is cool school, clean eating central.
● Red Carpet Facials at Kinara Skin Care
Originally designed for those who need a glowing complexion on demand, Kinara’s famous
signature Red Carpet Facial is perfect for special occasions, or monthly maintenance. The secret is in the proprietary formula, which combines lactic and amino acids, creating a uniquely intelligent exfoliation system that literally steam cleans the pores, dissolving impurities and evening skin tone. We all came out of here totally glowing.
•Drinks and dinner at EP & LP
Perched on N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, EP & LP is a two-floor Asian influenced restaurant with a rooftop bar and sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills. The venture is backed by Australian DJ Grant Smillie (also of Melbourne’s Pony Fish Island and Melbourne City Brewing Company), with business partners David Combes (ex Trunk), models Ashley Hart and Buck Palmer, as well as Axwell from Swedish House Mafia.
Sydney chef Louis Tikaram, formerly head chef at Longrain and Australian Young Chef of the Year 2014, is being brought over from Sydney in August to be the venue’s executive chef. The team from Projects of Imagination worked on the interior design.
● Brunch at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel
This is an absolute must do. The Polo Lounge has been the favourite breakfast spot and watering hole for generations of stars and Hollywood deal-makers.
Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor seating for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and late-night suppers and adding to the atmosphere, The Polo Lounge offers live entertainment every day for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Taking a walk around the grounds and down to the guests-only pool features some of the best cabanas I have ever seen. It was pure, great fun.
● Blow outs at My Blow Beverly Hills
In the US, a blow dry is called a blowout (just clearing that one up) and some of the most inexpensive and best are from the highly affordable My Blow LA in Beverly Hills. Coupled with a little trip to Blushington for make-up next door, you come out feeling red carpet fabulous without having spend a stupid about of money!
Wow. Executive chef Ori Menashe (former chef of Angelini Osteria) and pastry chef Genevieve Gergis are the husband and wife team that is Bestia, a multi-regional Italian restaurant in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles. Going downtown isn’t something lots of LA visitors choose not to do, but this place is definitely worth a look.
Cool, industrial-looking and with fab food, it was the best precursor to a night when we really did hang out with bona fide celebrity, Rebel Wilson, at the LA fashion Week Aussie event.
A trip to LA isn’t complete without a late-night stop into In-N-Out Burger. Seriously. When you are tired, you’ve partied hard, you need a burger just to, well, get you to sleep. This is the place for you. And you get all types, in all types of dress, every hour of the day — as you can see below.
● After we spent two days in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, we zipped to the “City of Roses”, Pasadena. Nestled in the San Gabriel Valley and 15km northeast of Los Angeles, the city reeks of old-money with a whole lot of grand mansions, museums and gardens, many of which are underwritten by prominent local families.
We were shown around the exquisite Langham Hotel — and were hosted with a brilliant, cake-fuelled high tea before we ventured for manicures and a pedicure at Olive and Jones. If that wasn’t enough to do, we had our own mixologist mix up the best drinks, parred with amazing food at Bar 1886 at The Raymond. By then we were ready to jump onto that plane and recuperate before getting back into work mode.
● Check in and enjoy the dining and drinking delights at the recently opened Qantas First Class
Lounge at LAX. Our trip started and ended with much food and wine in Neil Perry’s restaurant at both Sydney and Los Angeles International airports.
We then said farewell to LA and Pasadena as we ventured to LAX and boarded our very special business class seat on the incredibly comfy A380. Oh boy, we were done. All that was needed now were movies, a cleansing champagne, just a bit more food and lots and lots of sleep as we made out way home. Loved living it up in LA!
Getting there:
Qantas fly to Los Angeles twice a day from Sydney as well as from Brisbane and Melbourne.
Melissa Hoyer travelled as a guest of QantasandVisit California
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