Welcome to West Hollywood– where if you’re not dressed to impress, it probably means you’re a nobody. But don’t worry, unlike Hollywood, West Hollywood is very tolerant of all lifestyles, which makes it the perfect destination for respite and relaxation on your Los Angeles getaway.
Budget–
First off, don’t think that anything in West Hollywood can be considered “cheap.” Most bargains here are considered pricey digs in hotels a little more east or south of the glitzy rainbow flavored fun. However, the budget style still packs a lot of bang for your buck. You’ll be a skipping stone away from the latest hot spot, where you’ll most likely be waiting a few hours in line, before getting dismissed with a “it’s full.” Also, these rooms are chic, fun, and still pretty trendy– so no, you won’t have to keep going until you see a Motel 6.
1. The Standard
8300 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 650-9090
www.standardhotel.com
Like it’s downtown LA counterpart, the Standard Hotel is a trendy modern boutique hotel, with a very minimalist pop art thing going for it. The lobby is very loungy, replete with shag rugs, white couches, and a half naked girl rocking out to her itunes in a glass aquarium. “Live Art” you might say– (I actually auditioned for this gig, and failed miserably. You’re not allowed to make contact with the outside world– and I have a severe staring problem.) The bathrooms are unisex and thus unlabeled, which might make an inebriated trip to relieve yourself more than you might bargain for.
Rooms are pretty standard (ha!). Simple, modern, minimal. Lots of orange and white, and some ikea feeling plastic furniture make it cheap, yet chic. Rooms can overlook the pool or street side, so you can yell at pedestrians on the street and invite them up to your room for some after hours fun, if you’re in the mood.
I stayed in a suite, which wasn’t what you’d really expect a suite to be… same minimal style going– although we packed four people into the giant bed! However, for the price, you really couldn’t have demanded too much. Plus, the pool is great and bar/diner downstairs are really convenient for some late night munchies. Wear sunglasses indoors, if you want extra “cool” cred. Service is decent, and surprisingly, not everyone is too arrogant. Rooms start at $199.
2. Farmers Daughter
115 S. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 937-3930
www.farmersdaughterhotel.com
If you’re in the mood for some country bumpkin (or as country bumpkin as you can get in lala land), Farmer’s Daughter is the hotel pick. Lots of gingham and rooster prints make you feel a little like you’re on the farm (albeit, a really really cute one) and less like you’re in one of the world’s most glamourous cities. We love the hardwood floors and the oh-so comfy beds, which just add to the charming down-to-earth atmosphere. The suites come with ipod docks, so don’t assume that this farm is technologically anachronistic.
So the pool is small, but seriously folks, you don’t stay in West Hollywood to swim. And I’ve heard bad things about Tart, the adjoining restaurant, which looks uber cute- whenever I drive by from the outside. BUT, you can’t beat the location. It’s no on Sunset, but it’s less than 10 min away. In fact, it’s less than 10 min away from every major area in LA (Beverly Center, Koreatown, Beverly Hills, Culver City) And if you don’t feel like taxi-ing anywhere, you can walk to the Grove which is literally across the street. The Grove is an experience in itself, and considered one of the most lucrative shopping centers in the country. It even “snows “during the winter! I also saw Tori Spelling there once, and I wanted to throw up. Not cute. Not at all. Totally opposite of Farmer’s Daughter. Rooms start at $175
3. Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel
8018 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 651-2441
If West Hollywood had an illegitimate child it hid away in the attic, but still kinda cared about, this would kinda be it. The Beverly Laurel is actually a “motel”, because that’s what it is. I’m not going to lie to you, but it’s far from being dumpy. It’s vintage chic, with cool retro decor in the rooms including black and white photos ingrained into the headboards. It’s kinda like that dress I got at Wasteland, and wear all the time, because it just kinda makes you feel good. And you’ll feel good at this place, because it’s cheap, charmingly vintage, pretty clean, and centrally located– so if you really regret the decision to stay here, you’re not to far away from escaping it.
My favorite thing about the BL is that it’s right next to Swingers restaurant, one of my favorite eats in Los Angeles, and classic trendy after hours hangout. I heard they even deliver food to your room!
Seriously though, you’re not going to find cheaper than this in Weho, unless you’re parked on a bench somewhere, and even then, you might wake up with a fatty ticket pinned to your lapel. Rooms start at around $100.
Anti- budget
Ok Mr. Fancy Pants, you wanna stay somewhere you can brag about to all your friends, and have a life changing Britney or Lindsey siting, then you’re best bet is one of these wallet-raping digs.
1. Chateau Marmont
8221 W Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 656-1010
www.chateaumarmont.com
Major celebs (Scarlet, Britney, Jim Morrison) have called this place home at some point in their lives, meaning that it’s uber elite. It is. It’s old Hollywood glamour meets modern sexy meets excess meets “heaven.” Although, I suspect heaven is probably cheaper. Modeled after an actual royal residence in France, the Chateau is the epitome of luxury, history, and the creme de la creme of the Sunset Strip.
You have your choice of room, suite, and bungalow, which have respective and substantial price increases, but supposedly (I’ve never been able to afford a night here), the service is impeccable. Features included heated pool, Bar Marmont access (which is nearly impossible if you’re a regular person who doesn’t have fake breasts), 42 inch flat screens plus DVD library, ipod docking stations, free NY Times and LA Times, Cashmere throws, twice daily maid service (is that really necessary?) limousine and car service, and a 24 hour shoe shine, just in case, you wake up in the middle of the night with an inexplicable craving for shiny shoes.
I shouldn’t even try to describe the rooms, but I will. Honestly, it kinda feels like you’re looking at a Pottery Barn catalogue, but with a bit more style. Kind of like the home that you wish you could live in, and you think of when you’re chanting “the secret” every night before you go to bed. Rooms come equipped with vintage refrigerator/minibars and little classic details of a decadent past that has never been forgotten.
The two bed penthouse which we will all probably NEVER stay at offers incredible views of the Strip and you’re own little Cabana, which kinda reminds me of the Hotel Me where Brett deflowered his lady loves on the last season of Rock of Love.
Prices start at $370. (This is for the cheap ass standard room, which quite frankly is probably not worth it. You might as well splurge on a bungalow ($1800) or penthouse ($3700) to earn the real bragging rights, right Wilber Valderrama?
2. 8440 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 650-8999
www.mondrianhotel.com/
Just down the street from the Cheateau is The Mondrian which houses my favorite bar in Los Angeles, Skybar. It’s was going through remodeling for quite some time, but all the construction is gone, and now, the Sunset Strip can boast this beautiful hotel’s exterior once again. This place is, in one word, GORGEOUS. Even the lobby is stunning- cutting edge modern design. You feel like you’re in a frickin museum! Duh, Philippe Starck designed it– what do you expect?
Rooms are spacious and modern chic–everything is white and fluffy. (totally anti plastic, which is a good thing) The rooms vary obviously, depending on how much debt you’re wiling to get, but ALL the rooms look enticing, beautiful, and well furnished, even the cheaper ones. All of the 237 rooms come with fully equipped kitchens, large work spaces (in case you want to like, study?!? are you nuts?), oversized bathrooms, and as the website says, “simple elegant furnishings that exude a sense of uncomplicated sophistication.”
Atop the hotel is the trendy Skybar and the hotel pool, where many drunk party goers have found themselves in time and time again. Skybar is the place for models, model wannabes, and modelizers. Be forewarned.
If you’re in the mood for noshing in stunning surroundings, you’ve got your pick between Seabar, the hotel’s answer to innovative sushi dining, and Asia de Cuba, which is home to some of the most expensive fusion food you’re going to find in LA.
Want simple, yet extraordinary luxury? This place is for you. Rooms starting at around $400. (However, bragging rights will have no expiration date
