Take A Look Around One Of The Coolest Hotels In LA
THE HOTEL
Our hotel opened three years ago, and it’s been great to see how many of our guests are already returning to us for second, third and even fourth visits. We have a wonderful location, complete with 360° views of the Hollywood Hills – if I have the chance, I always try and take a few moments each day to appreciate how lucky we are to be in such a beautiful spot.
Being a hotel manager is like being the conductor of an orchestra. Hotels are so multifaceted these days – we’re not just a hotel, but an art gallery, a wellness destination, even sometimes a theatre – and my job is to oversee all of this. Anything could happen on any given day. Last week, we had the LA Philharmonic Orchestra play a Rachmaninoff tribute symphony under the stars on our Garden Terrace. Next thing we knew, our partnership with Goop and Emilia Wickstead was in full swing.
LA is synonymous with glamour – whether it’s the allure of Hollywood, the glorious weather or the dream of the laidback lifestyle. We have wonderful beaches, incredible local art, fantastic food markets, an abundance of sun, and for anyone who’s already familiar with the Maybourne hotels in London (Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley), the appeal of The Maybourne Beverly Hills is knowing that the hotel will offer a home from home with incredible attention to detail and service.
90210 is one of the most iconic postcodes in the world – and our hotel is at the centre of the Golden Triangle, just a few steps from Rodeo Drive. It’s the perfect location and we’ve even got a rooftop swimming pool with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills. That’s definitely the hottest spot in the hotel. Recently it has got even hotter: Dante – one of NYC’s most legendary bars – has opened its first location outside of the Big Apple right here on the rooftop. Guests can hire a private cabana for light snacks and cocktails. The Dante menu is sensational – be sure to try the green juice, which is laced with a shot of vodka. It’s so LA.
Our spa is incredible. The immersion pool has soaring mosaic walls and a sky-lit ceiling – it takes you back to ancient times when bathing was a ritual to be savoured. Our treatments are a partnership with beauty industry legend Dr Barbara Sturm, but if time isn’t on your side, I’d recommend a tea in one of the spa’s quiet corners with a 15-minute CBD mask.
THE INTERIORS
The rooms and suites have been designed in collaboration with designer du jour Bryan O’Sullivan. He’s given us bright, spacious interiors with custom furniture and a soothing Californian pastel palette. The bespoke pieces include softly curving couches, tabletops and chairs – O’Sullivan’s distinctive signature – architectural lighting and marble accents. (Top tip: book a room on the east side of the hotel and you’ll be all set for a prime view of the hills.)
The Maybourne Bar in the lobby was designed by André Fu. He was inspired by the idea of creating a ‘hidden jewel’ within the property. The intimate space is anchored by a spectacular bar carved from solid Turkish silver onyx and high bar stools in Yves Klein blue, and there’s photography by Mary MacCartney on the walls. The bar is California through and through (as an aside, my must-order is the caviar and potato chips).
The interiors reflect the Californian zeitgeist – relaxed, chic, comfortable yet aesthetically on the money. So many of our guests have asked to purchase furniture and ceramics. We have a couple of great (and highly photographed) little nooks. My favourite is just off the lobby. It’s filled with glorious floral displays, fabulous furniture, shelves of objets d’art and amazing ceramics. It’s the perfect place to settle down with a good book or catch up on emails while you’re waiting for the valet.
Art is a key part of the hotel. The collection is ever growing, and we have pieces by some wonderful Californian artists such as Ed Ruscha, Jennifer Guidi, Mary Weatherford and Kurt Havens alongside works by Marc Newson, Damien Hirst, Nelson Makamo, Brian Clarke, JR and Harmony Korine. A vast new piece, which we privately commissioned, is showcased at the foot of our rooftop pool by Joel Mesler.
THE FOOD & DRINK
The Terrace is a great spot for people watching – we are in Hollywood after all. The all-day restaurant serves seasonal California-inspired food and cocktails in an elegantly relaxed outdoor setting overlooking the Beverly Cañon Gardens. Inside, you’ll find a room of smoky blue circular banquettes and a bright, large-scale mural by local artist Jessalyn Brooks. The floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with sunshine, creating an airy indoor-outdoor atmosphere. Our signature homemade corn agnolotti has fast become an ‘It dish’ in town.
If I have the chance, I will pop down for lunch at The Maybourne Café. I always order the Claridge’s smoked salmon bagel – a nod to our London roots. Just off The Terrace, the café is a cool spot with great interiors, accents of bold colour and great tableware – it’s an Instagram dream. We serve homemade pastries, fresh juices bottled by us, and excellent small plates made with farmers market produce.
We work with lots of cool locals. Bub & Grandma provide the bread, our jam is made in collaboration with cult LA producer Sqirl, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills supplies our cheeses, and Maru not only produces all the coffee we pour but has opened an espresso bar at the hotel.
THE CITY & BEYOND
There is so much to see in California. If you use The Maybourne Beverly Hills as your base, you could travel north along the rugged Pacific Coast Highway, head east to the desert for a visit to Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park, or drive south to the glorious beaches of Laguna. LA itself has so many beaches: Dockweiler State Beach is ideal for families, Venice is perfect for a scenic walk, and Malibu is synonymous with the very best waves for surfing.
If you want to experience LA like a true Angeleno, start your day in Culver City. Try the Destroyer Café before a hike in Runyon Canyon for incredible views of the skyline. In the evening, check out a concert at the historic Greek Theatre in Griffith Park and end at Gigi’s for dinner and a proper Hollywood nightcap. Grand Central Market is a must, as is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Gagosian Beverly Hills are only a ten-minute walk away from us. The Hollywood Hall of Fame might be a bit cheesy, but it is always fun. Downtown LA is a great place to check out the nightlife and really immerse yourself in the city. For foodies, don’t miss the Beverly Hills Farmers Market every Sunday. I also suggest taking a spin in our new electric (and very pink) Moke through Rodeo – it always causes quite a stir and prompts a flurry of photos. You’ll feel like you’re really living the Hollywood lifestyle.
One of the most peaceful hidden spots in LA is the Venice Canals. It’s the perfect escape from the city. The canals that make up this LA suburb were handmade in 1905 by the developer Abbot Kinney. His vision was to recreate the look and feel of Venice in Italy. Although the canals aren't exactly like their Italian counterparts, they remain one of the best places in LA for an afternoon stroll. Another hidden gem is a 24-hour ATM machine dispensing cupcakes. Sprinkles Cupcake ATM restocks multiple times a day to make sure the cupcakes and cookies are as fresh as possible. The Old Abandoned Zoo is a great example of old places being re-imagined. The zoo was closed in 1966 and has since turned into a local favourite picnic spot. You can explore the old, graffiti-covered cages, and see how it feels to be the focus of people’s attention. Finally, Balboa Island is a charming harbourside community in Newport Beach, accessible via bridge – it’s a great walk or bike ride to get to the island. It has a dreamy, smalltown feel with great independent shops and dining spots. It’s the perfect place to catch a glimpse of whales and dolphins.
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