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WEST HOLLYWOOD ROCKS FOR A RELAXING URBAN ESCAPE!

08.29.11

Review by Sheryll Alexander

Like Monaco, West Hollywood is a tiny principality of less than two miles square that is a world-class destination for history, art, culture, music, design, film, food, shopping and luxurious rooms with spectacular views. Unlike Monaco, West Hollywood is also blissfully irreverent, rebellious and a West Coast center of creativity for culture, entertainment and design.

But how can this city-within-a-metropolis really be the perfect spot for a relaxing urban escape? Because a handful of truly chic, yet casual boutique hotels along The Sunset Strip make West Hollywood a relaxing getaway too.

Let’s digress for several decades, however. The history of West Hollywood is legend. This 1.9-mile slice of Los Angeles just west of the real Hollywood was literally the end of the electric car line during the roaring 20s.

Away from prying eyes near hidden hills, West Hollywood became a place for “out” laws (gangsters, whores, gays, artists, musicians) to live and work. On our guided tour, it seemed every building had a story and a legendary name attached to it: Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Bugsy Siegel, Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Elton John, Madonna, Prince, Robert DeNiro and Jim Belushi.

Today, West Hollywood is still a mecca for the arts and the fabulously artistic, but it is also a one-of-a-kind destination for all things glamorous and that includes living the truly luxurious lifestyle of today’s rich and famous.

Getting to West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip

Want an easy way to get to WeHo from OC? Take the 405 freeway north, exit Manchester/La Cienaga (just before LAX). Drive due north along busy La Cienaga, passing gritty neighborhoods, Jewish districts, car dealerships and The Beverly Center.

Finally, at the very end of La Cienaga’s end is LA’s piece de la resistance: Sunset Boulevard.

Most of the famed rock venues and nightclubs (such as The Viper Room, Key Club and The Whiskey) are located down The Strip to the left. We were headed to the infamous Mondrian Los Angeles, so we turned right onto Sunset and then made another quick right into the hotel’s slick porte cochère. (where a cadre of valets and porters seems always at the ready for opening doors, hefting luggage and answering questions).

The Mondrian Los Angeles Lifestyle

The Mondrian Los Angeles is an urban oasis par excellence amongst The Sunset Strip’s urban grit. The Mondrian’s dark, cool and highly modern lobby is but a few steps from the hotel’s sunny and elegant, yet casual indoor-outdoor spaces.

Yes, this is where locals, celebrities, producers and guests from all over the world hang out for breakfast, lunch, afternoon poolside service, dinner and into the night for uber hip events with live music.

The Mondrian’s Asia de Cuba restaurant is a hot spot for food, drink, business deals, romantic interludes and family-friendly meals. Inside, the hotel’s Asia de Cuba restaurant has a surprising cottage-like feel with its white walls, whitewashed timbered ceiling and unbelievably gorgeous LA views. Out on the wooden deck, Asia de Cuba becomes a garden paradise with its ginormous terra cotta pots, leafy trees and romantic candlelight at night. The Asian fusion food here is rather good with large portions and an excellent wine list.

To the right of the restaurant’s garden-like space are steps leading up to the pool area’s wooden SKYBAR deck as well as SKYBAR’s infamous “hut.” We walked past the pool where hipsters were lounging with drink in hand and stepped up into the bar’s “hut.” This covered space has no walls, views for days and low-lying tables and couches where groups can really chill. In typical Mondrian style, we spotted Mötley Crüe lead singer Vince Neil standing at the bar while we sipped on a tangy margarita and some bar-style appetizers.

Sumptuous Suites at The Mondrian

The Mondrian’s Room 1106 may be one of the best suites in all of LA. The suite’s lovely “salon” has floor-to-ceiling windows looking at a westerly view of The Sunset Strip with its bright lights, giant billboards and hillside homes. The suite’s open-air bedroom also has huge picture windows with sweeping LA skyline views all the way to the blue Pacific.

We enjoyed the suite’s retro modern décor as it seemed befitting of this young community with a classic Hollywood past. The salon featured a bright white high-backed sofa, black velvet chair and black-and-white lacquered round table with mirrored shiny ebony tray. The bedroom features a fluffy goose down bed, earthy wood side tables, touch-on silver light fixtures and an on-the-wall flat screen TV. The suite also includes a large silver, wood and marble bathroom along with a functional kitchenette area.

Yes, we felt like we never wanted to leave Suite 1106, especially at sunset when the light becomes golden, darkness falls and The Strip’s lights burn bright. We also loved how the picture windows opened for some fresh air. And while The Mondrian and its always-hopping SKYBAR can be very noisy at night, we were so surprised how the suite’s double-paned windows made a quiet sleep more than possible. What’s not to love about a good night’s sleep in a penthouse suite?

On our gorgeous bed at The Mondrian, there was a quote by the incomparable Mae West. It read: “Too much of a good thing is truly wonderful.” We totally agree. The Mondrian is a truly wonderful place.

The Sunset Strip Rocks!

The Sunset Strip’s heyday was in the 60’s when rock legends such as The Doors, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix created The Strip’s mystique that survives until this very day. Even today, real rockers consider a gig on The Strip to be a rite of passage. Since West Hollywood is so close to OC, we think a visit to The Strip should be a travel rite of passage every year or so, right?

So, perhaps the best time to visit West Hollywood is in late summer during the annual Sunset Strip Music Festival.

This year’s festival featured the aforementioned Mötley Crüe as headliners. As festival VIPs, we enjoyed unfettered access to Thursday night’s roast at The House of Blues (which just happens to be right next to the hotel), VIP access to Friday night’s concerts and after parties at historic clubs and rooftop views of Saturday night’s headline concert.

Plus – because we were staying at The Mondrian – we felt like we were part of the rock music action. On elevator rides to the lobby, we overheard conversations like this: “Hi! I’m Sandy. I’m from CBS. It’s nice to meet you.” Remember spotting Vince Neil at The Hut?

The thing is, however, The Strip rocks every night of the year. Just when you think you are completely bored with OC closing up each night at 10 p.m., “The Strip” is always there to entertain, enliven and bring you back to city life.

A Sunset Strip Tour

Sure, you can drive down The Sunset Strip. But can you really walk in LA?

That’s the great thing about West Hollywood and this strip of sidewalk that runs from left or right of La Cienaga’s end point.

To the left, you've got what OCers usually think about The Strip: sunny Sunset Plaza with its shopping, dark music “club” venues and other LA perversions such as The Hustler Store. When you go right on La Cienaga, however, you've got hotel alley. Here is where you stay, eat and play when you aren’t club hopping.

We ventured out at sunset on a walking tour of The Boulevard and here’s what we found:

Take a right when the modern glass doors of The Mondrian’s lobby swish open. At the end of the valet’s driveway, you are surprised to see a seemingly broken-down Louisiana-style swamp home with overhanging trees and shady corners. This is The House of Blues.

Cross the street and walk along the sidewalk. Is that a real Cuban cigar you smell? (Yes, yes it is.) And is that a real newsstand with newspaper, magazines, cigarettes and cold drinks? (Yes!)

Next comes the caught-in-a-time-warp Sunset Plaza Hotel with its classic stucco. Here, you pass groups of clattering and chattering women walking down the uneven sidewalk dressed to the nines in tottering heels on their way to a night of partying. A homeless guy sits on the cold concrete and begs as you pass silently by.

Next, you witness a gay couple taking their dogs for their nightly stroll. They wind their way down through a tree-lined park to the tranquil, inviting and dog-friendly William S. Hart William residence and dog park.

The Standard rises up in stark contrast to the adjacent green zone. This modern hotel looks (and smells!) all scrubbed and polished. In contrast, the Sunset Trocadero is a smokey indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant with a storied past.

Live Nudes! screams the sign from The Body Shop as white Greek Goddess statues loom large. A retail store that once held such promise is now deserted as a result of The Great Recession.

Cross Sunset going west and hit Cabo Cantina for some tacos, loads of flat TV screens and sports fans drinking beers and rooting for their home teams. Carney’s Express serves American-style hot dogs, fries and other kid-friendly treats in converted train cars.

Starbucks has an outpost here and then there’s Saddle Ranch Chop House. Imagine the HBO smash “Deadwood” for this lively bar and restaurant as it has a second-floor balcony, neon signs, a candelight glow and that Old West brothel appearance.

One of West Hollywood’s newest hotels, The Andaz, comes next along The Strip as you spy home – The Mondrian – just across the street. But first, saddle up to the open-air bar of The Comedy Store. Where else can you view the famous signatures of the world’s most famous comedians such as Redd Fox and Richard Pryor?

To round out your Sunset Strip walk (and stay), we also spied Katawa Robata & Sushi Bar, a fluff-and-fold cleaner, a Radio Shack, a copy store and a Pink Dot (which delivers just about anything 24/7/365). With everything ready for an urban escape to The Sunset Strip, do you even need to make plans?

West Hollywood Food, Design, Art, Spa and Gay WeHo

Yes, West Hollywood is a mecca for the gay lifestyle. And that’s a very good thing for WeHo. This means sophisticated, classic, modern and casual style and design permeates this wee urban center. Inspired by the movie industry and by this gay effervesence, “The Avenues” is a district in West Hollywood at the crossroads of Melrose, Beverly and Robertson.

One of the most fun things to do in WeHo is spending some time at Lomography LA. As the only West Coast outlet of this quirky Vienna-based photography “store,” West Hollywood’s Lomography LA is a super cool place to spend a morning, afternoon or evening. Lomography is retro for “analog” or film photography. Buy a classic camera and take a “walking” workshop down Melrose Avenue through the back-street alleys of some of LA’s most talented street artists.

The Abbey is proud of its title as “the gayest bar in the world.” We think this WeHo hot spot is also the most gay restaurant in the world as the food here is quite good. Located along Robertson very near The Pacific Design Center, we love The Abbey for its unabashed breakfasts, lunches, dinners and outdoor patio with fountains and Goddess statuary.

Just a few short steps from The Abbey is Kinara Spa. A haven for everyone from WeHo moms to A-list celebrities, Kinara has a Zen-like feel in this frenetic part of town. Treatments here are meant to get you in and out although the menu is nothing short of luxurious and rejuvenating. We enjoyed the purifying salt scrub with Vichy shower, mini massage and a beautifying mani-pedi in the adjacent nail salon.

Directly across Robertson from Kinara is Phyllis Morris. This custom furniture-making company is now headed by Phyllis’ delightful daughter, Jamie Adler. The showroom here blows your mind and so does all the design and fashion showroom and retail stores in this tony section of wonderful West Hollwood.

Santa Monica Boulevard from North Doheny Drive to North La Brea Avenue is West Hollywood’s renowned gay quarter. During the day, this slice of Santa Monica Boulevard is a sunny and wonderfully casual shopping, business and eating zone. Every evening, however, this wide boulevard transforms into a nightly gay pride fest, especially at historic and uber hip bars around the San Vicente intersection.

Never has a destination made us feel so much like a glam rocker and brought us so much stress-relieving relaxation all at the same time. West Hollywood really does bring its visitors the perfect urban pick-me-up escape.

For some of the best WeHo information, along with cool portable street maps, visit West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau, Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite M38, West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-289-2525, www.VisitWestHollywood.com.

Sept. 8: Fashion’s Night Out

The third annual Fashion’s Night Out after-hours shopping extravaganza is set for Sept. 8. In West Hollywood, JGerard Design Studio & “Peace Gallery” is pulling out all the stops for the evening (from 6-11 p.m.) from special prices on JGerard designs to live music to complimentary Dama Tequila strawberry margaritas to divine dishes from LA’s favorite food trucks (including Koji and Seabirds). Julia “Lady J” Gerard is a fave designer of music, film, TV and fashion celebrities such as Rihanna, Cher, Angelina Jolie, Heidi Klum, Prince, Ringo Starr, Tina Turner, Miley Cyrus and many others. JGerard Design Studio & “Peace Gallery,” 8568 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-657-3336, www.jgerarddesignstudio.com.

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexande

MARINA DEL REY FOR A LUXURIOUSLY RELAXING ESCAPE!

08.28.11

Review by Sheryll Alexander

When we booked a two-night stay to Marina Del Rey’s recreation-friendly Jamaica Bay Inn and iconic Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey, we never thought it would be one of the most relaxing getaways ever.

Just a quick 45-minute drive from coastal OC, Marina Del Rey has an unrivaled by-the-ocean vibe. No, this isn’t Santa Monica, Venice, The South Bay, Downtown or Hollywood. And that’s a very good thing.

Why? Because Marina Del Rey is different. There’s a city gritty energy here along with that surburban casual cool OCers love so much. Yes, Marina Del Rey makes you feel like you are living right on the edge of a blue Pacific Ocean world with its spectacular marina, expansive ocean and even Santa Monica mountain views.

Also remember, Marina Del Rey is the perfect stopping point for stays in LA. You can fly into LAX and spend a night or two here before driving home to OC. Or, you can spend a few relaxing hours here if you get caught in an LA traffic jam or LAX catastrophe. For those who hate to party and drive, Marina Del Rey also makes for a fun and safe place (limos are easily rented) to hang when attending LA premieres, charity events, live concerts, weddings, business trips and never-stop nightlife.

Jamaica Bay Inn for Salt Water Paradise!

Jamaica Bay Inn is a bright six-story building with a curiously exciting view of the marina’s cul de sac. Locals love this oval-shaped lagoon with white sand beach and palm trees because it makes you feel like are living on a tropical island.

The inn is tucked into a scenic corner of the lagoon, which is a public beach as well as a recreational mecca. The wide beach has soft white sand, a wade-in swim area and a kayak and paddleboard equipment outfitter.

Sit on a lounge chair at the inn’s sunny pool and you can watch old people taking a dip in the gentle lagoon, mothers with their dogs and strollers walking along the boardwalk and kids building sandcastles and playing in the bracing water. Kayakers and paddle boarders of all levels (lessons are available) test their skills by gliding easily along these protected shores.

Our two-room suite on the sixth floor had a panoramic view of the lagoon. The room was modern, plush and had more than enough style and quality for the price, especially with a lagoon side sun-dappled balcony (where we dried our wet clothes from the day’s water activities). The beds were very comfortable with super soft sheets. The huge marble bathroom had separate his-and-her vanities, a giant tub and a rain shower. The adjoining living room was perfect for kids with its sofa bed, dining table, kitchen sink and en suite bathroom.

Unfortunately, this bright white-and-yellow building along Admiralty Way is on a corner that didn’t make it through the recession well as a few nearby restaurants have recently closed. This just gives guests another reason to enjoy the inn’s Vu restaurant.

Decorated in earth tones with huge picture windows overlooking the bay, Vu is a delightful space to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and apps or some post-dinner dessert and coffee. Locals love to sit on the scenic outdoor garden patio even on winter evenings as the restaurant provides cozy fire pits. On weekends, Vu transforms into a happening live music scene.

The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey Delights

Did you know The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey is an internationally-known destination resort? On our recent trip, we discovered this fact personally. Yes, it seemed everyone at the pool, in the Jacuzzi, in the elevator and in the club level lounge spoke French, German or some exotic Slav or Scandinavian language. And, if they did speak English, they had a jaunty English or sexy Australian accent.

With this global flair and a “hidden LA” location, we automatically felt like we were part of the international jet set at The Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey.

All 304 rooms, especially those on top floors, at this high-rise hotel have killer marina and mountain views. Ocean-facing rooms have incomparable views (and tiny balconies for viewing).

Our standard king room was certainly plush with fluffy white goose down bed, overstuffed sitting chair, breathtaking balcony, sleek work desk, flat screen TV and gleaming white-and-gray marble bathrooms with tons of Bulgari amenities.

Club Lounge Food, Drink and Service

Our Room 1104 sat just steps away from the hotel’s eleventh-floor club level lounge. For an added daily fee, guests at The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey can opt to enjoy this living room-like lounge from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.. Here, business folks, romantic couples and busy families hang out for drinks, bites, a business center (two for-free computers and a printer!) and a concierge staff.

For breakfast, we enjoyed the gorgeous marina and mountain views from the lounge’s floor-to-ceiling French windows along with a sumptuous continental breakfast. The lounge’s many concierges are dutiful to satisfying your needs from pouring alcoholic drinks any time when asked, clearing your table, talking to your kids, ordering limos, making restaurant reservations and providing lots of local insider information.

After breakfast, the club level lounge transforms into a haven at lunch and through the afternoon for finger sandwiches, refreshing salads and cold drinks. “Cocktails and apps” starts at 5 p.m., which is then followed by evening desserts until the lounge closes.

If you can pull yourself away from your cozy room or the decadent club lounge, head to the pool. Unfortunately, the pool is located on the shady side of the hotel, so be aware that late afternoons can be rather cold. So, it’s best to get an early start at this super relaxing pool, which you get to by walking down a long flight of elegant steps.

Once at pool level, you realize this place feels like a Mediterranean palace with its stone floor and colonnades, shallow blue water, lush gardens, yellow umbrellas and all-white lounge chairs. Older kids frolic here for hours while mothers dote on tiny tots and Europeans of all shapes and sizes nap, read and order poolside food and drink service. C’est la vie, non?

Beyond the pool, The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey is centrally located right on Admiralty Way, has its own award-winning Jer+ne Restaurant+Bar and always provides over-the-top service.

Classic Café Del Rey

Only a short couple of blocks from The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey is Café Del Rey. This classic surf-and-turf eatery just celebrated 20 years as Marina Del Rey’s finest independent dining establishment.

Chef Daniel Roberts, who has recently completely renovated the menu, says this restaurant has morphed over the years, but has always remained a go-to destination for the Marina Del Rey community.

Sit by the picture windows for incredible marina and hillside views. While watching a seal bob up and down between yachts, we enjoyed Café Del Rey’s refreshing handmade cocktails (and a deep wine list) along with Chef Roberts’ signature seared foie gras (with accompanying mignonette sauce) atop a half dozen of the best oysters from around the world. We also enjoyed the light-as-air fried calamari with fennel and a lemon mustard aioli.

For mains, most stick with the seafood items such as a perfectly-roasted salmon filet or the flaky Dover sole with Israel couscous, marcona almonds, cherry tomatoes, shaved fennel salad and a spicy piquillo pepper puree.

Or, try the “chateau” steak. This rather odd dish combines perfectly well on the palate with its tender filet mignon, slab of rosemary-and-brown-sugar-braised bacon, truffle mashed potatoes, baby zucchini and zesty béarnaise sauce.

At meal’s end, ask Chef Roberts for his secret stash of bacon gelato (not kidding!). However, the marcona almond semifreddo with cherry port gastrique was one of the best desserts we have ever tasted.

Café Del Rey is definitely THE place to eat when visiting Marina Del Rey. Café Del Rey is open for lunch and dinner daily and also has brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Back in our classic-meets-modern luxurious room at The Ritz-Carlton, we exhaled. And then we hit the club level lounge’s dessert presentation before bed. Standing on our own private balcony overlooking a spectacular ocean and mountain view, we realized Marina Del Rey is a magical place for relaxation and living the good life.

For more information about Marina Del Rey, visit www.VisitMarinaDelRey.com, www.facebook.com/visitmarinadelrey, www.twitter.com/marinadelrey_ca, or www.marinadelrey-ca.blogspot.com/; or stop by the Marina del Rey Visitors Center, 4701 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292. For group information and travel professionals, call 310-306-9900.

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California. Follow her! @sheryllalexande

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