Who's Going
Gordon Ramsay, Simon Cowell, David Beckham
Reason to Stay
Rooftop Pool, Gordon Ramsay eatery, Oversize Rooms
Hotel Type
Luxury Boutique
Guests arrive via a manicured private alleyway located directly behind the Viper Room (formerly owned by Johnny Depp) and a trinket shop known as Ahh's that sells cardboard cutouts of Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama. It's architectural facade is a relic of the early '80s, known as the Bel Age Hotel, before landing a fancy new paint job and brand new striped awnings that give it that Hollywood Regency-vibe. Today it's the new home of one of the city's sexiest rooftop pools and only West Coast outpost of 2-star Michelin chef Gordon Ramsey of Hell's Kitchen fame.
A dapper valet staff in bolero hats and dark fitted vests line the glassy front entrance leading to the main lobby. David Collins, designer of London's Blue Bar at Claridge's and The London NYC, designs the interior lobby that blends LA's history of deco with freshly-polished stone floors and glossy-white wood paneling for an element of sexy Tinseltown glamour. Gone is any memory of the former Bel Age Hotel, fully exorcized through sleek lounge areas and formal reception accented by dangling lantern chandeliers and buzz of beautiful people on weekend romp. In plush white robes and terrycloth sandals, a weekend exodus occurs onto the 10th floor where the new rooftop pool is located. Large King Palms, brought in with cranes, shade what is one of the most idyllic pool views in the entire city. Unobstructed panoramas of downtown, Century City and Hollywood Hills skyline detract from the flirtatious tension of well-sculpted bodies getting their weekend tan.
The Room
As you can tell from its enormous facade, the hotel is big. Originally built as an all-suite hotel, the 225 guests rooms include a series or large and even larger suites with varying views of the Hollywood Hills to higher floors offering ocean and downtown panoramas. Noise can be an issue on lower, west-facing floors, as the windows of the building were not upgraded during renovation. Guests make their way across the lobby and into shiny stainless-steel elevators that open to gentlemanly foyers of hand-scraped wood floors and long carpeted hallways. Iconic guest rooms feature freestanding headboards and beds tucked with imported Italian cotton sheets. Well-designed seating areas feature 6-person sectionals or plushy upholstered sofas opposite flat-screen TV's and built-in mini bars with refrigerators and fine crystal stemware. Larger suites offer added amenities like formal dining room and living area big enough for small cocktail parties. Bathrooms are dripping in Waterworks with deep soaking tubs and rain showers fit for a spa.The London West Hollywood is built for bizness. In-room work areas include well-organized desks with multi-line speakerphones and complimentary high-speed Internet access or Wifi. An I-Pod docking station is readily available for personal DJ mixing following weekend afternoons at the pool. But perhaps it's most unique amenity; the property offers complimentary calls to London for all those last-minute deals in a select number of guest rooms (request in advance). Guests also have access to Quintessentially, the in-house concierge service, specializing in booking the impossible restaurant or nightlife reservation.
Preferred Room
Junior Suite
Special Features
Free London Calls, Rooftop Pool, Concierge, Gordon Ramsay Restaurant
Amenities
Bar, Lounge, Spa, Pool, Cabanas, Restaurant, Suites
