Where to Stay - Los Angeles 2010 - page 81

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SLS After a $230-million r enovation, the former staid Le M eridien has been
transformed into a whimsical tapestr y of living ar t. D esigned b y P hilippe Starck, the
whole place is visually compelling: Life-siz e photographs of people decorate the elev ator
walls; mirrors in the rooms are bordered by the outline of human heads; heck, ev en the
TV is pr ojected through a glass wall. F itness buffs might consider booking an ex ercise
suite that comes outfitted with built-in w eighted cables and pulleys (though the hotel
gym is so amazing, this is truly for those who don't want to leave their rooms at all). The
hotel's restaurant, bar and retail area, called The Bazaar (which is, fittingly, bizarre), will
stimulate all of y our senses. The dining r ooms (Rojo y B lanca), Bar Centro, and r oom
service ar e helmed b y one of the most inv entive chefs in the countr y right no w, José
Andrés. Ciel Spa does a fine job living up to its name by creating the illusion that you've
arrived at the pearly gates thr ough a series of mirr ors, bright lighting and billowy, white
drapings. Massages and other treatments are also available in-room.
465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, 90048. & 310/247-0400 . Fax [phone]. www.slshotels.com. 297
units. $364-$629 double; up to $2,500 suites. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $35. Amenities: Restaurant;
patisserie; lounge; concierge; well-equipped exercise room; rooftop pool with privat e cabanas; room ser-
vice. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, hair dryer, minibar, MP3 docking station, Wi-Fi ($13 per day).
Sofitel LA The Sofitel chain brought its brand of glamour and sophistication to
the heart of L.A.'s Westside, adjacent to Beverly Hills and directly across the street from
the Beverly Center. With the ex ception of the E uro-beats pumped into the lobb y, the
Sofitel does ev erything right. R ooms, though not large, ooz e luxury—the thick carpet,
high-thread-count linens, and contemporary amenities such as 32-inch plasmaTVs, size-
able workspaces, and Wi-Fi connections are sure to make anyone comfortable. Suites are
lavish with Bose ster eo systems and walk-in closets, as w ell as flatscr een TVs mounted
over soaking tubs in the huge bathrooms. The biggest suite in the house has a full dining
space with fireplace, as well as a huge balcony with full bar . We hear rock stars rent the
place after playing shows in town. The dimly-lit Stone Rose lounge is good spot for late-
night cocktails and/or canoodling, and K erry Simon's Simon LA has modern comfor t
food. The on-site Le Spa offers an abundance of indulgent skin tr eatments, massages,
baths, and manicure/pedicures.
8555 Beverly Blvd. (at La Cienega), Los Angeles, CA 90048. & 800/SOFITEL (800/763-4835) or 310/278-
5444. www.sofitella.com. 295 units. $295-$460 double; from $650 suites. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet park-
ing $26. Pets accepted. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; concierge; exercise room; room service; Wi-Fi (free, in
lobby). In room: A/C, TV/DVD, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi ($9.95 per day).

5

Thompson Beverly Hills Beverly Hills just got a tad bit cooler with the intro-
duction of the Thompson in 2008, situated along the neighborhood 's main drag,
Wilshire Boulevard. While all the mirrors almost make you feel like you've stepped into
a posh fun house, the rooms are plush and dapper with a nod to California modernism.
If you want to spring for an upgrade, y ou can't go wr ong with the signatur e and sexy
Thompson Suite, which has a balcony with sw eeping views, a kitchen, two bathr ooms
(one with a tub, one with a shower, should you feel picky), a sitting area, and a bedroom.
Though a stay her e comes at a pr etty penny, particularly on the w eekend, the hotel is
worth the price tag simply for access to the dual-lev el, members-only rooftop pool and
its accompanying bar , ABH (for “Above B everly H ills”), offering priv ate cabanas and
stunning panoramic vie ws of all of Los Angeles. An outpost of N ew York City's trendy
Bond Street serves sushi and J apanese-inspired fare. Tip: If you want to see the H olly-
wood sign from your room, ask for something on floors sev en through nine.