“Welcome to Hollywood! What’s your dream? Everybody comes here; this is Hollywood, land of dreams. Some dreams come true, some don’t; but keep on dreamin’ — this is Hollywood.”
-Pretty Woman
Beckoning those in search of fortune and fame, the country’s second-largest city is synonymous with luxury and over-the-top frippery. And representing all the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles are Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
Joan’s on Third, West 3rd Street in Hollywood
Photo Courtesy of JOT
SHOP
Palm trees, grandiose façades and couture galore dot the two-mile expanse of Rodeo Drive. With more than 100 world-renowned flagships and stores — Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Bally — comprising just three blocks, Rodeo Drive is a fashionista’s paradise.
A favorite among locals and Hollywood hipsters is West 3rd Street. The eclectic shopping and dining district is minutes from other attractions such as The Grove, Beverly Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). On any given day, you might see Jared Leto or Nicole Richie dining at Joan’s on Third or Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel emerging from M. Cohen’s custom-jewelry studio.
STAY
Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary with a multimillion dollar renovation, SLS Hotel Beverly Hills is the perfect combination of sexy and sophisticated.
Featuring 234 guestrooms and 63 suites, signature touches include floating bed(s), sliding bathroom dividers, infinity sinks, 55-inch Samsung high-definition smart TVs, rainfall shower options, as well as grand walk-in closets in select suites.
SLS pool deck, photo courtesy of SLS Hotels
The 1,900-square-foot presidential suite is a one-of-a-kind experience complete with a master bedroom, book-lined parlor, grand dining room, living room, chef’s kitchen and picturesque views of Beverly Hills cityscape.
Amenities include top-notch concierge service; the 5,000-square-foot Ciel Spa, the only Biologique Recherche Expert Center on the West Coast; the sixth-floor rooftop pool that overlooks the city; a Technogym-equipped fitness center; and complimentary Lincoln Navigator house car service.
Foggy Hill Negroni, photo courtesy of SLS Hotels
EAT
Overseeing the culinary program at SLS is world-renowned chef José Andrés. The Bazaar by José Andrés offers both a traditional and modern tapas dining experience in an indoor piazza setting overseen by chef de cuisine Holly Jivin. The hotel also boasts Tres by José Andrés, an all-day dining destination and the recently opened Somni — an ultra-exclusive 10-seat, seasonally inspired 20-course tasting menu by Andrés and chef Aitor Zabala.
Other not-to-miss dining destinations in the area include Toca Madera, A.O.C., Freds at Barneys, Culina, Matsuhisa, Madeo Ristorante and The Henry.
The Henry, photo courtesy
PLAY
A must-see is the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art (LACMA).
The largest art museum in the West, with a collection of more than 130,000 works spanning more than 6,000 years, LACMA also houses the world’s largest open-plan museum space as well as a rotating selection of music, film and educational exhibitions.
A thirty-minute drive from Beverly Hills is The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Offering theater, dance, film, opera, jazz, world music, musicals, symphony and chamber orchestras and family programs, the intimate space has attracted stars such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Patti LuPone, Aaron Neville and Bobby McFerrin.
