Living La Vie en Rose at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
You’ll never forget that summer you spent in Provence - bicycling around the picturesque landscape of southeast France, soaking up the perennial sunshine, the views of snow-capped mountains, fields of lavender, olive trees and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see. It was so beautiful, you couldn’t help feeling like you were, well, back in Southern California. This trans-Atlantic, Franco-American aesthetic kinship was not lost on the good people at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, whose commitment to merging the soft, natural luxury of Provence with the movie star glamour of L.A. keeps you coming back to their hotel, time and again.
You wake up in what feels like a fluffy cloud - Sofitel’s trademarked luxurious feather top and duvet sleep system “SoBed” is a miracle for bad backs. You’ve booked the Penthouse, 950 square feet of pure understated luxe with views of the Hollywood Hills, Hermes bath products for the soaking tub, and a soft color palette. You step onto your balcony, and wish you’d brought your French poodle—the hotel does not charge a fee for pets—he would have loved walking around the busy city that stretches before you, all the shopping, thrills and culture of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills on your doorstep.
A quick workout at the hotel gym, SO Fit (touted as the largest hotel fitness center in L.A.) with dozens of cardio machines and personal trainers available by request. Then you rain shower, throw on something impeccably chic, and slide downstairs to the lobby, otherworldly with its grand spiral staircase, huge abstract sculpture “Knot No. 11” by Damon Hyldreth, and a Johnny Swing accent chair, made of 1,480 American half dollars. You notice unusually high numbers of European guests who, like you, are drawn to this place for its hybrid “France-in-California” ambiance.
You stroll ten minutes to the famous cafe Joan’s on Third for cafe au lait, before contemplating your mission—today, you will shop until you drop. But where to start? The huge Beverly Center mall is across the street from your hotel. Then there’s the Golden Triangle centered around Rodeo Drive, with global, glitzy fashion brands.
But you’re feeling low-key chic today, so you head straight for the quiet, tree-lined Melrose Place - made famous by the show, and featuring all your favorite fashion brands: Isabel Marant, Oscar de la Renta, Irene Neuwirth and the luxe lingerie of Kiki de Montparnasse. Not to mention Marni, Chloe, Carolina Herrera, Bottega Veneta and Monique Lhullier, APC, Mary Kate and Ashley’s The Row, and Zimmermann. this place is fashionista retail heaven. A quick Dermalquench facial at Kate Somerville, above the delightful Alfred Coffee, and you’re ready to head back to the hotel, where you have some serious pampering in mind.
First, a hot chocolate scrub and massage at SoSpa, followed by a blow out at the salon complete with makeup application area, and a charming al fresco “bistro” style patio garden. Now that your hair’s perfect, your nails buffed to within an inch of their lives, you’re ready to throw on one of your new outfits and head for dinner.
So many dining options in this part of town—The Nice Guy, Verlaine, Rosaline, Matsuhisa and E.P./LP.—but you’d rather stay close to home and dine at the magically floral Le Jardin, the secret garden-inspired patio area of the hotel’s eatery, Estérel. Named for a mountain range in the south east of France, it’s the perfect place for a little oysters and champagne, surrounded by soft lighting, flowered trellises, and fountains, not to mention a Provencal-inspired herb garden.
A post meal nightcap at the hotel lounge (sorry that's boite), Riviera 31 is in order. Soon you’re relaxing on a cozy red velvet sofa, watching les enfants terribles dance the night away, blissfully caught in the middle of your two favorite worlds.
Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
8555 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 278-5444
