Discovering LA - The Luxury Report

Good Living, LA Style

Finbarr Toesland heads to Los Angeles and discovers a city that strikes the perfect balance between modern wellness and heady indulgence.

The Los Angeles of today is far more than simply the global capital of the entertainment industry. From Beverly Hills, to Bel Air, West Hollywood to Malibu, many of the 100-plus neighbourhoods that make up LA have gained global recognition in their own right, and offer culinary adventure, cutting-edfe hotels and unmissable sights.

In just a single day, travellers can pop into art museum The Getty, go shopping on Rodeo Drive, before taking a walk down Venice Boulevard to enjoy a super-smoothie at luxury grocer Erewhon. The real challenge for visitors to The City of Angels is how to choose from the many heady delights that La-La Land has on offer.

Health kick

In what is arguably one of the most health-conscious cities anywhere in the world, no LA trip is complete without dipping a toe in the waters of wellness. Arriving in the dry heat after a transatlantic flight can take a bit of adjustment – but thankfully, soothing the woes of jet lag has never been easier than with the Seyhart Jet Lag Relief treatment.

Santa Monica based Seyhart works to bring together the best of Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine experts to support patients with a range of treatments. From acupuncture to cupping and gua sha, the doctor-owned and operated space tailors all treatments to exactly what the client needs. Low energy levels and fatigue are common complaints among long- haul travellers, making the specialised acupuncture treatment at Seyhart a timely opportunity to reset your body clock, and start a packed LA visit fully restored.

Meanwhile, with more than a dozen outposts across the US, Pause Studio is a mainstay for local Angelenos who pop in for cryotherapy, light therapy and a vitamin IV fix. On Sycamore Avenue in West Hollywood, the Float Therapy treatment provides the perfect antidote to the 24/7 LA lifestyle.

An almost literal hop, skip and a jump across the street from Pause is high-tech, immersive facial bar Formula Fig. The always popular All-In super facial offers a little bit of everything to help boost circulation, reduce the appearance of fine lines and lift eyebrows. Starting off with diamond-tip microdermabrasion to remove dead skin and foster new cell growth, the Skin Educator moves onto a microcurrent to tone, ultrasound to stimulate collagen, and LED light therapy to reduce inflammation.

Maybe a massage is the priority? Award-winning boutique spa Larchmont Sanctuary Spa is the perfect urban haven. Incorporating aromatherapy, Swedish strokes and acupressure techniques, the holistic massage offers visitors a deeply relaxing experience to improve flexibility and reduce tension. Every last detail of the experience is attended to, and no parabens or synthetic fragrances used. A full hour of treatment is the norm and there is the choice of enjoying your treatment indoors or outdoors in a private cabana or bungalow.

Fashionable stay

There is no shortage of iconic hotels and residences nestled across LA’s urban expanse. Some offer a relaxed, home-from-home vibe, while others specialise in a more formal and exclusive white glove service.

The Short Stories Hotel naturally encapsulates the effortlessly cool LA aesthetic that many try to create, often without success. Located on Fairfax Avenue, a short walk from shopping paradise The Grove and Museum Row, this 66-room urban oasis is set in a motel-style mid- century building, which saw a refresh in 2022 to realise a retro theme throughout.

Rooms reflect the functional and easy-breezy feel of the entire hotel, with every room fitted with custom artwork, relaxed furniture and beautiful hardwood floors. The open-air pool is right next to the relaxed bar, with guests invited to laze around with drinks or pop into the chic Parisian bistro restaurant near the entrance lobby.

Storied city

In a notoriously car-centric city, Short Stories Hotel is less than a 20-minute walk to LA’s Museum Row, in an increasingly pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood. A whole host of museums and galleries sit on Wilshire Boulevard, with even the most organised visitors wrestling with the amount there is to see and do.

Devoted to the craft of making movies, The Academy Museum could be nowhere else but LA. The main exhibition, Stories of Cinema, is a celebration of the Silver Screen, and houses legendary artefacts, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz and a cape used by Bela Lugosi in Dracula.

Steps away at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), visitors are greeted by Chris Burden’s “Urban Light” installation, comprised of hundreds of city street lights from around LA. Works from some of the greats, namely Picasso, Matisse and Hockney, are on show, alongside literally thousands of modern artworks from innovative artists like Ed Ruscha.

Housing one of the finest automotive collections anywhere in the world, the Petersen Automotive Museum covers rare vehicles from more than 100 years of American history. There aren’t many museums where you can see a vintage Batmobile next to the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Even the building itself is a work of art thanks to the comprehensive $125 million facelift in 2015, leaving its facade flaunting a wavy stainless steel ribbon design.

European infusion

The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills lives up to its name and offers a luxurious mix of California style and British design touches. All the expected five-star amenities, think oversized baths, personal concierge service and even a complimentary house car, are found at The London. The rooftop pool, exclusively for hotel guests, offers stunning, panoramic views, cabanas and a large sundeck, allowing residents to soak up the LA sun in luxury.

The restaurant Amour West Hollywood is a brisk walk from The London and has quickly become known for its inspired tasting menus and exquisitely conceived dining spaces. The fusion of Paris and LA results in a one-of-a-kind culinary journey that feels genuinely authentic, largely thanks to the perfect balance of great design, super service, and laid-back ambiance.

Try dining in Le Patio and Le Jardin for a tour of classic dishes like New Caledonia Blue Prawn Carpaccio, Basque Cheesecake with Cassis & Elderberry Sorbet, and Summer Truffle Pasta.

For those looking for a more intimate experience, cocktail bar Holy Water in West Hollywood contains an eclectic design ethos, with handpicked reclaimed objects carefully dotted around the cosy bar and secluded back room. Baskets hang from ceilings, while plants define the relaxed back room – accessed through a winding hallway passage – to complete the jungle retreat feel of Holy Water.

If downtown smart is on the cards, industry chic hotel The LINE LA, in the heart of Koreatown, has been a firm favourite for close to a decade. Design-forward and minimalist rooms, featuring concrete throughout, make this the perfect base to explore the city. Floor to ceiling windows look out across the Hollywood Hills and the iconic Hollywood sign can be seen from many of the higher rooms.

***Midwest Summer Available at Holy Water Cocktail Bar***

Housed on the second floor terrace of The LINE, Openaire feels more like a lush, garden hideaway than a hotel restaurant, thanks to the vision of two Michelin- starred chef Josiah Citrin. The ever-changing menu gives diners a peak into the cultural melting pot that is LA, with fresh produce being at the heart of the experience.

Culinary journey

Once you step into Culina Restaurant at Four Season Hotel Los Angeles you may think you’ve entered a scenic coastal town in Italy. Top quality ingredients sourced directly from Italy offer a truly authentic dining experience for locals and visitors alike. Ask for a table in the stunning outdoor area for a taste of a Mediterranean oasis. And you simply can’t go wrong when choosing from the array of carefully curated culinary creations. The Insalata RC – named after the hotel’s founding owner Robert “RC” Cohen – features lobster tail, king crab, shrimp, cucumber, chickpea, baby iceberg and avocado vinaigrette was a real stand-out. For cocktails, the signature Amalfi Spritz, featuring homemade limoncello, Aperol, prosecco, fresh basil and club soda is a perfect accompaniment to the imaginative menu.

While technically a pizzeria, Leopardo offers far more than the descriptions suggests. While you can enjoy classic and indulgent pizzas, a delicious polenta waffle with spring water caviar and barbecue maple syrup is certainly not going to be on the menu of your average pizza joint. The highest quality ingredients, paired with a laid back LA attitude, make diners feel like a true local.

Over on famed Melrose Avenue sits Mediterranean- inspired hotspot Carmel (above). Chef Asaf Maoz has brought the best of Tel Aviv’s culinary scene to Carmel, with 72-hour fermented Moroccan frena, baked to order in the wood-fire oven, being a must for any diners. Basics like the summer squash salad are perfectly executed, with exceptional dishes like my “Grandma’s Mushroom Cigars”, served with Baharat, pine nuts and chuma pepper, going above and beyond to make Carmel a new favourite in a competitive restaurant scene.

While a single visit to LA won’t ever be enough to totally explore the diverse culture this mesmerising city has to offer, one taste of its heady delights will certainly have you returning for more. Be in no doubt, The City of Angels has heavenly hotels and restaurants.