BACKGROUND
The ten-floor London hotel opened in 2008, though before this it was the Bel Age – I was told that some of the staff have been working at the property for more than 15 years.
The hotel's interiors were concptualised by renowned designer David Collins, who also did the London NYC, the Apartment at the Connaught and the Hilton Prague Old Town. The idea was to create a property that embodied “the best of London and the best of LA”.
WHAT'S IT LIKE?
Upon arrival, porters are immediately on hand to help with luggage and a life-like statue of an English bulldog sits outside the entrance.
The ground-floor lobby is elegant, with ambient lighting and an art deco feel with polished black and cream marble, and gold accents. Behind the reception desk is a tapestry of a vintage map of Los Angeles – from Hollywood to Santa Monica. In the background plays chilled electro music, softly.
The luxury five-star property offers excellent service and a relaxed, exclusive vibe. I spotted the son of a very famous singer by the pool but no one was bothering him – I imagine the London is known for its discretion and for being less of an ostentatious option for celebrities.
It still has an air if glamour about the place, though, which is always nice when you’re in Hollywood. Gordon Ramsay provides all the dining and room service, and there are various indoor and outdoor options for events.
WHERE IS IT?
Set just off Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. It’s 16km to Downtown and 26km to LAX International airport.
ROOM FACILITIES
Free wifi is available without a password throughout the whole hotel. The property is all-suite, with 200 sizeable open-plan rooms ranging between 67 sqm and 153 sqm.
Amenities that come as standard include private dressing areas, step-out balconies, large marble-topped workdesks and media hubs, Keurig coffeemakers, wet bars and well-stocked minibars, safes, iron and ironing boards, air conditioning, iHome iPod docks and LG flatscreen TVs.
Beds in most of the suites are placed in the centre of the room facing the window with a low partition wall acting as a headboard behind that you can walk around on either side to get to the bathroom and dressing areas. This worked well, creating a sense of more than one space to inhabit.
The spacious bathrooms feature Waterworks double-headed rain/power showers and separate tubs, hand-cut mosaic tiles, a full-length mirror, Clear toiletries, stylish robes, thick towels and hairdryers. Guests can also avail of a free buffet breakfast at the Boxwood Café and complimentary calls to London.
The décor is refined and soothing, with a palette of pale green, blue, tan, cream and white, contrasted with chrome, inlaid bamboo, grey velvet and suede. (The walls of the corridors have to be "re-texturised" by staff on a daily basis as the tactile quality of the soft suede covering it invites people to touch it and leave marks.)
I was staying in a Vista suite, facing the direction of Santa Monica Boulevard. Unfortunately it wasn’t 100 per cent soundproof as I was woken in the morning by loud drilling coming from the street below. The balcony was a nice touch, though, with a seat for enjoying the view and a noughts and crosses board, while inside was a living area with a comfy L-shaped couch and marble coffee table. The bed was incredibly comfy – one of the best I’ve ever slept in.
My only complaint was that one night I saw a cockroach running along the corridor, but hopefully it was an unfortunate one-off as everything seemed immaculately clean and well looked after.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
The London’s dining concept was launched by Gordon Ramsay, and is directed by executive chef Anthony Keene, dishing up tasty Californian fare across the fine-dining Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood (dinner only 6pm-10pm), the casual Boxwood Café and Rooftop by Gordon Ramsay.
I ate breakfast at the Boxwood, where staff behind a golden desk welcome guests before ushering them through to show them a lavish, appetising buffet of bagels, fresh fruit, pastries, cereals, artisan bread, cheese and charcuterie. (A la carte options are also available for a fee.) Coffee is delivered on request, and I found the food and the service to be very good.
There is also the London bar, which specialises in cocktails (try Gordon’s Fury, made with vodka, lime juice, crème de cassis, cranberry juice and jalapeno). From the windows of the Boxwood and bar are sweeping views of the neighbourhood.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES
To the right of the lobby is the Kensington ballroom, which can be divided into two and has a total capacity of 350 people reception-style. Running alongside it is the Foyer, which is a useful pre-function space for up to 126 standing, while the adjacent outdoor terrace can host about 100 delegates – it can also be used as a private entrance so high-profile guests don’t have to come through the main part of the hotel.
For client dinners, there are five private dining rooms that are all equipped with wifi and AV, and suites can also be hired for get-togethers. On the third level of the hotel is access to the open-air Hampden Court Gardens, a rooftop venue for up to 600 delegates with Astroturf, a giant chess board, orange trees and movable planter boxes. This is available until 10pm but organisers can apply for a permit to host parties that go on later than this.
The glass-walled rooftop pool deck is a stunning place for functions of up to 300 people, with fire pits, teak benches, four luxury cabanas with TVs and minibars, a waterfall feature wall and sweeping city views. On the other side is Rooftop West/Rooftop by Gordon Ramsay, which can be privatised for up to 250 guests for a sit-down dinner, and sees a marquee set up in the cooler months between November and March. Drinks and snacks are also served here throughout the day.
There is a business centre with an ATM, scanner, fax, printer and four computers (three PCs and one Mac) open 24 hours.
LEISURE FACILITIES
The top floor rooftop pool, which is heated year round and is for hotel guests only, offers sunrise yoga during the summer on weekends. On the same level there is a 24-hour gym, however, this was disappointing – apart from being small and dingy, there wasn’t much in the way of equipment.
Of the few Life Fitness machines (and free weights) that were there, several didn’t work properly, which was something I was surprised at considering the quality of the hotel and that so many people are obsessed with working out in LA. I attempted a session at the gym but it wasn’t entirely successful.
VERDICT
A classy, all-suite luxury hotel in LA's West Hollywood. The free wifi and breakfast are a plus, as is the gorgeous rooftop pool and al fresco event space. The bedrooms are spacious, attractively designed and well appointed, but the gym needs a serious revamp (and even an expansion).
FACT FILE
- HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 200 suites across nine categories – London, London Veranda, London Vista, London Crown, London One-Bedroom, London Accessible, Royal Crown, Deluxe Veranda and Deluxe One-Bedroom.
- HIGHLIGHTS Free wifi and breakfast, rooftop pool, chic design and spacious suites, Gordon Ramsay restaurant and extensive event space.
- PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in January started from US$375 for a London suite.
- CONTACT The London West Hollywood, 1,020 North San Vicente Boulevard; West Hollywood; tel +1 866 282 4560; thelondonwesthollywood.com
Jenny Southan
