LA travelogue part three - West Hollywood

After having had two wonderful romantic weeks with DH, it was great fun to spend the rest of our time in LA en famille. We organized the remaining time around places that teenagers enjoy too, so started by spending a couple of nights on Sunset Boulevard and then moved on to Venice and Santa Monica before heading back home.

The Sunset Marquis is a cool hotel which has its history, heart and soul rooted in the music business. Black and white photographs of rock stars and musicians who've stayed there line the lobby and lounge areas, and there's a recording studio which you can book along with your room. Many well known film scores have been born there.. The restaurant is open on three sides and surrounded by water features and lush vegetation. It's a great place to have dinner, and the rain forrest setting lets you easily forget that you're right on Sunset Blvd, LA's most iconic strip.

Around the corner from the Marquis is one of DS's favorite breakfast hang outs, the legendary Mels Drive-In (conveniently open 24 hrs, which is just as well if you travel with a growing teenager!)

No need to explain who's breakfast this is!

Room with a view.  The Mondrian is another excellent place to stay with older kids.. it's funky, groovy and hip, and has a great location. Its cool rooftop pool area is a magnet for the young social media crowd, which provides plenty of interesting entertainment!

The Mondrian's Skybar with sweeping views over Los Angeles and Downtown. A perfect place to have a light dinner from the small but tempting bar menu.

The pool shares the same stunning views as the skybar, so it's not a surprise that it turns into a photo location for Instagram celebrities in the afternoons.

Further down Sunset, The London West Hollywood is another place with a superb roof terrace. It's restaurant Boxwood on the Roof has a 360˚view over town, and it's a fabulous place whether for drinks, lunch or dinner. Thank you again dearest Th. for suggesting it! (click here to see a post featuring The London New York)

Sunset boulevard at night.. it makes you feel like you're strolling through a movie!

Dinner at the Boxwood on the Roof

On the other hand, DS' preferred eateries were the food corners in shopping malls. The variety, freshness and quality on offer were superb, and definitely worth a visit (at least in DS's book)!

One of the shops I enjoyed the most is the super stylish interior design shop 'Restoration Hardware' on Melrose. Thank you again talented and dearest Annie for recommending it (she also shared the Jady skincare tip with me.. what would I do without her!) If you are looking for inspiration for your home or work place, the Restoration Hardware is definitely a place to look at... I could move right in and be very happy! Even if you're not interested in decorating, it is worth a visit for it's space and style.. the roof terrace has been constructed as a public space. You can settle down with a book in one of the many beautiful seating arrangements, or play a game of ping-pong or pool billiards. You see school study groups  meeting there, or people just coming to take a break and  enjoy the view to the soothing sound of the trickling fountains.

More inspiration from dear and stylish friends.. what are the perfect coolers to go with Hendricks Gin? Home-made cucumber ice globes! When you've seen them you'll want them. To make these jumbo coolers which have the added advantage of melting less quickly of course, you'll need an ice ball mold (you can find them on amazon etc), and some pretty colored fruit or vegetables.. you can substitute the cucumber with strawberries, lime, raspberries.. the options are endless! Thanks so much dearest Dot for sharing, I always learn something from you.

Everyone needs a break from time to time!



Pacific Design Center - view from the Restoration Hardware rooftop

Just in time, a little bird whispered in my ear the name of this beautiful textile shop... 'Hollywood at Home'. Peter Dunham's fabrics are gorgeous and I am so glad I visited. Thanks so much again for the tip dear D.D.!

I could have taken each and every cushion home with me..

Il Piccolino is a charming Italian trattoria co-owned by LA veteran restaurateurs Eddie Kerkhof (Le Dôme) and Silvio de Mori. It has two lovely terracotta tiled terraces surrounded by walls of plants, and makes you feel as though you are sitting in the middle of a beautiful garden. The food is fresh and mostly organic and the service is charming and attentive. The perfect setting for long and memorable lunches.. we met up with friends (including the already mentioned interior designer dream team Dot and Annie of course),  and our lunch stretched well into the afternoon. What a happy time it was!

STAY

The London West Hollywood, 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: +1 310-854-1111 http://www.thelondonwesthollywood.com/

Sunset Marquis, 1200 Alta Loma Rd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone: +1 310-657-1333 http://sunsetmarquis.com/

Mondrian Los Angeles, 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone:+1 323-650-8999 www.morganshotelgroup.com/mondrian-los-angeles

DRINK

Skybar at the Mondrian, Address as above, Phone: +1 323-848-6025
www.morganshotelgroup.com/skybar

EAT

Il Piccolino, 350 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048,
Phone: +1 310-659-2220 www.ilpiccolinorestaurant.com

Boxwood on the Roof, 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: +1 310-358-7797 www.thelondonwesthollywood.com/boxwoodontheroof

Mel's Drive-In (American breakfast), 8585 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone:+1 310-854-7201 www.melsdrive-in.com


SHOP

Restoration Hardware, 8564 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood,
Phone: +1 310-652-0323 www.restorationhardware.com

Hollywood at Home ,703 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069

Phone: + 1 310-273-6200  www.hollywoodathome.com  

Peter Dunham Textiles  www.peterdunham.com