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Hotel Angeleno
Just minutes from the Getty Museum and Brentwood, the Hotel Angeleno makes for the perfect weekend getaway for O.C. residents.
Before I could venture out onto the 12th-floor balcony, I had to convince myself I was not going to fall. But once I was out there, tightly gripping the rail, it was worth it. I was awarded with a stunning view of Los Angeles and a slight breeze in the unseasonally warm November air.
Hotel Angeleno stands at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and the 405 Freeway, just a few minutes from the J. Paul Getty Museum and Brentwood. It's easy to spot from the freeway: The 17-story circular building was the former home of a Holiday Inn before transforming into Hotel Angeleno in 2006, named one of the Top New Hotels by Condé Nast Traveler in 2007.
The boutique hotel exudes stylish sophistication at every turn. A wall of river rock extends from the entrance into the lobby. Warm earth tones contrast with stark whites, from the cream-colored couches in the lobby to the dark brown furnishings in the more than 200 guest rooms.
My friend and I checked into an executive king guest room with a plasma-screen TV, free WiFi, mini-bar, desk, armoire and the aforementioned balcony. Amenities such as a complimentary car for destinations within three miles, iPod Nanos and GPS for $5 and $20, respectively, are also available.
A fireplace, cabanas and chaise lounges surround the outdoor pool on the left side of the hotel. There's a poolside menu, as well, with chair massages, martinis and manicures – who can argue with that?
Although Hotel Angeleno doesn’t have a spa, a number of in-room choices are available, such as facials and massages, from Spa Connections (spa-connections.com), a mobile team of beauty and wellness specialists who visit the hotel, as well as destinations throughout L.A. and Orange County, to provide these services to guests. Other choices, such as spa parties, are also available for those looking for something a little more lavish. Massages start at $160, and I indulged in a one-hour Swedish massage. It was the perfect way to end an afternoon before heading to dinner.
The hotel has two dining options: Angeleno Café, with baked goods and coffee, and WEST Restaurant & Lounge, an Italian steak house on the 17th floor. WEST is a common celebrity haunt; Jim Carrey and Tony Hawk are among its frequent guests.
It's no wonder they love it. The modern décor, low seating and dim lighting create a sultry ambience. And the rich cherry wood floor and ceiling complement the imported Venetian marble tables.
My friend and I began with a cocktail: the French Peartini. It's made with Grey Goose vodka, St. Germain liqueur and white-cranberry-and-pear nectar. For our meal, our server suggested the Homemade Potato Gnocchi or Bone-in Filet. I chose the Bone-in Filet, served a la carte in a red wine sauce. My companion ordered the Flat-iron Steak, which comes in a red wine reduction with Parmesan-dusted truffle fries.
Both dishes were exquisite; the meat was tender and flavorful, a perfect pairing for my 2003 St. Supéry Cabernet Sauvignon. And, despite full stomachs, we made room for dessert: chocolate and caramel fondue. It matched an assortment of fruits, fudge and marshmallows with rich chocolate and caramel sauces.
What: Hotel Angeleno
Where: 170 North Church Lane, Los Angeles
Phone: 310.476.6411
Web: hotelangeleno.com
Good to know: Though the Getty Center is free to visit, parking is $10.
What to do:
There are plenty of places to visit around L.A., and the hotel serves as a great base. From there, I suggest stopping by The Getty Center, just five minutes away. The Getty is home to the J. Paul Getty Museum, Research Institute and Conservation Institute.
The Getty Museum is one of the many museums in the area, but it's by far one of the most magnificent, with majestic views, gardens for strolling and new exhibits almost every time you visit. It is known for its European paintings, drawings and sculpture, among other works.
Current exhibits include Dialogue Among Giants: Carleton Watkins and the Rise of Photography in California; Sur le Motif: Painting in Nature around 1800, both until March 2009; and In Focus: The Landscape, until January.
The Getty Center is free to visit, but it is $10 to park. Wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to walk around the expansive complex. getty.edu
Where to dine:
Brentwood Village is a perfect place for any meal, with its assortment of cafes and restaurants. It's also just a 15-minute walk from the hotel, so you can walk off your meal after you eat.
Visit the Belwood Café for delicious breads in an assortment of shapes -- Alligator Bread or Crab Bread are just two options -- muffins, pastries and cookies, as well as a selection of sandwiches. The family-owned and operated eatery is open seven days a week, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. belwoodcafe.com
If you're looking for something a bit more filling, then check out Maria's Italian Kitchen. The restaurant first opened in Brentwood in 1975, and since then, it's grown to include eight other spots in the Los Angeles area. And it's no wonder. The menu features traditional Italian fare such as Chicken Parmigiana or Baked Ziti, as well as calzones, pizzas, hot sandwiches and pastas aplenty. Maria's is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. mariasitaliankitchen.com
Or, visit the Farmers Market at The Grove to find fresh produce and fruit. You can enjoy the 30-minute drive through Beverly Hills before ending up in downtown Los Angeles – it's a treat as you leave the centrally located Hotel Angeleno behind you.
Once there, you can snack, shop and observe the shoppers around you. There's Bennett's Ice Cream, where you can watch the staff make ice cream from scratch. Or Farm Boy, which has some of the biggest, roundest and freshest fruit you've ever seen. (Believe me, I picked up an apple that seemed to be almost as big as my face.)
You'll find toffee houses, butchers, a tea shop and bakeries. Make sure to buy something before you leave, and get your parking ticket validated – the first two hours are free. farmersmarketla.com
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Hotel Angeleno stands at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and the 405 Freeway, just a few minutes from the J. Paul Getty Museum and Brentwood. It's easy to spot from the freeway: The 17-story circular building was the former home of a Holiday Inn before transforming into Hotel Angeleno in 2006, named one of the Top New Hotels by Condé Nast Traveler in 2007. The boutique hotel exudes stylish sophistication at every turn. A wall of river rock extends from the entrance into the lobby. Warm earth tones contrast with stark whites, from the cream-colored couches in the lobby to the dark brown furnishings in the more than 200 guest rooms. My friend and I checked into an executive king guest room with a plasma-screen TV, free WiFi, mini-bar, desk, armoire and the aforementioned balcony. Amenities such as a complimentary car for destinations within three miles, iPod Nanos and GPS for $5 and $20, respectively, are also available.A fireplace, cabanas and chaise lounges surround the outdoor pool on the left side of the hotel. There's a poolside menu, as well, with chair massages, martinis and manicures – who can argue with that? Although Hotel Angeleno doesn’t have a spa, a number of in-room choices are available, such as facials and massages, from Spa Connections (spa-connections.com), a mobile team of beauty and wellness specialists who visit the hotel, as well as destinations throughout L.A. and Orange County, to provide these services to guests. Other choices, such as spa parties, are also available for those looking for something a little more lavish. Massages start at $160, and I indulged in a one-hour Swedish massage. It was the perfect way to end an afternoon before heading to dinner. The hotel has two dining options: Angeleno Café, with baked goods and coffee, and WEST Restaurant & Lounge, an Italian steak house on the 17th floor. WEST is a common celebrity haunt; Jim Carrey and Tony Hawk are among its frequent guests. It's no wonder they love it. The modern décor, low seating and dim lighting create a sultry ambience. And the rich cherry wood floor and ceiling complement the imported Venetian marble tables. My friend and I began with a cocktail: the French Peartini. It's made with Grey Goose vodka, St. Germain liqueur and white-cranberry-and-pear nectar. For our meal, our server suggested the Homemade Potato Gnocchi or Bone-in Filet. I chose the Bone-in Filet, served a la carte in a red wine sauce. My companion ordered the Flat-iron Steak, which comes in a red wine reduction with Parmesan-dusted truffle fries. Both dishes were exquisite; the meat was tender and flavorful, a perfect pairing for my 2003 St. Supéry Cabernet Sauvignon. And, despite full stomachs, we made room for dessert: chocolate and caramel fondue. It matched an assortment of fruits, fudge and marshmallows with rich chocolate and caramel sauces.What: Hotel Angeleno Where: 170 North Church Lane, Los Angeles Phone: 310.476.6411 Web: hotelangeleno.com Good to know: Though the Getty Center is free to visit, parking is $10. What to do: There are plenty of places to visit around L.A., and the hotel serves as a great base. From there, I suggest stopping by The Getty Center, just five minutes away. The Getty is home to the J. Paul Getty Museum, Research Institute and Conservation Institute. The Getty Museum is one of the many museums in the area, but it's by far one of the most magnificent, with majestic views, gardens for strolling and new exhibits almost every time you visit. It is known for its European paintings, drawings and sculpture, among other works. Current exhibits include Dialogue Among Giants: Carleton Watkins and the Rise of Photography in California; Sur le Motif: Painting in Nature around 1800, both until March 2009; and In Focus: The Landscape, until January. The Getty Center is free to visit, but it is $10 to park. Wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to walk around the expansive complex. getty.edu Where to dine: Brentwood Village is a perfect place for any meal, with its assortment of cafes and restaurants. It's also just a 15-minute walk from the hotel, so you can walk off your meal after you eat. Visit the Belwood Café for delicious breads in an assortment of shapes -- Alligator Bread or Crab Bread are just two options -- muffins, pastries and cookies, as well as a selection of sandwiches. The family-owned and operated eatery is open seven days a week, 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. belwoodcafe.com If you're looking for something a bit more filling, then check out Maria's Italian Kitchen. The restaurant first opened in Brentwood in 1975, and since then, it's grown to include eight other spots in the Los Angeles area. And it's no wonder. The menu features traditional Italian fare such as Chicken Parmigiana or Baked Ziti, as well as calzones, pizzas, hot sandwiches and pastas aplenty. Maria's is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. mariasitaliankitchen.com Or, visit the Farmers Market at The Grove to find fresh produce and fruit. You can enjoy the 30-minute drive through Beverly Hills before ending up in downtown Los Angeles – it's a treat as you leave the centrally located Hotel Angeleno behind you. Once there, you can snack, shop and observe the shoppers around you. There's Bennett's Ice Cream, where you can watch the staff make ice cream from scratch. Or Farm Boy, which has some of the biggest, roundest and freshest fruit you've ever seen. (Believe me, I picked up an apple that seemed to be almost as big as my face.) You'll find toffee houses, butchers, a tea shop and bakeries. Make sure to buy something before you leave, and get your parking ticket validated – the first two hours are free. farmersmarketla.com |
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