FROM AN HOMAGE TO MUSIC ON THE SUNSET STRIP TO A CELEBRITYWORTHY PACKAGE AT A BEVERLY HILLS STAPLE, THESE L.A. HOTEL EXPERIENCES ARE PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINMENT LOVERS.
The cocktail bar at WeHo’s musicthemed Hotel Ziggy is lined with hundreds of vinyl records. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOTEL ZIGGY
HOTEL ZIGGY
Joining Pebblebrook Hotels’ Unofficial Z Collection—which includes L.A. favorites like the Mondrian Los Angeles, Chamberlain West Hollywood, W Los Angeles and Viceroy Santa Monica—the former Grafton on Sunset received a music-themed makeover and is making its debut as Hotel Ziggy.
“Every element of the space is designed to honor the rebellious and independent attitude of musicians’ fight to be heard,” says area general manager Andrew Maffei of the 108-room property down the street from now-defunct music institutions Tower Records and House of Blues, whose legacy it celebrates. Boasting the mantra “free the music,” Hotel Ziggy is a tribute to legends from the ’60s to ’80s, like Jim Morrison, Pink Floyd, Stevie Nicks, ZZ Top and Janis Joplin. “What better location than the Sunset Strip to celebrate the spirit of norm-breaking musicians who have changed how we live?”
The homage to music features powerful street murals, a record player behind the front desk, a cocktail bar lined with hundreds of vinyl records and decoupaged walls showcasing music memorabilia. Says Maffei, “Framed legal documents highlight decades of lawsuits between musicians, producers and streamers with the intent of asking the controversial question, ‘Who really owns the music?’” A retractable glass door partitions the lobby into a music venue with a welcoming stage—which has already been christened by Haley Reinhart and Pink Floyd’s Scott Page. “We stripped away all previous attempts to make this quirky building look modern,” says Andrea Sheehan of Dawson Design Associates of the rock ’n’ roll design with a modern counterculture spin. “Instead, we exposed its blemishes and embraced the awkward structure for what it was— authentic, just like our guests and the musicians we are celebrating.”
Designed as a comfy place to chill, Hotel Ziggy flaunts vintage furnishings, rustic hardwood floors and one of the largest saltwater pools in West Hollywood. A retro pizza joint on the ground level nods to midcentury car hops with an old-school pickup window, and the Shred Shed affords guests access to guitars, amps, record players, Walkmans and music to borrow. Nine Inch Nails’ Alex Carapetis hosts a Sundays on the Strip series and some exciting residencies are in the works. Says Maffei, “Hotel Ziggy embraces differences and challenges conformity as a place that encourages guests and locals to come hang out and just be who you are.” West Hollywood, hotelziggy.com
Indulge in The Dreamer package at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel. PHOTO BY: ART STREIBER PHOTOGRAPHY
THE ASTER
Already the host of exclusive events like a concert by British group Duran Duran on the roof— which features the Capitol Records Building and the Hollywood sign as a backdrop—Hollywood’s new private members club The Aster launches this month. The first Los Angeles property and private members club from Salt Hotels— co-founded by vets of Ian Schrager and André Balazs, and also behind Hotel Greystone in Miami, Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, N.Y., and Salt House Inn and Eben House in Provincetown, Mass.—The Aster aspires to welcome members with the warmth and sophistication of the world’s best boutique hotels.
“We have embarked on a $4 million renovation, refreshing public areas and guest rooms throughout the building,” says Salt Hotels Chief Creative Officer Kevin O’Shea of the six-story, 95,000-square-foot building on Hollywood and Vine that previously housed Paul Allen’s H Club and, prior to that, SBE’s Redbury hotel. With a design inspired by California, the hotelclub hybrid named after L.A.’s native aster flower hopes to inspire local innovators, artists and dynamos. “We want to give our members and guests an authentic sense of place, a calm oasis in the center of Hollywood to socialize and conduct business.”
Each of the 35 hotel rooms will be over-700-square-foot suites, with sitting and dining areas, large dressing areas, balconies and oversized bathrooms, and a rooftop restaurant will also be open to the public. In addition to two main dining spaces, the Pool Room and the Club Room, a lush pool deck called Aster Park is inspired by lemon groves and sits under a canopy of new trees. Members will have exclusive access to two floors, including coworking spaces, a screening room, a recording studio, a lounge, a salon with rotating beauty experts, a swimming pool, an expansive roof deck, and extensive wellness and fitness facilities—including state-of-the-art gym equipment, a weights studio, and yoga and Pilates studios.
“Our robust offerings will include daily programming in the wellness space, comedy, live music, innovative talk and panel discussions, food and beverage tastings, private tasting dinners, artists in residence and dynamic programming sourced from our diverse membership,” says O’Shea. “There is something to appeal to everyone at The Aster and something happening every day.” Hollywood, theasterla.com
The screening room at The Aster, Hollywood’s new members club SAM FROST
BEVERLY WILSHIRE, A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
Get the celebrity treatment this summer with The Dreamer package—part of a new series launching at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel. “Our new experiential series is based on personas drawn to this glamorous city, from arts and culture to acting, sports, adventure and the wide-ranging culinary scene,” says Peter Humig, regional vice president and general manager at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “These exclusive experiences will represent the best of what Los Angeles is known for, as well as the exclusive access only Beverly Wilshire can provide. Our team has also curated suggestions based on each identity on where to eat and play, and what to see and do, creating the ultimate experience for guests to live out their dreams.”
The Dreamer package features a top-tier team that will enable guests to experience true Hollywood glamour as the subjects of their own celebrity photo shoots. Stay in a newly redesigned suite, which David Collins Studio recently refurbished in soft pastels to reflect old Hollywood glamour, and head out to Rodeo Drive to shop for the perfect outfit with celebrity stylist Nicole Pollard Bayme of Lalaluxe. Then, get “camera ready” with a makeup session and a hairstyling by celebrity hair stylist Lea Journo before a private photo shoot with renowned celebrity portrait photographer Art Streiber. Afterward, the hotel will roll out the red carpet for a “wrap party” in the Michelin-starred private dining room at CUT by Wolfgang Puck, and you’ll leave with three finished, retouched portraits from the glitzy shoot.
Time your stay right, and you might also get to experience the poolside summer popup from José Avillez, behind the two-Michelin-starred Belcanto in Lisbon. He’ll be bringing his Dubai concept Tasca—a contemporary spin on Portuguese cuisine—to the hotel’s Pool Bar & Cafe for an “under the stars” dining experience.
“As we come out of our exciting rooms refurbishment where we are redefining Beverly Hills luxury, it is important to us to equally ensure we are redefining exclusive destination experiences to our impressive list of offerings,” says Humig. “Whether seeking wellness, leisure, luxury or adventure, we have something for everyone this summer.” Beverly Hills, fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire
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