Los Angeles’ top concierges share their personal suggestions for the perfect day
ABBAS GO LESTAN
CHIEF CONCIERGE, THE BEVE RLY HILLS HOTEL
Drive or be driven to Santa Barbara, a beautiful coastal city a pleasant two-hour drive from Beverly Hills.
With gorgeous beaches and mountains, it has several points of interest and plenty to do. Have breakfast at the Ballard Inn & Restaurant, a romantic bed and breakfast that serves Asian-infused new French cuisine using local produce.
Then enjoy a massage at the Bacara Resort, which has an extraordinary spa, golf course and beautiful facilities, including 26 fullservice poolside private cabanas and three swimming pools with spectacular views overlooking the ocean. Have lunch at Trattoria Grappolo in the hills of Santa Barbara which is perfect for great Tuscan fare and mountain scenery. A secret favorite oasis, the restaurant features local wines and a very authentic menu.
In the evening, dine at Downey’s Restaurant, where a husband and wife team serves excellent Californian French cuisine. Your driver can escort you back to The Beverly Hills Hotel, but if you prefer, a helicopter can be arranged to meet you at Santa Barbara for a tour along California’s coast. From the sky you will experience breathtaking and unique views of the Californian coastline as you return to the hotel.
BEST SHOPS
FRED SEGAL
+1 310 395 6252
420 and 500 Broadway, Santa Monica
Maxfield
+1 310 274 8800
8825 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood
H. Lorenzo
+1 310 659 0015
8660 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood
BEST RESTAURANT
Osteria Mozza
Cuisine: Italian
+1 323 297 0100
6602 Melrose Avenue
ELAINE VAN DRIGHT
MEM BER LE S CLEFS D’OR, SUNSET MARQUIS
Day 1
Be greeted at the airport by the hotel’s chauffeur who will take you to The Ivy or Spago for lunch.
Here you’ll meet your personal stylist / shopper (Aly with Style Chic is a favorite), who will introduce you to all the best boutiques on Rodeo, Melrose and Robertson, help you get ready for the evening and have a photographer on call to capture all the special moments. Depending on the time of year, you could be treated to a VIP Grammy Package, with access to the afterparty, or a VIP box at the Hollywood Bowl including a specially prepared tasting menu by the restaurant’s executive chef Guillaume Burlion. To wind down a perfect day, have your chauffeur drive you to Bar 1200, which, after all these years, still retains its mystique without being pretentious.
Day 2
After a night out, enjoy a superb breakfast in bed. Relax by the villa pool in a private cabana before enjoying a scenic drive in a Bentley or another luxury vehicle. For an exhilarating alternative, try the helicopter ride to Malibu, where you can enjoy a private tour of the Rosenthal Winery and perhaps sample some of the produce. In the afternoon, return to the hotel to unwind with customized spa treatments either in your suite or at the spa. In the evening dine at one of Los Angeles’s top restaurants or perhaps book box seats at Dodger Stadium followed by VIP bottle and table service at a few of L.A.’s hottest night spots before having the chauffeur return you to the hotel.
BEST RESTAURANT
Osteria Mozza
Cuisine: Italian
+1 323 297 0100
6602 Melrose Avenue
Red O
Cuisine: Mexican
+1 323 655 5009
8155 Melrose Avenue
WALDO HE RNANDE Z
In the morning go hiking in Runyon Canyon, followed by breakfast at Griddle Café.
Then shop on Robertson Boulevard, make sure to visit Fred Segal on Melrose and head to the Opening Ceremony store, located in Charlie Chaplin’s former studio, where the designers have really made the space their Alita Arranga, Ritz-Carlton own. Joan’s on Third is a must for lunch, followed by a quick cupcake across the street at Magnolia Bakery. Spend the afternoon at the Getty Center and take in all the beautiful views of Los Angeles. Dine at The Bazaar by José Andrés and finish the night with cocktails at Chateau Marmont.
BEST RESTAURANTS
The Bazaar by José Andrés
Cuisine: Spanish
+1 310 246 5555
SLS Hotel, 465 South La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills
Pizzeria Mozza
Cuisine: Italian
General Manager: David Rosoff
+1 323 297 0101
641 North Highland Avenue
CLEO AT THE REDBURY
Cuisine: Contemporary Mediterranean
+1 323 962 1711
1717 Vine Street
CHARLES HAWKINS
CHEF CONCIERGE, BEVE RLY WILSHIRE, A FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
Start your day with a great breakfast in The Blvd restaurant at the Beverly Wilshire, where Pepé will make you a personalized smoothie to get your day going in the right direction.
After breakfast, walk around Beverly Hills and witness the city come alive as the shops and galleries open, and the agents and attorneys emerge from their favorite coffee spots. Take a drive to Santa Monica and Malibu and see the new Santa Monica Place with a stroll up Third Street Promenade for some shopping. Then make your way to Zuma Beach in Malibu for a true California experience. On your way back from Malibu, take Sunset Boulevard all the way into West Hollywood to the area known as Sunset Plaza, where you’ll lunch at one of the many al fresco eateries. Head back to the Beverly Wilshire for your spa treatments: Gillian will administer the most amazing facial ever before your 90-minute massage, which will leave you feeling like a new person. After your day of sunshine, shops, sand and spa, unwind in your luxurious room before having sommelier extraordinaire Dana Farner suggest her favorite wine of the moment at Sidebar. Dine at Cut by Wolfgang Puck to finish off just one amazing day in Beverly Hills”.
BEST RESTAURANTS
Madeo
For the best home style Italian cuisine and some star wattage power
Cuisine: Italian
+1 310 859 4903
8897 Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood
Little Door
For romantic French cuisine with different dining areas, each offering a different setting
Cuisine: French
+1 323 951 1210
8164 West Third Street
ALITA ARRANGA
RITZ-CARLTON
BEST TO DO
Visit The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in downtown L.A. Take an art and culture tour with Quick Culture.
Experience downtown L. A. on a walking tour with the Los Angeles Conservancy. Enjoy a symphony at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
BEST SHOPS
Take a personalized shopping and styling tour with StyleChic. Experience the L.A. Fashion District with Urban Shopping Adventures for fabulous fashion finds. Explore Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle.
BEST RESTAURANT
WP24 by Wolfgang Puck
Cuisine: Modern Chinese
+1 213 743 8824
The Ritz-Carlton, 900 West Olympic Boulevard