Hollywood Glamour
“With its legendary live music venues, Michelin-starred restaurants and decadent hotels, walkable West Hollywood is a dream for travellers seeking a little luxury.”
Rooftop at The London West Hollywood
Words by Laura French
Rated California’s most walkable city, West Hollywood – or WeHo, to the locals – has long been a haunt for the A-list. Today it retains its illustrious glamour; Michelin-rated restaurants sit alongside legendary live music venues, while vintage shops, boutique hotels and glossy fitness studios flank elegant, tree-lined streets.
It's the quintessential LA experience, compacted into a 1.9-square-mile hub, and it makes an excellent base for exploring the wider area, with Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica and LAX all within a 20-minute drive away, and Palm Springs and San Diego easily reachable too.
This is West Hollywood, after all. This place knows how to dazzle. Wherever you end up, you won’t be disappointed.
Sunset Boulevard
At the heart of West Hollywood is the Sunset Strip – the now-infamous stretch of boulevard that’s been drawing Hollywood stars since the Prohibition era with its iconic nightlife, set against a backdrop of rolling hills. Here you’ll find a cluster of swanky rooftop haunts alongside comedy clubs, restaurants and cocktail joints; don’t miss The Den on Sunset for some of the best creations in town.
But it’s the Strip’s rock ‘n’ roll heritage that really reigns supreme, with a plethora of venues putting it at the epicentre of LA’s live music scene. Opened in 1964, the 500-capacity Whisky A Go Go has seen everyone from Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix to The Who and Nirvana play over the years, while long-running legend the Roxy Theatre is the spot where Bob Marley, Frank Zappa and Bruce Springsteen turned live recordings into album tracks. Elsewhere, The Viper Room once hosted the likes of Johnny Cash, while the 4,000-capacity Hollywood Palladium has seen everyone from Frank Sinatra to David Bowie and the Rolling Stones grace its stage.
Today these staples uphold their punk-rock heritage, playing host to up-and-coming bands as well as bigger names, and joining smaller spots like The Echo – famous for its dance and electro DJs – and El Cid, which adds a Spanish-inspired, flamenco twist into the mix.
It’s not only on the Sunset Strip you’ll find this vibrant nightlife, though. Santa Monica Boulevard is at the heart of LA’s LGBTQ community and offers plenty more in the way of stylish bars; swing by The Abbey for mixologist-made creations, see in the early hours at legendary nightclub Micky’s, or check out Tom Tom to spot celebrities sipping cocktails beneath atmospheric drop lights and old-school glitz.
From left: Harriet's Rooftop Bar; The Den on Sunset; Zinc Cafe & Market
World-class dining
It’s not only about the nightlife, of course. West Hollywood has long been a go-to for gastronomy, with four of its restaurants rated in the Michelin Guide California and a string of big-name stalwarts that continue to lure locals as well as visitors today.
Among its most iconic eateries is Dan Tana’s, an Old Hollywood-style Italian that opened in 1964 and remains a celebrity hotspot with its scarlet-red walls and plush leather sofas. Other favourites include Craig’s, an all-American eatery where George Clooney and Kim Kardashian are said to be among the regulars; and Catch LA, whose flower-lined entry has become one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots.
Elsewhere, the double Michelin-starred Sushi Ginza Onodera serves some of the best nigiri in LA, with a signature 20-course omakase tasting menu full of surprises, while Ardor dishes up artfully presented plates in ultra-stylish surrounds; think white velvet and leather booths surrounded by tropical greenery.
Shopping and culture
Beyond the culinary scene, there’s plenty more to entertain – not least in the way of shopping. Melrose Avenue is home to an array of eclectic boutiques, vintage shops and designer showrooms, while nearby Robertson Boulevard boasts the likes of H. Lorenzo and John Varvatos among other household names. Meanwhile back on the Sunset Strip you’ll find the Sunset Plaza, home to an array of colourful shops, and Book Soup – LA’s largest independent bookshop, housing more than 60,000 titles from across the globe.
Elsewhere, the Design District is at the centre of the city’s fashion scene with its slew of studios, art galleries and boutiques – alongside the strikingly colourful Pacific Design Center, which boasts more than 70 showrooms and exhibits in its geometrically shaped trio of buildings.
The West Hollywood EDITION
Where to stay
With all of this to explore, you might be looking for somewhere to rest your head in the city – and WeHo isn’t short on stylish options.
Among its most stylish spots is Kimpton La Peer, set in the heart of the Design District with curated artworks, custom furnishings and contemporary interiors all in perfect keeping with the area.
Closer to the action you’ll find Sunset Marquis, locally owned by the Rosenthal family. Within 3.5 acres of gardens you’ll find suites and villas, open-air dining and, hidden underground, the legendary NightBird Recording Studios.
Elsewhere, Chamberlain West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard is known for its creative vibe and sweeping rooftop views, while the all-suite Montrose West Hollywood makes for a quieter escape, tucked into peaceful neighbourhood just a couple of streets away from the Sunset Strip.
Nearby, The London West Hollywood is another haunt for the stars. There’s a dedicated floor for celebrity screenings, a hidden oasis at its rooftop pool as well as spacious suites. Home to resident English bulldogs Winston and Churchill, you’ll find little moments of Britishness throughout.
The West Hollywood EDITION on Sunset Boulevard is another sophisticated option, complete with its five-star spa, vegetable-first California cuisine and signature touches. Venture downstairs to the in-hotel clubhouse from Thursday-Saturday.
The impressive calibre of WeHo hotels continues with The Pendry, home to two Wolfgang Puck restaurants, a members’ club, spa, 100-seat music venue and bowling alley; and the recently redesigned Mondrian, whose rooftop Sky Bar offers dazzling views over LA and a higher-than-average chance of sitting next to a star – this is West Hollywood, after all. This place knows how to dazzle – and wherever you end up, you won’t be disappointed.