There are some things that are just ‘so LA’. Think palm trees, celeb-spotting, Lululemon-clad women holding their overpriced Hailey Bieber-inspired crafted drinks – and, more importantly, traffic.
After hopping off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan, I’m keenly anticipating all the glitz and glamour awaiting me, while dreading the amount of time I’m about to be stuck in a car this week.
But, forget what you’ve you’ve heard about needing to rent a car in LA, there’s a part of the City of Angels you can actually walk around and still feel like an A-lister – West Hollywood.
There’s so much to see here, including the Sunset Strip, Design District and Santa Monica Blvd, – and you can see it all in breathtaking views from the Skybar of my Alice in Wonderland-themed hotel, Mondrian.
This hotel’s location is testament to why WeHo is known as LA’s most walkable area.
Here, I’m a stone’s throw from The Comedy Store – often deemed the greatest stand-up comedy club in the world; The Viper Room, a nightclub partly owned by Johnny Depp; and The Abbey, a favourite bar of Elizabeth Taylor and the inspiration for Chappel Roan’s hit song Pink Pony Club.
Naturally, the food scene in West Hollywood is remarkable, and you won’t even need to leave your hotel to find a decent joint.
At Mondrian, I dine at the newly opened Casa Madera which offers delectable Mexican cuisine under starry lights and large open windows showcasing the painting-like sunset.
‘Forget what you’ve you’ve heard about needing to rent a car in Los Angeles, there’s a part of the City of Angels you can actually walk around and still feel like an A-lister – West Hollywood,’ says Faima Bakar (pictured in Mondrian Los Angeles)
While the hotel itself is pretty swanky, the newly opened Casa Madera restaurant (pictured) is its standout jewel, with some of the most good-looking patrons and views I have ever seen
I enjoy a refreshing drink at Casa Madera
While the hotel itself is pretty swanky, the restaurant is its standout jewel, with some of the most good-looking patrons and views I have ever seen.
I also eat at Ladyhawk, a restaurant in the Kimpton LA Peer Hotel, which won Best New Restaurant in LA Magazine, thanks to its prodigy chef Charbel Hayek.
The Middle Eastern spot has one of the most delicious mezze platters I’ve tasted, complete with fresh hummus, a muhammara dish made of roasted red peppers.
And for breakfast, I visit another famous hotel – Sunset Tower, which served as residence to Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor.
But I didn’t go to LA just to eat – it’s all about the active lifestyle here.
After a morning workout at Taylor Swift’s favourite fitness studio DOGPOUND, I head out on an e-bike tour with Bikes + Hikes to learn more about WeHo – where porn theatres and brothels have been replaced by cannabis lounge, State Social House, and rows and rows of cannabis dispensaries.
Even actor Woody Harrelson has his own one – aptly named The Woods.
I choose not to indulge in any of the green stuff – opting instead for some relaxation.
I head out on an e-bike tour with Bikes + Hikes to learn more about WeHo
Porn theatres and brothels have been replaced by cannabis lounge, State Social House, and rows and rows of cannabis dispensaries. Even actor Woody Harrelson has his own one – aptly named The Woods (pictured)
And you certainly won’t be lacking that in West Hollywood, as it has the largest number of wellness offerings on the West Coast.
I try several treatments, including the red carpet facial at Bamford Spa at 1 Hotel – a go-to for the likes of Jennifer Coolidge.
I sip on tea and freshly made smoothies while awaiting my appointment.
Even before the facial, I’m feeling more relaxed, sipping on tea and freshly made smoothies while waiting for my appointment.
And after, my face is positively glowing, with my skin having gone from dry to dewy in just an hour.
But I feel like a fully fledged Angelino after the two treatments I have at Next Health – a vitamin injection in my butt and cryotherapy.
It might sound mad having a bum injection, but the Beauty B shot is full of good stuff for skin, hair and nail health, like biotin and folic acid.
I’m usually apprehensive about injecting anything into my body, and after seeing two of my friends get light-headed from the treatment, I do have doubts for a second – but watching the more regular customers look so nonchalant as they have vitamin drips via IV and red light therapy eases my nerves.
I enjoy a morning workout at Taylor Swift’s favourite fitness studio DOGPOUND
I feel like a fully fledged Angelino after my visit to NEXT Health – where I have a vitamin injection in my butt and cryotherapy. LEFT: The chairs for vitamin drips via IV. RIGHT: The treatments menu
I have a red carpet facial at Bamford Spa at 1 Hotel – a go-to for the likes of Jennifer Coolidge – and after, my face is positively glowing, with my skin having gone from dry to dewy in just an hour
I feel like even more of an A-lister later, when I take a helicopter ride across the city, with Maverick Helicopters, flying over the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica Pier, Universal Studios and Harry Potter World
Anyway, when in Hollywood!
While I can’t say I feel a noticeable difference after the glute injections, the cryotherapy is one of the most refreshing treatments I’ve had done.
The advanced cold therapy reaches temperatures as low as -65°C in just three minutes, and although my eyelashes do freeze over, I have Taylor Swift on in the background helping the time fly by – and I’d be keen to be frozen again!
I feel like even more of an A-lister later, when I take a helicopter ride across the city, with Maverick Helicopters, flying over the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica Pier, Universal Studios and Harry Potter World.
Suspended over such iconic locations I’d only ever seen in films before, I’m almost too starstruck to remember my fear of heights.
Just like the helicopter, I come back down to earth when I return from the bright lights of Hollywood – at least my skin is still glowing!
