West Hollywood & the Sunset Strip… Just about the trendiest place in Los Angeles and has more “cool” per square foot than anywhere else in California.

If Beverly Hills had a cooler younger sibling that threw awesome rooftop parties… This would be it.

In the recent years, a host of über trendy hotels have opened on Los Angeles most famous streets, but none have quite stolen my attention (and repeat residence) quite like The Mondrian.

The hotel was re-designed by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and is the definition of “West Hollywood cool”. It’s glamorous without the high society pearls of its neighbouring areas.

You are greeted by thirty-foot mahogany doors before entering into a bright, minimalist lobby complete with every on trend travellers dream… a Lucite indoor swing and a mushroom-inspired concierge desk.

Restaurants:

The hotel is home to the pretty well noted Ivory on Sunset in collaboration with John Terzian of The h.wood Group, Built Inc. and Hakkasan Group.

As a little FYI, the menu has been designed by ABC’s “The Taste” and “Top Chef” alum Brian Malarkey.

I love to have a little Sunday brunch here as it’s the perfect setting for a long (ok boozy) session with some fantastic friends and fantastic eggs (I can guarantee only your quality of eggs, not your friends) as well as a pretty extensive lunch menu.

It is fair to say that it is always full and seats a pretty well turned out crowd.

The Skybar:

By day this place is a balearic style chilled day club. It is an ivy-covered pavilion perched above the Pool at Mondrian Los Angeles and they have you covered if you are game for a coffee, a salad or an 11am jeroboam of Laurent Perrier.

… I won’t lie to you, there may have been a couple of sampled mojitos.

By night, this place remains one of the coolest spots on the strip and is often host to launches, fashion/music events and most importantly host to great cocktails like the Skybar Delight (Bombay Sapphire Gin, Luxardo Maraschino, Fruitlab Hops Liqueur, Lime Juice, Pineapple Juice)… With that much fruit, it is basically healthy, no?

They also have a pretty tight door policy reserved for residents or those on a list. This works well as it means that when you come back to the hotel, that you can make your way into the bar and grab yourself a little Skybar delight without crowds of people. It is always busy and full but never over crowded.

Truthfully, The Mondrian/Morgans Group knows how to do bars, whatever the climate (Check out our previous review of The Rumpus Room) and this is no exception.

Events & Private Hire:

It is also worth noting that should you have an event, a party, a desire to throw an impromptu “It’s Thursday” bash, then you can hire out their Cabanas (They are 1400sq ft) for a private party with all of the views and perks.

The Rooms: 

Being a city hotel, the rooms are elegant and cleverly use the space to create bright residences. I want to avoid using words like clean and crisp, but just to let you know there is a real temptation to.

I say this every time, but I literally love the sofa in the suites. It is worth mentioning that if I could steal a feature from this room (in style, not actual theft), it would be their two sided mirror with a hidden TV inside.

They also use some of my absolute favourite Malin & Goëtz products in the bathrooms and for me, this is a BIG tick. If you don’t like their Rum Bar Soap, there is something wrong with you.

Being in a prime elevated spot on the Sunset Strip, when you pop back for your pre-party disco nap (no judgement, we all do it), the views you get of the LA Skyline are pretty fabulous.

There are so many hotels to choose from in Los Angeles and so many different areas. From Beverly Hills to WeHo to Downtown.

If we see them as siblings, while Beverly Hills was doing a doctorate at Stanford, WeHo was touring Europe as a DJ and fashion designer.

The point is that there is something about this place that just aches quintessential cool.. and contrary to so many of the other hotels in the vicinity, this actually delivers in style and substance.

Mondrian Hotel – 8440 Sunset Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90069, 323 650 8999