At the front entrance to The London West Hollywood hotel, located just off of Sunset Boulevard, guests are greeted by a small statue of a bulldog. What lies within the hotel is neither slobbery nor needy, however. Instead, patrons will encounter crisp neutrals, pops of colour, sleek furniture, décor placed just so, a celebrity sighting or three. It’s more graceful, leaping greyhound than short, panting bulldog. But therein lies The London’s charm: it is unexpected, unpretentious. It is unafraid to be playful, to roll around in the grass. And it will still be the coolest dog at the park.
“We are what I would call relaxed luxury: not stuffy and overbearing; with a formal approach,” says general manager Jeff Kulek. “We are more engaging, and enjoy that we can be ourselves while providing an engaged service product that complements our food and beverage offerings as well as our suite offerings.” The 226-room property includes Waterworth bath fittings, Malin + Goetz amenities, a 2,000-square-foot fitness centre, a screening room, a restaurant, and an Alex Roldan salon. The suites were outfitted by designer David Collins, and Richmond Design chipped in for the penthouse, fitness centre, and screening room. The team from Vivenne Westood took part, as well, helping design the penthouse, which takes its inspiration from the acclaimed fashion designer. But undoubtedly most notable at The London is the rooftop pool and deck, with truly Instagram-worthy views of the Hollywood Hills to one side and the vast stretch of Los Angeles skyline to another. It is easy to imagine oneself grabbing a cabana and dipping in and out of the water all day (although the hotel’s West Hollywood location means it is close to attractions, including the Pacific Design Center and The Roxy Theatre), well into fireside cocktails at night.
It is quintessential laid-back California meets traditional sophisticated England—and that is just how the hotel was intended to feel. “The brand ethos of The London is about two great cities, London and Los Angeles, coming together and offering a safe and luxurious haven for our guests,” says Kulek. It’s grabbing the bulldog by the tongue. The royal West Coast.
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