Pillow Talk: Between the Sheets of Pendry Hotel, West Hollywood

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The Pendry’s location doesn’t get much more iconic – right on the Sunset Strip of sunny Los Angeles, home to big-name celebrities, old and new. But this shop- and restaurant-packed neighborhood is only one draw of a stay at the Pendry, the most exciting hotel opening in LA in years. This pad oozes pure luxury, ticking every box with its opulent design, world-class spa and gourmet restaurants. The cherry on the cake? Due to its location, it’s an ace bet for spotting Hollywood royalty, too.

Part hotel, part social club, thanks to its mix of private residences and hotel rooms, the Pendry is the epitome of new Hollywood luxury. It’s the kind of place you could spend an entire day without getting bored. Tummy rumbling? Try one of two Wolfgang Puck restaurants serving cool California cuisine. Want to relax? Make for the rooftop pool, complete with a bar and cabanas, or the spa, where you can get a techy facial to make tired skin glow. Looking for a bit of fun? Hit the on-site bowling alley, cinema room or art exhibitions showcasing local talent.

It’s one of the most famous streets in America, and for good reason. At its height, Sunset Boulevard has been home to celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, with their opulent mansions, and the subject of Broadway musicals; at its grittiest, it’s hosted seedy nightclubs. Basically, this east-west artery, connecting downtown to the beach, is a microcosm of LA. Rent a car or take a taxi from the Pendry and drive down the strip, lined in all those towering palm trees you’ve seen in the movies, passing gilded mansions en route to beachside Santa Monica.

Delivering laughs to Californians since the 1970s, the Comedy Store – just a one-minute walk from the Pendry – claims to be the first all stand-up nightclub in the world. Big names including Jim Carrey, Michael Keaton and David Letterman hit the stage here in their early days, and now you can catch the next generation of talent on their nightly performances. The shows are rightly popular, so book ahead to see the star performers of tomorrow.

You might have booked into the hottest new place to stay in West Hollywood, but when it comes to spotting celebs, you’ll want to head to one of the all-time classics – Chateau Marmont. Pull up a seat in the sun-dappled restaurant, and keep your eyes peeled for familiar faces as you dig into crowd-pleasing international cuisine, hopping from spaghetti bolognese to steak frites. Just don’t try to snap a pic if you spot someone notable; you’ll be whisked out the door quicker than you can finish your glass of fizz.

West Hollywood has its fair share of bars, but few feel as old-world atmospheric as the Roger Room on La Cienega Boulevard. With its speakeasy vibe – think low-lighting, polished wood and marble tabletops – it’s a prime spot when you want to drain a super-dry martini and chat until the wee hours (it’s open until 2am). Be sure to get stuck into the innovative range of house cocktails, shaken up by bartenders dressed in ties and suspenders. Try a Dueling Banjos, made with bourbon, vermouth and green Chartreuse.

For all the things that seem to change in glossy West Hollywood, one thing always remains the same: Dan Tana’s, an old-school Italian restaurant that’s been serving homey classics for more than 50 years. There’s no fuss here, just bowlfuls of penne arrabbiata or fettuccine alfredo served on red gingham tablecloths, set under twinkling fairy lights and bottles of chianti hung from the ceiling. Don’t miss the cheese-smothered chicken parmigiana – the signature dish – for the full experience.

This indie bookshop on Sunset Boulevard is said to be the largest in Hollywood. Even if you don’t believe it from the outside, you will when you step inside and spy the mazes of shelves stuffed with more than 60,000 titles – themed on every topic from music and photography to literary fiction. There is a decent stock of signed books, but the shop is best loved for its events, with author readings taking place on almost a daily basis.

No Cali trip would be complete without a road trip up the coast – check out great places to stay in San Francisco, Napa Valley or Carmel-by-the-Sea for the full Golden State experience.