traveling101

I will be meeting up with my husband in LA in June for a long wekend and we are looking for a Hip Boutique style hotel for a relaxing fun weekend. We don't want any chain hotels nor do we care about being close to any malls or chain restaurants. We looked at Mondrian in west hollywood, and also Argyle. We thought about hotel parisi in La Jolla or something in Santa Monica. Any suggestions out there for us. We are in our 30's and like being near some of the more trendy coffee houses and hip boutiques and restaurants. We will probably spend some time in our hotel and don't mind spending more for quality.
THANKS for any input anyone might have for us, I'm very thankful for this travel talk!!

turn_it_on

If you can get a room (always seems to be booked on the weekends), you'll love the Chateau Marmont...kind of old Hollywood feel, secluded, big bungalows, lots of privacy, and in Hollywood. www.chateaumarmont.com

The Hollywood Standard is very hip, clean, modern decor, cool pool, and check out is like 2pm, which is cool. It's in the heart of all that's cool and happening in Hollywood.

Also, there's a website I love called tablethotels.com...it's a selection of the best of boutique hotels and I've made reservations through them with no problems. I think actually both the Chateau Marmont and the Standard are listed with them, so maybe start there. I think that might be your best resource, there's a good selection for LA.

love
roxy

rjw_lgb_ca

The only hotel in Santa Monica that approaches "hip" is the Viceroy-- I think it's run by the same people that run the Standard in West Hollywood. It's an old low-rise motor hotel (7 stories) that's been gutted and decorated in comfy Brit-hotel style. The hotel's restaurant and lounge get really high ratings from colleagues of mine who have hit its Happy Hour (I work 6 blocks up the street). If you want to stay in SM, it's a good choice-- although not my first choice. That would be the historic Fairmont Miramar, which is luxurious and a first-class joint. The Georgian, just down Ocean, is a Deco-era hotel that gets consistent high ratings from guests, but it's not Hip.

I would steer away from Le Mondrian, if only because the Schrageresque attitude of the staff borders on insulting-- that is, if you don't have a recording deal or movie production detailed in "Variety". If you're staying in West Hollywood, I'd recommend the Standard or the Argyle (in that order)-- the letter is another Deco-era hotel, but the height of retro-Hip. The Chateau Marmont is another excellent choice, especially for its notoriety (I mean, John Belushi checked in and chose to check out of life in the Marmont).

You do realize that La Jolla is a neighborhood of SAN DIEGO-- 2 hours south of LA? The Hotel Parisi is lovely, but bear in mind you're going to be in San Diego.

rjw_lgb_ca

... "the letter"?! Should be "latter". I'm sure you figured that out.

If you want to do Ironic Hip LA stay, might I also recommend the Beverly Hills Hotel? This pink palace still stands out as old Hollywood glamour, and it's still architecturally notable (the last major renovation was designed by Paul Williams, one of the first great successful African-American architects in the US). Just a thought.

traveling101

Thank you everyone for your input. I'm still deciding which direction to go, I like some things about them all. The standard does look nice, I have read some mixed reviews about it being very loud and decorated cheaply. We just don't want to stay somewhere stuffish but also not too clubish either. The Argyle is running some internet promotions that come with a free BMW or Mercedes rental car so that has some intrest as well. We just need to make a decision!
Thanks again

Veronica

What about Shutters which is actually on the beach on Santa Monica?

rjw_lgb_ca

Shutters is a good idea for a beach stay, but "hip" isn't the first word that comes to mind when talking about it. "Intimate", "exclusive", sure-- but not "hip". The Viceroy doesn't look hip from the outside, but it's trying to get that kind of clientele, so....

mdv

Another vote for the Marmont ( you have to like old and character..almost a haunted feeling) and the Beverly Hills Hotel. Hate the attitude at the Mondrian. The Standard is very cool, but seems lacking in soul...

Veronica

I just feel that if you want to be near the trendy coffee houses, boutiques and restaurants you need to be in Santa Monica or Venice.

rjw_lgb_ca

Santa Monica and Venice don't strike me as the epitome of Hip and Trendy, although those characteristics can be found here and there. They are certainly nice places to visit (and work), but I'd say that you really have to venture east of the 405 to find Hip and Trendy-- in the Beverly Hills/West Hollywood areas (and Melrose Ave in LA and parts of Hollywood).

Brooklyn_Bomber

Beverly Hills is swank and plush, but not hip. The Chateau Marmont is neo-hip, as the owners plow enough money back into the property to keep it up to date. I'd go with the Chateau Marmont.

Jacobs

The Mondrian Hotel is so hip it hurts. Often featured in Vanity Fair. Can run into celebs at the Sky Bar. I did.

BeachBoi

Ryan and The Idols were there.

fluffy

Hi I live in L.A. and every area in L.A. has its own hip scence even Beverly Hills( although a little restained for my taste)
The new W in Westwood is very hip and as the previous poster said the Mondrian is so hips it hurts.
Chateau Marmont is funky hip, but unless they've made some serious improvements I'd keep looking.
The Argyle is on Sunset Blvd. the style is Art Deco and very cool( although I've never seen the rooms).

fluffy

Sorry I was not finished-If it were me I would go for the W, in Westwood www.whotels.com or the Argyle.
If you would like any suggestions for restaurants, shopping etc. please feel free to contact me at: [email protected]
Fluffy

traveling101

I appreciate all the input from everyone in planning our LA weekend. I have narrowed in down to a few choices, The Mondrian, Argyle, Avalon, or Viceroy in Santa Monica.
I hear what some are saying about Mondrian, but the property looks very nice. I don't mind not getting much attention from the staff, but does anyone have anything good to say about the hotel. My last few trips have been at Ritz Carltons and they almost bother you with their yes Mr and Mrs to everything, sorta too formal. I like the comment about the Mondrain being so hip it hurts! So it finish it up does anyone have anything nice to say about the Mondrian, or do I need to take a hint and stay somewhere else? I like the Argyle, but the rooms are a little more art deco than I prefer, is the Avalon just as nice? I like the other hotels listed, but we would really rather stay at a small boutique style hotel that is more urban. Thanks so much for your opinions!!

jason5080

The Avalon's in an odd location, far from the stores/restaurants in Beverly Hills. I would consider the new Mosaic Hotel www.mosaichotel.com or the also new Ambrose Hotel www.ambrosehotel.com in Santa Monica. That's my 2 cents...Good luck!

johnc

The Mondrian is so yesterday and the Standard is rapidly catching up. (I frequented the former for 2 years after it first opened and the latter for 2 days). The Mondrian now caters to the same folks who think the Venetian Hotel in Vegas is just like Italy.

"Hip" is often an excuse for "overpriced" and c-o-n-t-r-i-v-e-d. I like the character of the Marmont but its a bit, well, mouldy for my taste. If you want comfort and cool, "fluffy" is right, stay at the W Westwood. I know, I know, Starwood have contrived the W hotels to be "boutiques" but in this case you get great rooms (suites), comfortable beds, great pool set-up, nice crowd and not too big. (BTW the Mondrian is not "small" by any measure.)

My other favourite is Shutters in Santa Monica. Hands down best hotel experience on the beach in LA.

The Argyle is good with a nice little pool overlooking the city but yes, rather heavy on the art deco.

Enjoy!

TedTurner

Since there aren't any really nice hotels on the beach in LA there isn't much competition. Shutters on the Beach is not a particularly nice hotel compared to the luxury hotels in the area (none of which are on the beaches).

johnc

Ted, unless Shutters has fallen apart since my last visit 15 months ago I cannot fathom your comment that Shutters "is not a particularly nice hotel". It is a very nice hotel with lovely rooms and great views.

No, it is not the Bel Air nor is it the Penninsula (and I exclude what I consider the mediocre 4 Seasons LA and the Regent)but it makes an excellent respite from the LA crowd.