One Day Stay: Los Angeles, California

LAbag

Los Angeles is quite a city. The ‘City of Angels’. The ‘City of the Stars’. I was looking forward to returning to LA and delving deeper into what the second largest city in North America has to offer. I’ve done the Hollywood tour thing before but I hadn’t completely experienced Los Angeles like a star. Let’s just say I wasn’t disappointed with my little luxe visit. Even though there is far more to do in Los Angeles than one day can hold, it’s an easy place to do a little at a time and I enjoy discovering more about LA with every return. Here’s some of what I did during this One Day Stay.

DROP YOUR BAG

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Alright, I will admit it, if you didn’t already know…I’m a sucker for all things French! So, staying at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills made Lola one happy girl. Not only is this 295 rooms & 28 suites hotel all things luxury, fashionable and French, they had a few other things that made my stay FAB. For one, I LOVE the Hermes products!! Yeah, and the view of the Hollywood Hills was pretty awesome too. Sending up all PINK amenities really won me over. BUT my breakfast in bed with a spicy bloody mary may have pleased me the most. This hotel definitely exudes a see and be seen Hollywood vibe and the location couldn’t be better. Not only did I not wish to leave, I didn’t even want to get out of their ridiculously comfortable bed! TRES ADORE YOU Sofitel.

DO

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I have actually been to Los Angeles several times and enjoyed many different parts of the city. Let’s face it, it’s a big sprawling place with so much to see and do. BUT one thing I had NEVER done while visiting LA is go to the beach. It seems insane because when I think of California I immediately think of surf, sand & suntans. SO, I thought it was high time to visit the LA beaches. Fortunately, there’s a way to do this in style and it’s especially convenient for travelers. May I introduce you to the Beach Butler by Perry’s Cafe. Offered at 3 different Santa Monica locations, Beach Butler has two levels of service: standard and custom. Both come complete with a chair, umbrella, towel & table but the custom also offers the service of lunch and drinks. Standard service starts at $50 and custom at $100. It was perfect to drop in, relax in the Cali sunshine, have a bite and then leave without any of the fuss. Why oh why can’t every beach have this?!

DRINK

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Santa Monica is a neighborhood I’ve been to before but I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of what all you can do there. This visit to Los Angeles I had a few cocktail pit stops but by far my favorite was The Craftsman Bar and Kitchen. As they say themselves, it’s like drinking and dining in a beach style living room. Completely shabby chic, cozy & casual, naturally I enjoyed a hand crafted cocktail. It was delicious and I was delighted to have discovered this special spot in Santa Monica.

DINE

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Nic’s Beverly Hills was the perfect place for a great bite and a glass of wine while in LA. I particularly enjoyed the watermelon and goat cheese salad. Not only was it refreshing and delicious, it was also so creatively presented. BUT I have to tell the truth. The piece de resistance wasn’t the food for Lola. You see, Nic’s also offers this amazing experience, the VODBOX, which is right up my alley. You may be thinking “what the heck is a VODBOX?” It’s only the coolest walk-in freezer (no pun intended) for vodka tasting. The room is lined with literally hundreds of bottles of vodka. OH YEAH! Even better, you’re provided with faux fur coats & hats so you can stay warm inside the 28°F freezer. I loved the dressing up, of course, and the flight of vodka as well. Someone *should* remind me, though, tasting doesn’t mean you have to drink it all LOLA! Flights begin at $21 per person, bottle service begins at $250.

A huge Hollywood round of applause and thank you for a wonderful time in Los Angeles. My Beach Butler service in Santa Monica, cocktail at The Craftsman and dinner & drinks at Nic’s Beverly Hills were complimentary. Sofitel Los Angeles graciously gave me a press rate! All these experiences were very ‘Lola Approved’ and I express my own opinions.

18 Comments

Filed under california, los angeles, swanky luxe stays, travel

18 Responses to One Day Stay: Los Angeles, California

  1. We stayed at the Sofitel Los Angeles on our honeymoon, gorgeous hotel!
    Becky Padmore recently posted…10 of the best European ski resort party spotsMy Profile

  2. I really like Santa Monica; I finally got to see the “end” of Route 66, that great pier and waterfront, and all `dem beautiful SoCal people, too. It’s also in Santa Monica I had possibly some of the best Mexican food, outside of Mexico proper. Glad to see this latest trip to Los Angeles got another big Lo-pproval!
    Henry | @fotoeins recently posted…Heidelberg: carousing at the Christmas MarketsMy Profile

  3. It was an amazing weekend!! So so so much fun! And loved all the pink!
    @mrsoaroundworld recently posted…Cannes, Cannes, baby! An #ILTM recapMy Profile

  4. Love the softies! Love LOLA!

  5. i’m wearing, like, all of my clothes right now trying to keep warm. this post is bordering on torture. total perfection!
    the lazy travelers recently posted…no travel required: #frifotosMy Profile

  6. Sounds like an all-around great visit. The beach service sounds great. I hate having to deal with stuff on the rare occasion I go to the beach. And the VODBOX is brilliant!

  7. This Beach Butler idea is genius. I never have chairs, a beach towel, etc. when I travel. In Mexico and Puerto Rico there have always been someone on the beach to rent chairs and umbrellas from, but I’ve never seen this in LA.
    Anna from The Blonde Banana recently posted…New York City in 2 Days: A Fun + Affordable Itinerary!My Profile

  8. Glad you traveled to Santa Monica for some drinks… a difficult place to see in one day usually because of the traffic… but very chill… I am starting to like this One Day Stay series… and not just because it includes the word “stay”
    stay one day more, Craig
    Craig Zabransky recently posted…Sunset Sunday-A Sunset on Gulf Coast in Orange Beach, AlabamaMy Profile

  9. Any stay that gives me mini bottles of Tabasco is Q approved! 🙂
    Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted…Hue Eats – Our Favorite Regional Food in VietnamMy Profile

  10. Oh yes, this looks quite fabulous indeed! Fit for Lola for sure! Next time, take me with youuuu!
    Erin – The World Wanderer recently posted…Music Monday: Nothing More.My Profile

  11. This all looks so wonderful, but enough can’t be said for a hotel that sends along Tabasco. Sofitel gets bonus points for that alone.
    Leah recently posted…An Open Letter to Santa: My 2014 Travel Wish ListMy Profile

  12. I might visit LA this year 😀
    Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted…Most Romantic Place To Watch The Sunset in BoracayMy Profile

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