If we needed any more proof that Los Angeles is where everyone in the world wants to be right now, here's more evidence: This spring and summer sees the debut of a handful of new luxury hotels, spanning from the center of Beverly Hills to the heart of Hollywood. These openings of course open more beds to visitors, but also create more staycation opportunities for locals looking to lounge without the hassle of travel. After all, a day at a luxe hotel pool is hard to beat.
THE EVERLY
The vibe: Laid-back hideaway
Perfect for: Music fans
In May comes The Everly, a Kimpton hotel nestled at the base of the Hollywood Hills with panoramic views of the city. The new spot enhances its Beachwood Canyon vibe with Jane Q, a casual street-level cafe featuring a menu inspired by the Cali-Italian slow food movement. With a light, bright aesthetic, high ceilings and 216 rooms and suites, it is full of laid-back communal spaces for hanging when the sun gets too intense at the fifth-floor pool. Said pool area has all the makings of an idyllic summer scene: open-air yoga, craft cocktails and light bites served throughout the day and evening, plus fire pits to spark up after the sun goes down. Best yet, it’s conveniently located near the Hollywood Bowl, so you can book a weekend stay — preferably in a fifth-floor room with full glass sliding doors that open to the pool deck — and tickets to a show.
DREAM HOLLYWOOD
The vibe: Party hearty
Perfect for: Hollywood hedonists
Another Hollywood debut comes in the form of Dream Hollywood, with a planned opening date of June 1. It’s been designed by the Rockwell Group, and takes up almost half a city block at the corner of Selma and North Cahuenga. If nightlife is your thing, look no further than this prime location. The property not only features 178 rooms and suites, but five distinct dining and nightlife venues (operated by Tao Group), plus an 11,000-square-foot rooftop, which will certainly be a hotspot come summer. The hotel architecture is inspired by midcentury modern icons John Lautner and Richard Neutra, with an indoor/outdoor lobby, double-height ceilings, trellis lighting and plush furniture. New York transplants Beauty & Essex and Tao are two of the dining and drinking options adjacent to Dream, whose rooftop features brand-new concept The Highlight Room.
WALDORF ASTORIA
The vibe: Old-school superluxe
Perfect for: Gourmet foodies
You can’t miss the newest addition to the golden corner of Beverly Hills. At the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards there is now a luxe Waldorf Astoria hotel, currently in the finishing stages and slated for a June opening. Each of the 170 rooms and suites promises a classic L.A. view, along with floor-to-ceiling windows that open to oversized private balconies. (Villa suites on the third level have their very own garden terraces.) Expect modern elegance, which means bespoke artwork, a soothing celadon, taupe and white color palette, and richly upholstered fabric throughout. The lobby echoes art deco design, and custom Strass crystal chandeliers and Lalique installations are scattered about. There is a rooftop pool, of course, and a La Prairie spa. As for the dining, it’s pretty epic: Jean Georges Beverly Hills and, at the top, JG Rooftop Lounge. In fact, the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is not just producing those two culinary experiences, he’s responsible for the hotel’s entire food and beverage program, even for events and room service.
LA PEER
The vibe: Weho boutique
Perfect for: Designistas
Toward the end of official summer — because Angelenos know it really stretches into what other parts of the country consider fall — La Peer opens, another Kimpton property, only half the size of The Everly. The expected August debut brings a true design-forward boutique hotel to its namesake street, between Melrose Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. Shopping is one of the obvious reasons to stay here. In fact, it’s the first hotel to open in WeHo’s so-called Design District, and accordingly is the work of local luminary designer and architect Gulla Jónsdóttir. A rooftop pool is, of course, on the menu (with a poolside fitness center, personal training and a menu of local neighborhood workout classes), set on a lush, 4,000-square-foot rooftop terrace with handcrafted lanterns. Another reason to reserve one of 105 rooms — with natural river rock showers, hardwood floors and some with Juliette balconies — is the culinary program. Casey Lane of Venice’s Tasting Kitchen is set to oversee the restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner from an indoor/outdoor courtyard.
