Luxury Escapes Guide to Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a captivating mosaic of Venice Beach sunsets, Hollywood stars, and ultra-cool restaurants and bars frequented by the rich, famous and fabulous.
The gravitational pull of Los Angeles remains strong for dancers, dreamers, aspiring actors and globetrotters. There’s something magnetic about that Hollywood Sign sitting proudly on the hills, like an unofficial welcome to the City of Angels.
Home to a galaxy of stars, it’s all too easy to spot an A-list celebrity or chart-topping performer shopping for groceries or running errands, oblivious to the click-clack of snap-happy paparazzi. The charm of LA lies in unravelling the magic of motion pictures through the ages, trawling through vintage clothes emporiums and strolling along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Los Angeles is not only city and stars, it’s also a nature lover’s paradise. Surfers hop across hot sand, longboards tucked under their arm. Hikers tighten their boots and tackle the glorious walking trails easily accessible from the city. Angelenos strap on their roller skates and zig-zag down Venice boardwalk, watching the sunset bounce off ocean waves.
The city’s culinary scene is a foodies’ fantasy. Whether you are dedicated to the art of authentic Mexican cuisine (it’s always a good time for tacos), fancy a sip of California’s finest wine drops or prefer to take in the city views not from a hilltop, but rather a rooftop bar, the breadth of LA’s food scene promises love at first bite. Enticing, exciting and energetic, Los Angeles is a city guaranteed to leave its mark and spark your wanderlust.
Escape to LA
Things to see and do
Browse vintage clothing stores on Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue – one of Los Angeles’ most fabulous and famous streets – is known for its myriad of dining venues, entertainment destinations, and of course, its highly regarded vintage clothing boutiques. Discover expertly curated clothing racks sorted into 70’s boho, 80’s punk, preppy 90’s, and the infamous low-rise fashion of the 2000’s. Blend in with other vintage gurus every Sunday as you pile into the flea market to browse hundreds of eclectic pop-up stores bursting with pre-loved gems, forgotten vintage, and retro- chic pieces. Melrose Trading Post flea market to browse hundreds of eclectic pop-up stores bursting with pre-loved gems, forgotten vintage, and retro-chic pieces.
Look for celebrities at Runyon Canyon
Relish the California sunshine with a trek through Runyon Canyon and discover what makes this walk one of LA’s most popular trails. Lasting about an hour, this favoured hike of the rich and famous takes you above the city and into the Hollywood Hills, where you can take in stunning vistas of gleaming Los Angeles. Along with a unique workout, the walk doubles as a celebrity-spotting adventure.
Embrace the unique vibe of the Venice Beach Boardwalk
Discover streets lined with lush palm trees and a summer that lasts the entire year along the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk. Home to the weird, wonderful and eclectic, this famous strip of beachside pavement is lined with buskers, souvenir shops, fortune tellers, musicians, surfers and artists – making it a quintessential landmark of Los Angeles. Stroll alongside the locals, dive into the rushing waves, and be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a restaurant, with both high-end and casual options available.
Stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Walk streets lined with stars – literally – at the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, a globally recognised Los Angeles attraction celebrating Marilyn Monroe, the Jonas Brothers and every star in between. Become part of the 10 million visitors to annually grace Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street with their presence and witness the tributes to legendary figures that stretch along 15 blocks. The entertainment of the Walk doesn’t end with the physical stars pressed into the streets – there are also countless cosplay characters posing for photos, elevating the entire experience.
Visit the colourful Olvera Street market
You can’t leave Los Angeles without visiting Olvera Street, a colourful and historic Mexican marketplace that preserves ‘Old Los Angeles’. This romantic, tree-shaded market was created in the 1930s along the same narrow, brick-lined street of today. The marketplace is splashed with vibrant colours, historic structures, outdoor cafes and street vendors – most of whom are descendants of the original market vendors. Immerse yourself in the culture and ancestry of Olvera Street, purchasing handcrafted Mexican folk art or digging into aromatic taquitos while listening to the upbeat sounds of mariachi music.
Delve into filmmaking at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Celebrate the creative world of moviemaking at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures – America’s largest establishment dedicated to highlighting the art and science behind the craft. Find yourself surrounded by captivating exhibitions devoted to the past, present, and future of film, spread over seven floors of the historic Saban Building. Venture across the stunning glass bridge that connects the restored Saban Building to the rooftop Dolby Family Terrace to stand beneath an expansive glass-domed ceiling boasting the most sought-after vistas in Los Angeles.
Go behind the lens at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Live out your movie buff dreams with a Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, your chance to reveal the magic behind the lens at one of the busiest working studios in Los Angeles. Familiarise yourself with the vast history of the industry, witness firsthand how your most beloved characters come to life, from script conceptualisation to special effects, and explore iconic TV and film sets – especially the expanded Friends set, which includes a working replica of Central Perk Café.
Unfold 7,000 years of art and history at The Getty
A journey through Santa Monica Mountains will bring you across the sprawling acreage of The Getty Center, coveted for its permanent collection of pre-20th century masterpieces, contemporary artworks and its vast postmodern complex. Once the villa of tycoon Jean Paul Getty, his late collection has since expanded across two architecturally designed campuses, with works from Van Gogh and Monet preserved in gilded frames throughout its walls. Marvel at antiquities and soak up city views as you spend the day admiring artful creations from the past and present.
Top places to eat and drink
Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market, Los Angeles’ oldest and largest public market, houses a dazzling collection of California’s culinary best. Lose yourself among countless heady aromas, high-concept pop-up venues and family-run vendors. Let your taste buds guide you – start at G&B Coffee for espresso or coffee milkshakes, then seek out authentic taquerias Ana Maria, La Tostaderia and Roast to Go. Sample The Oyster Gourmet’s moreish molluscs or head to Moon Rabbit for banh mis, katsu sandwiches and brilliant bubble teas.
Bar Lis at Thompson Hollywood
The French Riviera meets Hollywood’s rollickin’ Golden Age at Bar Lis, complete with evergreen cypress, a bohemian central fountain and spectacular views of the city’s iconic Hollywood Hills. A commitment to laidback luxury informs the venue’s focused canapes and cocktails menu – winners include smoked salmon dip, topped with trout roe and served with homemade potato chips, and the ‘Strawberry Fields’ cocktail (vodka, elderflower liqueur, muddled strawberries, mint, lemon and rhubarb, topped with sparkling wine), which is simply summer in a glass.
Tropicana Bar at The Hollywood Roosevelt
Framed by swaying palms and centred around the hotel’s iconic David Hockney pool, Tropicana Bar adds a generous dash of 60’s-style cool to the historic The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel (a favourite of Marylin Monroe and original venue of the Academy Awards). The whimsical cocktail menu celebrates refreshing highballs and oddball creations like the ‘Cracked Actor’ (whiskey, cognac, Campari, vermouth, amaro and bitters), and the food is simple and delicious, with summertime favourites like tacos, salads and calamari offering the prefect mid-splash snack.
Mama Shelter
Perfectly positioned just moments from Sunset Boulevard and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mama Shelter’s award-winning rooftop bar offers sprawling Hollywood views alongside a robust dining menu of toothsome classics, including halibut and shrimp ceviche served on a crispy tostada and fried chicken bao with cabbage slaw. Many of Mama Shelter’s signature cocktails, like the refreshing Bermuda Triangle (rum, rose, amaro, cherry liqueur, lemon juice and orange juice), donate a dollar to a noble cause for each drink sold, a charitable chin-chin that’s certainly a win-win.
Hayato
Hayato stands apart in a city brimming with acclaimed Japanese cuisine. Boasting only seven ultra-exclusive seats, this two Michelin-starred omakase wonderland celebrates and innovates in equal measure. Ritualistically moving through a multi-course menu, served alongside imported sake and on meticulously curated ceramics, for an experience that dazzles the tongue and satiates the stomach. While each evening’s menu is different, notable dishes include Hokkaido scallops, steamed abalone, uni and sea bream sashimi and king mackerel served over rice with traditional pickles.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Los Angeles’ coolest street is crammed with great places to eat and drink, including beloved high-concept New American icon Gjelina and experimental ice creamery Salt & Straw. Wander through slowly, keeping your eyes peeled for interesting people, quirky boutiques and fun places to take a bite. Abbot Kinney Boulevard is especially worth visiting on the first Friday of each month, when the city’s best food trucks flock to the region and creative new cuisines rub shoulders with established greats.
Good Times at Davey Wayne’s
Beyond a memorabilia-stuffed garage and hidden behind a secret refrigerator door, Good Times at Davey Wayne’s is equal parts clandestine speakeasy and throwback 1970’s house party. In the backyard terrace, a barbecue serves hot dogs and smoke-tinged treats to hungry patrons, and the bar’s freewheeling cocktail menu evokes Los Angeles’ halcyon days – drinks like the ‘Village People’ (chai-infused gin, amaro, orgeat, fresh lemon juice and celery bitters) and alcoholic snow cones guarantee good times.
Geoffrey’s Malibu
The oceanside venue that houses Geoffrey’s Malibu has stood as a beloved Los Angeles icon for more than seven decades, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding Pacific Ocean from every angle and a bold menu celebrating Californian cuisine. Brunch on the restaurant’s sun-kissed balcony, surrounded by lush tropical plants and gently cascading waterfalls, shouldn’t be missed – try the crab cake benedict, served with steaming rosemary potatoes on a warm, flaky croissant and topped with a rich, sunflower-yellow hollandaise.
Lux Moments
Make the journey the destination at LAX
Unparalleled privacy, white-glove service and luxury treatment can be expected with a visit to The Salon at PS LAX. A far departure from the scramble of regular air travel, PS LAX allows guests to start their journey in a private terminal, where the chaotic noise of the airport is replaced by a luxury lounge serving cocktails and canapes. Shared airfield transfers to and from any commercial aircraft, as well as onsite TSA and customs procedures, make this Bond-like experience one to remember.
Reset with an indulgent wellness treatment
Step away from the crowds and slink into a gray-stoned spa oasis at Fairmont Spa Century Plaza. Awash with natural elements, tall ceilings and a flutter of soft, warm lights, this 1,300-square-metre wellness retreat offers a comprehensive menu of personalised therapies. Detoxify your body and boost your immunity with a dry brushing session, stop wrinkles in their tracks with a diamond facial, improve your sleep with a power nap on an anti-gravity bed, lounge in a temperature-controlled sauna and continue your holiday refreshed.
Go backstage on a VIP tour
Take your behind-the-scenes look at Universal Studios Hollywood™ – the world’s only authentic working movie studio and theme park – up a notch when you snag a spot on the upgraded VIP tour. Take a trip through Hollywood’s illustrious past with access to the backlot and the opportunity to disembark and explore famed movie sets on foot. Indulge in a catered gourmet lunch to recharge along the way. Skip the lines with unlimited express entry on all participating rides and enjoy priority seating at all shows, plus a dedicated guide to escort you through your day.
Take a scenic flight to a mountaintop hideaway
Nestled amid the Santa Monica Mountains with 50-mile views in every direction sits an ultra-secluded hideaway only accessible via a private helicopter ride with Orbic Air. Depart from Burbank and glide over Los Angeles to reach this serene site. Once arrived, feel free to explore the rolling topography or make yourself at home in the outdoor kitchen and cook with a cinema-worthy Los Angeles backdrop. With a steamy jacuzzi and TV on the pool deck, you’ll have plenty to keep yourself entertained before you’re whisked away.