Los Angeles takes pleasure in defining luxury, especially when it sees luxury as an ongoing experience. Take the city’s helicopter tours for instance or how the Fairmont Century Plaza’s recent renovation made the hotel a fresh classic. The most high-end experiences Los Angeles has to offer integrate all elements available to the traveler to then take control of the pace so that they can dictate it.
There is no doubt in choosing Fairmont Century Plaza if you wish to experience LA glamour with a modern twist, especially after it has been renovated. The hotel had a clean renovation, meaning it did not lose its history. It was originally built in 1966 by Minoru Yamasaki, the architect of the Twin Towers, and won the hearts of Hollywood’s golden age, as many stars stayed there and it was a landmark for many US presidents who visited. The hotel is positioned close to Beverly Hills, on the border between West Hollywood and the Los Angeles Westside, with all its guests being given a private terrace in their rooms to enjoy the panoramic view of the Hollywood Hills to the Ocean. The rooftop swimming pool is particularly exquisite, and the spa covers an area of about 1300 m², providing a variety of luxurious treatments with a Turkish bath and spa.
Conrad Los Angeles is brand new, and designed for hospitality with a stronger focus on structure and aesthetics. It opened in 2022, and is the very first Conrad hotel in California. It's located in a building designed by architect Frank Gehry, directly across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, another of Gehry's works. The construction of the hotel was done by Tara Bernerd & Partners, and consists of a blend of warm woods and elegantly sculpted furnishings, as well as a more subdued style. The dining experience is equally impressive, featuring one of Spanish cuisine by chef José Andrés, who is quite famous.
On the other hand, Downtown LA Proper Hotel is much more bold and expressive. It opened in 2021, and is located in a 1926 building, designed by Kelly Wearstler in an exuberant fashion that blends many different influences together. These include Mexican, Moroccan, Spanish and Portuguese design. The hotel features European antique furniture, abundant tropical plants, bright colored tiles, and pieces of furniture designed to be mid-century modern. In addition to all of this, there are a number of artworks by artists based in Los Angeles. The finishing touches of the hotel are a private library lounge, and a rooftop pool that has a look down over downtown.
Exploring Los Angeles by foot gives you the opportunity to see the city from a different height. You can take a helicopter ride with IEX Helicopters and see parts of Los Angeles you wouldn’t normally see from the ground. You’ll get to see the Santa Monica Pier, The Getty Center, Sunset Boulevard, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, the Hollywood sign, the downtown skyscrapers, USC, and Exposition Park. If you take a flight to Catalina Island you can see the California coastline from the air.
Luxury Liners allows you to escape at your own pace since you can charter a small yacht for a group of 6 to 12 people from Marina Del Rey. You can relax and do as little as sunbathe at the front of the boat or enjoy the cabin with others while eating. You can even hire a private chef and bartender to make it as elaborate as you want. You can choose from different routes along the coast or the beaches of Malibu and Palos Verdes. You’ll get to experience more of LA’s luxury by doing this rather than going on a crowded cruise and sight-seeing.
While exploring the city you’ll probably have to drive. If you want to be adventurous you can rent a performance or luxury car from Black & White Car Rental. They have models from Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce. You will get the full experience of riding along Sunset Boulevard, Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills, and Pacific Coast Highway. It’ll be a part of LA’s fantasy of freedom, sceneries and effortless style.
At Los Angeles International Airport, travelers can access the ultimate luxury airport experience at The Private Suite. Members can enjoy a terminal designed to bypass the stress of long lines, lugging bags, and walking long distances to board their flights. Instead, members can enjoy expedited TSA screening and wait in private suites that include bathrooms, comfortable seating, refreshments, and views of the rw. After boarding, the Private Suite team drives members across the tarmac in a private car to their plane. Upon arrival, the service meets members at the plane, and provides car service to their hotel. If you want to save time and enjoy privacy, this is the best option in the airport.
A week-long itinerary makes it easy to connect all these experiences. Start downtown at Conrad Los Angeles and spend a day at the galleries and creative district of ROW DTLA, then catch a Los Angeles Lakers game at the Crypto.com Arena. Then move west to the Fairmont Century Plaza to enjoy a spa day, go shopping on Rodeo Drive, and for dinner, go to Providence, a two Michelin star seafood restaurant. Book a luxury car to drive the coast from the South Bay to Malibu, then have a VIP visit to Universal Studios Hollywood or a Premium Warner Bros. Studio Tour, and a visit to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The next day, spend time on a private yacht in Marina del Rey, then drive to Griffith Observatory at sunset. To wrap things up, take an aerial tour of the city and start your trip home using the Private Suite service. By that time, Los Angeles will no longer feel like an endless metropolis;
from the road, the water, the rooftop, and the sky, its distinct character comes into focus.
