Hollywood Hotspots: How to do LA like a star in 24 hours
AS celebrities flock to Los Angeles for the Oscars, we found the hotspots that they’ll be eating, drinking, and (not) sleeping in before the big night. We first checked into the Hollywood Roosevelt, which oozes old school glamour. Live like Marilyn Monroe in suite 229 where she resided for two years, or head to the Blossom Room where the first Academy Awards were held and lasted only five minutes. We woke up in a room overlooking the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and the hand and footprints of Charlie Chaplin to Will Smith.
Walk to North Cahuenga Boulevard and eat brunch at Kitchen 24, a retro, pink-fringed diner open 24 hours that is popular with Oscar favourite Natalie Portman. We ate a Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey, complete with eggs, bacon, and scrumptious pancakes. Stroll along Hollywood Boulevard and if you’re lucky you may stumble across a Walk of Fame ceremony. We watched as Adam Sandler received an iconic star. Then put your shades on, go to Griffith Park, and view the famous Hollywood sign and skyscrapers. It’s perfect for taking your partner: Katy Perry and Russell Brand went on a hiking date here last year.
Work up an appetite and visit the Four Seasons. All rooms have balconies overlooking the spectacular skyline, and a complimentary limousine service to make you feel like an A-lister. We ate our tastiest meal at the hotel’s Culina: for starters a delicious crudo sampler, followed by a spaghetti alla chitarra and a roasted salmon with black cucumber and rice. Sit amongst the lemon trees and overhear power lunches. The latest press events happen here: last month it was the BAFTA Tea Party attended by Oscar nominees Helena Bonham Carter and Colin Firth.
Sadly, the closest you’ll probably get to going to the Oscars will be touring the Kodak Theater, which has been hosting the ceremony since 2002. Relax in the VIP room, say a speech onstage, and walk the Winner’s Walk that Oscar recipients take.
Now it’s time to celebrate in style. See and be seen at the uber-cool rooftop bar, the Standard Downtown, where celebrity photographer Barry Holmes once witnessed Tom Hanks encourage everyone to sing happy birthday to his wife.
If you’re still not satisfied, follow Harry Cohn’s advice: “If you’re going to get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont”. The place is famous for its rock and roll behaviour, from Led Zeppelin driving through the lobby on motorcycles to John Belushi dying of a drug overdose. When we were at Bar Marmont no TVs were thrown out the windows – instead it was full of fashionistas and twenty-somethings.
End your evening at the W Hollywood Hotel. We were in a room apt for an after-show party rather than snoozing with disco ball-like lighting, white leather seats, a shower room big enough for two, and an Intimacy Kit with contraception. And with the hotel’s service giving you whatever you want, whenever, from a chocolate bath to a helicopter ride of Hollywood, you can take centre stage.