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Welcome to The London West Hollywood, one of my favorite hostelries in America.
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I am lucky enough to travel several months of the year, and in the process I have become decidedly discerning but never jaded—especially when it comes to hotels. I am not someone who needs uber-luxe, no-holds-barred luxury hostelries: Rather, give me a one-off experience with service that is caring but not overbearing, and chances are I will be supremely happy. Frankly, I don't need a concierge because I can sniff out the latest and greatest restaurants and cultural attractions on my own—and get into them on my own, too. I don't require twice-a-day turndown service, and I certainly don't ever plan to pay the exorbitant prices that certain hotels charge for breakfast.
Instead, surprise and delight me. And never nickel and dime me.
Hotels that top my list of favorites in the USA include the following (and you have read about a few of these on this Jet Set blog before):
- The Mountain Brook Inn in Bovina, New York: Simple, chic, inexpensive and a glorious and bucolic setting in the heart of New York's Catskill Mountains Plus, the hotel hosts a stellar Saturday-night only dinner that's like a rollicking dinner party.
- The Tides Beach Club on Goose Rock Beach in Maine: Gorgeous design, caring service, fabulous cocktails and fried clams, and stunning views of the sea. And absolutely no pretense.
- The Greenbrier in West Virginia: Incredible design! The colors, the whimsy, the wonder! Genius.
- The Peninsula Chicago: The perfect location, amazing service. Chic. Everything I want in a city hotel.
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The groovy and relaxed-chic lobby living room at the Tides Beach Club near Kennebunkport, Maine.
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And that's just scratching the surface. I keep a running diary of my favorite escapes, so maybe one day I will turn my adventures into a must-have travel guide that recounts my crazy adventures in hotel-land. From The Point and Twin Farms to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, I have taken notes and aplenty. I have yet to visit the fabled Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, so stay tuned!
But, wait, let me add one more hostelry to my most-favorite list: The London West Hollywood.
Wow, what a hotel! From the moment I checked into this perfectly situated property in the heart of Los Angeles' vibrant West Hollywood neighborhood, I was smitten. The staff is friendly and engaging—and they are nice as can be even though they all have model-worthy good looks. The décor is stunning, and I found myself Pinterest-ing every little detail. The rooms are huge, and the balconies offer stellar vistas. I love dining on Gordon Ramsay's cooking atop the roof: It's just so romantic and glamorous. Delicious! Divine! The London West Hollywood is perfection, so next time you are headed to LA be sure to check in and check it out.
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The oversized and supremely comfortable guest rooms at The London West Hollywood.
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As my partner John says, “The London feels European but never stuffy. It's more like a home than a hotel. The bathrooms are amazing and oversized. I wanted to move right in and never leave.”
And John is finicky!
Send me the names of your favorite American hotels. I'd love to hear what tops your lists!