BEVERLY HILLS
WHERE? Montage Beverly Hills, LA WHY? To live like an A-lister
HOW MUCH? From £695 per night; montagehotels.com
WHO? Roisín Dervish-o’kane, WH Features Writer Beverly Hills, the city synonymous with luxury, is experiencing something of an evolution after declaring itself ‘The City of Wellth’ (because health is the new wealth, get it?) earlier this year. Quite a claim, sure. But within minutes of setting foot on its immaculate streets (sorry, drives) and eyeballing its glossy, well-hewn residents, the evidence that this place is equipped to help you look and feel your optimum is everywhere. But first, sleep. I challenge you to throw your out-of-sync post-flight body down on a mattress more comfy than those in the award-winning Montage Beverly Hills. From the outside, it’s like the fanciest Spanish villa you’ve ever seen; the reception blooming with enormous vases of pillowy peonies (I also clocked one Big Little Lies cast member). If you wake up ready to sweat, book a bike at the world-famous Soulcycle studio on Wilshire Boulevard. For a gentler introduction to the Beverly Hills fitness scene, book in for some mat time at Alo Yoga, the Kardashians’ wellness haunt of choice. Kit yourself out in a new pair of mesh-panelled leggings and a co-ordinating crop top from the store, then head upstairs to the studio to work out mind and body with classes led by buzzy California yogis like Caley Alyssa, who boasts 100k Insta followers and, of course, one obligatory small white dog. Refuel at the pop-up of New York plant-based chef Matthew Kenney in luxe department store Neiman Marcus, where the addition of bright smoked beets and radishes will leave your #avotoast crying out to be
When evening rolls around, The Belvedere restaurant in The Peninsula hotel on Santa Monica Boulevard is the place to be. On entering, you’re greeted by a harpist, teacup roses and the sense that you’re about to be very well looked after. Book a table outside if you can; the small plates of Spanish octopus, roasted aubergine and charred Brussels sprouts are all the more delicious devoured in the balmy evening air. Oh, and dessert is breathtaking – more of a performance than a course. Order it. The number one joy about taking up temporary residence in 90210 is you can cast aside any classic British guilt about feeling self-indulgent. You are here to be spoiled: you know it, your hosts know it – and everyone is on a mission to make it happen. ’grammed. For lunch? Head up to the rooftop of the Montage for a fish taco to die for while gazing over the sun-soaked Hollywood Hills. As for getting about? The drivers at the Montage will happily chauffeur you around Beverly Hills. And should you fancy a hike up the Hollywood hills or a dip in the ocean (let’s make the most of it, shall we?), Griffith Park and the waters of Santa Monica are both an Uber away in exchange for just shy of $20. Get your pampering fix at the Forbes five-star rated spa in the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire hotel (yep, the one from Pretty Woman). My choice? The superfood detox wrap, which essentially involved 90 minutes of being scrubbed, smeared with good stuff and massaged by a therapist with some serious skills.