SKY’S THE LIMIT
JANE HAASE visits the cool and calm oasis of the Le Parc at Melrose hotel in the heart of West Hollywood
VIBE
Sip a cocktail on a plush sofa and soak up the sumptuous views of the Hollywood Hills from the impressive Skydeck of this cool hotel.
Candy-striped sun umbrellas sway in the gentle breeze around the heated pool on the huge rooftop terrace, which offers luxury cabanas, a lounge, bar, DJ area and a tennis court.
Despite being just a short walk from the tourist hotspot of Sunset Strip, Le Parc at Melrose is an urban oasis of calm and tranquillity.
Located between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue, in a quiet residential street in West Hollywood – it’s in an upmarket neighbourhood with art galleries, boutiques, antique dealerships and interior design showrooms.
STYLE
Funky, modern art is very much the signature style here, from the bold and bright LOVE mural behind the reception desk, to the pop-art style painting of Diana Ross that greets you as you step out of the lift.
Our 700 sq ft suite was more like a swish apartment with a huge bathroom, lounge area, dining table and chairs, small outdoor balcony and a kitchenette complete with Keurig coffee maker, a microwave, and fridge.
It was ideal for our family of four, with plenty of space to stretch out in, and was a real home from home.
FOOD AND DRINK
You can enjoy drinks and snacks at the pool area but make sure you catch the complimentary wine social hour between 5-6pm as we spotted a bottle of Grey Goose vodka on the bar menu for a whopping $400!
Knoll at Le Parc is a chic, intimate dining room with comfy chairs and polished wooden floors.
Brunch here will set you up for the day with a range of breakfast options from steelcut oatmeal ($15) to huevos rancheros ($21) and the ubiquitous avocado toast ($20).
The all-day menu includes a good variety of choices from fish tacos, $26, to a Knoll burger for $23, or splash out on a filet mignon for $58.
But there are plenty of restaurants on your doorstep too, such as celeb haunt Cecconi’s and Saddle Ranch Chop House with its bucking bronco.
WHAT TO DO
Energetic guests can enjoy a game of tennis on the fabulous full-size rooftop court, or cool off in the pool.
If it’s some retail therapy you are after, the nearby indoor Beverly Center is a shopaholic’s dream with everything from famous US names like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s to highend stores such as Gucci and Prada.
Sunset Boulevard, home to haunts such as the Viper Room and Chateau Marmont, is within walking distance.
A Celebrity Homes tour is a great way to tick off a few must-sees like Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills, where the dogs are as well manicured as their owners.
After boarding our minibus on Hollywood Boulevard, home to the Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, we drove past the fire escape where Richard Gere “rescues” Julia Roberts at the end of Pretty Woman before heading up to the Hollywood Hills.
You’re unlikely to spot Al Pacino mowing the lawn, but it’s still a thrill to drive by the homes of stars like Katy Perry and Rihanna.
Tick off a few mustsees like Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills on a minibus tour
A DAY OUT
Santa Monica, with its famous pier, fairground rides, and big wheel is about a 20-minute taxi drive away. From there, follow the paved path to walk the 1.5 miles to the Venice Beach where you can watch the guys flexing at Muscle Beach.
We might not have spotted any celebrities during our visit to Tinseltown but we did find our very own star in Le Parc at Melrose.