Are you ready to make some decisions that are actually fun? Like which poolside cocktail to order next, or what shade of lipstick looks better with your best friend's dress? Do you want your day's biggest struggle to be "too many choices" when it comes to picking a treatment at the spa? If your inner (or outer) dialogue is currently shouting "YES," it's time to start planning a girls' trip to Los Angeles. Here's how to make the most of an escape to this trendy beachside city.
GO GLAM AND STAY IN BEVERLY HILLS
Not only is Beverly Hills utterly iconic, it's also an ideal home base for your time in LA. You'll be near all the best shopping, have your choice of incredible places to dine and be surrounded by fabulous neighborhoods. Not to mention the accommodations in this area are second to none.
Just five minutes from Rodeo, the Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills is a favorite with nominees during Oscar season, and it's no wonder. Its spacious suites feature dressing rooms, marble bathrooms and Italian furniture; there's a rooftop pool with private cabanas; and the zen-like spa makes it a true oasis for guests. Dine in the hotel's French-inspired restaurant Avec Nous, or order in room service if you'd rather eat truffle fries while lounging in your robes.
Just further south is the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, a relatively new addition to the neighborhood. Ten years of planning went into the hotel's Art Deco-inspired rooms and suites, each designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon and featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Private concierges are available to guests 24/7 by text, and when it comes to dining, you're in the famously good hands of Jean-Georges.
DO (ALMOST) NOTHING
Sure, a girls' getaway is about having uproarious fun, but it's also a prime opportunity for some much-needed R&R. Book mani/pedis as a group, or take solo time for a massage, facial or body wrap. The spa at the Waldorf Astoria is 5,000 square feet of serene luxury, while the Viceroy's facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool and private poolside cabanas.
SHOP. EXPLORE. THEN SHOP SOME MORE.
If "shop til you drop" is a personal mantra, there's no better place than Beverly Hills. Rodeo Drive hardly needs an introduction, though take note: the better known clothing stores are found between the 200 and 500 blocks of North Rodeo. For a more eclectic mix of fashion, boutiques and design, head to Melrose Ave, where West Hollywood's palatial Restoration Hardware awaits you. And if after a breezy bike ride you find yourselves in Venice Beach, a stroll along uber-trendy Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a must.
DINE IN AND AMONGST THE BEST
For those who enjoy great food in swoon-worthy spaces, LA's dining scene will not disappoint. No girls' weekend is complete without at least one mimosa-fuelled brunch, so be sure to hit up AOC for refined French/Italian/Californian fare (think Comte meets the avocado). For something more casual and quick, Croft Alley is your spot.
Lunch is an excellent excuse to spend time on the lush patio at Chateau Marmont, and for Mexican food in colorful surroundings, try the acclaimed vegan offerings at Gracias Madre.
For dinner, your options are nearly endless. One great choice is the lovely Olivetta, where coastal Mediterannean cuisine is served beneath a pastel, carnival-tented ceiling. And for foodie friends who love a good secret, our agency can secure you a reservation at Nozawa Bar; this exclusive (and tiny) Japanese omakase joint by Chef Osamu Fujita is mischievously set within another restaurant, so it's only for those in the know.
Plan your LA getaway around these two luxurious Beverly Hills hotels, and receive special amenities and VIP perks through Internova SELECT Hotels & Resorts.
Ask our agency about other experiences we can provide in Los Angeles!