WILD,WILD The est

A RENAISSANCE IS UNDER WAY IN WEST HOLLYWOOD—AND THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

BY JACLYN ROTH

here are a lot of different areas to explore in Los Angeles, from the beaches along the Pacific Ocean to the Santa Monica Mountains, but there’s one spot in the city that’s a figurative and literal central hub for entertainment, relaxation and nightlife, and that’s West Hollywood.

The city, population 35,000, is affectionately known as WeHo and is located right in the heart of L.A. The area is known for its swanky celebrity hideaways, like the famous Chateau Marmont, as well as comedy clubs, shops, hotels, bars, and, of course, delicious restaurants.

The pandemic forced many people to stay away, but the Sunset Tower Hotel, the Mondrian Los Angeles and other storied properties are again as popular as ever. The city is now also enjoying an exciting influx of new hotel hotspots. There’s The Edition, a stylish destination

Tboasting 150 rooms and a beautiful roof top; the Pendry West Hollywood; and Hotel Ziggy, WeHo’s only boutique hotel featuring a saltwater pool.

Restaurants are also enjoying a resurgence. The Merois by Wolfgang Puck is a stalwart on the culinary scene, and Madeo, a famous celebrity haunt formerly located in Beverly Hills, is now serving up its fabled Italian cuisine to guests in a new home in 1 Hotel on the Sunset Strip.

“The dining scene in West Hollywood is booming,” says Chef Raphael Francois, who runs Tesse, Boutellier Wines and Fanny’s. “We are happy to be in the middle of that popping movement.”

WeHo is where Hollywood stars find themselves when they want to take part in their favorite workout classes or book wellness appointments with the best in the business. From the Rumble Boxing flagship fitness studio to Barry’s Bootcamp and Training Mate, there’s a place here for everyone. When a spa day is on the menu, FaceGym, Dermalogica, Ole Henriksen Face/Body, Raya Spa and more offer any trending wellness indulgence under the sun.

The area plays host to visitors from around the globe as well as to the locals—and everyone is always welcome.

“Southern California and West Hollywood’s DNA is built from people that got pushed out of the mainstream because they were different and came to WeHo,” notes Tom Kiely, CEO and President of West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board. “We really respect, appreciate and thrive on that. We love to have visitors from all over the world come and stay with us, and we like to provide a very welcoming environment for them.”

Part of the city’s vibrant energy stems from the LGBTQ+ community. The gay-oriented Abbey Food & Bar, which boasts outdoor terraces and a dance floor, is a great destination for anyone who wants to kick back and have fun. It’s also worth checking out Boystown, a gay-centric neighborhood that’s always bustling.

Kirk Myers, the founder of the gym DOGPOUND, explains, “In West Hollywood, you can walk down the street and wear whatever you want, be who you want to be, and people will high-five you for it, for being yourself and standing out.”

Creative, diverse and inclusive—there’s truly no place like WeHo.