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DOWNTOWN L.A. PROPER HOTEL

With city lights and vintage brick as backdrop, Proper reimagines and updates a landmark in the heart of South Park District — a former 1920s-era private club whose members included Cecil B. DeMille — into a 148-room destination hotel. Here, the creative vision of Kelly Wearstler — in this case, heavily influenced by Mexican modernism, as well as elements from France and Morocco via vintage furniture and rugs and 100 different kinds of tiles — seamlessly blends past and present with compelling design, vintage influence, and local art. Each of the 148 rooms features unique pieces and specially designed furnishings, hand-applied plaster detailing, and a warm palette of charcoals and mauves. Suite offerings include everything from double-height ceilings and a vintage basketball court to an unexpected indoor swimming pool accented by a ceramic mural by local artist Ben Medansky. Sophisticated comforts include Aesop bath amenities, Kelly Wearstler x Parachute Home robes, and state-of-theart conveniences like Vifa speakers and HDTV streaming. The F&B offerings here are significant as well, given that they’re helmed by award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne (Larder Baking Company, a.o.c., Tavern). They include Caldo Verde, an intimate lounge, and Cara Cara, a city-view rooftop pool and lounge-bar-restaurant. 1100 S. Broadway, Los Angeles 90015 The Santa Monica Proper is the second Proper to make our list, and the first to open in Los Angeles over the past two years, and while this property, too, was designed by Kelly Wearstler, it’s radically different from its downtown sister. This 271-room locale — which is within walking distance from the beach — successfully optimizes natural light and neutral tones, taking on a more organic, earthy feel in a completely elevated way. Using Santa Monica itself as muse, Wearstler grounded her designs in a bold, neutral scheme of subtle organic textures, materials, and natural elements: sandy palettes, light hardwoods, grass cloths, and floor-to-ceiling windows. To further enhance the artisanal feel, she collaborated with renowned names in the LA art world for original artworks and monolithic installations, such as Ben Medansky, Morgan Peck, Tanya Aguiniga, Len Klikunas, and Bradley Duncan. An emphasis on Eastern-inspired wellness dominates, more so at Surya Spa, one of the only truly Ayurvedic spas in America, a 3,000-square-foot flagship collaboration with celebrated wellness practitioners Martha and Roger Soffer. Following a philosophy that bridges the physical, mental, and spiritual, hotel guests and locals can explore 10,000 years of Indian wellness principles through therapeutic massage, steam, and oil treatments, cooking, yoga, and meditation. Wildcrafted, plant-based ingredients are blended and created daily for individual tastes, to relax and rejuvenate. Guests may enjoy single treatments like Ayurvedic facials and scrubs, or the residential series — Panchakarma — lasting three to 21 days. Other spa features include an intimate retail space, yoga, and TM classes in partnership with the David Lynch Foundation. More amenities in the wellness space include a rooftop swimming pool, boards, and bikes at the ready, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and yoga on the second-floor terrace. Speaking of outdoor activities, well, the Proper Santa Monica boasts the only rooftop restaurant on the Westside with Calabra, its indooroutdoor, beach-inspired bistro, where ocean views are paired with biodynamic wine, signature cocktails, and Mediterranean and California cuisine. Other culinary offerings include Olea, a lush and breezy garden terrace, for fresh and inventive sushi and sake;and the art-filled lobby lounge, Palma, which features smallbatch mezcals and boutique wines by the glass. 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica 90401

The Fairmont Century Plaza, which opened its doors in September, is touted as the hub for the Hollywood elite. Standing tall as famed architect Minoru Yamasaki’s “Hotel of the Future”, this mid-century modern icon has been restored to its former glory as the centerpiece of a $2.5B mixed-use development project. Built on 6.14 acres, it includes two 44-story towers with 94,000 square feet of boutique shopping and 268 privately owned luxury residences. Everything here is A-list friendly: its location, at the intersection of Beverly Hills and Century City and across from CAA, is prime real estate, while underground tunnels and secret entrances are elite-friendly, perfectly placed for annual ceremonies like the Emmy and Critics’ Choice awards. The hotel pays tribute to its star-studded history while ushering in a new age of glamour with cutting-edge amenities and an impressive collection of art from around the world, including its signature piece, a 23-foot-tall mesh sculpture created by Spanish artist Juame Plensa. International design firm Yabu Pushelberg has transformed the hotel’s design, delivering a modern update to the 1960s nostalgia, while celebrating Fairmont’s defining quality of grandeur with a Hollywood twist: from its Sonny and Cher elevator banks to easter eggs hidden throughout the rooms and hotel itself in the form of quirky and cute movie quotes and film references. Beyond that, come for the sophisticated ambiance of its traditional French-inspired brasserie, Lumière. Or opt for the music-themed, completely innovative cocktail list of the hotel’s magnificent centerpiece, The Bar at Century Plaza. This marvel is surrounded by a living green wall, floating fireplace, water feature, floor-to-ceiling windows that retract into the floor, creating a gorgeous light-filled open space. The incredibly cutting-edge, 14,000-square-foot Fairmont Spa Century Plaza is reinventing wellness culture with experiential rain showers, sanariums, aromatherapy steam rooms, a hammam, a Himalayan salt room, and an evolving collective of world-renowned wellness experts like Dr. Oz Garcia, a biohacker and leading authority on healthy aging; and Dr. Rita Rakus, a London-based rejuvenation and anti-aging aesthetic treatment pioneer. And don’t forget to factor in its rooftop pool, with views of the Pacific Ocean, Getty Museum, and Hollywood Hills, its Fairmont Gold program — an exclusive hotelwithin-a-hotel experience featuring 70 guest rooms and suites offering private check-in and checkout; exclusive access to the exquisite Gold Lounge; and dedicated Personal Assistants offering 24/7 concierge service. Even turndown service gets a novel upgrade with The Fairmont Gold Bar Cart, an on-demand martini cart that delivers customized cocktails straight to guests’ doors — and the house dog, a lovely black Lab named Laurel that’s available for cuddling around the clock, well, this hotel is the one to beat. 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles 90067

THE GODFREY HOTEL HOLLYWOOD

The Godfrey is smack-dab in the middle of Hollywood, which makes it a great spot for easy access to all things, including live music venues like Hotel Café (known for surprise celebrity appearances), the famed Capital Records building, beloved Amoeba Records, the Hollywood Sign, and more. Developed in partnership with interior designer The Gettys Group and architect Steinberg Hart, with artwork impeccably coordinated by Kevin Barry Fine Art, this all-new, 220-room hotel embodies the energy of a young, social media-friendly Hollywood. Tech-forward rooms are requisite, of course: LED HDTVs with streaming capability, work desks, keyless entry, high-tech phones, wireless chargers, and more allow guests to stay connected, while features such as glass/wood doors and elegant floor treatments define the elevated accommodation. Eco-friendly amenities include bike valet, bike parking, electric vehicle charging stations, a solar array on the rooftop, energy-efficient smart thermostats in guest rooms, and sustainable management practices. Yet, the hotel’s crowning jewel is I|O, a sky-high lounge with an expansive 11,600-square-foot rooftop with enchanting water and fire elements, a pool for that quintessential sun-soaked Southern California experience, and both poolside and secluded lounge areas flanked by lush landscaping and verdant living walls. There’s also a 70-foot projection mapping wall for that extra touch. 1400 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles 90028

COMING SOON

CONRAD LOS ANGELES

Conrad Los Angeles, the first Conrad property in California (the Hilton Hotel Group’s ultra-premium offering) will open its doors inside DTLA’s Frank Gehry-designed mixed-use development, The Grand LA, on June 1. The 305-room luxury hotel will be anchored by two original dining concepts courtesy of José Andrés and his ThinkFoodGroup team. The first, an open-air rooftop dining destination will feature a Latin- and Asian-inspired menu as well as a dedicated pool-side menu for light and leisurely snacking. The second will be dedicated to classic Spanish flavors and dishes that come alive with Southern California’s vibrant, farm-fresh ingredients. Adjacent to the second restaurant will be a dedicated lobby bar, designed to celebrate the spirit of the desert and the Pacific Ocean. 100 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles 90012

THE WHISKEY HOTEL

Restaurateur Adolfo Suaya of Gaucho Grill is redeveloping a site near Hollywood’s Cahuenga Corridor as a 134-room whiskey-themed hotel. The Whisky Hotel will include whiskey sommeliers and whiskey-filled minibars when it opens later this year. All we can say to that is: Cheers! 1717 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles 90028

THE ASTER

David Bowd, who has launched some of the world’s most exclusive venues, including London’s Chiltern Firehouse, New York’s Mercer, and LA’s very own Chateau Marmont, will open The Aster, a private members club with its own 35-room boutique hotel, this summer in Hollywood. The venue promises Ted Talks, musical performances, restaurants, cocktail bars, wellness, and recording studios under one roof. 1717 Vine St, Los Angeles, 90028

CELEBRATES CHARLES WOODSON AT KATSUYA HOLLYWOOD

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1. Charles Woodson’s cover cake 2. Woodson catches up with former NFL player Nate Burleson 3. Haute Media Group Editor-inChief Laura Schreffler and Senior VP April Donelson 4. Woodson, Rolls-Royce Americas CEO Martin Fritsches, and Haute Media Group CEO Kamal Hotchandani 5. Woodson cuts his Haute Wine & Spirits cover cake 6. Jeff O’Neill, Schreffler, and Woodson 7. Woodson shows off his Super Bowl ring

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ON FEBRUARY 11, HAUTE LIVING AND HAUTE WINE SOCIETY KICKED off Super Bowl LVI weekend by celebrating Haute Wine & Spirits cover star and NFL Hall of Fame inductee, Charles Woodson, at Katsuya Hollywood. Woodson, who is also founder of Intercept Wines and a FOX presenter, was joined at the event by partner Jeff O’Neill of O’Neill Wines and his Intercept Wine team. The evening was presented by Rolls-Royce, with their luxe rides on display, and XO Jet. VIPs included president & CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas Martin Fritsches and Sam Telekyan. Haute Media Group publisher and CEO Kamal Hotchandani welcomed everyone and introduced the past Super Bowl winner, who then shared his story with the guests. Woodson then presented Haute Media Group Editor-in-Chief Laura Schreffler with a signed bottle of his Hall of Fame Cabernet to thank her for writing the story. Later, the Haute Media Group team surprised Woodson with a cake emblazoned with his magazine cover and a note congratulating him on being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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Location! Location! Location!

SADDLE RIVER, NJ Young, custom built all brick European Villa on a 2 acre cul de sac setting with panoramic views. Approx 8100 sf with high ceilings, open floor plan, ideal for working remotely. Large lower level with outside entry, blue stone veranda, pool/spa/ waterfall, 4-car garage, paver driveway. Soughtafter street surrounded by multi-million dollar estates! Low taxes. $4,250,000

Resort Setting – 6.5 Acres Stunning Modern Farmhouse

SADDLE RIVER, NJ A true estate setting, encompassing both an outdoor and indoor pool, regulation lighted tennis court, outdoor cabana, indoor fitness center. State of the Art Kuche+Cucina kitchen, 1st floor primary bedroom suite, 2 offices ideal for working remotely, great floorplan for entertaining and a relaxed lifestyle. 6-car garage and natural gas generator. 30 mins from Manhattan. $4,995,000

VICKI GAILY

Realtor-Associate® • Founder Office 201 934-7111 • Cell 201 390-5880 vgaily@specialproperties.com www.specialproperties.com Follow us @specialpropertiesnj

SADDLE RIVER, NJ Sleek & Stunning Modern Farmhouse Colonial, finished in 2011. This residence is beautifully decorated throughout and offers high ceilings, open floorplan, state-of-the-art kitchen and baths. New pool and full-service cabana on the gated and fenced 2.17 acres on a majestic hilltop in sought-after East Hill section of town. Finished basement, 4 fireplaces, 3-car garage and generator. Move right in! $4,200,000

Stunning Modern Farmhouse

KICKS OFF SUPER BOWL LVI WEEKEND CELEBRATING NFL ICON JIM BROWN WITH LOUIS XIII AND THE AMER-I-CAN FOUNDATION

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TO KICK OFF THE EXCITING WEEKEND OF SUPER BOWL LVI, Haute Living celebrated NFL legend Jim Brown at an intimate dinner at famed French chef Jean-Georges’ California outpost inside the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. The evening was in support of the Amer-I-Can Foundation for Social Change, which was founded in 1988 by the football Hall of Famer, actor, civil rights activist, and philanthropist Jim Brown. Today, the foundation is helmed by Brown’s wife, Monique, who has been actively involved in the organization for more than two decades. The memorable evening, with members of the Cleveland Browns Organization in attendance, raised a total of $90,000. Monique Brown shared a toast, hosted by Louis XIII, expressing her eternal gratitude to the supporters. “We are so appreciative to all of our friends who came out to show their love for Jim and support the great work we are doing across the country to strengthen communities,” she said. Guests enjoyed chef Jean-Georges’ specialties throughout the evening like the Parmesan Crusted Jidori Chicken with artichokes and basil. Haute Media Group CEO Kamal Hotchandani and Senior Vice President April Donelson were also in attendance. The evening undoubtedly brought together amazing leaders in the industry who are passionate about change. Other notable guests included Ray Lewis, Bernie Kosar, Denzel Ward, David Njoku, Eric Metcalf, John Crockett, and Louis XIII’s Guillaume Vallet.

1. Jim Brown 2. Louis XIII on display 3. Monique Brown, Brown, and Haute Media Group CEO Kamal Hotchandani 4. Monique Brown, David Njoku, and Hotchandani 5. Guillaume Vallet, Hotchandani, Jim Brown, Monique Brown, and Haute Media Group Senior Vice President April Donelson

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ROLLS-ROYCE CELEBRATE NFL LEGEND VICTOR CRUZ DURING SUPER BOWL LVI WEEKEND

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1. Rolls-Royce Americas President and CEO Martin Fritsches and Haute Media Group CEO Kamal Hotchandani 2. Fritsches, Hotchandani, and Victor Cruz 3. Cruz poses next to his Haute Living cover 4. The tablescape at Jean-Georges in the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills 5. Guests seated at the intimate dinner celebrating the Cruz’s cover 6. Cruz photographing his cover 7. Cruz and Fritsches enter the dinner 8. Cruz and Damson Idris 9. Hotchandani and Cruz 10. Cruz gives a toast during the dinner

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7 THERE’S NO DENYING THAT LOS ANGELES WAS THE PLACE TO BE during this year’s Super Bowl with many exclusive events leading up to the big game that Sunday. Together with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Haute Living hosted an intimate dinner and cocktail at Jean-Georges in the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills to celebrate Victor Cruz’s recent cover and immense success both on and off the football field. Guests enjoyed the famed French chef’s specialties throughout the evening, such as the Striped Bass in a special Sweet & Sour Jus and the Parmesan Crusted Jidori Chicken with artichokes and basil. Upon arrival, Cruz was warmly welcomed by Rolls-Royce Americas president and CEO Martin Fritsches and Haute Media Group CEO Kamal Hotchandani. The energy of the evening — much like Cruz himself — was infectious as everyone was excited to celebrate the famed Super Bowl champion. Cruz gave a toast during the dinner, saying how the weekend was a true full-circle moment for him, from playing in the Super Bowl game 10 years earlier to coming up on his decade-long partnership with Haute Living. Hotchandani also spoke to the strong relationship between the two and shared his excitement for the future.

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