Camille STYLES Los Angeles, Pt. II

We’re halfway through our style-setting tour of LA, and today’s post includes some gems you won’t want to miss on your next West Coast wayfaring.

PLAY:

Beverly Hills

Home to many a celeb, Beverly Hills oozes glamour, with palatial estates and manicured gardens.  Skip the cheesy “star homes tours” in favor of a little shopping and a drive into the canyons.  Rodeo Drive houses such names as Chanel, Dior, Armani, & Prada, providing hours of retail therapy and captivating people watching.  When I’ve shopped till I’ve dropped, I take a spin up Summit Drive, which captures both the rugged beauty of the Hollywood Hills and the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills.  This winding route will lead you up, up, up into canyons studded with mansions owned by the rich and famous.  At the top, climb out of the car and gaze at one of the most breathtaking views in the city.

Spa at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

After all that wining and dining, what better place to detox than the spot where a certain Pretty Womanexperienced her legendary transformation, The Beverly Wilshire Hotel?  ”Designed around a curved water wall embracing a majestic amethyst crystal geode, The Spa at Beverly Wilshire pulses with vibrant energy. Delicate aromas and harmonious music permeate the atmosphere, seducing the senses and encouraging mind, body and soul to relax.” Beautiful surroundings, superior service, well-trained staff… what more could you ask for? 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, 800.745.8883, fourseasons.com

EAT:

Sunset Tower Hotel, The Terrace

The Terrace at Sunset Tower Hotel

One of the coolest spots in town, Sunset Tower is the definition of understated luxury.  I’ve never been when I didn’t spot someone famous, but this place has such a feeling of exclusivity that even a star-sighting won’t break the hushed vibe throughout the hotel.  Grab a table for two on the rooftop terrace, order a bottle of Chardonnay and a margarita pizza, and relax poolside, surrounded by the scent of climbing roses and bougainvillea. 8358 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, 323.654.7100, sunsettowerhotel.com.

Cecconi’s

My newest West Hollywood discovery, Cecconi’s was love at first bite.  Maintaining it’s classic Italian roots while quickly becoming one of LA’s hottest spots, Cecconi’s dishes out the freshest Gnocchi, Pappardelle with House-Made Sausage, and Veal Ossobuco straight from their wood-burning oven.  An inexplicably beautiful crowd spills from the posh dining room to the bustling terrace, screened from the busy street by a wall of ivy. Linger over tiramisu and espresso, and pretend for a moment that you’re in Venice… Italy, that is.  8764 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.432.2000, cecconiswesthollywood.com.