Staycation: Time to Revisit the W

Plagued by cozy real estate with a best friend coming to town? Fancy your personal space but hosting an LA Holiday this year? Or maybe you are just looking for a getaway sans travel. Enter W West Beverly Hills—er, Westwood, for us locals. We’ve been guilty of checking into Bliss for a mini spa sesh during a lunch break in the past, but now, thanks to recent $25-million renovation, the W has considerably stepped up their game.

We recently enjoyed the W for a well-deserved LA staycation—and we’ve gotta say, it superseded our expectations. Once we made our way upstairs, the newly renovated room hypnotized us with a serene color palette boding cool, whimsical highlights of blues and greens, peppered with images of water and trees that invite the outside in. The contemporary suite was super comfortable with a zen-like ambiance—they spent $1 million on lighting updates alone—and featured a spacious, intuitive layout. The room’s amenities, décor, and room service made for a luxurious disconnect.

Eventually, we ventured out of our room to head to the spa. Located on the 2^nd floor, Bliss features luxe men’s and women’s lounges offering individual steam showers (hard to find that in LA), tension fighting massages, a variety of facials, and even movie-while-you-manicure nail stations: an ideal place to regroup before a night out.

Around dinnertime, we made our way downstairs to chow down at the only STK in Los Angeles. The recently opened spot is a modern steakhouse and chic lounge hybrid. STK stands apart not only with their top-notch steaks and to-die-for mac and cheese, but the social experience it has to offer. The DJ booth is located next to the bar and creates a high-energy atmosphere that encourages guests to stick around and mingle. The space offers an ideal ambiance for a night out with friends, and showcases large tables suitable for your parents experience “night life” without having to yell across the table (a routine dads universally hate).

Pro tip: Every last Thursday night of the month, guests can keep the party going and enjoy specialty cocktails and live music from 8-10pm in the newly re-style Living Room Bar.

The mornings are equally satisfying at the W. Retreat to brunch at The Backyard (read poolside) or grab a complementary coffee or tea and check out UCLA’s Botanical Garden just across the street. W is a pet friendly hotel, so your dog will surely appreciate the latter, or even just a stroll in the neighborhood—the peaceful, upscale pocket tucked away in central LA.

Speaking of, the location is certainly something to appreciate. The Hammer Museum is steps away; Santa Monica and Brentwood are just a short drive down Wilshire (Pro tip: the Brentwood Country Mart and Farmshop are home runs for out-of-towners); and West Hollywood hotspots like EP/LP are just a short drive the other direction. The W offers an insider experience through their on-site amenities and proximity to nearby neighborhood gems.

The W West Beverly Hills is an LA staple worth re-visiting—you heard it here first.