Ian

Ian
Schrager barks enthusiastically “What do you mean ‘what are
we doing to make our hotels more sustainable?’ You’re holding
it!”

For context, Schrager, the father of the boutique hotel concept
and co-founder of the former Studio 54 club, is referring to the
plastic-free water bottle that I have clasped in my hand. After a
moment’s silence, he continues: “There’s no point building a
brand-new hotel nowadays if it isn’t sustainable; we just choose
not to shout about it.”

And silently done it Schrager has. In 2019, EDITION Hotels
introduced a Stay Plastic Free initiative to omit single-use
plastics from every part of its operations. Partnering with a
diverse range of eco-brands and charities such as Lonely Whale and
Project Zero, the group found plastic-free alternatives to minibar
items, coffee cups, straws, water bottles and other amenities, in
the process making EDITION one of today’s greenest hotel
brands.

At The West Hollywood EDITION, the brand has raised the
benchmark for sustainability, creating Los Angeles’s new go-to,
green-forward hangout conveniently located on the border of Beverly
Hills and West Hollywood. Hidden by a mini biosphere of Aleppo
pine, arbutus, Carolina cherry laurel, olive and ficus trees, the
Sunset Boulevard hotel is premised on the “art of good living”.

Stepping through the hotel’s giant wooden doors, you’re greeted
by a soaring, golden yellow, John Pawson-designed lobby crafted
from Italian travertine and red cedar. Long, draped green curtains
sway to the hum of cool Cali beats, as the eye is drawn to an
abstract installation by local artist Sterling Ruby.

The defining vibe is one that’s cool but not pretentious, with
under-the-radar A-List types checking in alongside locals, business
folk, stylish travellers and the who’s who of the
LA set. And yes, while the hotel can easily be accused of being
too scene-y, its artistic elegance adds a touch of redeeming oomph
and creative class – something that the dated hotels of Beverly
Hills should take note of, and fast.

Sleek, slick and eco-minded, The West Hollywood EDITION is
for those who want to experience what Los Angeles is really about:
the cult and allure of Hollywood, its glamour, its creativity and
its crazily creative arts scene.

Rooms

The look is bare and minimal, with light-filled rooms and mega
suites that are more reminiscent of a swish New
York City loft than they are hotel digs. Space-wise, it’s kept
simple with clean white lines, a mish-mash of Cali-style
blonde-wood furniture and crystal-clear floor-to-ceiling windows
that look out onto views of either Beverly Hills or Downtown LA.
Smart stylistic touches include curated LA-centric art books on the
coffee table and a faux-fur blanket (a nod to Schrager’s mother) on
the huge, super comfortable beds. Bathrooms are mammoth – bigger
than my apartment – complete with a freestanding tub and cavernous
rain shower, both stocked with amenities made exclusively for the
EDITION courtesy of Le Labo. As part of its anti-single-use-plastic
policy, the EDITION serves drinking water in either cartons or
glass bottles, and all other amenities in non-plastic pouches. The
mini bar? Ridiculously stocked with everything from candles to Cali
wines and spirits, condoms, that’s-so-LA snacks and, randomly, posh
headphones.

What’s for breakfast?

Various omelettes, jalapeño-spiked green juices and playful
spins on all-American classics. Try the buckwheat pancakes loaded
with berries or the avocado toast with seeds. The coffee is pretty
good, too.

What about lunch and dinner?

Both are served at the low-lit (a godsend after a heavy night on
the Strip) ground-floor restaurant Ardor, a verdant jungle-like
date-night hangout headed up by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser.
The menu celebrates what Fraser is known for best: plant-based,
vegetable-centric cuisine. Dishes are seasonal and fiery, featuring
curried cauliflower, beet salads and shredded (and truffled)
Brussel sprouts. It’s not as “LA” as it sounds – however, I will
admit that the posh lettuce served in a wine glass was a tad too
much. Non-veggies will also enjoy sustainably sourced meat dishes,
including well-seasoned wagyu beef, Alaskan king crab and some
mighty fine steaks. Other cooler-than-cool haunts include the Lobby
Bar – a great spot for drinks pre- and post-dinner – and the roof,
an interesting snack bar concept with booze and small plates served
either poolside or on the balcony, fabulous cityscapes
included.

What about the service?

Staff, though helpful, friendly and incredibly well dressed,
seemed lost in their own la-la lands at times, especially on the
door and at the concierge desk. The best of the bunch are found on
the rooftop, and who, during my four-night stay, couldn’t do enough
to make me feel more welcome.

Amenities

There’s a temple-like spa hidden underneath the hotel that
focuses on mindfulness and wellbeing. Treatments include CBD and
plant-based facials as well as massages, light-recovery therapies
and self-guided meditation. Above it, there’s a large gym kitted
out with Peloton bikes and TRX suspension-training gear. The hotel
also hosts a series of creative nights, along with all sorts of
takeovers that take place on the rooftop, in the lobby and in the
cinema with high-definition screens.

Things I should know…

If you’re a light sleeper, avoid the rooms facing the Strip.
Come nightfall, the crowds lining up to get into the hotel’s
basement club can get a little loud – not what you need when you’re
yearning for a desperate dose of shuteye.

Within a short walk I can find…

Melrose Avenue for a slice of SoCal city life. Find retro steals
at Decades and Resurrection Vintage Clothing, peep into movie
staple Fred Segal (of Clueless fame) and slap your best frock on
for a magically pink Kodak moment in front Paul Smith’s
Instagrammable boutique. Great nearby eateries include vegan
powerhouse Gracias Madre, a cross between modern Mexican and casual
Palm Springs armed with excellent mezcal collection and dreamy
outdoor patio space. Night+Market WeHo dishes out excellent and
seriously spicy Thai food masterminded by chef Kris Yenbamroong.
The 100-ounce beer tower is a must-try here. And for seafood, check
out Connie & Ted’s for fresh oysters, clams, shrimp and a
kick-ass selection of California-centric reds and whites. The
celeb-filled restaurants of Beverly Hills,
Santa Monica and Venice Beach and the grandiose super mansions
of Bel Air are all a short Uber or Lyft ride away from the hotel,
too – depending on the notorious LA traffic, of course.