PLAY AWHILE

Sunset Boulevard has long stood as the time capsule of Los Angeles, the beating heart of the town, seeing it through devastating, debaucherous, and dazzling days. Ian Schrager, the original owner of New York’s iconic Studio 54, has harnessed Los Angeles’ environment—rich with stars and stories to tell—and erected a playground for the diverse set of individuals that uphold Sunset Boulevard’s reputation in the modernday. The embodiment of this energy is the newly revealed West Hollywood Edition, the first Edition property on the West Coast, fittingly nestled on the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Doheny Drive. Written by Delaney Willet

The hotel stands as a transparent colossus in the midst of Los Angeles’s busiest streets. Charisma and prestige radiate from the building, which seems to be stuffed in the seams with greenery and is noticeably topped off with an expansive rooftop getaway. In fact, “getaway” is exactly how The Edition can best be described. Behind the lobby’s double doors lies a world unbeknownst to the bustling streets outside of the walls. The Edition acts as a sanctuary for all that is sumptuous, opulent and inherently Californian.

The West Hollywood Edition’s grand opening events span over a week, including charity galas and banquet dinners, as well as rooftop soirees and late nights in the underground club facilitated by surprise performer Janelle Monae. My time at the property burns bright and fast, lasting just about twenty-four hours, but filled with tales to last a lifetime. I thought making the necessary unprotected left onto Sunset Boulevard would be enough excitement for my day. Little do I know what waits for me behind those behemoth green hedges that guard The Edition’s exterior like loyal watchmen. Before pulling up to the shrouded entrance, I note police presence as far as the eye can see, forming a grid-like pattern around the property perimeter. Burly men sharply dressed in black suits and earpieces stop my car upon entry, asking for every detail short of my social security number. This is when I realize, prior to even completing my drive into the valet, that this property is larger than life. Or rather, larger than the traditional concept of what constitutes a hotel. I catch on to the fact that Ian Schrager has once again created an oasis for all walks of life to escape the day to day and transport to a luxe euphoria. The lobby boasts ceilings so high I question if there is a ceiling at all. The exaggerated airiness of the space is complemented by the angular simplicity of design, the most color in the room supplied by the Lobby Bar’s extensive collection of alcohol bottles. Once escorted into my room, I notice a welcome amenity perched upon the refreshingly stark built-in beneath the television. What appeared as an avocado at first glance turns out to be an expertly-crafted cake shaped to fill an actual avocado skin and topped with a rounded chocolate truffle. Details like this, aside from the lauded location and overarching allure of the uniqueness the property offers, is what sets The Edition apart from any property, hotel or otherwise. I try to maintain delicacy out of respect for the bespoke dessert, but as the light pastry cream touches my tongue I know not even the most prized California avocado will ever live up, and devour the sweet on sight. This homage to such an implicitly Californian treat pays respect to the West Coast as Edition settles into new territory. The marriage of old guard glamour and quirky-cool accents is expertly arranged within and around the West Hollywood Edition. Guest rooms are outfitted most notably with a massive, low-sitting bed, just the right amalgam of natural light and fixtures, and a breathtaking view. Views may just be The Edition’s most striking amenity, whether it be from the comfort of your private terrace’s chaise lounge or the vibrant pool scene on The Roof, the Edition’s rooftop pool, bar, and Latin restaurant. No matter where I settle in, I find the property is well-stocked with remarkable scenery and delectable bites across the board. Dinner at the hotel’s upscale restaurant Ardor is prepared by Michelin-starred head chef John Fraser. Though, to call it a dinner is reductive and mundane. It is more of a dream sequence. I am ushered into the restaurant by a soft golden light reflecting off a maze of palm trees, seemingly growing out of the tiled floors, so abundant you would think that the sunshine of the tropics nourished the forest from above. The outdoor space is transcendent (save the occasional honking car echoing from Sunset Boulevard), outfitted with candelabras, lush greenery, and intricate red rugs, something out of a Havana fantasy. Fraser’s food awakens sensibilities of my palate of which I was not previously aware. The menu cannot be pigeon-holed into a single strain of cuisine, but is rather an amalgam of Fraser’s fancies across the globe. Brussels sprouts and carrots take on new lives with truffles and tandoor, respectively. Just when I think I will never taste anything as luscious as the garlic-chive-butter-soaked Alaskan crab, a ten-pound sharing portion of dry-aged Porterhouse makes its way to our table and my preconceived notions of what steak is supposed to taste like melt away with each exquisite bite. With dinner’s conclusion, we are whisked into the night behind Mr. Schrager, Paris Hilton, and myriad faces you may have seen grace Vogue covers or the silver screen. Celebrations continue down three flights of stairs in the uber-private Sunset club. Hollywood’s biggest names (Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Idol, Diplo) dance and sip under the ceiling’s impressive disco ball installation, which douses elite guests in sparkling red light. Whether they are shooting pool to the left or indulging in signature cocktails and bottle service at the bar and lounge to the right, everyone holds that same glimmer in their eye that tells you this hotel is going to be a mainstay, a haven for adults that had seen it all, or thought as much before tonight. Until the morning’s wee hours, the room buzzes with awe over their surroundings. The evening, however, reaches its climax with the appearance of the Sunset club’s surprise guest. The intimate audience collectively gasps as Janelle Monae takes the stage in an architectural red and black bodysuit and rhinestone-adorned microphone, christening the exclusive space with a night of revelry. The next morning, my room’s stunning view embraces me in the new day, especially as I remember my plans for a mid-day massage. The spa’s decor is nearly, if not just as relaxing, as the massage that waits beyond the lounge. Oversized beige couches with tonal cashmere throws envelope me, allowing me to bathe in the ambient light that is nearly the same buttery color as the couch. Singular green palm leaves punctuate the space and carry the modern lively decor of the hotel to even the property’s most serene corners. The festivities of The Edition’s opening week are a mere glimpse into the potential of this property, sure to become a Los Angeles landmark for the new age as its distant cousin Studio 54 was to New York’s 1970s. The West Hollywood Edition is, at its core, much more than a hotel. It is instead like a social club, a collaborative site for creation and celebration for civilians and celebrities alike that is only just beginning to morph into the legend it will become. * editionhotels.com/weho Behind the lobby’s double doors lies a world unbeknownst to the bustling streets outside of the walls.