The Georgian — Los Angeles
Whimsy and fun are the name of the game at The Georgian, a storied Santa Monica property that underwent an extensive remodel, reopening its doors in 2023. Craving bubbles? Suite guests need only push an antique-looking button marked “Champagne” to summon a fully stocked bar cart delivered by a bellhop who would look at home on a Wes Anderson set. Curious about the hotel’s 1930s heyday? A rotary phone next to check-in plays a selection of vintage voicemails alluding to the property’s colorful history. Upstairs, rooms boast either Pacific Ocean or city views, and the decor is anything but staid—think orange crushed velvet headboards, scalloped sky blue window shades, and record players.
Outside the Art Deco building, you’ve got the Santa Monica Pier in one direction and Third Street Promenade in the other; properly hyped up restaurants like Elephante and Sugarfish are in walking distance. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, though, you may want to stay in and enjoy Spaghetti Sundays, a veritable Italian feast prepared by chef David Almany. Another dining option: Make a reservation at The Georgian Room, once an Old Hollywood hangout spot, for creative cocktails and a hearty seasonal menu. Your hotel visit just might be star-studded—The Georgian has played host to several The Hollywood Reporter Roundtable interviews of late.
Raffles London — England
It’s not often you hear of a hotel restoration with a billion dollar budget—let alone two billion here—but this eight-year project commanded it at Raffles London. Opened in what used to be the Old War Office, it’s the most talked-about hotel to emerge in London this century, writes Traveler UK editor Lydia Bell. History buffs will delight in the importance of this space: The Churchill Suite, for example, takes over the room where D-Day was planned, as well as most of the battles of World War One. Of the 120 rooms and suites, sizes vary, but even the smallest feel vast thanks to triple-height ceilings. The air of importance extends to the unofficial dress code guests seem to follow—suits aren’t uncommon, nor are slacks or blazers, though they may be dressed down over mini skirts or paired with sneakers.
A major draw for any and all guests looking to unwind: the 27,000-square-foot, four-floor (three of which are subterranean) Guerlain spa, with its 20-meter pool, sauna, steam room, and yoga sessions. The nine restaurants offer something for every palate; highlights include Mauro Colagreco, the signature fine-dining venue whose namesake comes from the three Michelin-starred Mirazur; and Saison, with its Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Once you tire of roaming the storied halls, you can pop over to any number of tourist destinations on foot—Trafalgar Square, the National Portrait Gallery, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, and the Churchill War Rooms are all a stone’s throw away.
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