2 of the best new luxury hotels to escape to in Los Angeles
One is intimate and quiet, the other is grand, but both offer special experiences unique to their respective locations
Los Angeles has many faces.
The time and effort required to brave its famously sluggish traffic means that, for many visitors, the place they choose to stay determines the flavour of their experience.
Great hotels abound – and there is no single best way to experience LA. One of the most exciting options is to explore the street art and galleries of gritty downtown, with the NoMad Hotel as your base. The recently opened venue is a spin-off of the trendy Manhattan namesake, complete with a restaurant from the Eleven Madison Park team.
Still, downtown isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for more of an escape, one of these two new urban resorts, offering diametrically opposed experiences in the City of Angels, might be the answer. The Nobu Ryokan Malibu – co-owned by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Larry Ellison, actor Robert De Niro, and film producer Meir Teper – and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills are pricey, beautiful, and replete with special treats unique to their respective locations. Each is worth visiting; each will return memorable moments you’d miss by staying elsewhere.
Here’s how they compare.
Design
Nobu Ryokan: The intimate 16-room retreat is built like a traditional Japanese inn, with onsen-style soaking tubs and linen yukata robes in each room. Sliding glass doors form the only barrier between you and Malibu’s Carbon Beach. At night, it’s often warm enough to leave them open to invite the sea breeze – meaning you may also wake up to a view of dolphins frolicking in the morning waves of the Pacific. The entire property is so quiet and serene, you may never see another guest for the duration of your stay.