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ROAD & TRAVEL Hotel Review: Southern California KOR Hotels - Viceroy Santa Monica & Chamberlain West Hollywood

Lounge in luxe style at L.A.'s Viceroy Santa Monica
and Chamberlain West Hollywood Hotel

by Jeff Voth

The City of Angels is divided into several distinct urban centers, each one providing an exclusive take on life in this part of Southern California. Two of my preferred cities to visit in the area are Santa Monica and West Hollywood. Trying to decide which one I like best would be impossible.

Viceroy Santa Monica Lobby

Equally difficult would be the task of choosing my favorite LA boutique hotel from the KOR Hotel Group. While each one is different from the next in several ways, they all represent an exclusive getaway for those seeking something a little out of the ordinary.

An urban retreat of renown in the heart of the Santa Monica beach district, the Viceroy Santa Monica Hotel commands attention as the place to see and be seen by the beautiful people of Los Angeles.

With a total of 163 scrumptiously adorned guestrooms and suites, the lure of this hotel is not so much in lavish decorations, but in the simplicity of design and vibrant colors that define its intimate style.

Hardwood floors, white walls with interspersed black columns, mirrored backdrops and comfy white and bright green wingback chairs dominate the main entrance. Take a short stroll though the lobby and you find yourself immersed in the casual, high energy atmosphere of a Hollywood pool setting. Private cabanas play host to the tanned and toned. Nearby, small round tables with zebra striped umbrellas bring a chic closeness to the dining experience at Whist Patio.

Viceroy Santa Monica Room

Rooms are oversized and designed to perfection, offering the latest take on the trendy minimalist theme. It required a great deal of effort to force myself not to spend the whole day in my king-size bed. So comfortable were the extra thread count sheets and warm comforter that it took two wake-up calls to remind me there is much to see and do in Los Angeles. Almost reluctantly I climbed out of my warm cocoon to get on with the day.

A short drive from Santa Monica resides the heart and soul of downtown Los Angeles. West Hollywood or Boy’s Town as it is affectionately known by the locals has undergone a recent renaissance. With art galleries, fine furniture stores and boutiques, it is equally as impressive to shop and dine on the main streets here as it is in Beverly Hills.

I arrived at the Chamberlain West Hollywood Hotel late on a Friday afternoon just as the sun was setting over the Pacific Ocean. As if in response to my contemplative mood, the last rays of what had been a sizzling California day bid their final farewell in a fiery blaze of red and orange. Stepping out of my car, the atmosphere in the city of angels was wholly quixotic.

Chamberlain West Hollywood Lobby

In what seemed to me only seconds, the languishing turquoise sky was overtaken by obsidian blackness and a new light source drew my attention away from the darkness that now enveloped the distant horizon. Neon lights flickered from the nearby entertainment district, as the downtown filled with the voices of friends meeting on the street and the nightlife of the city took hold.

Three valet attendants rushed out to greet me as I pulled up to the understated boutique hotel located in a residential part of West Hollywood. A modest chrome nameplate with the single word Chamberlain is the only hint that something unique and truly stylish awaits within.

Arriving in the lobby, I strolled towards the lacquered cinnabar and black-footed front desk, checked in to the hotel and took the elevator up to my third floor accommodations.

Studio and Grand rooms at the Chamberlain West Hollywood Hotel range in size from 350-550 square feet. Each room features a separate sleeping area with high thread count Italian linens, a 20-27” LCD flat panel TV, high-speed Internet access, a living area and an oversized working desk. Dropping my bags at the door, I collapsed on the king sized bed, enjoying a quick nap prior to an evening of life in the fast lane L.A. style.

Chamberlain West Hollywood Dinning Room

Dinner was served in the hotel’s signature bistro where I enjoyed a six course meal under the watchful eye of Chef de Cuisine Peter Gobin. Each meticulously prepared portion was designed to highlight local ingredients that Peter had personally selected that morning at the local market. A consummate professional and control freak when it comes to his kitchen, Peter matched a selection of fine red and white wines for each course to further stimulate my palette and maximize the flavour of his cuisine.

The next morning I awoke early to meet up with Chef Peter for a tour of the Third Street Farmers Market. Here we waded through rows of fresh produce and paid homage to the many unique hot sauces available at Light My Fire, a family owned shop located in the market. The selection found in this tiny, glass walled enclosure is one of the finest in North America, as hot sauces from all four corners of the planet are represented. Mild to suicidal, they sell it here!

Back at the hotel, the afternoon sun was shining bright and a party on the rooftop was just getting started. The beer menu at the Chamberlain West Hollywood Hotel is without flaw, serving premium brews from around the world.

Several sips into the party and it was time for one last evening of entertainment before packing up and leaving the next day. A quick call to a friend and we were off on a chauffeured tour of several trendy new restaurants in the area. What better way could there be to end my stay in Los Angeles than with an evening ride in the backseat of a limousine. The champagne was nice and cold.

If You Go:

Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica CA 90401
Reservations: 800.670.6185
Tel: 310.260.7500
www.viceroysantamonica.com

Chamberlain West Hollywood
1000 Westmount Drive
West Hollywood , California 90069
Reservations: 800 201 9652
Tel: 310 657 7400
www.chamberlainwesthollywood.com