F1RST On the Road: West Hollywood
With its thriving dining scene, ample rooftop bars, and lots of entertainment options, West Hollywood is a must-visit when you’re in LA—and here, our F1S experts share a few of their favorite places to stay, eat, and see in this ‘city within a city’.
With a team based in LA, the city is home to us. And one of the things we love about being here is that, with so many neighborhoods, there’s always something going on—new properties opening, favorite restaurants to revisit, and an endless list of great events, shows, and after-parties. That’s why we make it a point to regularly explore our own backyard.
Recently, we gathered a group of F1S advisors and team members to check out the latest and greatest West Hollywood has to offer. The just-under two-square-mile city encompasses the Sunset Strip, Santa Monica Boulevard, and the Design District. WeHo, as it’s commonly known, glitters in every season, and does so especially during Pride month in June.
“Whether your interest is music, fashion, design, or entertainment, there is a little something for everyone in this little city within the City of Angels,” says Asan Askin, F1S’s Director of West Coast and Entertainment Sales. “With its unique key shape, West Hollywood sits smack dab in the middle of Los Angeles and, despite its small square footage, unlocks and packs a hefty cultural punch. It is the place to be and to be seen… and often to spot a celebrity or two (yes, reality stars count!).
Read on for some of our favorite recommendations:
A standard king room with views of the Hollywood Hills at the West Hollywood EDITION
Where to Stay
West Hollywood EDITION
The West Hollywood EDITION—which sits right on Sunset Boulevard and close to all the WeHo action—has a chic and modern vibe that’s felt throughout the property, but most definitely at the rooftop pool, which is exclusively for hotel guests and is the ideal place to lounge and take in the unrivaled skyline views. “The rooms were spacious and mine had a nice balcony,” says F1S advisor Leah Winck of the hotel’s 190 rooms and suites, which includes two penthouses. And the service is top-notch, too: “The front desk staff called me by my name every time I came downstairs, which was so lovely,” says F1S advisor Thelma Abhyankar. But that wasn’t all: This dog-friendly property also knew Thelma’s dog, Archie, by name, too.
1 Hotel West Hollywood
Known for their eco-minded ethos, the 1 Hotel brand remains true to its roots at their West Hollywood location. “I really liked this property and their true conscious effort to make sustainability encompass the guests’ entire experience,” says Leah. That includes organic cotton linens and design elements made with reclaimed lumber, a Bee Hotel and organic garden on the property, and even an electric Audi e-tron for guest use. If you like a lively lobby, this one’s for you: At the Lobby Farmstand, you can grab fresh fruit and then stay to send some emails—our advisors saw a number of people working remotely. “With its attention to sustainability and being conscious of the environment, it’s a hotel that other hotels should look to for inspiration,” says Thelma.
Pendry West Hollywood
Located in the former House of Blues space on Sunset Boulevard, this 149-room hotel, which just opened in 2021, has a super stylish look and feel. (The colors! The patterns! The retro-cool chairs by the pool!) “From the entrance with the Swarovski tree, Moët & Chandon vending machine, cool art, bar, screening theater, views, pool, outdoor dining on the pool level, it was all really great,” says Leah. On the wellness end, along with facials, peels, and massages, you can also opt for a vitamin injection or IV therapy, thanks to the hotel’s partnership with California-based Hydration Room. And not to be missed: The high-end dining, with two restaurants helmed by Wolfgang Puck. In particular, don’t skip the cheesecake at Ospero, which Thelma calls “out of this world.”
F1S team on the terrace of 1 Hotel West Hollywood’s Canyon House suite.
The rooftop pool at Pendry West Hollywood.
F1S team on the terrace of 1 Hotel West Hollywood’s Canyon House suite.
The rooftop pool at Pendry West Hollywood.
Where to Eat and Drink
Tesse
Just steps from 1 Hotel, this French restaurant offers an extensive wine list—in fact, it’s adjoined by the wine shop Boutellier and the menu was, as they describe, “designed with wine in mind.” Along with a variety of small plates, there are options like bucatini with bone marrow, opal valley lamb chuletillas, and super fresh-tasting fish, including the octopus and hamachi—two of Wonnie Baik, F1S’s VP of Sales and Partnerships, favorite picks. And don’t skip your veggies: “The vegetable options at Tesse were incredible—delicious cauliflower dishes,” says Thelma.
Employees Only
Appearing on the “World’s 50 Best Bars,” list, this spot offers inventive cocktails, along with wine, beer, and even a short list of mocktails, if you prefer that route—as well as a full dinner menu, including pasta, fish, and more. Happy hour runs from 6 to 7 pm every day, with a special list of aperitifs. Keep in mind: You have to be over 21 to visit and the dress code calls for fashionable wear.
L.P. Rooftop
For a drink with a view, head to the L.P. Rooftop, which offers fun cocktails like the white wine-based California Love or Bad Medicine, made with tequila—either by the glass or pitcher. Stay for a burger, sandwich, or tacos, or head downstairs to E.P. restaurant, for a full dinner menu. Just note that you can’t make reservations for the rooftop.
Ardor
With a laid-back lux vibe and great ambiance, this restaurant, in the West Hollywood EDITION, is surrounded by greenery and offers an innovative take on California food, with a spotlight on vegetable-forward dishes. Opt for breakfast—with options like fresh juices (the beet-ginger juice is a must!) and avocado toast—or visit for dinner.
Merois
For more rooftop fun, head to this Wolfgang Puck-helmed restaurant at Pendry, which offers both lunch and dinner. Expect a raw bar, sashimi, and entrees like Keluga Caviar, Peking duck, and wok-seared broccolini. “This is one of the newest hot spots in town,” says Wonnie. “I loved the fun and vibrant vibe—and the views were just incredible.”
Soulmate
For brunch on the weekend, check out this stylish and colorful spot right off Melrose (think: huevos rotos, chorizo hash, vegetable tortilla espanola) or visit for dinner, which features chef Rudy Lopez’ take on Spanish Mediterranean cuisine with a California twist. Want a different option? Go for the family-style tasting menu.
Avocado toast and seasonal fruit plate from Ardor.
Avocado toast and seasonal fruit plate from Ardor.
F1S team dinner at Merois, located on the rooftop of Pendry.
The patio bar at Soulmate.
F1S team dinner at Merois, located on the rooftop of Pendry.
The patio bar at Soulmate.
What to Do
Visit the shops. If you want to get your shopping fix, there are plenty of designer stores and boutiques to check out in the area, including Fred Segal and OTD, a new concept from designer John Varvatos, two of our favorites, as well as other shops from trending brands and designers like Acne Studios, Bape, Ganni, and more.
Celebrate Pride. This year’s Pride weekend was from June 3-5—and included the parade down Santa Monica Boulevard—but there are some events, like the WeHo Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival that run until the end of the month. While there, be sure to check out two new LGBTQ+ hotspots, the restaurant Stache and the nightclub Heart WeHo.
Try a new workout. You’ve got yoga and pilates down, so now opt for a workout that works, well, your face. FaceGym, which has an outpost in 1 Hotel West Hollywood, is “where trainers perform a range of workouts and employ the latest cutting-edge technology and high-performance skincare products, to lift, sculpt, tone, and tighten facial muscles,” they say. And it did just that: “I had no idea what to expect, but was so pleasantly surprised,” says Thelma. “My jawline was noticeably tight after my session, and I’ll be taking my sister for her birthday!”
See a show. What would a trip to LA be without some entertainment? Head to The Comedy Store to see some stand-up or other iconic venues like The Viper Room or Whisky A Go-Go (the birthplace of go-go dancing!) to catch some live music or The Abbey—dubbed the “best gay bar in the world” for special DJ and other events, like Latin Night—to see what’s on.
Get outside. If the weather is what drew you to the West Coast, be sure to make the most of it with some outdoor fun, whether it’s a hike in Runyon Canyon or a bicycle tour around Beverly Hills or Hollywood. The best part: We can arrange VIP and guided experiences like this for you directly!
Ready for a visit to West Hollywood? Connect with an F1S advisor who can help book your stay—and all the must-dos on your list!
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