Living like a celebrity in the City of Angels' most heavenly hotels: Inside Kim Kardashian's favourite LA lodgings and the plush star of Pretty Woman
- MailOnline Travel's Khaleda Rahman spent a week staying in some of Los Angeles's most luxurious hotels
- She started at the Hotel Bel-Air before moving on to its sister hotel, the historic Beverly Hills Hotel
- After a couple of nights at the Beverly Wilshire, she spent the weekend at Casa del Mar in Santa Monica
Oh, there's Ryan Reynolds playing with his daughter. Emma Watson walks by, chatting to a friend.
That's definitely a Victoria's Secret model having dinner with friends - and is that Jude Law grabbing breakfast?
If you want to see celebrities in their natural habitat, there's no better place than Los Angeles.
But while I didn’t care to be papped on the street or Snapchat every waking moment a la Kylie Jenner, I did want a taste of the high life.
So despite the difficulty of grabbing a cab at LAX, from the moment I checked in at the Hotel Bel Air - the first of several super-luxurious spots we stayed in - I could tell it was going to be an unforgettable trip.
Tranquil: Nestled in one of LA’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, Hotel Bel Air has 12 acres of lush, landscaped gardens
Comfort: The rooms are furnished with armchairs and ottomans and lovely Egyptian cotton sheets adorn the beds
Welcoming: The Hotel Bel Air's lavish lobby is just as comfortable and stylish as the luxurious rooms in the hotel
Nestled in one of LA’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, it’s a tranquil oasis with 12 acres of lush, landscaped gardens.
Our room was chic and comfortable - with an inviting king bed and Egyptian cotton sheets. The bathroom was a marvel of marble, with a very deep tub and rain shower.
We were welcomed with a bowl of fruit, macarons and chocolates - the perfect pick-me-up after a long flight.
The room opened out onto a private patio, a lovely spot to lap up the glorious southern California sun with complete privacy.
This hotel is where the who's who of Hollywood relax (Kim K popped in recently), so I made the La Prairie Spa my first port of call.
Over the course of 90 minutes, I was massaged, buffed and polished all over.
Perfect: Khaleda stayed in one of Hotel Bel-Air's king rooms, which had its own private patio for outdoor dining
Delicious: Khaleda and her travelling companion were welcomed with a beautifully presented bowl of fresh fruit, nuts and macarons with MailOnline etched on a sugary plaque
Tranquil oasis: Hotel Bel Air boasts landscaped gardens explored through seemingly endless winding paths
Cosy: The Bar & Lounge at Hotel Bel Air is a wonderful way to spend an evening, with a warm fireplace and live music
Detail-orientated: Every dish at Wolfgang Puck's eponymous restaurant at the Hotel Bel Air was impeccably presented, including the Japanese Hamachi Sashimi (above)
The ‘Diamond Perfection’ treatment is eye-wateringly expensive at $350, but you really get what you pay for as I left with my skin feeling softer and silkier than ever before.
In the evening we enjoyed drinks at the hotel’s Bar & Lounge – a spot frequented by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen.
Sundrenched: Khaleda is pictured enjoying the private patio at Hotel Bel Air
It wasn’t hard to see why they like it. Huddled by the warm fireplace, I admired the black-and-white photographs of stars adorning the wood-panelled walls.
The pianist added to the ambience, transporting us to Hollywood’s golden age.
For dinner, we moved on to Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant in the hotel. Every dish was impeccably presented and I left feeling fuller than I had been in a long time – with a complimentary box of cookies to go.
The following morning, we took advantage of the courtesy car to squeeze in a visit to the Getty Center.
Perched high on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains, it houses an amazing collection of art and photography, so I highly recommend a visit.
Unsure how the Hotel Bel Air could be topped, we headed over to its sister hotel.
Dubbed the Pink Palace, we recognised The Beverly Hills Hotel from its signature hue immediately.
It’s been a home away from home to some of Hollywood’s greats, including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.
Today, it’s favored by the Kardashian clan. It’s Kim’s favourite, and we spotted Kourtney and the kids when we visited.
But forget celebs, our jaws dropped as we took a look around our home for the night – the Rodeo Suite.
High-profile fans: Taylor Swift (left) and Kim Kardashian may have had one of the biggest celebrity feuds of the year, but both are fans of the Beverly Hills Hotel
Pink Palace: The Beverly Hills Hotel has been a home away from home to some of Hollywood’s greats, including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor
Spacious: Khaleda's jaw dropped as she took a look around her one-bedroom suite, which took a while
Flawless: At the Beverly Hills Hotel, Khaleda stayed in the Rodeo Suite (pictured above) where there was simply nothing to fault
Extravagant: The bathroom was a heavenly space encased in pink and black marble with opulent gold touches
Plenty of space: The extravagant bathroom has a marble-topped counter with two sinks and a large gold-framed mirror
Everything you need: The plentiful hotel amenities all bore the signature Beverly Hills Hotel logo in green and pink
Incredibly lavish throughout, it came with a spacious living room and dining area for six, plus a decorative fireplace.
She loves it! Kim Kardashian has spoken of her love for The Beverly Hills Hotel, including in this Instagram post (above)
The bathroom was a dream, encased in pink and black marble with opulent gold touches.
The tub proved too tempting so I filled it up with bubbles and channelled Marilyn as I soaked before dinner.
We took a leaf out of Ms Monroe’s book at The Polo Lounge too – and ate in the booth that was her favourite.
Unsurprisingly, it’s not the cheapest place – but the service was faultless and it’s great for people-watching.
I enjoyed my lobster main and my travelling companion Aneeqa’s wild salmon was to her satisfaction but it was the chocolate soufflé - easily the best I’ve ever tried – that won us both over completely.
For breakfast, we visited The Cabana Café, next to the hotel pool. If, like me, you need a caffeine fix even on vacation, go for the frozen coffees – they’re addictive.
We whiled away the morning by the pool, enjoying the epitome of the Beverly Hills lifestyle.
All too soon, it was time to head to another iconic neighbourhood establishment: the Beverly Wilshire (A Four Seasons Hotel), famed for its starring role in Pretty Woman.
Alas, we didn’t stay in the Presidential Suite like Julia Roberts. But to our delight, our Beverly Suite’s balcony had a view, albeit distant, of the Hollywood sign.
Heavenly: Sunbathing by the pool while sipping on delicious drinks with a picture perfect LA view of palm trees was the epitome of the luxury Beverly Hills lifestyle
Yum: Khaleda ate a light breakfast of fruit and omelettes at The Cabana Cafe, another fantastic spot located right by the pool
Beautiful: Khaleda highly recommends a visit to the Getty Center, a museum perched high on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains, which houses an amazing collection of art and also offers breathtaking views
Glamor: Khaleda took a leaf out of Marilyn’s book at The Polo Lounge (above) – and ate in a private booth that was her favourite
It’s decorated with plush furniture in purples and golds, as well as an extremely comfortable bed.
The marble bathroom had the expected deep tub and glass-enclosed shower with signature Salvatore Ferragamo amenities that screamed luxury.
Rodeo Drive is conveniently located on the hotel’s doorstep and there’s culture nearby too at the Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Arts.
Later, we tested out The Blvd – where I wasn’t too impressed by my entrée of scallops, served with an overwhelming orange gastrique.
But don’t miss the signature dessert - the Beverly Bar - a decadent chocolate cake finished with 23k gold!
Movie star: Khaleda spent a couple of nights at the Beverly Wilshire, famed for its starring role in Pretty Woman
The interior of the Beverly Wilshire is elegant sophistication taken to another level altogether. Pictured is the lobby
The Penthouse Suite at the Wilshire is beautiful - and commands incredible views
Lavish: The Beverly Wilshire's Presidential Suite (above) was featured in Pretty Woman - and more recently, on Keeping Up With The Kardshians
Right by Rodeo Drive: Khaleda didn’t stay in the Presidential Suite like Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but was more than happy with her one-bedroom Beverly Suite (above)
No complaints! Khaleda's room featured a furnished balcony which boasted a stunning view over the city, including a view of the iconic Hollywood sign
Marvelous: Marble was featured throughout the bathroom, which has a tub and a separate glass-enclosed shower
Comfort: The grey marble bathroom featured a deep soaking tub (right) as well as signature Salvatore Ferragamo amenities
Ambient: The Beverly Wilshire’s fine dining options include CUT, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s contemporary twist on the steakhouse, and The Blvd (pictured)
Beachside: The final part of Khaleda's stay was spent at Casa del Mar (pictured), which overlooks the ocean and Santa Monica Pier
Stunning: The Casa del Mar is ideally located with panoramic views overlooking the ocean from the restaurant in the lobby
No trip to LA is complete without a beach visit, so the final part of our stay was spent at Casa del Mar overlooking the ocean and Santa Monica Pier.
Our room – furnished with Cape Cod-inspired décor - featured an ornate four-poster bed (made of rich walnut and spanning 400 square feet!). The cosy bathroom was perfect for a leisurely soak thanks to the television and therapeutic hydrothermal massage tub.
After a ride on Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Wheel, we strolled down to Venice Beach, taking in the hustle and bustle of the busy boardwalk.
If you’re looking for a cute spot to eat, try The Rose - a delicious Tuscan kale salad there converted me to the ubiquitous superfood.
We also couldn’t leave LA without hitting one of the trendiest clubs in town: 1OAK.
While our faces might not be famous, our British accents helped us get to the front of the line and later, the VIP section with members of the LA Dodgers.
But if you’re looking for a quintessential American experience, watch them in action at Dodger Stadium.
Despite a complete lack of knowledge of baseball, we had a great time cheering on the team - and even witnessed a proposal (she said yes!).
Before we knew it, it was time to leave Los Angeles and make our way back to reality.
Keeping up with the Kardashians is certainly a costly task, but I highly recommend living like a celebrity - at least for a week!
Pool with a view! The Casa Del Mar's pool offered an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean, as well as Santa Monica Pier
Nautical: Rooms at the Casa Del Mar (above) are inspired by Cape Cod with subtle East Coast influences seen in the decor
Huge: Khaleda's room featured an ornate four-poster bed (made of rich walnut and spanning 400 square feet!
- Hotel Bel-Air | Luxury 5 Star Hotel in Los Angeles | Dorchester Collection
- Hotel Suites Los Angeles | Five Star Hotel Suites in Beverly Hills
- Beverly Hills Hotels | Beverly Wilshire (A Four Seasons Hotel)
- Rooms and suites at Casa Del Mar : The Leading Hotels of the World
- Universal Studios Hollywood | Official site of Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in Los Angeles California. Your guide to park hours, attractions, and theme park ticket deals.
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Quite expensive!
by SAMSUNG for 2017 6