Where?
On a quiet street in Whitley Heights just off the main bustle of Hollywood Boulevard. We’d give the strip a miss and use The Prospect as a private bolthole with easy access to the Hills. A morning hike at Griffith Park is a must.
Style
Decadence is the vibe at this delightful homage to old school Hollywood glamour. Described as ‘sophisticated sensibility’, Martyn Lawrence Bullard has designed the space to feel like you are stepping into the luxurious home of one of Tinseltown’s finest stars. After all, Rudolph Valentino, Jean Harlow and James Dean once lived in the neighbourhood of this elegant 1939 Regency-style building.
The check in area doubles as a dazzling spot to pop in for a breakfast croissant or evening drink. Think gold palm trees, monochrome tiles and emerald green walls and furnishings.
Guestrooms are made to feel sumptuous. Using custom and vintage furnishings, the king beds are draped in Bullard’s favourite Revival New York bed linens. There are Diptyque bath amenities and many of the rooms have clawfoot tubs. Cleverly disguised behind the wall are the secret (not so) mini bars kitted out with an impressive drinks selection.
The rooms are nestled around a courtyard garden designed by LA based Terremoto. It feels lush and rich with custom pavers, cosy fireplaces and ancient-style fountains.
Which room?
Each of the rooms is named after a Hollywood star. We stayed in the Anna May Wong junior suite with its very own terrace. The glittering hideaway has a four-poster bed, wonderfully flamboyant oriental style wallpaper, pretty pink curtains and deep velvet home accessories.
Extracurricular
Super close by is Musso & Frank Grill; Hollywood’s oldest restaurant where the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Raymond Chandler would convene. Tarantino also chose it as a filming location for Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. It’s great for a late night burger and cocktail. Gwen is the place to head for a steak and Republique is a go to brunch option.
For the quintessential La La Land experience you will also need to factor in a trip to Beverly Hills which is just a short drive away (in LA terms). Make a reservation at The Maybourne’s terrace. It’s the perfect base for people watching over a long and delicious lunch. From Moon Bay shellfish to free-range Jidori chicken, the menu is an elegant take on California cuisine with an excellent wine list to accompany it. As the fountain cascades in the background and you look up at the blue skies you’ll feel every inch the Hollywood star. The knowledgeable servers will make you feel very at home too.
Food & Drink
The lobby lounge serves complimentary fresh baked goods and coffee for breakfast. The friendly team will also shake up a cocktail at any moment. We’d recommend enjoying it in the courtyard as the sun goes down.
Best for…
A cosy and charismatic Hollywood hideaway.
Details
Rooms from £180 per night; 1850 N Cherokee Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028; + 310 299 5222; theprospecthollywood.com.
