Stars celebrate launch of newly transformed Sofitel Los Angeles

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars - including Cindy Crawford, Kevin Spacey, Alicia Silverstone, Vin Diesel and a host of TV celebrities from shows including The OC, West Wing and Baywatch, as well as musicians including members of ‘N Sync and Guns & Roses - came out to play for the red-carpet launch of the newly transformed Sofitel LA recently.

The hotel is just finalising the last components of a US$45m make-over and the first stage of its renovation programme was the launch of the new Stone Rose Bar, under the direction of nightclub entrepreneur Rande Gerber and the new Simon LA restaurant under “rock star chef” Kerry Simon.

The hip crowd of LA’s young and influential stars saw the Sofitel featured on both Entertainment Tonight and E!, with the phones running hot as a result.

All rooms and most public areas have now been completely refurbished, with the pool area, gym and exclusive Sofitel Le Spa set to be finished in coming weeks.

The menu at the Simon LA restaurant has been created by chef Kerry Simon, dubbed the “rock n roll chef” by Rolling Stone magazine. Simon LA offers contemporary American cuisine, with a large outside terrace. This new location should rapidly become a favourite for the inhabitants of the nearby famous neighbourhoods of Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Pacific Palissades. Kerry Simon also oversees a creative room service if guests get peckish during the day or night. To complete the offering, he has created an original children’s menu as well as a special menu, lighter but no less delicious and designed for those wanting to keep a star figure.

Sofitel Los Angeles will without any doubt be a fixed item on the circuit of talked-about venues with the opening of Rande Gerber’s new bar & lounge, Stone Rose, whose name is a tribute to the group of the same name and to the rock music of the 1980s which has made a comeback as one the biggest trends of the moment. Famous throughout America for having created a new concept in exclusive bars with a chic and trendy atmosphere, the new emperor of the night brings with him his effective trademark: contemporary décor, original cocktails, unique ambiance and a “famous and beautiful” clientele.

Situated on the corner of the La Cienaga and Beverly boulevards, the Sofitel enjoys a privileged location in the heart of the Californian metropolis, close to the famous Beverly Centre, the luxury boutiques of Rodeo Drive and Melrose Avenue as well as the fashionable places of Sunset Boulevard.

The American architects Cheryl Rowley and Yabu Pushelberg have worked together to make Sofitel Los Angeles a resolutely contemporary hotel, with the influence of French art de vivre and the typical avant-garde energy of Hollywood. The hotel has been completely redecorated, from the lobby (open on two levels), to the rooms and bathrooms, to bring guests back to the time of the great studios and legendary stars.

The result is a timeless mixture which could be called Californian Art Deco, playing on nostalgia for the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, the era of glamour, magnificent décor, stars’ grand houses and in particular the masterpieces of the great architect Frank Lloyd Wright on the hills of Los Angeles and the Palm Springs desert.

Many of the 295 rooms enjoy a direct view of the famous HOLLYWOOD letters on Mount Lee. All are equipped with the latest technology including flat screen televisions, MP3 connections and high-speed Internet. The bathrooms feature rain showers and the ingenious Switchlite Glass system that allows the glass walls to be made opaque or translucent to allow the sunlight in. At the press of a button, guests can choose between intimacy or a view of the Hollywood hills through the windows. In addition, the suites feature flat screen televisions in the bathrooms and Bose hi-fi systems. All rooms are equipped with MyBed, the new Sofitel bed system, combining exceptional bed linen with a mattress cover and a duvet.

For tired and stressed guests, a well-being area of more than 450 m2, LeSpa at Sofitel, will offer, from September, relaxing massages and beauty treatments. The cosmetic products and essential oils used are from the famous cosmetics brands Décléor and Carita. Eight private cabins will allow optimal relaxation and intimacy. The decoration of the Spa draws its inspiration from typical Californian elements while at the same time playing on water and the famous light which attracted filmmakers in the 1920s.

The fitness centre, So Fit, nearly 250 m2 in size, will supplement the Spa. Illuminated by sunlight, the Sofitel Los Angeles Fitness Centre offers a complete range of equipment, the benchmark gymnasium amongst hotels in Los Angeles, with 14 cardio training machines and 20 body-building units. A team of coaches will be there to advise guests, whatever their level, desire or physical condition. Nancy Kennedy, who has over 15 years’ experience as a coach, and her husband Bobby Strom, former New York police officer and professional bodybuilder, have formed a team of personal trainers at Softel Los Angeles. The couple are famous for having conducted the fitness coaching of celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

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