Jet Style: July 2007

MR & MRS SMITH, THE EXPERT ON STYLISH SOJOURNS, GUIDES YOU THROUGH OUR NEW DESTINATION, THE CITY OF ANGELS

LOS ANGELES is a glittering metropolis of silverscreen dreams, where AAA-list stars schmooze alongside movie moguls and local Angeleons – under a glamorously golden Californian sun.  The sheer scale of this sprawling city can be overwhelming, but dip into the legendary Hollywood, Bel-Air and Malibu neighbourhoods and you'll discover those flashes of movie magic unique to Tinseltown.  Whether you're strutting the boardwalk or riding the azure waves of Venice Beach, rummaging the boutiques of Santa Monica, or rubbing shoulders with the gossip-column heroes and villains in the heart of Beverly Hills, LA is a place where you can write your own storyline...

WHERE TO STAY

For a slice of secluded seaside cool, Viceroy Santa Monica on Ocean Avenue blends elegant Chesterfields and French dining furniture with fresh-as-a-daisy decor; doubles from $209–$660, suites from $499–$730.  For a vintage fix, head east to Beverly Hills boutique hotel – and former Marilyn Monroe hangout – Avalon Hotel.  It has an hourglass shaped pool and retro-fabulous '50s furniture; rooms from $259–$559.  For a petite pied a terre with French flair, Maison 140 is pure East meets West Coast: bold Oriental prints shake up vintage French and deco furniture; rooms from $189–$349.  For a glossy, star-studded stay steps from Santa Monica Boulevard, The Crescent's honeyed stucco facade conceals minimal chic interiors, plus a restaurant that draws in the Mena Suvari/Liz Hurley/Courtney Cox crowd; doubles from $195–$285.  Meanwhile for the ultimate high-rise Californian experience, The Standard Downtown LA boasts one of the coolest bars in LA, baths big enough for basketball players and a heated rooftop pool; rooms from $155–$395.  For more information or to book any of these sexy stopovers, go to www.mrandmrssmith.com

TINSLETOWN TICK BOXES

Cruise the views... Don't go home until you've breathed in the exhilarating views across the city from Mulholland Drive, the 50-mile road that winds its way from Hollywood all the way to the Malibu coast.

Go on a star safari... Head to Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame – where more than 2,000 industry greats from Orson Welles to Lassie are memorialised with marble stars on the pavement.  Or to really see the stars, tour the homes (or at least the security gates) of the Hollywood elite with the help of a handy star map.

Stroll along the shore... To witness LA at its weird and wonderful best, venture to Venice Beach.  The boardwalk is a playground for body-builders, rollerbladers and Baywatch beauties.  Saunter along the Ocean Front Walk and the Promenade to the fairground on Santa Monica Pier – you won't regret it.

EATING, DRINKING & DANCING

CAFES...

The Diner

tel: +1 323 650 9090

Pick up anything from huevos rancheros and Bloody Marys to sushi and steaks at this all-night retro-sassy diner on Sunset Boulevard.

The Fountain Coffee Room

tel: +1 310 276 2251

With a 1940s feel straight from the golden age of film, order a decaf skinny latte at this Sunset Strip cafe at the Beverly Hills Hotel between 7am–7pm.

Portos Bakery

tel: +1 818 956 5996

Nibble pastries and pinatas from this long-established bakery on North Brand Boulevard in Glendale.

RESTAURANTS...

The Ivy

tel: +1 210 274 8303

Spy on the stars at this North Robertson Boulevard celeb haunt.  An alfresco table is a must.

Lucques

tel: +1 323 655 6277

For some serious French Californian cuisine, head to this West Hollywood favourite on Melrose Avenue.

The Lobster

tel: +1 310 458 9294

For fabulous views across the beach and Santa Monica Pier, with food to match, book a table at this Ocean Avenue venue.

BARS/CLUBS...

Skybar

tel: +1 323 650 8999

Sip a bellini at the open-air bar of the Mondrian hotel, Sunset Boulevard – one of LA's pose-and-be-nosy finest.

Formosa Cafe

tel: +1 323 850 9050

This Chinese-themed club and restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard is as legendary as the former regulars Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Humphrey Bogart.

El Carmen

tel: +1 323 852 1552

For pre- and post-dinner margaritas, head to this hip little joint on West Third Street.

For more information on LA and what to get up to while you're there, and to book any of the hotels featured, visit Mr & Mrs Smith's online hotel guide at www.mrandmrssmith.com or call +44 (0)20 7590 0700