text: Los Angeles guide: How to see the city in style | British GQ
  How to do Los Angeles in style
  Everything you need to see and do during your stay in the City of Angels
  By Zak Maoui and GQ
  A Los Angeles guide isn't an easy thing to write because it's a city in constant flux. What with all the film and TV studios in and around the city, it has to be on the bleeding edge of right now, so the food, the drink and the music all seem like the sort of thing the rest of the world will be getting into in a few months' time – providing you hit up the right spots, that is. Getting there has never been easier with Virgin Airlines, with flights starting from as little as £499. So time to get off your sofa and explore the big wide world in front of you…
  If you are heading to LA but fancy a mediterranean vibe then look no further than The Santa Monica Proper. The hotel is situated a stone throw away from the beach and natural light floods the hotel creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The light and breezy design can be seen in all 271 rooms which have been designed using natural materials to give an organic look and feel. Once you are done at the beach you are within walking distance to the local farmers market and boutique shopping, and if that doesn't tickle your fancy, then indulge by the world class pool, gym or spa. We love it here and we know you will too!
  700 Wilshire blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401. properhotel.com
  If you are looking to be transported back in time, then downtown LA is for you, and if you're headed downtown then look no further than the Ace Hotel DTLA. This hotel describes itself as a place where grit meets glamour and they couldn't be more right. This 182 room hotel has been designed yet keeping and preserving the building's original identity. Original brickwork, concrete flooring and factory-eque windows give an industrial look whilst feeling modern and chic. The rooftop boasts some of the best views of DTLA and has even been designed with a dip pool and bar that serves food and drink all day. So you can kick back, enjoy gourmet food and drink, all whilst looking out to the most cinematic views of LA. Trust us when we say, you won't want to leave.
  929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015. acehotel.com
  If you are after a boutique stay, then Hotel June Malibu is for you. Situated on the pacific coast, this hotel has been designed to feel more like a retreat than just your standard hotel. The mid century cottages ooze sophistication whilst still striking the perfect balance of being contemporary and relaxing. Every room features a walk in shower, complete with aesop skincare, a king size bed and a private patio with garden views (if you are super lucky, some even have hammocks) The hotel itself boasts a rich history and some unique stories; just make sure you ask the super friendly and helpful hotel staff. This really is a hotel that ticks all the boxes.
  28920 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265. thehoteljune.com
  If you're looking for a hotel that's got it all, then Hotel June West LA is for you. Situated next to LAX airport, it's also just 5 minutes from the beach and walking distance to local shops and restaurants. The hotel itself boasts a baja-inspired pool deck and is complete with an on-site Mexican restaurant. The mid century inspired building is echoed into the rooms where white oak beds are complimented with vintage inspired furniture to put a modern spin on a classic look. The on-site pool is more than just your average dip, tree lined and completed with a fire pit and cushioned lounge seating to bring a whole new level of relaxation. After your dip, the airy spacious rooms are perfect for unwinding after a long day all complete with a city view or an ocean view.
  8639 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90045. Thehoteljune.com
  Looking for the creme de la creme of LA luxury? Look no further than the Montage Beverly Hills which is a 5-star oasis just off Rodeo Drive. Featuring 201 rooms and 55 suites, it's a hotel which celebrates timeless Hollywood glamour in complete style.
  Take the rooftop pool, a stunning plain of vibrant yellow umbrellas and decked out cabanas, which looks out onto a one-of-a-kind view of Hollywood hills, right up to Griffith park. Their restaurant, Gilles @ Montage Beverly Hills, run by Michelin Star Chef Gilles Epié is upmarket French cuisine, with California sunshine flavours. While their rooms are elegant, while still being homely. GQ recommends the garden terrace suite, a luxuriously spacious accommodation featuring a decadent marble lined bathroom with sink in bathtub, walk in wardrobes, fireplace and sumptuously large bed. There are also two balconies to admire the lush view of the Beverly Canon Gardens, which if you're handling jet lag, makes for an opportune time to watch that golden sunrise.
  When it comes to wellness, the Spa Montage Beverly Hills reigns supreme in LA. Their impressive spa features ultra luxurious treatments, using Swiss brand, L.RAPHAEL's products - alongside state of the art facilities. Their peace within treatment, is absolute bliss, a 90 minute relaxing massage with essential oils that help to realign your chakras (again, very needed after a twelve hour flight). After take a dip in their co-ed mineral wellness pool, located in their lavish atrium, to feel the full effect of the treatments.
  225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. montagehotels.com/beverlyhills
  Situated in the indie scene of Silver Lake (The Beastie Boys set up Grand Royal Records just east in Atwater), the recently opened Silver Lake Pool & Inn is total LA cool. The sunlit spot hosts an elevated pool deck, which is a much needed, private retreat in the summer months. When it comes to rooms, GQ recommends the deluxe king ada, which is like having your own studio apartment in the city. The room is a modern take on Mad Men design with 70s vintage tiles in sunset tones, independently made mezcal in the mini bar and low-slung leather chairs. To make it even more LA, the view from the room looks out onto the Hollywood hills. Silver Lake Pool & Inn is a charming boutique retreat that makes you feel at home, in stylish surroundings.
  4141 Santa Monica Blvd, Silver Lake, CA 90029. palisociety.com/hotels/silverlake/
  If you're looking for somewhere to relax but don't want to be too far from the action of central LA, the Terranea Resort's just the job. Located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, it's a bastion of luxury, favoured by none other than queen of the high life Mariah Carey. The eco-friendly resort boasts 400 rooms, suites and bungalows, and there are multiple restaurants for you to enjoy, from Mar'sel, where everything you eat is home-grown, to Nelson's, which specialises in proper Californian comfort ford. You've also got to try Terranea's secluded clifftop spa, which uses the Pacific Ocean's oils and minerals alongside traditional spa techniques across a range of treatments.
  100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. terranea.com
  For a more central spot, The Los Angeles Athletic Club is ideally situated in bustling Downtown LA. Since its debut in 1880 (categorically ancient for LA) it's become a haven for sports stars and actors, and can boast that Charlie Chaplin once called it home. Its mahogany walls are worlds away from the modern high rises that surround it, but the 72-room hotel's still got some resolutely 21st-century conveniences – inside is one of LA's best gyms, which has been used by the likes of Rudolph Valentino and L Frank Baum.
  431 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014. laac.com
  The JW Marriot sits in one of the most stylish parts of LA. Situated directly alongside the Staples Centre in downtown's LA Live culture hub, you can guarantee that there will be something happening right outside the hotel, from Kanye West's tour to the American Music Awards (don't worry, the windows are soundproof). There are plenty of amenities here because guests can use the conjoined Ritz Carlton's facilities, but the best bit is the view that you get from the 23rd floor – it's one of the city's tallest buildings and the vista stretches from Santa Monica right the way over to Hollywood.
  West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015. marriott.co.uk
  Situated right on Santa Monica beach, Casa Del Mar is one of only two hotels that were allowed to be constructed on the beachfront (the other, Shutters On The Beach, is Del Mar's sister hotel next door). No wonder it's where Robert De Niro and Heidi Klum hole up when they're in town. The 1926 property has been completely restored to its original grandeur and its lavish lobby is one of the most Instagram-friendly spots in Los Angeles. Just a five-minute walk from Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade, this hotel has one of the best locations in the whole of Los Angeles. Opt for an ocean-view room to really get the most out of your stay.
  1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405. hotelcasadelmar.com
  Located at the secluded Terranea Resort, Mar'sel takes its name from a play on the Spanish for "sea" and the French for "salt" and offers an inventive twist on Californian cuisine, using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients from Terranea's grounds. The location is just as delicious – you'll struggle to decide if you should stare at the high beams and vaulted ceiling of the main dining room or the incredible view of the Pacific Ocean.
  100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. terranea.com/marsel
  Broken Spanish is perfectly situated just a short walk from the Staples Centre and is an excellent pregame dining experience. Drawing inspiration and flavours from Los Angeles' diverse Latin community, Chef Ray Garcia's fresh take on modern Mexican cuisine is a unique culinary experience that must be tried.
  1050 S Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015. brokenspanish.com
  Zinc Café has been serving guests since 2014 and has taken full advantage of the popular arts district just east of Downtown LA. Offering a menu based solely around vegetarian dishes, there is something for everyone, but we recommend the cauliflower pizza and zinc fries. The open kitchen, airy marketplace and peaceful courtyard are a welcome retreat from the hustle of LA.
  580 Mateo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. zinccafe.com
  Poké has only just reached London, but it is still relatively unheard of elsewhere in the UK. If you didn't already know, it's a mixture of salads with rice and raw fish and a special poké sauce that originates from Hawaii. The Poké Shack on Venice Beach is the best place to try it in the city.
  79 Windward Avenue, Venice, CA 90291. thepokeshack.com
  Fancy some unspoilt rooftop views of Downtown Los Angeles, Century City and Hollywood? Then head to the Ace Hotel - you can expect some of the best views (and cocktails) that the city has to offer, day and night.
  929 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015.acehotel.com
  With a balcony that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Pier, Shutters On The Beach has one of the best lounges in Los Angeles. Occupying a tranquil spot practically on the beach, enjoy a drink or two as you listen to the hotel's live music in a serene atmosphere.
  1 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90405. shuttersonthebeach.com
  Catalina Island is a picture-perfect paradise just 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. From the city of Avalon to Two Harbours, there is plenty to see and do, including a trek up the mountain where buffalo roam freely and you get a view of LA from 1,500 feet above sea level.
  California's answer to Ascot is the Breeders Cup, which changes location annually. The two-day extravaganza attracts the best in horse racing (as well as a host of celebrities including Emily Ratajkowski and Taylor Lautner) and stands as the unofficial end to the sport's calendar.
  A trip to LA wouldn't be complete without experiencing the Los Angeles Kings (the city's resident ice hockey team) play at home. The Staples Center is also the home of the LA Lakers and the LA Clippers, so if Basketball's more your thing you can nip across and catch a game. The atmosphere is unrivalled and the Kings are currently at their best, having just celebrated 50 years in Los Angeles.
  1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015. staplescenter.com
  LA Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
  If American Football's more your cup of tea then a trip to the Coliseum is a must. After a 22-year absence, the Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016 (they moved to St Louis in 1995) and the Coliseum is their temporary home until they move into a brand-new Inglewood-based stadium in 2019. If you've never been to an American football game then be warned – it is nothing like English football and games can last up to four hours.
  3911 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90037. lacoliseum.com
  There are some superb walks (or "hikes", as our American friends prefer to say) in the area and some diverse terrain to explore. But the best way to fit as much into one trip is the West Griffith Observatory Trail, which ascends to vast views of LA, the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory.
  4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. laparks.org
  Grand Central Market is a sprawling mecca that showcases the diverse food scene in the city. Based in Downtown LA, it is handily situated right across the street from the Museum Of Contemporary Arts and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, so you can get a quick breakfast in before a day of exploring. We recommend a trip to Eggslut, which is one of the world's first egg-based eateries. If that doesn't take your fancy, there's plenty more, from Ramen Hood to G&B Coffee.
  Homer Laughlin Building, 317 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013. grandcentralmarket.com
  Norwegian Airlines is the cheapest, running a service from Gatwick to LAX, while British Airways offers two direct flights a day from Heathrow, and if money's not an issue you can rent one of Stratajet's private jets for £56,000 each way.