LA is a city of dichotomies. You have juice joints and cocktail bars. Fast-paced highways and breezy boardwalks. Free-spirited hippies and glamorous glitterati. And since most of us aren’t one-size-fits-all, especially when it comes to traveling, a trip to LA means you can tap into the different sides of your psyche, give both your angel and devil a chance to play.
For a naughty and nice stay, the W Los Angeles – West Beverly Hills more than fits the bill. By day, it’s an ivy-accentuated stiff of a building that blends in with the residential vibe of Westwood Village, a neighborhood between stuffy Bel-Air and the sandy beaches of Santa Monica that saddles up to UCLA’s campus (the Hammer Museum, Whole Foods and a smattering of shops and restaurants are all within walking distance).
By night, the unassuming entrance gets a neon makeover as a kaleidoscope of pinks, greens, blues and oranges enliven the lobby, with light-up steps leading the way (yes, that’s actually water flowing down the backside). Once inside, the symmetry of the exterior melts into wave-like walls, dangling lights and sprawling sectionals, with jet setters coming and going. There’s even a selfie booth in the lobby to document your debauchery…. or divinity.