California hotels highlighting art, surfing, or wining and dining fuel your clients’ hobbies or passions while away. We choose three hotels that are “giggin’”—which is California slang for new and/or stylish—that cater to those interests.
Hip Digs in Hollywood
Don’t be fooled by the unassuming façade of Mama Shelter Los Angeles, because the inside of the new Hollywood hotel is a mind-boggling mix of funky furnishing and artistic flair. This hipster’s paradise is also the newest addition to a bevvy of Mama Shelters located around the world from Paris to Istanbul and the brainchild of the Trigano Family, co-founders of Club Med. The ground floor lobby features public guitars, a pool table, and a message board, as well as a bar, cafe, and a restaurant serving casual grub such as hot dogs and fried chicken; plus a chalk ceiling that proudly displays works by local artists. Each of the 70 guestrooms are equipped with a king-sized bed and a 27-inch iMac, plus a copy of Keith Richard’s book and a photo booth, which sends guests’ approved images to a photo screen in the lobby. In two months, the 6-story hotel will add an outdoor gym, a bar, a restaurant and a lounge to the sixth story rooftop. Around the Los Angeles neighborhood guests can find everything from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and independent films at the Arclight Theatre to the boutiques, bars, clubs, tattoo parlors, record shops and vegan restaurants central to the LA scene. Room rates start at $149 per night. For more information, call (323) 785-6666 visit mamashelter.com/en/los-angeles.
Surf’s Up in Laguna Beach
Summer may be over, but the folks at Laguna Beach House, a new boutique hotel in Southern California, see no reason why the season should end. The Shape, Surf and Stay package, in partnership with local surfboard shaper Donald Brink, combines aspects of a California summer—beach days, surfing and a laid-back atmosphere—with luxury accommodations. Brink guides guests on a one-on-one lesson on shaping a custom board, in addition to a lecture on surfboard design theory, and a surf session with their completed boards. In between swells, guests have their choice of minibar snacks to munch on, including bananas, dried fruit, and potato chips, as well as health bars, beer or sports drinks, and a s’mores kit to enjoy around the hotel’s fire pit. Rates start at $1,476 pp, including 2-nights in a newly remodeled Coastal View Room, plus morning coffee, evening wine and nighttime cookies and milk.
The 36-guestroom Laguna Beach House evokes the quintessential California surf culture with its coastal decor, vintage furniture and beach accents. The beach cottage is located a short distance away from the Main Beach and Downtown Laguna Beach. A recent $1.5 million renovation brought about a remodeled lobby, refurbished public spaces and an expanded pool deck. Natural light pours into the guest rooms, many of which look out over the Pacific Ocean, via plantation shutters. Aside from the beach, Laguna Beach offers a variety of dining, shopping and outdoor activities. Regular room rates start at $197 per night. For more information, call (800) 297-0007 or visit thelagunabeachhouse.com.
Wine Down in Palm Springs
Although Palm Springs is a desert city, it is also a hot spot for trendy hotels, elite golf courses and luxurious spas. The 512-guestroom Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa features two championship golf courses, a spa, and seven lighted tennis courts, plus three pools, a 60-ft. waterslide and Pinzimini, an Italian restaurant. This fall, the chic resort is introducing a 3-part wine dinner series Le Serate di Vino. Each 4-course dinner pairs signature dishes and a rotating cheese plate with a variety of wines for guests to sample at the resort’s Pinzimini restaurant. The first dinner, scheduled for Oct. 15, features Pacific Northwest wines. For the main course, Chef Joel Delmond will make savory dishes, including a crispy veal sweetbread, a cast iron seared fish, and a lemon soufflé, while giving guests insight into his dish and wine pairings. The next two dinners take place on Nov. 19 and Dec. 10 and features Conn Creek Winery and Nicolas Feuillatte wines. Each dinner starts at $85 pp. For more information, call (760) 770-2150 or (760) 328-5955 or visit westinmissionhills.com.
