VIBE

Celeb designer Philippe Starck was drafted to make this a scene-grabbing property, and he certainly has with eye-catching custom features (tea-cup chairs anyone?) and hipster-beloved spaces like the swish lobby and hot pool deck. Trendy celebs and their followers glide in and out continually (we took the elevator with part of the Barcelona soccer team when we were there), though those who don’t dig the avant-garde design tend to grouch about sloppy execution of service and poor attention to detail.

GO HERE WITH

Girlfriends – for a weekend of hipstering and shopping

WHY WE LIKE IT

The design is one of a kind–definitely worth trying at least once–and the scene is killer. Great spot for an ultra-glam party getaway.

AMENITY WE LOVE

Shopping chauffeur – perfect for hitting up Rodeo Drive without the hassle of parking.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

As one of our readers put it, while “it's the small details the SLS staff has yet to master.” We were actually given an un-made-up (!!) room on arrival, but the (quite embarrassed) property quickly showed us to another room and compensated by showering us with wine, breakfast, and the like.

GOOD TO KNOW

Shopping at Rodeo Drive and the Beverly Center is really close by. Guests here have preferential treatment at other SBE spots (Hyde Lounge, S Bar, and Foxtail), but are NOT guaranteed entry (i.e., it will increase your chances of getting in, but they aren’t promising anything). SLS is part of the Luxury Collection, which is part of the Starwood Hotels family.

CLOSEST COMPS

St. Martin's Lane (London)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to Los Angeles