Los Angeles’ unrelenting traffic might just be as notorious as its celebrity residents. But on the iconic Sunset Strip in the beating heart of Hollywood, stepping out of the limelight and into nature is a lot easier than you might think.
1 Hotel West Hollywood doesn’t take for granted its pedestrian-friendly location on Sunset, nor its proximity to the Hills’ scenic hiking trails. Set across two buildings, the first 1 Hotel outpost on the West Coast boasts a series of courtyards called The Canyon—a symbolic extension of the hallowed nature paths—which sets the scene for those arriving at the property. The landscaping by Rios Clementi Hale Studios is exquisite and non-obtrusive: A wide granite pathway is lined with salvaged-timber planters (a collaborative project with Angel City Lumber), the guest drop-off area is anchored by a planter of eucalyptus trunks supporting three ancient olive trees, and in between, there’s a smattering of ceramic pots filled with endemic flora, mini grassland meadows, and raw logs in place of park benches. Artist Janet Echelman’s eight-story rope art called “The Dream Catcher” is suspended overhead.
Sage scrub and chaparral-inspired plants, as well as rustic natural materials, flood down from the hills and into the courtyards, lobbies, and porte cochère, creating a mosaic of textures, views, and scents. All outdoor vegetation and lounging areas were designed as vignettes viewable from the inside, ensuring that the hotel’s common areas constantly relay the clean-living advantages of interacting with nature to guests.
The hotel’s interiors, conceived by New York studio AvroKO (and executed by SH Hotels & Resorts’ interior design team) juxtaposes these biophilic elements with sleek industrial notes, muted color tones, and weathered surfaces. The airy lobby is framed by concrete columns and floors, as well as black steel and copper accouterments; flax linen and canvas upholstered furnishing counteract the chill of manmade materials. Custom pieces in the lobby, including seating by L.A. designer J Alexander and the reception desk made from naturally fallen timber, were both crafted locally. The Juniper Tree lounge also incorporates reclaimed wood into its wall panels, ceiling beams, and flooring, whereas farm-to-table restaurant 1 Kitchen uses white oak and cedar ceiling, hand-painted tiles, and Venetian plaster walls for a greater touch of refinement.
1 Hotel West Hollywood’s 285 spacious rooms and suites—including twin penthouses—were also deftly designed with balance and restraint. The use of raw and reused materials is matched with light and dark finishes, while reclaimed wood is used for headboards and under-sink cupboards. Complementing the urban forest theme are bursts of green, earthen plaster, and clay accents, which are softened by fiber carpets, puddled linen window treatments, and organic cotton bedding. With floor-to-ceiling windows, all rooms offer up incredible views. The most extraordinary view, however, is found on the rooftop. Surrounded by plush cabanas and loungers that face out toward the L.A. skyline, the chic pool area is a divine perch for savoring epic panoramas all day long—from sunrise to sunset.
Top Takeaways
Location: West Hollywood, Los Angeles
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: Sophisticated and earthy—an urban oasis that’s true to Southern California
Food + Drink: There are three bars and two restaurants on-site. Head to 1 Kitchen for upscale farm-to-table fare and market-driven cocktails made with fresh juices, Harriet’s on the rooftop for happy hour and views, and Juniper Lounge off the lobby for a working lunch (or martini).
Our favorite thing about the hotel: There’s no better place to chill on a sunny day than by the rooftop pool. When you want to go off-property, sign up to use the hotel’s all-electric Audi e-tron house car, which is available on a complimentary basis.
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool; Spa; Fitness center; Room service; Restaurant; Bar
What’s Nearby? The Hollywood Museum; Guinness Museum; Los Angeles County Museum Of Art; Greystone Mansion; Fuller Park
Any neighborhood recs? Take advantage of the neighborhood’s walkability: Go on a morning trek up Runyon Canyon, hit up the LGBTQ+ bars on Santa Monica Boulevard, enjoy weekend brunch at Laurel Hardware, and dip into Night + Market for an incredible Thai dinner.
Rooms: All 285 rooms and suites are cocoon-like sanctuaries, but opt for the Skyline category for views of both the cityscape and Janet Echelman’s “Dream Catcher” installation in the courtyard.
Price: Rooms start at $479/night
Closest Airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
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