Contributor/ Saffron Powell
Best Known For
The moment I saw the website for Petit Ermitage – a slightly eccentric boutique hotel in West Hollywood, I fell in love. The reality didn’t disappoint with its charming private rooftop pool, fire pit, lanterns and flickering candles. There’s an outdoor restaurant which doubles as a butterfly and hummingbird sanctuary, what other hotel has that?
The Good Stuff
On walking past you could almost miss it, it’s discreetly hidden away on a quiet residential street. Although the hotel has 80 rooms you’d never know, it feels so small and intimate. With sweeping views of the Hollywood hills, lounging on a day bed with my husband with a cocktail in hand was a perfect and gentle introduction to the LA lifestyle. Our favourite drink by far was the mouth-tingling Buzz Button, which involved chewing on a Szechuan flower bud before sipping.
The Vibe
Service is effortlessly wonderful in this bohemian hotel, the beautiful hospitality tray in our room contained ingredients for making a martini and even an intimacy love kit, although we didn’t get involved with either. The gorgeous CO Bigelow products more than made up for the basic bathroom facilities. Whilst each suite is unique, all have Venetian plaster walls in warm earthy tones and eclectic artwork.
Inside the hotel – 9/10
Great design, well apportioned rooms, excellent hangouts and good bathroom amenities.
Outside the hotel – 8/10
Located in a good neighbourhood with nightlife easily available, great cultural hotspots and relatively simple to get around. Even the neighbourhood is chilled, in just a ten-minute walk you can be munching on a short rib slider in the iconic Mel’s Diner melsdrivein.com/hoursandlocations/westhollywood.htm on Sunset Boulevard, or having an amazing breakfast at Urth Cafe urthcaffe.com on Melrose Avenue. Every Monday they screen films on the Firedeck, you can snuggle up and watch a film under the stars. Although a tourist in LA is never going to find the time to do this, we didn’t. Our only regret at staying here was not being able to spend enough time discovering all it had to offer.
Book a room petitermitage.com
Images courtesy of Petit Ermitage
For more LA dining recommendations, visit my blog welovefood-itsallweeat.com/california
