Bella Hotel Bel-Air is back
After a two-year hiatus, the grand belle of Los Angeles’ lodgings, the Hotel Bel-Air, is back, and ain’t she looking grand. To say the hotel, which has hosted a procession of Hollywood royalty including Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, has had a makeover, is an understatement. The gorgeous grounds, gardens, swan lake and Spanish mission-style villas remain, but every inch of her interiors have been rebuilt, with florals and frills sent to exile, replaced by clean lines, soft hues and décor that’s a mix of deco, modernism and modernity. Welcome back.
Crisp, clean, and classic
They’ve served every power diner and drinker from Hemingway to Madonna in their iconic brand of restaurants, including the legendary, love it or hate it, Harry’s Bar in Venice, and now the Cipriani family can add hotelier to their résumé. Under the helm of fourth generation Ciprianis, Ignazio and Maggio, Mr. C is their just opened hotel, and where better to make its debut than sun-kissed Los Angeles?
The LUXElife Q&A
Show us your shoes, love
If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then the way to a woman’s is clearly via her feet, or specifically, shoes. And when it comes to shoes, there are few people who know better than Beatrix Ong, MBE, what women really want. The quiet high (heeled) achiever, who became Creative Director of Jimmy Choo at the tender age of 22, and now has her own label and a flagship store in London’s Chelsea, is loved by celebs and fash editors for her classic yet sexy, feminine with an edge footwear. We’re loving her new men’s and accessories collection too. Here, Beatrix puts her lalls up for a moment to talk travel and, what else…
Say ciao to bella Londra
Calling all belloccios e belloccias!
Fasten your seat belts, LUXE has some molto exciting news for all the Italian-speaking leggy lovelies out there. We’ve teamed up with publishers Guido Tommasi Editore to bring you 20 Italian editions of our super-svelte concertina city guides. From Parigi to Pechino, we’ve got you covered with the best restaurants, shops, bars and spas and none of the faff, all in Italiano.
Wham glam Spa on the Rocks
New year, new you, but after the excesses and shenanigans of the festive season, we could all do with a little help putting our best face forward. There’s no need to head for the scalpel just yet, a fantastic facial will get your derma firmer and add a spring to your step. Here are five spas and facialists who’ll banish baggy and saggy and have you refreshed, glowing and ready to take on 2011. Chin up!
Ethnic snoozing
Sienna Miller ain’t the only girl rocking boho in Hollywood, Los Angeles nightlife king Sam Nazarian is too. No silly, he hasn’t traded in his bodyguard suits for beaded sandals, it’s his newest hotel, The Redbury, and given his glamazon track record – restaurants Katsuya, XIV, Bazaar et al. – the celebs will be flocking in before you can say “paparazzi”.
Chin Chin Lab's nitro ice cream - just like magic
It’s hot, you’re on holiday, darling little Apple is going into meltdown, you have a headache, you need a quick fix and there’s no kiddy valium at hand. Time to turn to one of life’s simplest pleasures – ice cream, or gelato if you’re feeling Continental, guaranteed to soothe and satisfy both young and old. From good ol’ fashioned ice cream trucks serving brand new flavours to the latest laboratories and their whiz-bang liquid nitro confections, here’s our pick of five places for a deliciously cooling tongue tango.
Lust and beauty from Adriano Zumbo
It’s that time of year again – carnations and baby’s breath, silver balloons and greeting cards, hearts won and hopes dashed. There’s no avoiding Valentine’s day, unless possibly you’re in Myanmar, or North Korea, but there’s no need to make it cheesier than a Roquefort cave. Here’s a quick whip round the world for luxe ways to give and celebrate that won’t always break the bank, but are a darn good bet for bedroom Olympics. Mwaah!
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