Rediscovering LA: A Luxury Travel Guide to Beverly Hills & Beyond

Last November, before the terrifying wildfires swept across the West Coast, I embarked on a jam-packed LA content trip for Beautiful Inside by Beauticate, our video podcast. Feeling very Tinseltown, I take a little crew with me—my mum, Maxine, who is a producer (she’s an Executive Producer at Warner Bros in her day job), and my friend Matt, our cameraman. Despite our schedule being relentless, we still manage to squeeze in some incredible eats and a stay in one of Hollywood’s most iconic hotels: The Maybourne in Beverly Hills.

As LA gets back on its feet after the inferno of destruction, now is the perfect time to show the city some love. Here’s where to stay and play in the City of Angels. You can also check out Discover LA for more ideas.

Trust Me: Just Stay at The Maybourne

After a few days in an Airbnb, we elevate our stay with a check-in at The Maybourne, the LA outpost of the legendary hotel group behind Claridge’s, The Berkeley, and The Connaught. Housed in what was once the iconic Montage, just minutes from Rodeo Drive, our terrace room exudes refined elegance with a distinctly Californian twist. Think cool cream fixtures, buttery leather details, mid-century modern furnishings, and striking local artwork—a perfect backdrop for soaking up LA rays and snapping an Insta-worthy moment.

Stepping into the lobby feels like entering an art gallery. The bright, contemporary space showcases a Beryl Cook painting by the elevators, a Damien Hirst butterfly piece, and even a spiral painting emblazoned with “California.” Every detail, from the effortlessly cool reception team to the impeccably managed waitstaff, reaffirms the top-tier hospitality you expect from The Maybourne. It’s the thoughtful touches that stay with you—like the chilled bottles of water left in our car by valet or the warm invitation to their café while we wait for our room.

No luxury escape is complete without a little beauty indulgence. The Maybourne Spa (a near 2,000 sqm haven of pampering pleasure) is part luxe modern-day spa, part Moroccan hammam. After a full-on day of interviews and navigating LA traffic, I gratefully don my robe and surrender to the most amazing massage I’ve had in quite a while. Not ready to face the real world, I spend the next hour floating my way (literally) through the enormous mineral “wellness” pool, Turkish steam room, and sauna. I’m told this is where many local thespians (and their harried publicists) come when they need a pre-red carpet glow—apparently their signature Dr. Sturm facial is IT, babe.

After discovering days earlier that my beloved Dyson Airwrap doesn’t work in the US (thanks to voltage incompatibility), I am overjoyed when I spot one in the spa changing rooms. The next morning, before my interview, I head down to the spa and style my hair with it. The lovely receptionist tells me that next time, I can just request one from housekeeping (NB: they already have Dyson hairdryers in the hotel rooms!). In true Hollywood fashion, I head to breakfast in pin curls, and naturally, no one blinks.

Breakfast at The Terrace restaurant is perfection. Overlooking the manicured Beverly Canon Gardens, I devour a ridiculously good Huevos Rancheros and toast paired with fresh fruit, basking in the gentle winter sunlight.

Unfortunately, the weather isn’t playing ball when we wrap our interviews, so we miss out on some sun-lounger folly by the famous pool, but it is every bit as impressive as the photos suggest. As is Dante, the hotel’s restaurant—though Mum and I sadly don’t get to experience it, Matt claims they are the best oysters he’s ever had, and though he can’t remember his exact cocktails (because, well, cocktails), he insists they are, in his exact words, “flawless.” As is the Polish model he meets at the bar and the bartender (slash actor slash writer) he befriends. Hey, only in LA.

The Restaurants I Rate…

Our LA journey isn’t just about hotel luxe—there’s plenty of on-the-ground excitement too. Dining out is an adventure in itself.

We kick off our gastronomic exploration at Cafe Mauro, a rustic gem with stunning outdoor seating, where the terrace lined with olive trees makes it feel like stepping into a chic Italian postcard. Perfect for people-watching from behind oversized sunglasses.

Later, we meet my actor friend Michael at Laurel Hardware, which boasts an epic fairy-lit courtyard. The food is fantastic, the drinks even better. Between bites, an old friend from Sydney, Adam, just happens to wander by and joins our table for an impromptu aperitif.

The next night, we head to the Hollywood Improv, where the comedy is so side-splitting that my face physically hurts.

I also squeeze in a fabulous girls’ lunch with Jess Sepel, Chloe Fisher, and Michelle Battersby at Angelini in the Palisades—which, thankfully, was spared in the fires.

The Outlets Are Worth the Drive

Who doesn’t love a bargain? Mum used to live in LA, and every time I visit, I try to make the pilgrimage to Camarillo Outlets. I still wear the Burberry gumboots I bought there 20 years ago! Even though the Aussie dollar is painfully low right now, I still manage to snag some decent discounts at Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein—mostly for my labels-obsessed son, Max.

We spot Jay Shetty, arms full of shopping bags, dashing through the carpark. Proof that even monks need a little retail therapy.

When in Doubt: Erewhon

Of course, no write-up on LA is complete without a devotional to the Ubermarket-slash-celebrity-hangout that is Erewhon. Naturally, it’s the first place I go when I land and the last stop before I leave, for one final frantic health goods haul.

For the uninitiated, imagine a supermarket on steroids. Beyond the famed collab smoothies (Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and even biohacker Gary Brecka have all gotten involved), the aisles are a treasure trove of wellness delights. From libido-boosting mushroom chocolate to a dizzying array of CBD-spiked sodas, I am that kid in the candy store.

Luckily, it’s lunchtime, and coming straight from my interview with nutritionist, actress, and podcaster Lola Berry, I have her Erewhon-approved meal plan in hand: miso cod, cauliflower bake, and soba noodle salad. It does not disappoint.

A Beachside Farewell

On our final day, we trade urban glamour for the laid-back vibes of Redondo Beach, catching up with Mum’s dear friend Ang and soaking in the last golden rays of the winter Californian sun. It’s the perfect, relaxed capstone to a trip balancing luxury, creativity, and spontaneous moments in equal measure.

Final Thoughts: LA, Always in Style

Whether it’s the sophisticated ambience of The Maybourne, the endless culinary adventures, or the serendipitous run-ins with friends and influencers, LA proves once again why it’s a city that never loses its sparkle.

With a blend of old-school glamour, supercharged wellness offerings, and a magnetic star-studded appeal, LA has something for everyone. And after everything the city has endured in recent months, she deserves all the love—and visitors—she can get. So, book that trip and get ready to fall in love with LA all over again.

Words by Sigourney Cantelo.

A special thank you to The Maybourne and Discover LA for hosting and supporting our stay. As always, all opinions and experiences are genuinely our own.