Sinning in LA

Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
You're in your place and you know where you are
In your Shangri-la
The Kinks

I admit it – I love places that have the power to elevate mundane reality. Places who have that magic mix of charm, beauty and a sunny disposition that makes its visitors feel like a Queen – or a King. And I think I have found the place that combines the best of old Hollywood glamor with the unconditional love normally reserved for me by my mother.

It’s called the Hotel Shangri-La, and it’s in perennially sunny Santa Monica, California. The term Shangri-La has become synonymous with any Earthly paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia. A permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world.

In James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon, the people who live at Shangri-La are almost immortal, living years beyond the normal lifespan and only very slowly aging in appearance.  And president Roosevelt, being considerably fond of Hilton's novel, named the Presidential retreat now known as Camp David, "Shangri-La" in 1942.

So does the Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica live up to its name?

Yes it does. From entering the oceanfront doors, the beautiful white building channels chic. Art, luxury and funky architecture blend perfectly.

The lobby is comfortable and well designed and all rooms have a great view of the ocean.



I wanted Hotel Shangri-La to be a place where you can indulge your senses with a little bit of debauchery and decadence.

"This is where Hollywood relaxes into melodramas," said Tamie Adaya, the owner of this breathtaking place. The beauty and the sex appeal of the Shangri-La come largely from her beautiful mind.

The bathroom is large, and perfect for glamor-pusses. French windows open between the tub and the bedroom so you could sit in the tub and watch TV or have the great ocean breeze coming in through the entire space while you are getting ready to visit the pool area. A space which obviously benefited from the 30 million-dollar recent Shangri-La renovation, or the rooftop bar with spectacular ocean views where the friendly staff will go to great lengths to mix a drink you will want to name your own. The drink, which can easily become drinks, can be enjoyed by the fireplace inside, or outside with a 360-degree view as you channel Lauren Bacall or Humphrey Bogart.

Any hotel in the world is only as good as its staff and how welcome they make their guests feel. Don’t we all just want people to be nice to us?

Hotel Shangri-La has been in town for a long time, but yet their hospitality is still in a class of its own. The staff all greet you by name, and the front desk will deal with the airline that lost your luggage so you can relax by the pool, enjoy courtyard spa services or work out at the state of the art fitness center or yoga deck. The kitchen will make your favorites if the ingredients are somewhere on the menu, and guess what – this also goes for room service at 2 am. Turndown service leaves fresh baked cookies... and oh yes, I have found my Shangri-La. A little bit of debauchery and decadence on the shores of the sea.

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In honor of Sinning in LA, Shangri-La will feature the "Naughty or Nice" package, which includes a two night stay in the Rock n' Roll Suite, a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and some fun toys for him and her for $599- .

Call 310.394.2791 for details.