The Place: Sofitel Los Angeles
The Scoop: After a $40 million overhaul, the sleek Sofitel reopened in 2006 and has been making a splash on the event scene ever since with its 22,000 square feet of luxurious meeting and event space, sumptuous Le Spa — available for private rental — and prime West Hollywood location, featuring killer views of the legendary Hollywood sign.
The Buzz: Event pros love status spaces like Sofitel's swank Simon LA restaurant, helmed by “Iron Chef” Kerry Simon, and Stone Rose Lounge, the hotel's distinctly upscale bar, brainchild of bicoastal nightclub impresario Rande Gerber. Both locations can be rented for private parties and are particularly popular for film-shoot wrap parties and studio bashes.
The Fans: HBO; MTV; Warner Bros.
The Quote: “Le Spa has proven to be an intimate private setting for wedding and birthday parties. Celebs seeking the ultimate in exclusivity and privacy book the entire space for the day and have their group catered by Kerry Simon's Simon LA while enjoying a day of various spa treatments in preparation for that special day.”
— Jimmy Legg, director of sales and marketing
The 411:
Sofitel Los Angeles
8555 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
310/278-5444
www.sofitel.com
The Face: Linda Pittelli
The Biz: Eventful
The Scoop: Former Wilhelmina model and “magazine bride” Pittelli now wows to-be-weds with her eye for detail and her knack for grand transformations with Eventful — her five-year-old wedding design and coordination firm.
The Buzz: Pittelli is known for turning blank-canvas event spaces into lavish, fully themed wedding environments, from English gardens to Tuscan vineyards to Middle Eastern palaces. Fans include celebrities, royal families and a number of international hotels and wineries, where she serves as a preferred consultant.
The Quote: “When I opened Eventful, it was the natural progression of a lifetime spent honing the fine art of environmental transformation. I do not merely plan weddings and special events; I create beautiful worlds that exist for just one day or one night.”
— Linda Pittelli
The 411:
Eventful
9396 Sierra Mar Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90069
310/246-1830
www.eventfuldesigning.com
The Place: Blue on Blue
The Scoop: Tucked away in Beverly Hills' mid-century-chic Avalon hotel, restaurant and bar Blue on Blue provides outdoor event space, acclaimed “new American” eats and splendid custom cocktails, all while benefiting from the planning expertise of hotel special events manager Lindsay Chew.
The Buzz: Poolside cabanas are the rage in L.A., and Blue on Blue features some of the coolest in town. Set alongside a vintage hourglass pool, the 150-square-foot cabanas, which can accommodate small receptions or be used as VIP hideaways at a larger poolside party, are appointed with candles, cushioned banquettes and, in some cases, heavy curtains, for those who need a little extra privacy.
The Fans: Fox; Sony; NBC Universal
The Quote: “The Avalon, designed in its entirety by Kelly Wearstler [of Viceroy and Maison 140 fame], offers a home away from home that echoes the relaxed ‘patio lifestyle’ of mid-20th-century Southern California. ”
— Lindsay Chew, special events manager
The 411:
Blue on Blue
Avalon Hotel
9400 W. Olympic Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310/407-7791
www.avalonbeverlyhills.com/dining
NEW IN TOWN
A new tufted booth from L.A.'s Designer8 is available in white leather or black suede and looks swell flanking a dance floor or paired with the company's chic tufted bar.
323/962-2062
www.designer8furniturerental.com
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323/935-4975
www.gamonline.com
A new feature on Grosh Scenic Rentals' Web site lets users purchase, rather than rent, a limited selection of exclusive items from the Hollywood prop house's ever-changing inventory.
877/363-7998
www.grosh.com
