The roll call of notable faces who have stayed at the legendary Mondrian hotel in Los Angeles would be an article in itself. Among them are the likes of Leo DiCaprio, Madonna, Britney Spears, Tom Cruise, George Clooney and Keith Richards. The ineffably-cool Sunset Boulevard spot has been attracting A-listers ever since famed hotelier and Studio 54 founder Ian Schrager acquired the property in 1996 and brought on Philippe Starck to transform it.
The timelessly-chic, ever-modern aesthetic that Starck became famous for was updated by Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz in 2008. Noriega-Ortiz made sure to preserve the original, beautifully-executed design scheme that was awash in cool, bright white. Though Schrager is no longer involved, the owner is now the Morgans Hotel Group, and the Mondrian has continued to retain its iconic status.
Intrinsic to his original vision that the hotel should be equally renowned as a nightlife destination, the opening of Rande Gerber’s Skybar redefined L.A. nightclubs and ushered in a new era of coolness. While other venues come and go, Skybar, centered on the hotel’s scenic swimming pool, continues to host celebrity parties, fashion shows and jet-setting crowds. This past winter the hotel unveiled Solarium at Skybar, a tented enclosure designed to extend the season.
Another lasting signature of the Schrager-Starck partnership is the hotel’s 30-foot high mahogany front doors, signaling that you are about to enter someplace special and perhaps a little magical, with a touch of Alice in Wonderland about it. That carries over to slightly surreal design flourishes installed by Starck and updated by Noriega-Ortiz, like wingback chairs with hooves in place of feet.
In addition to Skybar, the Mondrian is now home to Ivory on Sunset, one of L.A.’s chicest dining spots. An all-star team including John Terzian of The h.wood Group (SHOREbar, the Nice Guy); the Hakkasan Group; L.A.-based designer Brigette Romanek; designer John Sofio, president and founder of Built Inc. and others assembled last year to bring the project to fruition. Inspired by Hollywood’s golden age with sensuous lighting and lounge-like furniture, the focus of the menu, created by The Taste and Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey, is on seasonal cuisine highlighting the freshest farm-sourced ingredients.
Rooms and suites at the Mondrian are justly coveted, with the ultra-luxe Penthouse going for more than $3,800 a night. The 1,500-square-foot space features a swanky palette of gold and bronze, with honey-colored bamboo floors and glamorous black-and-white accents. The floorplan includes a dining room, oversized day bed, rainfall shower and large balcony overlooking the pool, which has served as the setting for many glitzy events over the years.
