How to Spend a Weekend at Three Hotels From Our 2024 Hot List
John Athimaritis/Raffles London at The OWO
Presented by Capital One
At these Hot List 2024 hotels, the stay is an experience in and of itself—but there's just as much to do once you venture out into the three iconic cities in which they reside. Here's how to make the most of your stay, complete with neighborhood to-dos and trip planning tips for Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and London.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas — Nevada
Miami's iconic Fontainebleau is chock-full of return visitors, and its sister property, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, is gunning to create the same loyal fandom. A long-awaited addition to the Strip, the soaring 67-floor tower—the tallest hotel in the city—is home to a dizzying array of restaurants and bars, even for Vegas standards; among the most notable: a Vegas outpost of Hollywood favorite Mother Wolf, serving up handmade pasta and Roman pizza, and coming soon, the first Tequila Casa Dragones tasting room outside Mexico. And as is obligatory in a climate like Vegas's, there are plenty of spaces to cool off just outside. The lemonade yellow-striped pool deck boasts six distinct watering holes and the French Riviera–inspired LIV Dayclub where guests pop in and out of the water wearing barely-there bathing suits, sarongs, and mesh coverups. The outdoor area is a bright contrast to the moodier, glam-meets-minimalist interiors.
The location at the north end of the Strip means you're a bit removed from the busiest areas, a plus for travelers looking for a respite from the crowds, or attending an event at the nearby Convention Center. The Wynn and Encore are a 15-minute walk (or couple minute drive) down the road, should another beach club or golf course come calling.
The Georgian — Los Angeles
Whimsy and fun are the name of the game at The Georgian, a storied Santa Monica property that underwent an extensive remodel, reopening its doors in 2023. Craving bubbles? Suite guests need only push an antique-looking button marked “Champagne” to summon a fully stocked bar cart delivered by a bellhop who would look at home on a Wes Anderson set. Curious about the hotel's 1930s heyday? A rotary phone next to check-in plays a selection of vintage voicemails alluding to the property’s colorful history. Upstairs, rooms boast either Pacific Ocean or city views, and the decor is anything but staid—think orange crushed velvet headboards, scalloped sky blue window shades, and record players.
Outside the Art Deco building, you've got the Santa Monica Pier in one direction and Third Street Promenade in the other; properly hyped up restaurants like Elephante and Sugarfish are in walking distance. If you're visiting on a Sunday, though, you may want to stay in and enjoy Spaghetti Sundays, a veritable Italian feast prepared by chef David Almany. Another dining option: Make a reservation at The Georgian Room, once an Old Hollywood hangout spot, for creative cocktails and a hearty seasonal menu. Your hotel visit just might be star-studded—The Georgian has played host to several The Hollywood Reporter Roundtable interviews of late.
Raffles London — England
It's not often you hear of a hotel restoration with a billion dollar budget—let alone two billion here—but this eight-year project commanded it at Raffles London. Opened in what used to be the Old War Office, it's the most talked-about hotel to emerge in London this century, writes Traveler UK editor Lydia Bell. History buffs will delight in the importance of this space: The Churchill Suite, for example, takes over the room where D-Day was planned, as well as most of the battles of World War One. Of the 120 rooms and suites, sizes vary, but even the smallest feel vast thanks to triple-height ceilings. The air of importance extends to the unofficial dress code guests seem to follow—suits aren't uncommon, nor are slacks or blazers, though they may be dressed down over mini skirts or paired with sneakers.
A major draw for any and all guests looking to unwind: the 27,000-square-foot, four-floor (three of which are subterranean) Guerlain spa, with its 20-meter pool, sauna, steam room, and yoga sessions. The nine restaurants offer something for every palate; highlights include Mauro Colagreco, the signature fine-dining venue whose namesake comes from the three Michelin-starred Mirazur; and Saison, with its Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Once you tire of roaming the storied halls, you can pop over to any number of tourist destinations on foot—Trafalgar Square, the National Portrait Gallery, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, and the Churchill War Rooms are all a stone's throw away.
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Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
