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From the moment you pass through The
Standard's translucent
sliding door, you realize that this 140-room property, on Sunset Strip in West
Hollywood, is not your typical hotel. The lobby features a ‘cocoon/conversation
pit’ with floor-to-ceiling white shag carpet, Linge Roset suede sectional
seating and Arco steel lamps. The hotel's lounge, which opens out onto an
electric-blue Astroturf pool deck, is surrounded by a large photomural of
California's Joshua Tree National Monument. And behind the front desk, staffed
by an attitude free crew of twentysomethings, lies a glass enclosed stage area
for performance artists. The only traditional hotel fixture is The
Standard's
restaurant (it has not official name), a celebrity hang-out serving tasty dishes
such as shrimp scampi over hot pepper linguine and ahi tuna tartare with potato
crisps. Owner André Balazs created The Standard with specific clientele in
mind: young business travelers (most of whom work advertising, film and
publishing) who are trendsetting yet budget-conscious. The rooms are fun and
functional, with mock-suede floor cushions, silver beanbag chairs, inflatable
sofas, and CD players; the minibars are sticked with everything from liquorice
to Oreos and Vaseline. And when you absolutely must get down to business, fear
not: all rooms offer connection to the internet, a cordless two-line
speakerphone and a large Eames surfboard table.
Mid-March, when the abundance of entertainment
awards ceremonies guarantees celebrity sightings
Any corner room with south-east
exposure: these all face the pool area and also have a magnificent view of the
city.
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