Vacations Blog

From guest blogger, Marsha Takeda-Morrison, of Sweatpantsmom.

My husband and I have never been known as ‘plan ahead’ kind of people. We’re usually the ones who breeze into town without hotel reservations and then try to explain to our kids that we’ll have to keep driving for another two hours because who knew there’d be a Tupperware convention hogging all the rooms?

So Valentine’s Day has always posed a problem – without reservations and some stealth planning skills you’re likely to be stuck spending the night in a truck stop off Highway 5. (I realize that may scream romance to some of you, but try and keep that to yourselves.)

Which is why we love the W Hotel. Reservations are recommended, but, its location in a residential area on the edge of Westwood Village means it isn’t as crowded as some other high-profile L.A. hotels. Still, it’s hip enough to attract the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Reese Witherspoon and Britney Spears, who, coincidentally was recently hospitalized at the UCLA Medical Center psych ward which is a short walk from the W. File that under ‘Fascinating Travel Trivia.’

Getting away for a romantic, kid-free weekend is rare, and I like the experience to be as adult as possible; no child-latches on the toilet and nothing resembling a chicken nugget on the room service menu. The W fits the bill – it’s sleek and modern, and the rooms definitely not kid-friendly; glass tables with sharp edges and even condoms for sale in the mini-bar. That’s right – I like my hotels begging for a visit from Child Protective Services.

The W has one of the most stylish bars in the city, Whiskey Blue which is owned by Rande Gerber (Mr. Cindy Crawford!) On our last visit my husband and I lounged here, sipping martinis and snacking on calamari in the late afternoon. When we returned from dinner the place was packed – it’s a big late-night hangout for the Hollywood scene. But we pushed right past the bouncers by flashing our room key – you don’t have to be Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie if you’ve got that little piece of plastic with the magnetic strip.

Although the W also boasts a first-class restaurant, there are three excellent establishments within walking distance: The Palamino, Napa Valley Grille and my favorite sushi bar, Tengu. Order the drink made with mint, cucumber and vodka and it’ll be your favorite place, too.

Breakfast at the W is served poolside and is incredible, but if you’re willing to drive for fifteen minutes you’ll arrive at one of the most popular breakfast spots in the city: Broadway Deli on the Third Street Promenade. I swear they have French Toast the size of a doormat. And excellent coffee, which for me is the perfect ending to a romantic weekend.

The best part? With Valentine’s Day only forty-eight hours away I still see plenty of rooms available on the W online site. But better hurry, before the Tupperware convention gets here.

What is your favorite last-minute Valentine’s plan? We promise if you share we won’t all try to make reservations!