If you’ve been good this year (and who’s to argue, except an imaginary fat guy in a red suit?), why not treat yourself to a decadent getaway before the holiday madness begins? In fact, a quick trip to the country’s most famous zip code could help keep chaos at bay by giving you a leg up on your holiday shopping. Within three city blocks, Beverly Hills has it all: retail giants like Neiman Marcus and Saks; big-name boutiques along Rodeo, like the newly remodeled Chanel and the ever cool Prada, with its glassless window display and subterranean mannequins; and more accessible newcomers, like Juicy. There are some wallet-friendly shops worth hitting up, too. At Clothes Minded, nothing costs more than $15, and at Harmony Lane, a favorite of the stars, you can find fabulous designer threads that don’t require Julia Roberts’ salary. Who knows—if you see something you love and figure out how to drop a few pointed hints, this could be the year you finally get what you truly want. Now that’s a deal worth celebrating.
Boutique hotels, like retro Avalon and coquettish Maison 140, are a staple of this neighborhood. Tucked in along side streets, these stylish steals allow visitors to save their money for shopping. Last month’s unveiling of the
Thompson Beverly Hill’s slick, black-lacquered hallways (with illuminated artwork by Steven Klein adorning the walls) and Sferra bedding signaled the Standardization of 90210. And to plant yourself in the middle of it all, book a suite at the iconic
Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons hotel (below). Prepare yourself for—or recover from—a day of shopping by booking a couple of hours at the spa. After its recent $35 million renovation, the Four Seasons is ready to impress with its signature flawlessly personal service in the grandest setting around.
Thompson Beverly Hills: 9360 Wilshire Blvd., 310-273-1400, thompsonhotels.com; Beverly Wilshire: 9500 Wilshire Blvd., 310-275-5200, fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire.No matter how many new neighbors move in, some things about this burg will never change. That’s a good thing when you’re talking about
Nate’n Al, the iconic deli where Larry King is such a fixture in the brown vinyl banquettes that he’s got a matzo brei named after him on the menu. For a more refined experience, drive up into the hills for chilled poached salmon and an Arnold Palmer at the exquisite
Hotel Bel-Air. “Nancy” is a first-name-basis regular there, and the former First Lady usually orders the Cobb salad—she’s also earned the honor of having it named after her. If you insist on going new-school, take the Wilshire’s house Maserati east to
Tanzore for traditional Indian favorites made with organic and sustainable ingredients. A fresh idea like tandoori sea bass topped with crunchy, briny sea beans feels right at home alongside a must-have classic like chicken tikka makhani. Nate‘n Al:
414 N. Beverly Dr., 310-274-0101; Hotel Bel-Air: 701 Stone Canyon Rd., L.A., 310-472-1211; Tanzore: 50 N. La Cienega, 310-652-3894.OK, it’s still the land of logo bags, but avant-garde moved in this fall when Belgian designer
Martin Margiela unveiled his storefront on Santa Monica Boulevard. Design purists will adore the fitted men’s blazers, sexy boots, and hip tees. And the newly opened
James Perse store on North Beverly (above) celebrates the clean California aesthetic with luxurious yet casual silk/modal tees and black, gray, and white loungewear. At the top of our wish list, though, are the cashmere throws and pillow shams from his new home collection. The boutique decor alone is worth a visit, with its concrete storefront, sleek wood-paneled walls, an atrium garden, and the lovely personal touch of Perse’s family photographs in the changing rooms.
Maison Martin Margiela: 9970 S. Santa Monica Blvd., 310-284-8093; James Perse: 357 N. Canon Dr., 310-776-7100.For gorgeous special-occasion clothes for little girls,
Lola et Moi is the antidote to pastel prissiness. Bright wool coats and dresses with whimsical appliqués tempt fashion-conscious moms. And for boys,
Crib, a pocket-sized boutique just off North Beverly, offers cool rocker tees, printed pants from Okkies, and designer jeans.After slipping in and out of clothes all day long, good little shoppers of all ages deserve a treat at Hasty Khoei’s
Madame Chocolat. In a romantic Victorian setting, daily-made confections like chocolate-covered Cheerios entice kids, while parents get a boost from Johnnie Walker Blue Label–filled bonbons. For the cacao connoisseur on your holiday list, Khoei will help put together a decadent gift basket.
Lola et Moi: 238 1⁄2 S. Beverly Dr., 310-276-5652; Crib: 9435 Brighton Way, 310-858-0012; Madame Chocolat: 212 N. Canon Dr., 310-247-9990.If the sun’s not shining on Rodeo, dive into an old episode of one of your favorite small-screen gems at the
Paley Center for Media. Formerly known as the Museum of Television and Radio, the Paley hosts events like cast reunions and advance screenings of TV’s biggest shows (this month: a farewell to Scrubs). Its curving, white, Richard Meier–designed halls are adorned with framed likenesses of TV heroes sketched by Al Hirschfeld. The Paley also acts as an invaluable research tool: Chris Rock holed up in a room with old Academy Award broadcasts to bone up for his 2005 hosting gig, and in the Radio Lounge you can listen to War of the Worlds or a 1918 WWI Armistice declaration. And then there’s just good old-fashioned nostalgia: calling up your favorite I Love Lucy episode is a must for anyone who grew up with a boob tube.
465 N. Beverly Dr., 310-786-1025. 