"Our favorite hotel in Los Angeles" say Jorie and Gordon Parr about the Elan Hotel.

[Nicholas Snow]

By Jorie Parr. Photos by Gordon Parr.

What’s better than to wake up in the morning, go out on the balcony for sunshine and a vista of skinny palm trees, red tile rooftops and the lush cityscape that is West Los Angeles. A big black crow seems to nod hello as he makes his way along the wire.

It’s coffee time at the Elan Hotel, 8435 Beverly Blvd. You can make it yourself in the room, or head to the lobby buffet, 6:30-10:30 am. Gordon usually fetches a “dressing cup” and a morning paper before we go down later and attack the continental breakfast. Continental is too dainty a term. The sidebars offer varied choices, from fresh fruit and hard-cooked eggs to bagels and fixings, cereals and yogurts, to say nothing of carrot cake and pastries – including pain au chocolat.

The Elan personnel could give Gracious lessons. Guests are pampered from the moment they pull up at the corner of Beverly at Croft. We’ve been spoiled at this boutique (49 rooms) hotel for several years, and wouldn’t risk staying elsewhere. Twice I have misplaced items (do we see a pattern here?) and twice they have been found. Once by the housekeeper; once by me under the bottom layer of my faux Louis Vuitton “Keepall” luggage. The Elan people handled my carelessness with aplomb.

The location (repeat the word twice more) is superb - just a couple of blocks from Beverly Center, which holds such delights as the fast fashion of H&M. The Sunset Strip is 10-15 minutes walk-time away, and restaurants are close, too. At the recommendation of staffer Efrain Gomez, for dinner we ambled up Beverly to Pane e Vino (8265 Beverly), a charming Italian trattoria with a walled-garden patio.

Downstairs rooms at the Elan are lovely, but this time, at the suggestion of Concierge Brian Davis, we tried #217. From now on when we reserve we’ll ask for upstairs with a balcony. Considering that this is not the most expensive hostelry, amenities are luxurious - all-inclusive extras, with shower robes (slippers, too) of course. And I only wish I had a magnifying mirror that good at home.

From 5 to 7 pm, guests are invited to mingle in the comfortable lobby for a wine and cheese interlude. At a pour-it-yourself bar, we found Australian chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. On the table, sliced salami and four kinds of cheeses (Gordon liked gouda best; I preferred the brie) and crackers. There were bowls of deluxe mixed nuts, everybody’s downfall, everywhere.

The next morning, after a not so petit dejeuner sitting on the sunny terrace, we packed up and left. William Rabanales sent us off with a yellow Elan bag with icy water bottles for the hot drive back to the desert. By the way, we’re joining the “Loyalty club” benefits for return patrons. Currently, it’s just too tough for us Coachella Valley drivers to fight the traffic to and from L.A. in just one day. Staying over at the Elan makes the trip a joy. Yes, we had just stayed overnight, but the élan euphoria had taken over. Upon returning we realized that our cares had cooled off. Yes, definitely a feeling of élan.


Find more photos like this on NotesFromPalmSprings.com
www.elanhotel.com
323/658-6663

With thanks for all courtesies to Bette Bloom and colleagues.