Hotel Bel-Air’s Lobby Lounge
Photo Courtesy of Dorchester Collection
With residents sporting winter boots and scarves when temperatures drop below 60 degrees, Los Angeles happily embraces even the tiniest inkling of winter — even if it has to make believe. To set the seasonal stage, L.A. abounds with plenty of fireplaces and outdoor fires at restaurants and hotels to keep you “warm.” When the mood strikes to snuggle around a flame with a hot toddy or tea, here are our favorite places to channel that faux-fall feeling:
Hotel Bel-Air
Nestled on 12 acres of stunning landscaped gardens, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel Bel-Air is a secluded oasis where jetsetters head for a respite from the city’s frenetic pace. Located in the heart of the hotel, the Lobby Lounge is a beautiful open space with large Spanish colonial arched windows with gorgeous garden views. The focal point is the freestanding, limestone glass fireplace, with seating around it for up to 32 guests — a perfect spot to unwind with friends over afternoon tea or cocktails.
Terranea Resort’s Lobby Bar, Photo Courtesy of Terranea Resort
Terranea Resort
As L.A’s go-to staycation spot, Four-Star Terranea Resort’s romance factor is off the charts. Credit the beachfront location and plethora of outdoor firepits for all of the cuddling. Two places you’ll especially love to hang around are the Lobby Bar, where the fire roars during the holiday season, and Nelson’s, the hotel’s weekend party spot. Warm yourself by the enormous outdoor pit while listening to live music. You don’t want to miss the s’more-roasting fun on Fridays either.
Marina Del Rey Hotel
Knowing that breathtaking looks of various moored yachts serve as the backdrop, you can easily imagine the coziness felt sitting by a fire in a warm blanket at Marina del Rey Hotel’s SALT Restaurant. The waterfront haven boasts firepits and stunning peeks of the sunset on the marina. Between photos, you can roast s’mores and sip on a seasonal hot toddy.
Casa del Mar
Tucked into a discrete cul-de-sac on the Santa Monica Bay, Four-Star Casa del Mar was an exclusive beach club in the 1920s. With its art-deco bones still intact, the hotel’s lobby has soaring ceiling and dramatic windows that overlook the surf and boardwalk’s Ferris wheel. Snag a seat in front of either of the two fireplaces for a divine cocktail paired with live musical performances nightly.
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel’s Fireside Lounge, Photo Courtesy of Loews Hotels Inc
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Home to two indoor fireplaces, the Fireside Lounge is the aptly named escape that provides spectacular panoramics of Santa Monica’s coastline. Take advantage of the spot’s nightly sunset menu with interesting bites, like duck taquitos, and happy hour drink specials.
Westlake Village Inn
Much like you’d see at a luxury ski resort hotel, firepits and fireplaces abound in this San Fernando Valley hotspot. At Stonehaus restaurant, enjoy live music, tapas and wine on the outdoor patio dotted with stone fireplaces and fountains. Or, for a nightlife vibe, head to another on-site venue, Bogie’s, for dancing and chilling on the private outdoor cabanas lit by a toasty fireplace.
Sunset Tower Hotel
As one of L.A.’s most iconic art-deco hotels, Sunset Tower Hotel is quintessential Old Hollywood glamour. In the winter months, the lobby’s plush, rose-colored couches and mirrored fireplace offer an intimate meeting spot — either for a date or business pow-wow.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ Roof Garden, Photo Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
The Five-Star Beverly Hills hotel’s al fresco dining spot, The Roof Garden, is a favorite local enclave. Although it’s not an expansive space, the most magical spot here for a cherry blossom sangria or any of the other signature cocktails is at one of the circular lounge chairs around the firepit — ideal for sunset views or a nightcap.
Petit Ermitage
With sprawling views of West Hollywood from the hotel’s rooftop, Petite Ermitage is a special hideaway for hotel guests and club members. On chilly nights, you’ll find the fireplace ablaze with plenty of the city’s in-the-know beauties mingling and sipping on craft cocktails under the night sky.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills
With whimsical décor and delicious eats, this Philippe Starck-designed hotel is an escape from reality. Peppered with cozy nooks and fire-lit lounge spaces, Tres by José Andrés, the hotel’s all-day restaurant, is the perfect spot for high tea on the weekends.
The London West Hollywood
The London West Hollywood’s rooftop pool is a raucous good time in the summer, but once the season changes to cooler temps, there’s still action, only of the mellower variety around the marble firepit.
