The Golden Age of Hollywood is a well-worn aesthetic that’s often too broad and hard-to-define, written on paper like it’s some magic spell conjuring up enough good-will that designers can afford to be lazy. “it’s just like, Hollywood glamour, ya know?”
For some, it means high-waisted and ostentatious with just enough raunchiness to tease the imagination.
For others, it means an unhinged use of gold trims, bold (usually floral) patterns and mismatched furniture with a kind of studied approachability to offset the air of stuffiness.
When any modern space is said to channel the golden age of Hollywood, I honestly don’t know exact to expect.
But then you need a reference point. One that refines the style so shockingly well that it steadies such a concept and creates a new standard. I will now judge everything that claims to be of “the golden age of Hollywood” on whether or not it looks like The Aster. The fantastic, understated and elegant Aster.
The 35-room hotel is a fascinating hybrid between boutique accommodation and member’s club, grating some of that Soho House exclusivity and rethinking it as something more approachable and less pretentious. And really, that’s what members would want at the end of the day. Soho House has become mostly about optics, suffocating under a sludge of “influencers” and spread far too thin. Travel is about accessibility, not gatekeeping.
Modern-day members clubs like The Aster are in a good position to rethink the category altogether, which is what makes this luxury property, sitting near the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine, such a compelling stay in Hollywood proper.
Location
The Aster is barely noticeable on Vine, the same street as Capitol Records and the multi-purpose Avalon theatre (slash nightclub). There’s a large heavy blue door set against the cold, stone building, with no discernable opening mechanism and a valet sign. Head on into the park garage and the main entrance is there; you’ll spend far too long trying to figure out how to open that blue door on the street.
Of course, that’s the calling card for any member’s club. The hotel is obscure, looking like very little from the outside but opening up into a charming, old-world blend of wooden accents glowing faintly in the low-lit lobby. A grand staircase adds character and the golden guest elevators add a touch of mystery.
While most tourists opt to stay in West Hollywood, being in the heart of Hollywood proper does bring in some benefits. For one, you only need to walk five minutes or so to reach the excellent Clark St Diner and Upright Citizen’s Brigade. Strut down Hollywood Blvd to reach the tourist beats – Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s not far to hike on up to the Hollywood sign, plus you don’t have to get an expensive Uber to reach El Capitan Theatre or Amoeba Music.
Yes, Hollywood may be one of L.A.’s neighbourhoods with the least replay value for tourists, but there’s a certain charm here that won’t wash away with time. A lot has happened in this area, a lot will continue happening in the area; it’s one of the most famous places in the country for good reason.
Staying in Hollywood also means you’re just a short Uber away from Downtown L.A. with the excellent Grand Central Market and wide range of museums. If you stayed somewhere like Santa Monica or Venice, getting to Hollywood and DTLA would be almost too much of a pain for you to even bother. When it comes to staying in L.A., you pick your pocket and stick to it. Getting to out of pocket will just ruin your holiday.
Design
The Aster is a hidden slip of the Amalfi Coast wedged into the gritty-pretty Hollywood locale. The area might feel cut off and dry, but this hotel is anything but lacking when it comes to personality. The zingy, zesty look lures Hollywood types, models and actors week in, week out. Any creative type would find great value in doing their work by the inner-courtyard’s pool, fanned by the shade of sweet-smelling lemon trees while Hollywood’s chaos is peeled away by a great sense of privacy.
Designers at The Aster clearly had two things in mind. Privacy and living space.
The oversized suites are coloured with the intoxicating glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Bold, vibrant, but unmistakably sophisticated with a generous size completely befitting the hotel’s homely, pied-à-terre pitch. These suites – the best of which are facing the courtyard rather than the city – have that dynamic Hollywood Regency style going for them.
Rooms
The smallest of these suites is 70 sqm which is still far larger than most hotel rooms in the city. The Golden Age schtick doesn’t feel overdone, tastefully shaped with pops of colour coming from blue and pink furniture. Handsome details like a rattan bead head and a standing three-panelled dressing mirror anchor the room in a maturity that’s lost on many other design-forward boutique hotels in the USA.
The bathroom is similarly large with its marble sink and double shower, even having enough space for a separate makeup vanity and a chair.
And then there’s the cocoon-like inner-balcony that overlooks the pool area, pulling that relaxed scene inside. Needless to say, it’s the perfect work-and-sip spot. Just use the golden cocktail cart by your bed, pour yourself some spritz, and go to town.
Food & Drink
Lemon Grove is The Aster’s rooftop restaurant and bar, smartly designed so guests hit the casual cocktail bar first before strutting down the thin walkway to the indoor-outdoor dining space. Choose a table on the other side of the dining room for stretchy views of the Hollywood Hills, but just about anywhere is going to look and feel comfortable.
I’m on the outside, sunk into a couch with a warm flame next to me. I hear Oscar Maravilla has been doing really exciting things at Lemon Grove for the past two years so am excited to try his simple, seasonal-minded Californian cuisine. The lemon motif gives the Amalfi comparisons some weight, so ideally I’d try the signature lemon pasta with tom kha, makrut lime essence, melted leeks and cherry tomatoes.
I mean, the burrata caprese salad was proof of concept. This is fresh, beautiful produce and the kitchen team clearly know how to handle it. But I go rogue and opt for the short rib rigatoni. It’s too tempting to resist, especially once I get a whiff of those rich, melty al pastor braised ribs sticking out of the highly textural cloud of rigatoni. A smart drop of lime cream and cotija cheese help keep this dish grounded with fresh flavours but little can overpower that incredibly thick and juicy meat. It’s a sure-shot winner.
My friendly waiter talks me into indulging on the black velvet cake. I don’t make threats, but I know she’s calling my bluff when I tell her I’m only going to have two bites. I stick to my promise; food writing is dangerous work, but Lemon Grove is worth the weight.
Amenities
There seems to be a de-evolution of social clubs of late. Modern clubs seem to be a response to the overcrowding of Soho House, ripping the attention away from social big ups and more towards actual networking and work-friendly spaces. The members-only club lounge has this approach written all over it, with various types of seating across the space curated with groups, meetings, solo work and networking in mind. There’s a bar that works up a nice classic cocktail, and a private theatre should any creative types want to host screenings. It’s a high-end co-working space.
A 24-7 fitness centre is just as bright and appropriately stocked to satisfy the hotel’s high-end clientele who shack up in these suites for weeks at a time. And there’s a wellness and smooth cafe, After Park, near the pool so you can keep that fitness routine golden while working from the hotel. I’m told guests can book into sound bath meditation sessions and complimentary group fitness classes but I’m only there for two nights, hardly enough time to see and do it all.
Service
Service is exceedingly helpful and accommodating, particularly up at Lemon Grove where I experienced some of the best service I’ve had to date in L.A. I’ve typically found that stuffy, pretentious service is more common in L.A. then say hospitality meccas like Vegas and New York City. This was an easy exception, which is another strong reason to stay at The Aster.
Value
Expect to pay around US$369 for a night at The Aster, which is fairly standard when we’re talking about luxury hotels in the USA. Modern travellers tend to favour nice luxury digs with a strong connection to a city anyway, and The Aster fits nicely into that category. It may not have the history to draw from like nearby legends like The Hollywood Roosevelt and Chateau Marmont, but The Aster’s beautiful design does make it feel just as illustrious and daring.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS
The Aster
Address: 1717 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028,
Contact: +1 323-962-1717
The author flew to L.A. as a guest of Fiji Airways, which has daily flights to LAX via Nadi, and explored as a guest of Discover Los Angeles
