Sun Rose Hotel: How West Hollywood’s newest luxury property is bringing live music back to Sunset Strip
Los Angeles’ famed Sunset Strip has seen the, ahem, sun set on a wealth of luxury hotels the last few years.
Just on the one block, The Standard shuttered to become the newly branded Public Hotel, The Jeremy is now 1Hotel West Hollywood, and The Pendry — which opened to much fanfare in 2021 — is now The Sun Rose.
Opened in August this year, the latter holds an identity which may see it make it given The Sun Rose embraces the musical legacy of this famed West Hollywood street.
Over bowls of crispy rice crab salad at the hotel’s Wolfgang Puck signature rooftop restaurant, Merois, communications manager Ty Bentsen explains that the new property sits on the former site of the House of Blues — itself a once celebrated venue on The Strip.
ROAM. Landing in your inbox weekly.
A digital-first travel magazine. Premium itineraries and adventures, practical information and exclusive offers for the discerning traveller.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The City of West Hollywood stipulated that there had to be a live music venue to continue the legacy,” Bentsen tells ROAM.
“The name The Sun Rose is taken from the name of the music venue onsite — we’re placing more emphasis on the music legacy, turning up the volume on music.”
Turning it up to 11, it seems. The Sun Rose has hired the Grammy and Emmy-award winning Adam Blackstone — who has worked with the likes of Dr Dre and Rihanna — as creative director to help cultivate the culture of the Sun Rose Hotel and its onsite venue Live at the Sun Rose.
Since the rebranded hotel opened, Stevie Wonder has performed in the intimate 100-person space, which is set up like a cabaret club with table service and noticeably bold acoustics.
Bentsen is especially excited about the week in-between next April’s two Coachella weekends, when some of the world’s best performers descend on LA.
Much like a musical version of The Comedy Club (which sits across the road) and comedy club Largo at the Coronet on La Cienega around the corner (where this writer happened upon Larry David performing new gear one night) it’ll prove an enticing new venue where you never know who might take to the stage.
In doing so, the venue taps West Hollywood’s long-held musical roots and an area you’re likely to find well-known musos staying when in town.
“From tiny, intimate shows to big names surprising fans onstage, in West Hollywood live performance has been a tradition, and now an expectation,” says West Hollywood communications director, Eric Parker.
“From iconic clubs like the Roxy, Troubadour or the Whisky, and now, venues like Live at the Sun Rose catering to a new wave of traveller, seeking an intimate, cocktail-forward and velvet-seat experience.”
The rooms at the boutique 149-room hotel exude Hollywood Regency glamour with deep-toned velvety curves, metallics and modern art.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offer views to the downtown LA skyline — adding to the rooms’ spacious feel. There’s a chaise longue, a stocked minibar (Napa Valley wines feature, so too romance kits) and Molton Brown bathroom amenities.
Guests also snare guaranteed and exclusive sunloungers by the rooftop pool – no blow-ins or groupies here.
Being West Hollywood, a balance is key and wellness a must. The serene spa on the second floor of the Sun Rose offers a range of treatments and there’s a large fitness centre featuring Technogym’s Excite Line of cardio equipment and Element+ line of strength equipment.
For some light “activity” with added fun there’s also a two-lane bowling alley (complete with custom shoes), plus a screening room for film premieres, and in the lobby bar’s alfresco area, a Moet & Chandon champagne vending machine.
Another unique drawcard? Hotel GM Christopher Saputo is always accompanied by his giant St Bernard-doodle, Senna. Yes, the hotel is pet-friendly, and canine visitors are given a paw-written thank-you card from Senna after a stay.
THE INSIDER
Book a poolside suite for guaranteed rooftop sunlounger access — walk-ins aren’t getting near them.
April between Coachella weekends is when Live at the Sun Rose delivers surprise performances from festival acts decompressing in LA. The 100-person venue operates cabaret-style with table service, so book ahead.
Merois rooftop restaurant by Wolfgang Puck serves until late — the crispy rice crab salad pairs well with Napa wines from the minibar restocked daily.
GM Christopher Saputo’s St Bernard-doodle Senna roams the lobby, so if you’re allergic, flag it at check-in. The Moet vending machine in the alfresco bar area is gimmicky but functional — comes in handy after bowling alley sessions.
sunrosehotel.com
