EVENT: SPORTMEN'S LODGE OVERHAUL BEGINS

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SPORTMEN’S LODGE OVERHAUL BEGINS

 

One of the few places to still be around from the time of my teen-age arrival in Los Angeles is the iconic Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. But I never knew it was a hotel until last week! I thought it was just an event venue, with a coffee shop that you had to go to at least once before you were able to call yourself an actor in this town!

So, when I got invited to the launch of the make-over of the entire place, I was interested. I had been to a good friend’s fun holiday soirée here many years ago, (which, in an odd way, began me on my clubbing life,) and had good memories of the place, with its waterways and bridges.

A coffee shop booth. Photo by Karen Salkin.

The event itself was short and sweet. We met at the crack of dawn, (well, actually 10AM, but that is the crack of dawn for me!,) in a walled-off section of the coffee shop, which was fun. They served juice and muffins, (none of which I was attracted to, but as this e-zine states, sometimes It’s Not About Me!) A kind man there got me some rye toast, and I was fine, (although a chocolate chip muffin would have hit the spot!)

First up were a few brief speeches to let us know what the basic plan for the space was. I was most impressed with the fabulous hotel terms employed by Larry Broughton, the CEO and founder of the company that’s over-seeing the multi-million dollar make-over. My favorite was when he was was being grilled about what it will be like to drive-up and check-in, etc., he asked the questioner, “You mean “the arrival experience?” Classic. (He’s probably the one I should have told to drop the moniker “gossip area” for a section of the new lobby. That’s so negative! I told the woman who was leading my tour to change it to “conversation area” as soon as it’s ready to be used. You’re welcome, all future users of the space!)

The new pool area. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Following the informative chat, we broke off into groups for a tour. The gorgeous Olympic-sized pool was up first, decorated with all colors I love. Then we moved on to the hotel rooms. Being a fan of old-fashioned-looking things, I didn’t see anything wrong with the old ones, but the new ones are quite chi-chi, so I can understand the renovations. (And it was a cute touch to have elegant mimosas all ready for us in the rooms. They added such a splash of complimentary color! And portent of romance, to boot!) Added bonus: great lighting in the new bathrooms!!! That’s actually more than a bonus—it’s the main attraction to girly-girls like moi!

A new room.

The one thing I didn’t like, at all, was the antlered-and-dead-animal-heads bar area, (even though I think they’re fake, but I wasn’t about to look any closer to ascertain just what was what,) but hopefully it will be dark enough to not notice. Good thing I don’t drink, so I can avoid spending time there in the future! (My mother would be so proud, because she hated those things, too. I guess this apple doesn’t fall far from that tree!) I can never understand why any place still uses that décor! It’s dated and soooo unpopular in these PETA-aware days! And it screams “creepy-bar-in-rural-Colorado,” not “upscale lounge in LA!” (They still have plenty of time to re-do it before the official re-launch later on in the year, though, so fingers crossed for that.)

I plan to check it all out in the Fall, when the renovations are due to be done. I may even throw a PJ party in a room one night! So, I’ll give you the complete deets then. (On Sportsmen’s Lodge, not the pajama party! Although you never know with me.) But, if you’re a design or construction fan, you might want to go check out the work in progress sooner. And then you can tell me!

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