Los Angeles: Frederic Fekkai

• Share

Ever since uber-hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai made his first trip to Los Angeles for a photo shoot in the mid-'80s, he has absorbed a lot of the local culture. "Of course I love Los Angeles for the fantastic weather, but I also enjoy going there to relax and unwind. I can slow down, throw on some jeans and do things I don't get to do anywhere else." Now that he travels there at least twice a month to tend to his new Melrose Place salon, along with his perennially favored Rodeo Drive salon, Fekkai has ample opportunity to visit some of the city's best addresses. Here are a few of his favorites:

HOTELS

The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills (310-551-2888; beverlyhills.peninsula.com) The best customer-service hotel in the world. I love the embroidered pillows, and the location is ideal.

Hotel Bel-Air, 701 Stone Canyon Road (310-472-1211; www.hotelbelair.com) I like to come here when I want to really get away. It is a very beautiful, secluded property.

RESTAURANTS

Il Sole, 8741 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (310-657-1182). They have incredible Italian food, and there's always a great crowd.

Mr Chow, 344 North Camden Drive, Beverly Hills (310-278-9911; mrchow.com) When I am craving Chinese cuisine I like to stop here.

Pinkberry, 868 Huntley Drive, West Hollywood (310-659-8285; pinkberry.com) I love this yogurt. It's so refreshing on a hot L.A. day.

The Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower Hotel, 8358 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood (323-654-7100; sunsettowerhotel.com) The view is spectacular. The place has a chic, old-Hollywood feel to it.

SHOPPING

Fred Segal, 8100 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood (323-655-3734). Their clothes capture L.A. style at its best. Classic T shirts and jeans.

Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills (310-550-5900; neimanmarcus.com) An all-around great store for anything you need.

FOR THE MIND AND BODY

Beverly Hot Springs, 308 North Oxford Avenue (323-734-7000; beverlyhotsprings.com) This is where I like to go to relax and unwind.

The Ashram (818-222-6900; theashram.com) They offer the best yoga. I also like the hiking, and the massages are to die for.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard (323-857-6000; lacma.org) Before starting my career as a hairstylist I wanted to be a sculptor, so I like to come here to connect with my artistic side.