Kimpton’s The Hotel Palomar in Westwood is a great boutique hotel to have your visitor stay or have a little staycation of your own. My staycation there was amazing. The hotel itself is stylish, but comfortable and everyone who worked there was so friendly. Plus, you can bring your furry companions, because they’re dog friendly!
When I arrived, I relaxed in my king size bed, with my healthy treats (almonds, trail mix, and water), and worked on some pieces I was writing. I don’t know any hotel that has robes in prints like leopard or zebra, but I quickly got into the leopard robe and got comfy.
That night I met my other blogger friend, Dawn from Beauty Frosting at BLVD 16 restaurant, which is located in the lobby of the hotel. It’s named after that very boulevard stretching 16 miles from downtown to Santa Monica. The restaurant celebrates its fifth anniversary with a series of new menus, including dinner, cocktail and meals-to-go. And, in keeping with Kimpton’s wellness mantra, Blvd 16 now serves a selection of Pressed Juicery juices.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has become a nationwide leader in initiating chef-driven, flexible and approachable meals that use locally-sourced ingredients, unique and seasonal beverage programs. BLVD 16 at The Hotel Palomar, led by Chef Richard Hodge, functions as an all day dining restaurant for hotel and non-hotel guests. The approachable, affordable menu features items from $8 for shareable plates to $32 for large plates and a three-course prix fixe lunch for $15.
The new menu offerings include:
Pressed Juicery: You don’t have to sacrifice your lifestyle at The Hotel Palomar. A selection of Pressed Juicery’s “Nourish” juices, which include Greens 2, Roots 3 and Vanilla Almond is delivered daily and available at Blvd 16, for room service and for banquets and catering.
Craft Cocktail and Wine Menus: BLVD 16’s lounge has two “rush” hours – from 4 -7 pm and 10 pm to midnight. Its new seasonal craft cocktail menu is creative, while the wine menu has small batch wine. Sip on wines from Dunning Zinfandel, Cambria Pinot Noir and Moraga Red & White Blends. They will soon have beer on draft too.
Dinner Menu: Offering “Daily Whims” specials, Shareable Plates, signature Flatbreads, as well as Large Plates, the new BLVD 16 dinner menu features items like Quinoa with Cucumber, oven roasted tomato, Feta cheese, olives and mint pesto; Shishito Peppers with pickled onions and pink peppercorn aioli (my favorite) and a Flatbread with Rapini, spicy chorizo, cracked pepper and lemon crème fraiche. Large plates include Boneless Short Rib with pesto grits, summer squash and roasted tomatoes and Grilled Salmon with peas 3 ways, mushrooms and herbed lemon butter. Chef’s Daily Whims include water, grill, land and raw selections such as 5-Spice Sea Bass, Summer Shrimp Louie Salad and Apricot Braised Pork Belly. Prices range from $8-13 for Farmer’s Market items, Flatbreads and Shareable plates and $15-32 for Large Plates.
Meals-to-Go: Whether you are going to the Hollywood Bowl, the Getty Museum or taking one of The Hotel Palomar’s new PUBLIC bikes out for a spin, the new Meals-to-Go Menu includes three options: Trailblazer with items such as house made trail mix, whole fruit, fresh juices and sandwiches; Sunset on the Beach, as romantic as it sounds with chocolate covered strawberries, Rocken Wagner artisanal breads, imported and domestic cheese with seasonal fruit and the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market which includes a fresh mixed green salad with a selection of additions, from grilled chicken and smoked salmon, to fresh vegetables, cheese and croutons. Each menu is $25 and serves two.
Kimpton’s The Hotel Wilshire and The Hotel Palomar Los Angeles-Westwood are located 4.5 miles from each and they have embraced a car-free lifestyle. They both have new custom-made complimentary bikes from PUBLIC; Car-Free carefree packages, which include: complimentary valet parking; provided pedometers, bottled water, a healthy snack, car-free map, suggested itinerary of the neighborhood, jogging map of Westwood and Miracle Mile; and if you show the front desk 10,000 on your pedometer , you will receive a special code for 20% off your room rate during their next stay at the hotel (must be used by December 31, 2013 and based upon availability).
The Hotel Wilshire rates start at $299/night; The Hotel Palomar rates start at $259/night; more info: 1-800 KIMPTON
