West Hollywood

Check-in is delayed 10 minutes. While we wait in the lobby, we notice a few young men just hanging out. Somebody a decade or two younger than I might have immediately recognized these guys as members of pop boy band ’N Sync.

So we get the keys to our room. My wife and I step out of the elevator on the fifth floor. Two women—both about 6 feet tall and strikingly attractive—are waiting to get in. Oblivious, I’m looking for a sign to direct me to our room. But my wife drops her bag, turns to one of the women and commandingly exclaims, “Elle!”

We all stop and size each other up. “Elle MacPherson!” says my wife, in a manner that suggests we’re high school chums, and occasionally have actress/supermodels over the house for Clos du Bois.

Ms. MacPherson slides her sunglasses down her nose to take us in. “Hello,” she says, extending a hand. I shake it—her hand, that is. She waits for me to say something, like “Hi, remember we worked together on an episode of Friends?” But I say nothing like that. In fact, I manage to say nothing. It appears I’d rather find my room than stand in the hallway and chat with world-renowned bikini models.

Such is the nature of the clientele at Le Montrose Suite Hotel. This 132-suite West Hollywood property—hidden in a residential neighborhood two blocks from the Sunset Strip—has star appeal.

Each suite comes with a balcony (to watch the limos pull up), kitchenette and stereo system that includes a CD player and VCR. Converted from a condominium to a hotel in 1989, the property recently underwent a $3 million facelift—the lobby, restaurant and top-floor pool deck were spruced up.

The facelift is something the hotel has in common with many of its guests. Shanteque, a facility for post-cosmetic surgery aftercare, occupies a private wing on the second floor in Le Montrose. Shanteque guests get private underground entry and transportation to and from a doctor’s office. Rooms have electric beds, and the in-room televisions show first-run movies.

I don’t believe Elle was staying at Shanteque. I’m pretty sure ’N Sync wasn’t, and I know I didn’t. But we’re all now aware of the option, aren’t we?

IF YOU GO: A one-bedroom suite is $460 a night. For more information, call the hotel at 310-855-1115. Rooms at Shanteque are $625 a night; call 310-652-6112. —Ron Donoho

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to San Diego Magazine »