Mr & Mrs Smith's Favorite Boutique Hotels

I just received in the mail Mr & Mrs Smith's Global Shortlist, a beautiful guide to the most exotic and beautiful boutique hotels around the world... It turns out the Brits, never short on cool expressions, call a romantic/sexy weekend getaway a "Mr and Mrs Smith weekend", hence the name of the book and its parent website, which proposes booking services, special offers, and all kinds of hedonistic perks for members. Personally, I also love their stylish blog.

Lavishly illustrated, the book features a very carefully edited selection of unique hotels, reviewed by the likes of Dita von Teese, and is also packed with information about the cities it may take you to. But what I like most about it is its tongue-in-cheek tone. Really, what other guide teaches you how to mix a minibar cocktail? My own personal favorite feature, as a fervent linguist, is of course the useful phrases translated into many languages - perfect if you need to say "Take me to your leader", "I swear I didn't take the bathrobe!" or "Shaken, not stirred" in Thai or Portuguese...
I collect pictures of amazing, quirky bookshelves so the one above, from the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica, went straight to my iPhoto library. Any local bloggers who'd care to joint me there some time for a drink?

SLS Hotel with Adrienne

My dear friend Adrienne, who works for Culture & Commerce, was in town for the opening of the SLS Hotel (465 La Cienaga blvd.), designed by Monsieur Philippe Starck, so I was treated to a private tour of some of the place's highlights. Starck went for a rich and dark baroque decor, with an emphasis on black and all kinds of silver hues, from glassy glitter to huge mirrors. The beauty of the details is just dazzling. The top picture was snapped in, er, the restrooms...
A stunning boutique displays crazy eye-candy items by fabulous designers, such as this tongue-in-cheek plate and this humongous faux-macaron candle.
Philippe, on t'aime! (We love you)