Hotel Angeleno Unveils Complete Transformation of One of Los Angeles' Most Iconic Structures

Southern California's First Joie de Vivre Property Opens Doors to Boutique Amenities, Modern Upscale Dining and Breathtaking Panoramic Views from the Pacific Ocean to Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Calif. (May 3, 2006) – One of Los Angeles' most recognized landmarks is set to unveil its complete transformation to Angelenos and tourists alike as the new boutique hotel property, Hotel Angeleno. After a six-month renovation process, Hotel Angeleno, the first southern California property from San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre Hospitality, has opened the doors to a casual, yet luxurious Westside destination complete with the city's newest Italian steakhouse, West, more than 200 redesigned guest rooms and some of the best panoramic views in Los Angeles.

"Our vision of a contemporary, yet comfortable Westside destination has been realized with Hotel Angeleno," said Greg Perlman, owner of Hotel Angeleno. "We've incorporated the city's cool demeanor with a warm, casual Hotel Angeleno touch that is displayed in our design, our amenities and most importantly, our service. We welcome all Angelenos and visitors to the city to come and experience the new Hotel Angeleno."

"Hotel Angeleno is the perfect southern California embodiment of the Joie de Vivre spirit," said Chip Conley, founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality. "The dedication to quality and service, the handsome design aesthetic and the unique personal touches throughout are all part of our signature style and we are very excited to introduce that to Angelenos and visitors to the city."

The property's complete multi-million dollar renovation features the redesign of 209 guestrooms, including three one-bedroom suites, West, the top floor restaurant and lounge, a coffee and espresso bar complete with an upscale assortment of snacks and beverages, media center and newsstand, four meeting spaces, a heated outdoor pool and lounge area, and a full fitness center. The hotel's iconic circular design was updated with a sleek, custom-designed exterior light display, lush landscaping additions and a 200-foot-long glass wall that anchors the contemporary light installation that welcomes guests to the property.

The hotel's new interior design, courtesy of Los Angeles-based JoFusion, Inc., is a mix of warm and cool elements, blending together dark wood, slate and stone with neutral taupe, amber and glass accents. Upon entering the modern, airy lobby, complete with reception area, library lounge and coffee bar, guests are immediately drawn into the relaxed luxury of the Hotel Angeleno environment. Guest rooms are well-appointed with sophisticated, contemporary design and an array of amenities, including plasma televisions, imported Italian linens, bath products from Los Angeles-based LATHER, and private balconies with views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Museum and the city's Westside.

A short trip up to the 17th floor brings guests to West, the city's newest Italian steakhouse, complete with stunning panoramic views of Los Angeles from downtown to the Pacific Ocean. The hotel's modern, yet relaxed design aesthetic continues into the restaurant and lounge, which boasts a full-service breakfast, lunch and dinner menu from acclaimed executive chef Mark Mittleman, as well as cocktails, an impressive wine program and a diverse schedule of live music from some of the city's most talented artists.

West's extensive menu and wine program are inspired by the diverse culinary topography of Italy, integrating Mediterranean and Tuscan influences into each selection. Having attended Yale and trained at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Chef Moulton comes to West directly from New York City's Union Square Café. Additionally, Moulton's front-of-house experience ranges from Service Director at Gramercy Tavern to NYC Culinary Director at CB5 Restaurant Group.

Hotel Angeleno will also extend its personal touch beyond the property's grounds with an innovative services and amenities program. Guests will feel completely connected to Los Angeles' culture during their stay thanks to LA-ready GPS systems available for rent in the hotel and iPod Exchange, which allows guests to check out iPods pre-loaded with various music playlists and podcasts. For the beauty buff, Hotel Angeleno has developed "Angeleno Beauty", a full-service mobile spa that offers guests in-room makeovers, beauty treatments and expert advice. Guests will also enjoy a quintessential Joie de Vivre touch with "Hidden LA", a guide that highlights local hotspots and must-sees from the Angeleno perspective, modeled after Joie de Vivre's popular "Joy of Life" guides in San Francisco. Finally, Hotel Angeleno guests can skip the chaos of LA's traffic-plagued landscape with complimentary hotel shuttle service within five miles of the hotel via luxurious Cadillac Escalades.

For more information on Hotel Angeleno, please visit www.hotelangeleno.com or call 866-ANGELENO.

About Hotel Angeleno

Hotel Angeleno is the first southern California property from San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre Hospitality and is a complete transformation of one of Los Angeles' most iconic properties that, since its construction in 1969, has become a Brentwood landmark for tourists and local residents alike. The hotel now features 209 redesigned guestrooms, a fresh, new interior and exterior design and West, a penthouse-level Italian steakhouse and lounge offering panoramic views of the city. The property also features more than 2,500 square feet of meeting space, a heated outdoor pool, fitness center and business center. Hotel Angeleno is the closest hotel to the world-famous Getty Center Museum and offers guests access to Beverly Hills, UCLA, Santa Monica and a variety of southern California attractions. For more information on Hotel Angeleno, please visit www.hotelangeleno.com or call 866-ANGELENO.

About Joie de Vivre Hospitality

Based in San Francisco, Joie de Vivre Hospitality (www.jdvhotels.com) is a creative collection of lifestyle businesses. As California's most prolific hotel operator, the Joie de Vivre portfolio encompasses 37 hospitality businesses in California, including 30 boutique hotels. These properties represent a total of over 2,800 rooms and include five distinctive restaurants and bars. The company also owns and operates San Francisco's largest day spa, the Kabuki Springs & Spa. Each property celebrates California through a unique visual style, uncompromising design principles, one-of-a-kind amenities and personalized service. "Our goal," notes Joie de Vivre founder and CEO Chip Conley, "is to create landmark destinations full of soul and personality."