The Mayfair Hotel: A New Staycation Spot for L.A. Creatives

Most writers in Los Angeles will tell you that it’s sometimes hard to find the perfect spot to get the creative juices flowing, to finish that script, to meet that deadline. Of course, said place needs to have decent coffee, free wi-fi, and comfy seating, but cafés throughout the city are becoming increasingly flooded with laptops, bloggers, and any old-school scribes who still prefer pen and paper.

That’s why The Mayfair Hotel in downtown L.A. is becoming the next great getaway for local artists looking for an environment that can facilitate the creative process. (History lesson: this was a writing spot for legendary novelist Raymond Chandler nearly 80 years ago — so you know this place is legit.)

Last month, The Mayfair celebrated its reopening with an epic party that attracted the best and the brightest in the L.A. art scene. While attendees were treated a smorgasbord of treats, tunes from DJ Muggs, and live performances from Mickey Avalon and London McNamara, others were introduced to the hotel’s custom-built podcast studio where locals and guests can be their own content producers and tell their own story. Then there’s the writers room, a creative space with a long, communal table with chairs for emerging and seasoned authors working on the next award-winning screenplay or big hit novel. (I gladly took the opportunity to polish a chapter during a recent stay.)

And caffeine addicts, don’t worry. The room is connected to Fairgrounds, a coffeeshop where you can pick up an artisanal brew and pastry.

Back when the Academy Awards weren’t proposing controversial new categories — 1929, to be exact — they held an afterparty in The Mayfair Hotel’s brick-walled ballroom, and some of that glamor can still be felt throughout, thanks to the posh interior designs of Gulla Jónsdóttir. Every square inch is a sleek and sexy throwback to a long-gone era.

The Mayfair is also more than just a staycation spot for L.A. creatives. It’s building a reputation as a destination for those seeking world-class accommodations carefully paired with a hand-picked collection of art, music and entertainment. Under the direction of Artist-in-Residence Kelly “RISK” Graval and Regime 72‘s Kevin Zinger and Ivory Daniel, the hotel’s creative programming recalls the glamorous heydays of the Roaring 20s while also offering visitors an intimate view into the DNA of the city.

Guests and visitors can also experience The Mayfair’s multi-faceted dining options including M Bar in the lobby lounge and Eve American Bistro, with Hell’s Kitchen winner Executive Chef Scott Commings at the helm. The stylish restaurant was named after Eve Cressy, the main character of Raymond Chandler’s short story “I’ll Be Waiting.” And behind M Bar is The Library, a cozy, secluded room with bookshelves, curve-backed chairs, and a grand fireplace perfect for reading sessions or, according to the hotel’s site, “an unexpected adventure that always leads to a happy ending.”

Mayfair recently hosted Banksy’s Haight Street Rat, while opening its doors to the art community for a few select screenings of the critically acclaimed documentary, Saving Banksy. The Haight Street Rat will return to The Mayfair this fall for another exhibition.

“The Mayfair is a special place,” said Kevin Zinger, founder of Regime 72. “It’s important to all of us that the art community feels at home when they walk through the doors. We spent years planning, designing and executing what is now The Mayfair. It only made sense to do a few events specifically for artists and musicians first. Everyone involved wants to make sure the art community thinks of The Mayfair as a home. We are genuine in the approach and not making it feel like a marketing ploy. Of course, we want everyone to be able to enjoy The Mayfair, but building the trust with the art community first was important.”

For more information, visit www.MayfairLA.com. Starting rates begin at $185 per night.

@TheFirstEcho