Checking Into Awards Season + America's Most Glamorous Trailer Park

Schitt’s Creek’s Moira Rose (played by the late, great Catherine O’Hara) once declared that her favorite season was “Awards,” and I’m inclined to agree with her. The fashion, the speeches, the memes—it all creates a pop-culture frenzy unlike any other time of year. And nowhere is that buzz felt more than in Tinseltown itself. Los Angeles really dials up the glamour when the occasion calls for it, as it does several times during the first few months of the year. If you happen to visit during awards season, you might even catch glimpses of the red carpet action IRL.

So, in celebration of the 98th Academy Awards this weekend, we’re dedicating this issue to Hollywood. Senior editor Britney Eschelman reviews her favorite Sunset Strip boutique hotel, and news editor Ruby Gregg has all the latest industry gossip. And while my personal nominees for best LA boutique hotels include The Cara, The Georgian, Short Stories, The Beverly Hills Hotel, and Chateau Marmont, I’m using this opportunity to tell you about the most glamorous trailer (as in mobile home, not movie preview) I’ve ever seen. Let’s get into it before the music plays us off…

— Dan Howarth, HAP Weekly Newsletter Editor

When you think of mobile homes, luxury isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, at Malibu Beach Trailer Park—which is less trailer park and more an exclusive slice of oceanfront real estate—Alana Marie Interiors has transformed a 1960s unit into an unexpectedly beautiful multigenerational home.

During the renovation, the entire floor plan was reworked to improve flow, add sleeping quarters through strategically placed lofts, and strengthen the connection to the outdoors. Sliding glass partitions disappear into the walls to open the living areas onto a back patio, complete with a grill station and a sunken lounge oriented toward the sunset. There’s also an outdoor shower surrounded by greenery, along with landscaping that enhances privacy across the lot.

The wood-lined interiors feel beachy without slipping into cliché, while a playful use of pattern in the soft furnishings adds personality. The loft and mezzanine above are painted a pale blue that mirrors the sky visible through a skylight, while the sleeping area below is drenched in a rich sienna tone that heightens its cozy atmosphere. In the primary bedroom, textured plaster walls, a timber-clad ceiling, and midcentury lighting continue the intimate, coastal aesthetic.

The main living area is equally compelling. Dark stone floors and countertops contrast with the warm wood millwork wrapping the walls and ceiling, while built-ins provide generous storage. A dining nook and island seating create multiple places to gather—though the patio is clearly the prime spot for al fresco meals.

Altogether, the thoughtful palette and meticulous detailing result in a trailer—if we can even still call it that—worthy of its own moment on the silver screen.

I’m Ruby, HAP’s News Editor. Each week, I highlight the travel, hotel, and lifestyle stories catching our Editor-in-Chief Brandon Berkson’s eye—and what should catch yours too. Have an above-par piece of news? Pitch me at [email protected]

At The Setai Miami Beach, cocktail hour just got a little more interesting with the debut of Jo’s Bar, a new lounge by Saladino Design Studios. Found within the hotel’s glamorous Art Deco setting, the moody hideaway—complete with polished brass shelving, mirrored panels, and rows of meticulously displayed spirits that shimmer under warm lighting—is made for late-night martinis and lingering a little longer than planned.

In southern France, Sant Roch has opened what’s being billed as the country’s largest sauna complex. The expansive wellness destination draws inspiration from Nordic bathing traditions, with a series of heated rooms and relaxation spaces designed for communal ritual. It’s a sign of Europe’s growing interest in social, experience-driven wellness.

Mandala Club has expanded its lifestyle portfolio with the opening of the Mandala Racquet Club in Singapore. The new venue features tennis, padel, and pickleball courts alongside stylish gathering spaces for members—bringing together sport, social life, and hospitality under one roof.

Luxury fitness brand Equinox is upgrading its locker room amenities through a new partnership with fragrance house Le Labo. The swap introduces the brand’s cult-favorite bath and body products to showers and vanities across clubs. For members, it’s a subtle sensory upgrade to the post-workout routine.

A new ultra-luxe rail experience aims to transform travel between San Francisco and Los Angeles with private jet–inspired train carriages. With plush seating, elevated dining, and white-glove service, the ride is designed to feel more like a luxury lounge than a commute—just be prepared to pay accordingly.

Framed by the Hollywood Hills and icons like the cylindrical Capitol Records building, you’d likely miss The Aster without its exact location pinned and its grand yellow doors etched into memory.

Just off the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a left on Vine Street leads you to this adults-only boutique hotel and private members’ club, where the tourist-heavy buzz of Hollywood Boulevard fades the moment you step inside.

Enter through the front doors—or via the discreet valet tucked beside the entry—and you’re greeted by a lobby that feels nothing short of theatrical. A grand, winding staircase sets the tone, while a dramatic waterfall chandelier hovers above the check-in desk, quite literally stealing the scene.

Upstairs, the rooftop terrace unfolds into a lush hideaway lined with lemon trees, garden paths, and lounge seating. The Hollywood Sign sits directly in your line of sight, while Capitol Records feels close enough to touch (don’t try). On weekends, live music and skyline views transform the space into one of the more compelling social scenes in the City of Angels.

Private members’ clubs can sometimes feel exclusive but empty. Here, the opposite is true—the creative buzz is tangible.

Read the full hotel review here.

You’ve made the decision to have a destination wedding, but with the entire world at your fingertips, how do you narrow it down to a specific locale, much less one venue? Well, with this checklist.

Instead of diving right into looking at specific venues or locations, sit down with your partner and identify the things you simply cannot compromise on. That list should ideally be a combination of the logistical and the emotional. You might want to set a maximum flight time for guests, have a sunset beachfront ceremony, and choose a property that can accommodate everyone under one roof. Getting clear on those framing points will save you from weeks of research and dreaming about venues that might look amazing, but aren’t right for you.

Maybe I’m a bit biased, but I do think when it comes to a destination wedding, you’re setting yourself up for a more seamless experience choosing a boutique hotel as your venue. Amongst other perks, they carry a distinct advantage over large resorts: a singular, specific atmosphere. I mentioned the importance of defining what romance means to you as a couple in my last article, and that concept is just as important to think about in this context. Your venue is the backdrop for every photo and memory from that weekend (and can actually save you money on florals and extra decor if it speaks for itself).

Many boutique hotels offer full property buyouts, which can be a game-changer for a destination wedding. Having the entire property to yourselves provides cohesion, privacy, and a house party intimacy that larger venues can’t replicate. Not to mention you won’t be rushed out after any of your events, and your guests can just head upstairs when they’re done on the dance floor.

If you’re considering a full weekend buyout, look as early as possible. When my fiance and I began our search process we thought we were so ahead of the game, only to find out during our virtual tour that even with an almost year-and-a-half lead, our top venue only had one weekend remaining for our desired month.

Stunning photos have launched many a venue inquiry, but that doesn’t mean the property has everything you and your partner need. Before you get too emotionally invested, confirm that the property has a realistic path for you and your guests to get there, can accommodate your approximate headcount comfortably, and has handled weddings before. Something I also found important was to gauge preparedness and responsiveness from the start. If a venue took too long to answer my initial inquiry or wasn’t prepared for our Zoom call, they were crossed off the list.

Once you’ve whittled your list to a few top contenders, book site visits to truly get a feel for each space. Visiting more than two or three in one trip tends to make them blur, so get your list as short as possible. If you can’t visit before booking, those virtual meetings become even more important. Be sure to also review previous weddings at each venue through social media or reputable review sites.