Discover Malaika Arora's LA

Actress Malaika Arora recently visited Los Angeles and had the opportunity to explore the best of the city.

The Dream Hollywood (6417 Selma Ave., Hollywood 90028) was central to all of Malaika's activities while in Los Angeles. The hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows are perfect for stargazing and seeing the Hollywood Sign. The hotel's dining and party options were exactly what the actress was looking for in LA. Beyond the huge lobby, a landscaped "public alley" links up eateries and nightlife spots— Luchini Pizzeria, TAO Los Angeles, Beauty & Essex, Avenue nightclub, and Highlight Room. The world’s best block party was at her doorstep: Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Tobey Maguire, Zoe Saldana, Katie Holmes, and Owen Wilson came to the opening of the Dream complex.

Malaika, who feels there is no substitute for a healthy body, had an intensive workout session at the Gunnar Peterson Gym in the hotel. Gunnar's past and present celebrity clientele includes Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie and Sofia Vergara.

Malaika got the VIP treatment at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood (3400 W Riverside Dr, Burbank 91522), where she had a three-hour, behind-the-scenes experience. She viewed costumes and explored sets and soundstages used for productions such as Justice League, Gilmore Girls, The Big Bang Theory and Argo. Plus, she visited the original Central Perk set from Friends and Stage 48, where she saw the actual props used in the Harry Potter films, and checked out the Picture Car Vault showcasing a variety of iconic movie vehicles.

The heart of the city, Downtown LA has experienced an extraordinary renaissance in recent years. Malaika discovered the area's intriguing mix of old and new, from riding the historic Angels Flight and catching the unforgettable views at OUE Skyspace (633 W. 5th St, Los Angeles 90071), to soaking up the sun at Broken Shaker, the stunning rooftop bar at the Freehand Hotel (416 W 8th St, Los Angeles 90014). Later, she explored the Arts District and dined at Manuela (907 E 3rd St, Los Angeles 90013), the on-site restaurant at the massive Hauser & Wirth art gallery.

Malaika embarked on a shopping expedition to Westfield Century City (10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles 90067), a recently renovated retail and entertainment hub featuring 200 shops and restaurants. While there, she caught up with celebrity makeup artist Rachel Goodwin, whose clientele includes Emma Stone of La La Land fame. Rachel not only shared some quick makeup fixes, but also took Malaika to Eataly for gourmet food shopping and Gelato tasting.

From Century City it's a quick jump over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard, one of LA’s trendiest streets, for some boutique hopping and a quick coffee stop at Intelligentsia Coffee (1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice 90291). Dubbed "the coolest block in America" by GQ Magazine, the picture perfect street had Malaika mesmerized enough to put shopping on the back burner and just take in the sights. Malaika later had a quintessential LA experience - yoga on the beach at sunset.

Malaika ended her LA visit in true VIP style with The Private Suite, a newly-built private terminal at LAX (6875 W Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles 90045). Instead of 2,200 footsteps from car seat to plane seat, members of The Private Suite can do it in just 70 footsteps. Private TSA screening is done in the building, and The Private Suite team handles ticketing and luggage. Members spend their preflight in totally private suites, each with its own bathroom, food service pantry, a two-person daybed, and a runway view of aircraft landing and taking off. When it’s time to board, Private Suite members are driven in a BMW 7 Series sedan across the tarmac directly to their aircraft.