It was only a few days, but sometimes that’s all you need to feel whole again. After months of juggling a new promotion, motherhood, and everything in between, my husband and I desperately needed a couples reset. Our LA Weekend getaway at 1 Hotel West Hollywood became exactly what we didn’t know we were craving: a recharge.
Why I Needed This Trip More Than I Realized
The first few months of this year were not the easiest. Between navigating a promotion at work (hello, new team, and bigger responsibilities), managing daily life as a mom and wife, and keeping up with my blog, I was running on fumes. The week before our trip perfectly captured the chaos: 17 hours on the road attending a Rivian event, followed by a rush to the GNX Tour with my oldest daughter and husband on the same day. The next day? PJ Morton at Blue Note Jazz Lounge in the city. Then, Mother’s Day weekend arrived with swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School, and after getting ready at home, my husband surprised me by driving to Brooklyn to pick up my mom before heading to dinner at Friend of a Farmer.
Sound familiar? When you’re constantly in “doing” mode, you forget there’s supposed to be space for just “being.”
This LA weekend getaway wasn’t just about getting away; it was about my husband and me finding our way back to each other and ourselves, even if we only had 48 hours to do it.
Related: Luxury Travel in Las Vegas: A Weekend Escape for Parents Who Don’t Gamble
Where We Stayed: 1 Hotel West Hollywood Review
Location: 8490 Sunset Boulevard
Room: 652, Skyline King Room (368 sq ft)
Let me tell you about this hotel! It’s everything you want in a luxury escape. My husband fell in love with how they brought nature indoors, incorporating native greenery, natural-finish wood floors, earthen plaster, clay tones, and marble bathrooms. But can we talk about those blackout curtains? Probably the best we’ve experienced. We actually slept in because no light peeped through, a miracle for parents who usually wake up at dawn.
Our room came with cotton robes and slippers for both of us, Bamford bath products, a 50″ TV, and a Nespresso machine. The seating area provided us with the perfect view of the outdoor pool below, which helped us decide whether to venture down based on the crowd levels.
Related: Unlocking Luxury: How AMEX Fine Hotels and Resorts Elevated Our Vegas Getaway
The AMEX FHR Perks Made It Special
My husband booked through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, which came with incredible perks: champagne, fresh fruit, water, 1 Hotel Granola, handwritten welcome messages, and a complimentary lunch. The turndown service was pure five-star treatment: dimmed lights, sheets turned down, and a glass of water at the bedside. These touches reminded us we were somewhere special.
The Food, the Pace, the Pause
Day 1: Arrival and Unwinding
Lunch at 1 Kitchen (1 Hotel’s restaurant): We started with shots of espresso and cocktails, my husband had a Paloma, and I opted for an Old Fashioned. We both ordered the pan-seared sea bass while waiting for our room to be ready.
Dinner at Redbird Los Angeles: Downtown LA delivered with this meal. The crudo, pulpo tostada, and my husband’s bass were perfection. I skipped cocktails due to the time difference, and the earlier drinks by the hotel pool had left me exhausted; sometimes, listening to your body is the most luxurious choice.
Day 2: Full LA Experience
Breakfast/Brunch at Alta Adams: We shared biscuits with honey butter and jam (though honestly, mine are better—these were flat and crisp). My husband got the buttermilk waffle with fried chicken, and I had shrimp and grits. I tried their “Queen Q’s Dirty Matcha” and the Mr. Street cocktail (brown butter fat-washed rum, espresso, cardamom bitters, Grand Marnier espresso foam), which came with a cute cookie. My husband’s ‘Old Dog New Tricks’ was too spirit-heavy for him,, so he ended up giving it to me.
After brunch, we hit Smog City Brewing for beer tasting, then caught the movie “Sinners.” See it if you haven’t already.
Dinner at Merois (Wolfgang Puck): Five minutes from our hotel (uphill walk back, just warning you). This Asian-fusion spot gave us Ling Ling Mexico City vibes with amazing views. The warm rolls filled with kimchi cream cheese were a perfect start. We had lobster spring rolls, hamachi tostada, and oysters for starters. Mains were wood-grilled prime New York steak for him and shrimp pad Thai for me. The ube cheesecake dessert was incredible; not too sweet, perfectly balanced. Our waitress even surprised us with a complimentary glass of bubbly.
Day 3: Final Moments
Breakfast: Room service lattes and espresso with our leftovers; sometimes, simple is perfect.
Lunch at Cara Cara (Proper Hotel rooftop): The views were stunning, and the weather was perfect. I had seafood ceviche and Dungeness crab pasta (which was just okay), while my husband enjoyed the blood orange salad and grilled branzino. My multiple Night In Tulum 2 cocktails (chili & cilantro-infused Astral Tequila, falernum, lime, coconut salt) were the perfect send-off.
During this final meal, my husband asked how often I’d want to do trips like this. My answer? As often as time and babysitter availability allow, if that weren’t an issue, monthly would be ideal.
The Real Lesson: You’re Allowed to Step Away
Here’s what I learned: wellness travel for moms doesn’t have to mean week-long spa retreats. Sometimes, the most significant act is simply stepping away from the to-do list and remembering who you are outside of your roles.
We mostly ate, relaxed, and reconnected, and that’s exactly what we both needed. It’s hard when you’re the parents of young kids who require babysitters, but my husband made it happen, even at the last minute. The guilt of leaving? It disappeared the moment we realized how much we needed this reset.
Making Rest a Priority, Not an Afterthought
It’s so easy to go, go, go, but we need to rest. It’s important for couples to occasionally get away and enjoy each other’s company without kids interrupting the flow, allowing them to de-stress. This trip reminded us that taking care of our relationship isn’t selfish; it’s essential.
The Beauty in the Bump
The bump in this journey wasn’t just the last-minute planning or the exhaustion that led us to this trip. It was recognizing that sometimes you need to honor where you are in the moment. The beauty was in admitting we needed help, in my husband’s thoughtful planning, in choosing rest over more activities, and in the simple act of asking each other meaningful questions over brunch with a view.
Sometimes, the most beautiful part of travel isn’t the destination; it’s what you discover about yourself and your partnership when you finally slow down enough to pay attention.
You don’t have to disappear for a week to feel like yourself again. Sometimes, two nights in a beautiful hotel and good food will do the trick.