Jenny Valentish finds herself haunting the real Hotel California…

With The Hotel California it’s not so much a case of “you can never leave” as “you’ll never want to”. This boutique hotel is ideal for the lone female on the trot, right down to the 100% Egyptian cotton sheets.

The gated hotel buildings lead directly down to the beach, with Santa Monica pier a mere two-minute dawdle in one direction and the swishiest shopping streets in the other. There’s wireless reception in the rooms, with the added bonus of a view of the sun setting over the sea. While you can’t eat at the hotel, there are plenty of restaurants in the area (The Ivy and Drago among them), and delish muffins, fruit and herbal tea at reception. I nearly cried when I left to catch my plane…

For more information visit  www.hotelca.com