Tamie Adaya, manager of the Hotel Shangrila, talks about her fabulous life, her favorite things about the hospitality industry and her favorite things in Santa Monica. Check it out!
How long have you had Hotel Shangrila and what are your plans for it this year?
The Shangrila opened in 1939, and has been under my aegis for nearly a decade. The plan for this year is the same plan for every year, culture and sensuality by the ocean.
What is the best room to stay in at Hotel Shangrila Santa Monica?
The legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll penthouse suite for its unmistakeable ’80′s coke-deco’ meets ‘ocean zen’ meets Sex Pistols vibe.
How did you get into the hospitality business at such a young age?
My favorite thing in the world has always been the alchemy and combustion that occurs when bringing the very best people together. I’ve been doing this since adolescense and still do with my invite-only Madame De Pompadour inspired salons.
How would you describe your style?
Reluctant Rock n Roll vixen hamstrung by sartorial elegance.
What do you like most about Santa Monica?
It’s intimacy and unique personality. I don’t think there’s anywhere else quite like it on earth.
What makes you the most happy in life?
My friends, family and nature. I appreciate flamboyance and extravagance, but simplicity is what tends to give me the deepest satisfaction.
Favorite Designer
Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Chanel, A Child Of The Jago
What are some hidden gems in Santa Monica that only the locals may know?
Hardly anyone knows about the Shangrila adjacent ‘Camera Obscura’ that overlooks Santa Monica beach. Ancient Greeks and Leonardo Da Vinci utilized this antiquated oddity . Highly popular with the Victorian and Edwardians, this Camera Obscura is one of the only handful surviving in the US. A must-see for cinematographers and voyeurs alike.
