I have recently been asked a few times now what if feels like turning 60. The truth is, it’s empowering and enlightening. Younger readers will feel as I did a few decades ago — 60 is OLD! But the truth is 60 years’ experience allows wisdom, experience and the ability to see round corners. Keeping fit and healthy helps, with four early morning sessions a week on my cross trainer.
With my 60th birthday falling over Passover, we celebrated later in LA combining a great holiday with catching up with old friends and a bit of business.
We stayed at my all-time favourite LA hotel, the Four Seasons on Doheny. It will always hold a special place in my heart as the place where I decided, back in 2010, to marry Katrina, who had joined me for my Oscars trip.
This time, as ever, my car pulled up to a pristine troop of doormen at the ready. Within minutes of my arrival I was ensconced in my suite, glass of champagne in hand.
This iconic hotel bestows that special “I have arrived” feeling on its guests the minute they set foot inside its grandiose lobby, replete with gleaming marble floors, striking floral displays and a sculpture of Marilyn Monroe.
Its location is at the epicentre of Hollywood and Beverley Hills and within walking distance of great restaurants, shops, and Santa Monica Boulevard. The Four Seasons is near to Rodeo Drive where Julia Roberts got her first taste of the high life in Pretty Woman.
It’s obvious that the staff are very happy to work for Robert and Beverly Cohen who own the hotel. Robert Cohen’s management style of delegating to those he trusts clearly works.
I witnessed first-hand the work of legendary hotelier, Michael J Newcombe who reads guests’ expectations and exceeds them. But nowadays guests are more likely to meet Esther Oh Kostecky who had the unenviable task of leading Four Seasons London through lockdown. Her delight and warmth shines through as once again she can interact with guests.
All the high-tech rooms are spacious, with the suites magnificent and the wardrobes spacious. The bathrooms have marble counters, separate sunken tubs, and showers. There are balconies in every room, with stunning views.
While the hotel is enormously discreet and will protect every guest’s privacy, sharing a lift with an A-list celebrity is the norm. I have worked out in the hotel gym next to McCartney, drunk with Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, and Stallone, and even shared a cigar with Jon Bon Jovi.
For my birthday we went full Hollywood style, choosing the Butterfly private room at Cecconi’s West Hollywood. The menu was perfect as selected by Katrina and Sofia and included birthday cake, profiteroles, salted caramel gelato and chocolate sauce. Guests included Dame Joan Collins, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, and Universal Music supremo Sir Lucian Grainge. My cousin Daniel Gestetner made the warmest speech. Daniel reminded me how when he was a teenager, I stood in for his father as we went camping in Epping Forest.
Back home, recent months have seen a double helping of Bafta award ceremonies, where I enjoyed catching up with Australian film producer Emile Sherman whose film The Power of the Dog won Motion Picture of the Year at this year’s Oscars.
Another privilege of turning 60 is enjoying nostalgia and being able to say I was there.
At this year’s Roundhouse Gala, we were guests of Sally and Ronnie Wood. Naturally, Ronnie took to the stage. I first saw the Stones in 1982 twice. First at the 100 Club then Wembley Stadium. Back then I was not a VIP, but neither was there a golden circle at the front. I got to the stadium on the first tube of the day and as the gates opened ran to the front and enjoyed one of the best days of my life.
Three days after the Roundhouse Gala I was at The Who’s Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert. I never saw Keith Moon with The Who but did get to see them perform still full of rage in 1979 at their first concert following his death, with Roger Daltrey in his prime.
My charity shoutout this month is Wayne Garvie’s War Child Emergency Appeal. Millions of children around the world are living in terrifying conflicts. Please donate today: warchild.org.uk.
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE is chairman of InterTalent Rights Group
