At the Mondrian Hotel in Hollywood, LA, four kind souls — including one unforgettable bartender who felt like a true angel — turned an ordinary stay into a story of warmth, charm, and magic.

Finally, LA.

We entered the Mondrian Hollywood Hotel in the City of Angels, yet I was unsure if there were any angels in the city. The vibe in the hotel was not what I had expected. Then, I noticed the tall young man wearing something billowy and mysterious, almost like what a fancy-schmancy monk would wear. 

I said to myself, “Have I come to Shangri-La?”

I had expected the usual suit and tie attire with families and their excited children, driving their parents crazy, and so I said to myself, “Don’t women wear those?” 

Well, I was in LA, where looking good was the main dish served. Some women were wearing party wear during the day and busy taking pictures of their beautiful selves and reminded me of the Narcissus in the Greek mythology, who fell in love with his own reflection, becoming devastated because he could not have himself. It is a lesson learned that sometimes, love can make you blind to truth.

However, I didn’t blame the women. Youth was fleeting … and hard to catch once it fled town without a suitcase or an adieu.

Then someone kind and amiable, known as K.D., got us a cart for our numerous bags that belonged to Sly Foxy. She continued to be sly and had me do most of the work as if I was the “beast of burden” for her. 

After crashing in our room, we sought breakfast the following day and entered the restaurant/bar area that reminded me of hot days in Spain or Portugal. It was very relaxing and had cozy nooks and crannies that provided places to hide that made one disappear into another dimension. 

I admired the subdued color scheme and wondered, who was the decorator? But I did not ask. I waited for the waiter. Then I saw why the waiter was busy. He was the sole person on that day. So, there we sat like two hungry children. However, I did not care a sou when the waiter came over to take our orders.

The waiter’s name was Ser—. He was exceedingly helpful and charming. I wondered, how could anyone be so cheerful? He almost irked me with his cheerfulness—not. 

He brought us coffee in paper cups, which I preferred. The lavish saucer and wide-brimmed cups rattled and dribbled like the ocean crashing onto the cliffs. Paper cups were easier to hold. I wore whites and I tended to spill things. Yes, I was easy to please.

“Seems like you are a one-man show,” I said, “and we are in no hurry … you take your time.”

He laughed. Yes, he had to run about like an energized rabbit.

I was impressed that his demeanor was so friendly when I would have said something like, “What do people think I am? An Octopus with eight arms?”

Other than Ser—, there was another remarkable person at Mondrian Los Angeles Hotel? There was an amazing bartender. 

Ser—, trying to be helpful, said that there was a happy hour in the main restaurant with a lovely outdoor setting, but I strongly recommend that you not say the words Happy Hour—there, LOL. Skip it and go straight to the rooftop bar instead, one of the best Los Angeles rooftop bar, where the scenery will take your breath away and where you will experience memorable LA nightlife.

At the rooftop bar, one will find an angel bartender, his name sounded like Heinz, but the first letter was Ja—or was it Ji—? Whenever I wanted to call him, I had to think of Heinz Ketchup to remember his name. He was originally from Portugal and an actor/bartender/scholar. Yeah, he was all that. 

In a City of Angels that seemed to lack angels, I found one angel with a halo glowing above his head. Did I actually see his halo? If I say yes, would you believe me? As to wings, no; I did not see them, yet. So, was he as handsome as an angel? Visit him at the Mondrian Hotel Hollywood LA and find out. Something about him will make your eyes aglow.

This angel, whose name sounded like Heinz, was exceptionally sweet. When any customer sought his assistance, he moved like lightning, ensuring the customer was taken care of. He did not just do his duty; he truly cared about people and did more than expected.

So, I sat there and looked at him and fell into awe. Should God decide to rain down brimstone onto the City of Angels, I don’t think that God would do it. So, I blew a dust of blessing to the angel, “Angel, may your heart’s desire come true …”

The following day when I went back to the rooftop bar, there was someone else. He was also sweet and kind. His name was Sc—.

Unlike the angel bartender, he asked, “Could I hang onto your credit card?”

I looked at him for a second and said, “Sure, do hang onto it.”

Then another bartender nearby burst out laughing, including Sly Foxy who could outdrink anyone. Thus, the reason for us hanging out at bars most times. It was good that I bid her adieu in LA, finally getting rid of her, who made my liver cry.

So, how was my visit at the Mondrian Hotel in Hollywood, LA? It certainly was memorable due to the three sweet people plus one angel. So, visit the Mondrian Hotel in LA and look for the waiter Ser— who will never lose his smiles, and Heinz, the angel, whose halo will eternally shine.