By Marjorie Hope Rothstein
As the golden statuettes gleam under the spotlight and Hollywood’s finest grace the red carpet, another spectacle quietly unfolds behind the scenes of the Academy Awards—the luxurious gifting suites reserved exclusively for the esteemed nominees. These elite retreats, often tucked away in upscale hotels or private estates, offer a haven of extravagance where A-listers indulge in the finest products and experiences, courtesy of high-end brands boasting for their attention. Here is a sneak peak behind the scenes at two of these coveted spaces where luxury meets celebrity.
GBK BRAND BAR Luxury Lounge: Presented by Care A2+
Oscar Nominees and A-List Celebrities were Honored with over $100K in Gifts and Trips at the Luxurious Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Saturday, March 12, 2024
The Extravagant Experience:Once you step inside one of these exclusive enclaves, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a world of luxury and sophistication. From 7 different travel getaways, (African Safari, Turks & Caicos, Greece, and many others) to Electronics, Jewelry, and 20 other exciting giveaways. As always, there was an amazing selection of beverages & food to nibble on, as well as music from DJ Kara keeping the guests entertained from the moment they entered. Every detail, meticulously curated to cater to the discerning tastes of Hollywood royalty, from the plush furnishings to the ambient lighting exuding an air of glamour. Champagne flows freely as celebrities peruse an array of meticulously arranged products, from designer apparel and accessories to cutting-edge gadgets and skincare essentials.
The attending guests included Oscar winner Viola Davis, Emmy winners Storm Reid, Neil Patrick Harris, and Ricki Lake, as well as stars of Oscar Nominated films such as Scott Evans & Anna Cruz Kayne (Barbie), Janae Collins, William Belieau, Jillian Dion, Tatanka Means (Killers of the Flower Moon), and Reagan To (Elemental). Other Oscar Nominees stopped by such as Nazrin Choudhury (Red, White & Blue), Tal Kantor, Amit Gicelter (Short Letter to a Pig), Misan Harriman (The After), Lasse Lyskjaere Noer (Knight of Fortune), and Vincente Rene Lortie (Invincible). Other notable guests included Cedric the Entertainer, Adina Porter, Cheech Marin, Championship Coach Doc Rivers, Brian Shaw, Joe Russo, Cat Cora, Samantha Hanratty, Sofia Sanchez, Penelope Ann Miller, Eric Roberts, Rick Glassman, Christopher McDonald, DJ Tracy Young, Sonyae, Akbar Gbajabiamia, Violet McGraw, Victoria Tate, Jai Rodriguez, Shaun Toub, Armin Amiri, and Calah Lane just to name a few.
Personalized Attention: What truly sets this gifting suite apart is the unparalleled level of personalized service extended to each guest. The GBK Brand Bar always presents the best and the brightest. From Interact with Care A2+ which is an Australian wellness company, and donated product to a local women’s shelter in the name of the celebrities present. The exceptional gifts from GE Lighting, a Savant Company which provided Cync® Dynamic Effects smart products including neon-shaped lights and hexagon panels; food delivery by Jane Foods which includes gourmet flash-frozen, par-baked, and par-cooked delights; and Mend by L’essence which is a group of PhD’s and clinicians involved in groundbreaking biomedical research specializing in longevity and regenerative medicine. Other brands being gifted included wellness items such as Root Brands products designed to support the body’s natural detoxification process and promote overall well-being; Mindful Wellness’ specialized to support weight loss, menopause, and children’s weight management; Soultox high alkaline mineral infused water with natural flavors, and Susan Shatzer International hand-selected genuine amethyst pendulum with an intuitive success session. There were a myriad of food/beverage options being gifted including a $1,000 gift card to Ike’s Love and Sandwiches; Fog Crest Vineyard wines from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma, award-winning caviar from California Caviar Company, a 4-month supply of Topo Chico sparkling mineral water, a $1,000 gift voucher for a customized cake from The Gateaux Shoppe, and gourmet chocolates from DeBrand Fine Chocolates. Additional gifts included dog accessories from Glow Pups, the PowerXL Light Fryer with Luminex technology, limited edition digital print titled “Good Luck” from Anne Kullaf; ‘leisure-enhancing’ sunscreen from Vacation; luxury swimwear Storm Reid on the Step and Repeat – photo credit: Tiffany Rose & activewear from Cabo Couture; and slope side ski collection from Beconta. Guests were also presented with the opportunity from Action Takers Publishing free ghostwriting and publishing services to create their own book, guaranteed to be a #1 Best Seller.
What could be more needed for celebrating the hard work of these celebrities work with a few luxurious trips? These included the most coveted bespoke travel such as a 6-Day fully paid luxury African safari by Lush Africa Safaris, a 4-Night stay & private villa in luxurious Turks & Caicos from Sailrock Resorts, Luxury 4-night stay in a private villa at Andronis Arcadia (2 nights) and Gundari (2 nights), with transportation in Greece through Hidden Doorways a Global Luxury Travel Consulting company, Two nights with food and beverage at the historic La Casa del Camino Hotel in Laguna Beach and a Two night stay at the newly renovated W Hollywood situated in the heart of Hollywood.
A Showcase of Innovation:
Beyond the allure of luxury, these gifting suites also serve as a showcase for innovation, highlighting groundbreaking products and technologies shaping the future of luxury living. But the most cherished part is GBK Brand Bar CEO Gavin Keilly is committed to giving back, and this year 5 separate charities were the beneficiaries of this year’s lounge which included Angel City Pit Bulls, Food on Foot nonprofit helping low-income neighbors in Los Angeles, Paws for Life K9 Rescue, Casa De Los Angelitos, providing a Safe Haven for Mothers and their babies and The Collective Identity Mentoring which is a non-profit, a grassroots mentoring program for black girls and gender-expansive youth. This event raised over $80,000 for these causes including a generous donation from Beverly Hills based @Personalinjurycalifornia Attorney Tara Jane Flynn to Food on Foot. Gavin has secured over $10 million to over 50 charities since 2002.
