/ / / / /

What Exactly Does Taliban Jim Have To Do With The In Vogue Hotel

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 690 South Coast Hwy [map], Laguna Beach, CA, United States, 92652
February 10, 2010 at 4:08 PM | by | Comments (3)

See? Even though we tried to bring the focus back on hotel sightings on the big screen, the boob tube is still the winner for quick and easy hotel hits. The latest news has to do with original "The Real Housewives" franchise, The Real Housewives of Orange County..

Gawker reports that the newest member of the show, Alexis Bellino, recently wrote a blog post on Bravo shilling for her husband as is he apparently the new owner of the all-suites The In Vogue Hotel in Laguna Beach.

Taliban Jim, his nickname dubbed by Television Without Pity because he won't let his wife get a cup of coffee without him, is already advertising on Craigslist saying,

"CALL JIM FOR WEEKLY AND MONTHLY SPECIALS, CALL ME AT 949-322-4900. I AM DEALING!"

Hmm...we can't wait to see what kind of guests have been parading through this hotel.

The hotel does have a cheesy website set up but thankfully, Jim and Alexis have not begun posting pics of them and their children everywhere like another Real Housewife husband/hotelier, Simon Van Kempen. There are, however, no reviews on TripAdvisor yet.

We found rooms this weekend for $195 a night for the Manhattan Suite which has a kitchenette and free WiFi. The hotel is also adjacent to the In Vogue Spa and Skincare salon so in case your hair extensions aren't ready yet, you have a place to cool your heels.

Anyone ever stayed at the In Vogue Hotel? How did it go? Let us know in comments below.

Hotels mentioned in this story

Comments (3)

Post a Comment

Return to » What Exactly Does Taliban Jim Have To Do With The In Vogue Hotel


Wondering the same thing

I was completely blown away by the blog from Alexis Bellino regarding this supposed hotel in Laguna - because I walk past that spot every day and I can tell you no where does it say In Vogue - in fact, the photo that shows that it does say In Vogue, actually says JoJo Brooks - I found that very peculiar - the other thing is that this property has never been a hotel and currently has a For Lease sign in front (which it has had for the last 7 years I have been here at one point or another) for 15 luxury villas.

To say that I am a bit perplexed is an understatement so if someone knows that this is an actual legitimate hotel I would be interested to hear about it - I would also like to know if the Bellino's are paying the appropriate Laguna Beach bed tax for their hotel.

I intend to take another walk by it tomorrow and check out their front desk.

But just as an aside, knowing the area and the building like I do - stating this as luxury is a real stretch.

jlloyd on February 12, 2010 at 2:20 AM #Permalink

Pictures please?

Ooo, take a picture if you can. We can't get down to Orange County for a little while.
juliana on February 15, 2010 at 11:43 PM #Permalink

Pic of In Vogue

Be happy to! I'm walking by there tomorrow anyway. They have taken down the For Lease sign now and having done some background research I did find out that Jim is owner of record with the City along with another firm. The property originally was permitted as a business property and it has only been the last few years that they changed their use permit to a hotel - it appears that they originally intended the spaces to be for monthly rentals but that was challenged hence the need for them to switch to a boutique hotel. Having not been up in to the rooms (there is gate) I can't say for sure but the appearance from the outside it looks every bit like office spaces with a courtyard in the center. Anyway, I will get the picture out tomorrow.
jlloyd on February 18, 2010 at 1:12 AM #Permalink

Return to » What Exactly Does Taliban Jim Have To Do With The In Vogue Hotel

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices