She’s a staple in the Bravo world for her unforgettable tenure on “The Real Housewives of New York City,” but Kelly Bensimon often finds herself in Los Angeles as her real estate career continues to flourish on the West Coast.
Such was the case last month when the Manhattanite, 56, touched down in the City of Angels to give Page Six an exclusive tour of her $13.4 million listing in Malibu.
But before walking us through the expansive, James Bond-esque property, Bensimon wanted to show us how she spends a day in LA.
From catching up over coffee at her favorite hotel to luxurious facials from her go-to stem cell specialist to sipping trendy smoothies, the model-turned-mogul gave us an inside look at life in the fab lane.
“I’m so excited for your to see my LA,” Bensimon tells Page Six as the day kicks off. “Let’s go!”
Chic stay
Sunset Marquis, 1200 Alta Loma Rd., West Hollywood, Calif., 20069
Bensimon always likes to stay at the iconic Sunset Marquis Hotel, which became a favorite of hers during the height of her modeling career in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
“I used to run into Bono from U2 and Elton John! This really was the place to be. And it still is! It’s very nostalgic, but feels chic and new at the same time,” she says over coffee in one of the hotel’s many lush outdoor spaces.
“I’ve always stayed here.”
The reality star says she spent a few nights at the Sunset Marquis during Oscars weekend in March, during which she felt particularly glamorous. “I was walking down the stairs in my long red dress and I was like, ‘This reminds me of when I was younger,’” she says. “And it was fun!”
Benismon notes she feels like a “different person” in LA versus New York City.
“Listen, I love New York and I’ve lived there for so many years. I raised my girls there,” she says. “But just the quality of life is different and people are just friendly.”
When she’s in town, Bensimon loves catching up with her good pal and “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Sutton Stracke.
“I’m really good friends with Sutton. I love Sutton so much. I love her because she is genuinely interested and a great mom and a really good friend,” she shares, adding that she “just met Kyle [Richards]” this year, too.
Asked if she’d ever consider moving to LA for a role on “RHOBH,” Bensimon played coy. “Anything could happen!” she says with a laugh. “Who knows?”
Fabulous facials
Nathan Newman, M.D., 9301 Wilshire Blvd #303, Beverly Hills, Calif., 90120
Bensimon says her “first stop” in LA is always the Beverly Hills office of plastic surgeon Dr. Nathan Newman — a pioneer in stem cell therapy — who is renowned for his stem cell facials.
“These stem [cell] facials are unbelievable. I’m serious, my skin has never looked better,” she says. “The stem really hydrates my skin and is removing some of the wrinkles, not all of them.”
Bensimon loves that the procedure hydrates her face, rather than freezing it like other noninvasive cosmetic procedures. “I’m like, ‘Listen, I spent a long time smiling. Do not take away those memories,’” she says, giving fine lines and wrinkles a sweet rebrand.
After being introduced to Dr. Newman, he told me to get ready for a “facial like [I’ve] never had before” — and he was right. It was transformative.
The relaxing, hourlong treatment — which uses his plant-based stem cell serums — gave my skin an instant refresh and dewy glow.
Bensimon says she relies on Dr. Nathan whenever she finds herself in an epidermal crisis.
“My first [stem cell facial] was literally right after BravoCon [2023],” she recalls. “I was exhausted and so I came to Dr. Nathan Newman and I was like, ‘I am so haggard. I’m feeling like not myself, I’m feeling like totally someone else.’ And I had the facial and I’m telling you, I was just like, ‘Woah.’”
Trendy treats
Erewhon, 339 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, Calif., 90210
As Angelenos are well aware, Erewhon is the grocery store to the stars — including Bensimon — so we made a visit to the Beverly Hills outpost.
“I started going to Erewhon because my oldest daughter [Sea Louise] was like, ‘You have got to try these smoothies, they are over the top,’” she says of the 26-year-old’s assessment of the Erewhon’s tentpole creations.
Celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Winnie Harlow, Sofia Richie, Molly Simms and Dr. Paul Nassif have signature smoothies on the menu, but Bensimon prefers to procure her own blend.
For the both of us, she ordered smoothies packed with greens, greek yogurt and cayenne pepper that she raved would “jumpstart our metabolisms” as swimsuit season approaches.
Yes, please!
‘Real Housewife’ of real estate
21056 Las Flores Mesa Dr., Malibu, Calif., 90265
Bensimon — a broker with Douglas Elliman who has sold hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate since obtaining her license as an agent in 2019 — was particularly thrilled to explore her seaside listing at 21056 Las Flores Mesa Dr. with Page Six in tow.
“I just feel like this is a beautiful, beautiful property. It has heritage, it’s in Malibu, Calif., it’s one of a kind,” she says of the 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom manse designed by celebrated architect Harry Gesner and built in 1997.
“He’s known for the wood and also the brick. He loves that juxtaposition. It’s very ‘007’, very cinematic,” she elaborates, acknowledging that the owners’ interior design choices were inspired by their love of the “James Bond” films.
Bensimon also points out the “stunning views” of the Pacific Ocean visible through the home’s cathedral-like windows, from the pool and even from a furnished airstream located in the backyard.
“For me, real estate just resonates so much because I love art and architecture so much,” she tells Page Six. “My favorite part of the job outside of the aesthetic is making sure that my clients have what they need and what they want. That is very rewarding.”
