Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
7
•
Huntley S anta M onica Beach
(1111
2nd S t., S anta M onica;
&
310/394-
5454
): Tucked away on the edge of a
quiet Santa Monica neighborhood is my
favorite S anta M onica hotel, one that
combines a superb location with excellent
service and strikingly stylish decor . The
Huntley's 18th-floor
Penthouse
r estau-
rant, bar, and lounge has the best nightlife
scene in Santa Monica. See p. 75.
•
Millennium B iltmore H otel Los
Angeles
(506 S. G rand A ve., D own-
town;
&
800/245-8673
): E ye-pop-
pingly magnificent, the B iltmore has
been hosting r oyalty, U.S. pr esidents,
and international celebs since 1923.
You've seen it in
Chinatown, G host-
busters, B ugsy,
and
B everly H ills Cop
—
now see it for real. See p. 96.
•
Montage Beverly Hills
(225 N. Canon
Dr., Beverly Hills;
&
310/860-7800
):
This ultradelux e hotel opened in late
2008, but it alr eady feels like it 's been
here forever. It's equal par ts old H olly-
wood glamour and S panish R evival
decadence. The rooms are spacious and
gorgeous, and the spa will melt any
amount of str ess away . S hoppers and
star-watchers will delight at the Golden
Triangle location. See p. 82.
•
The Mosaic Hotel Beverly Hills
(125
S. Spalding Dr., Beverly Hills;
&
800/
463-4466
): You'll want to r edecorate
your o wn bedr oom b y the time y ou
check out of this gorgeous boutique
hotel. H uge rainfor est sho wer heads,
Frette linens, B ulgari bath pr oducts,
Wolfgang Puck refreshments, and piles
of pillo ws all add up to hotel heav en.
It's the per fect blend of ar t, luxur y,
service, prime location, and v alue. S ee
p. 87.
•
Raffles L'Ermitage
(9291 Burton Way,
Beverly Hills;
&
800/768-9009
). The
melding of luxury, service, and business
perks is incomparable. Extra-large exec-
utive wor k desks, personal cellphones,
and complimentar y stationer y with
your personal dir ect-dial number
printed on it are all part of the package.
See p. 83.
•
Shutters on the Beach
(1 P ico B lvd.,
Santa Monica;
&
800/334-9000
): If a
luxurious oceanfr ont r oom at S hutters
doesn't add r omance to y our r elation-
ship, it's hard to imagine what will. I t's
like staying at a r eally rich friend's East
Coast beach house. See p. 72.
1
3
THE BEST MODERATELY PRICED HOTELS
•
Casa M alibu
(22752 P acific Coast
Hwy., M alibu;
&
800/831-0858
):
This well-maintained hotel has a terrific
beachfront location. I nnkeepers don 't
come any friendlier , and oceanfr ont
Malibu accommodations don't get more
affordable. See p. 76.
•
Carlyle Inn
(1119 S. R obertson Blvd.;
&
800/322-7595
): This hidden gem,
cleverly tucked away in the hear t of
West L.A., offers a pleasing cour tyard
setting, a dash of Deco-inspired style in
the guest r ooms, and abundant fr ee-
bies—including a gener ous br eakfast
spread and w eekday wine and hors
d'oeuvres. I t's a r eal find for those in
search of v alue-priced comfor ts. S ee
p. 89.
•
Elan H otel
(8435 B everly B lvd., Los
Angeles;
&
888/611-0398
): This for-
mer r etirement home has been trans-
formed into one of L.A. 's best
boutique-style hotels (and one of the
city's best v alues). Its Beverly Boulevard
location isn't pretty, but it's within walk-
ing distance of dozens of restaurants and
Hollywood attractions. See p. 90.
