Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
80
VERY EXPENSIVE
Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows
Behind the famous facade (remember
the Eagles'
Hotel California
album?) lies this star-studded haven where legends were, and
still ar e, made: The “P ink Palace” was center stage for both deal- and star-making in
Hollywood's golden days. Today stars and industr y hotshots or , as one member of the
staff joked, “all the current rulers of the universe,” can still be found lounging around the
Olympic-size pool (into which Katharine H epburn once dove fully clothed) or digging
into D utch apple pancakes in the iconic
Polo Lounge,
wher e H unter S. Thompson
kicked off his adventure to Las Vegas. It is a truly world-class property.
Following a $100-million r estoration a fe w years back, the hotel 's grand lobb y and
impeccably landscaped gr ounds r etain their o ver-the-top glor y, while the lavish guest
rooms—each uniquely decorated in a subdued palate of pinks, gr eens, apricots, and
yellows—boast every state-of-the-art luxury. Many rooms feature private patios, Jacuzzi
tubs, kitchens, fir eplaces, and/or dining r ooms. The 21 bungalo ws are more luxurious
than ever, and the lush, tropical-like grounds are brimming with exotic trees and flowers
that emit divine ar omas. Even the outdoor pathways ar e carpeted, to keep noise to a
minimum. Adding one more layer of luxur y to the hotel, the
Beverly Hills Hotel Spa
by La Prairie
offers European and Asian-influenced massage and exper t facials. Stop by
Bar NINETEEN19
for drinks, which ar e pricey, or the informal, r etro-chic
Fountain
Coffee Shop
for lunch or early dinner.
9641 Sunset Blv d. (at Rodeo Dr .), Bev erly H ills, CA 90210.
&
800/283-8885
or 310/276-2251. F ax
310/887-2887. www.beverlyhillshotel.com. 204 units. $485-$665 double; from $1,025 suite or bungalow.
AE, DC, MC, V. Parking $23. Pets accepted in bungalows only.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 2 bars; 2 lounges;
free airpor t transfers; babysitting; concierge; health club; Jacuzzi; Olympic-siz e outdoor heated pool;
room service; spa; 2 outdoor tennis courts (lit for night play).
In room:
A/C, TV/VCR, CD player, hair dryer,
minibar, Wi-Fi ($12 per day).
Four Seasons Hotel L os Angeles at Beverly Hills
This intimate-feeling
16-story hotel attracts a mix of A-list jet-setters lo yal to the F our Seasons brand and a
L.A. showbiz crowd who cherishes the hotel as an après-event gathering place. Like other
Four Seasons, the concierge is famously well connected and service staff goes the distance.
Guest room luxuries include custom extra-stuffed S ealy mattresses with heavenly linens
and pillo ws, marble bathr ooms with v anity TV, and F rench doors leading to priv ate
balconies. Room rates rise with the elevator, so bargain hunters need to sacrifice the view;
ask for a corner r oom to get extra space at no additional cost. Along with a full-ser vice
spa, the vie w-endowed four th-floor deck featur es a lap pool, poolside grill, and glass-
walled fitness center .
Gardens
is a r efined and ex cellent California-F rench r estaurant
often overlooked by locals.
300 S. Doheny Dr. (at Burton Way), Los Angeles, CA 90048.
&
800/819-5053,
800/332-3442, or 310/273-
2222. Fax 310/859-3824. www.fourseasons.com/losangeles. 285 units. $395-$475 double; from $595 suite.
AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $21. P ets 15 lb . and under w elcome.
Amenities:
Restaurant; lounge;
poolside grill; children's programs; concierge; exercise room; Jacuzzi; rooftop heated pool; full-service spa;
room service.
In room:
A/C, TV (TV/DVD in suites), CD player, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi ($10 per day).
5
Hotel Bel-Air
Spread over 12 luxuriant gar den acres, this stunning mission-
style hotel is one of the most beautiful, r omantic, exclusive, and all-ar ound impressive
hotels not just in L.A., but in all of California. This opulent early-20th-centur y castle
wins a never-ending stream of praise for its faultless ser vice, luxurious accommodations,
and magical ambience. The parklike grounds—rich with ancient tr ees, fragrant flowers,
