Where to Stay - Los Angeles 2010 - page 80

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square meals a day; Muse, the intimate second-floor dining r oom above Parq, for tasting
menus from executive chef John Cuevas; and adjacent to the r ooftop pool, the Conserva-
tory Grill serves lighter fare. If you have dinner at Muse, definitely check out the priv ate,
speakeasy-type bar toward the back for expertly crafted, innovative cocktails.
225 Nor th Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210. & 800/462-7899 or 310/860-7800. F ax 310/860-7801.
www.montagebeverlyhills.com. 201 units. $495-$695 double; from $795 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Park-
ing $30. Amenities: 3 r estaurants; 2 bars; c oncierge; health club; r ooftop heated pool; r oom ser vice;
full-service spa. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (free).

Peninsula Beverly Hills The Peninsula is one of L.A.'s three finest hotels (a
group that includes the H otel Bel-Air and the B everly Hills Hotel; see above for both).
This stellar hotel—like its sister P eninsula properties in ex otic locales like H ong Kong,
Beijing, and Bangkok—has risen above the rest by making ultraservice its hallmark. Set
at B everly H ills's main cr ossroads, this gar denlike oasis is impeccable in ev ery r espect
(although laid-back types will surely consider it too formal). Special features in the large,
lavish, European-style guest rooms include controls for everything—lighting, climate, do
no t disturb sign—as w ell as the luxurious F rette-made bed, an extra-large wor k desk,
and round-the-clock personal v alets. The 16 priv ate villa suites, ensconced within lush
gardens, have gas fir eplaces, kitchens, and individual security systems. S ure, rooms are
ultraexpensive, but a unique 24-hour check-in/checkout policy—which allo ws y ou to
keep your room for a full 24 hours, no matter what time y ou check in—means you get
your money's worth. Belvedere is L.A.'s premier hotel dining room; breakfast is a tradi-
tion among CAA agents and their thespian clients (insiders or der the no where-on-the-
menu banana-stuffed brioche French toast), and Sunday brunch is the best in town. The
mahogany-paneled bar is also popular among the power suits, while the English Garden-
style Living R oom pours L.A. 's best high tea. The ne wly r enovated Peninsula S pa is
worthy of a visit even if you don't stay at the hotel.
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd. (at Wilshire Blvd.), Beverly Hills, CA 90212. & 800/462-7899 or 310/551-2888.
Fax [phone]. w ww.peninsula.com. 196 units . $475-$725 double; fr om $1,000 suit e. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Parking $28. Amenities: Restaurant; bar ; concierge; exercise room; Jacuzzi; r ooftop heated lap
pool; room service; full-service spa. In room: A/C, TV/VCR, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (free).

5

Raffles L'Ermitage If the B everly Hills Hotel symbolizes Hollywood opu-
lence as it once was, Raffles L 'Ermitage epitomiz es what it is today . Each enormous
(650-sq.-ft.), superbly decorated room is done in a contemporary Asian-meets-Scandina-
vian style that exudes understatement. The real treat is the in-r oom technology, which
includes a 40-inch TV with CD and D VD play er, Bose speakers, four phones, and
“smart” bedside control panels that remember your lighting and climate preferences. The
work desk is large, seating is copious and comfor table, carpeting is B erber, fabrics tend
to tailored silk, and lighting is soft and on dimmers.The faultless service includes flexible
check-in/checkout and a wealth of freebies that include local and 800 calls, all nonalco-
holic bev erages in y our minibar, customiz ed stationer y and business car ds with y our
name and dir ect-dial phone and fax numbers (v ery slick), and complimentar y D VD
lending. The house r estaurant, JAAN, ser ves modern F rench-Indochina cuisine in an
über-stylish setting. You'll love the rooftop pool as well. Children are warmly welcomed
(rare for an upscale Beverly Hills hotel), as are pets 40 pounds and under.
9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. & 800/768-9009 or 310/278-3344. F ax 310/278-8247. w ww.
beverlyhills.raffles.com. 119 units. $445 double; from $608 suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Valet parking $26. Pets up to
40 lb. accepted. Amenities: Restaurant; bar ; tea lounge; c oncierge; exercise room; heated rooftop pool;
room service; full-service spa. In room: A/C, TV/DVD/VCR, CD player, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (free).