Where to Stay - Los Angeles 2010 - page 82

9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 90212. & 310/273-1400. Fax [phone]. w ww.thompsonbeverly
hills.com. 107 units. $211-$730 double; from $850 suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $30. Ameni-
ties: Restaurant; rooftop bar; concierge; exercise room; rooftop pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV/DVD,
hair dryer, minibar, MP3 docking station, Wi-Fi ($10 per day).

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EXPENSIVE
Andaz West Hollywood For fans of r ock-and-roll histor y, please bo w y our
heads in a moment of silence for the former “Riot Hyatt”: After a complete overhaul, the
hotel reopened as the ne wly branded Andaz in 2008, wiping clean any r emnants of the
Sunset Strip glory days. Andaz, a wor d that means “ personal style” in H indi, is a ne w
brand from Hyatt, and this is the second location. Instead of a front desk, there's a lounge
where “hosts” holding computer pads check y ou into y our room and also act as a con-
cierge. In fact, the whole gr ound floor is one open space with lots of natural light—a
striking difference from the dar k Hyatt interior. Guest rooms are pretty minimalist in
decor, but comfor table; half hav e views of the S trip (with blackout shades to deal with
the flashing lights at night), and others face the hillside in the back. B ut all no w have
sunrooms where the balconies used to be (no more throwing TVs, you rock stars). Com-
plimentary snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are replenished in your minibar daily, a bonus
after a dehydrating night at the clubs. There's a nice pool on the r oof with giant r ound
loungers that ar e first-come, first-ser ved. The r estaurant, RH, has a stunning open
kitchen where chefs prepare Cali-French fare with a seasonal slant.
8401 W. Sunset Blv d., West Hollywood, CA 90069. & 323/656-1234. Fax [phone]. w ww.andaz.
com. 257 units. $295-$320 double; $370-$470 view rooms. AE, DC, MC, V. Valet parking $22. Amenities:
Restaurant; lounge; concierge; well-equipped exercise room; rooftop pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV,
hair dryer, minibar, MP3 docking station, Wi-Fi (free).
Avalon Hotel Finds The first style-conscious boutique hotel on the L.A. scene,
this mid-20th-centur y-inspired gem in the hear t of B everly Hills still leads the pack.
With a soothing sherbet-hued palette and classic atomic-age furnishings—Eames cabi-
nets, H eywood-Wakefield chairs, N elson bubble lamps—mix ed with smar t custom
designs, every room looks as if it could star in a Metropolitan Home photo spr ead. But
fashion doesn't forsake function at this beautifully designed hotel, which offers enough
luxury comforts and amenities to please design-blind travelers, too. The main building is
the hub of a chic but low-key scene, but the quieter Canon building features rooms with
kitchenettes and/or furnished terraces. N o matter wher e y ou end up , y ou'll hav e easy
access to the sunny courtyard with its retro-hip amoeba-shape pool, the fitness room, and
blue on blue, the groovy blue-hued restaurant and bar that shakes a terrific gr een apple
martini. Service is friendlier than you'll find in other style-minded hotels. Note: If you're
a light sleeper, request a r oom away fr om the pool ar ea where the occasional nighttime
pool party can get loud.
9400 W. Olympic Blvd. (at Beverly Dr.), Beverly Hills, CA 90212. & 800/670-6183 or 310/277-5221. Fax
310/277-4928. www.avalonbeverlyhills.com. 86 units. $289-$319 double; from $369 junior or 1-bedroom
suite. Ex tra person $25. AE, DC, MC, V. Valet park ing $22. Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; c oncierge;
courtyard pool; room service; Wi-Fi (free, in lobby). In room: A/C, TV/VCR, CD player, hair dryer, minibar,
Wi-Fi ($9.95 per day).
The Beverly Hilton If you're a fan of awards shows you'll probably recognize this
hotel as the annual home to the star-studded Golden Globe Awards. Located in the heart
of Beverly Hills, this boxlike eight-story hotel has been attracting city business trav elers,
movie stars, U.S. pr esidents, r oyalty, and tourists alike since 1955. I

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t was pr eviously