This past week I spend some time visiting 3 of the cities most famous and most luxurious hotels. Here are my brief thoughts. Unfortunately time doesn’t allow me to write as much as I’d like to. Feel free to contact me directly for more details and to book.
Location Note | These 3 hotels are in significantly different locations even though they’re fairly close to each other. So that could be a huge factor in deciding where to stay.
Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire | This is the “Pretty Woman” hotel located in the middle of all the shopping. Walk out the door and Rodeo Dr and Beverly Dr are right there. The building is spectacular and makes a grand entrance all the more enjoyable. The lobby is elegant, not “too” grand (but grand enough) and the “buzz” is fun. The piano from the movie is still there, but I didn’t see Julia or Richard anywhere. Love Cut, the Wolfgang Puck restaurant right off the lobby.
Rooms are very nice, with views onto Wilshire (like Tiffany right outside your room?) or west across a broad swath of Los Angeles. I’d call the style a cross between contemporary and classic. Maybe more classic. It’s also very Four Seasons, which means they put their energy into their service instead of their room design. And that’s not a bad thing. Beverly Wilshire details and our exclusive amenities here.
The Peninsula| A few blocks away from the shopping hub of Beverly Hills, it’s about a 10 minute walk straight down Wilshire Boulevard, but in that 10 minute walk you’re passing by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York. The hotel is classic Peninsula with a very 19th century type of feel, and a cross between Asian and French. But while the rooms and lobby were too feminine for my tastes, the restaurant and pool made up for it. The pool is on the roof, very LA and sexy and hip. Restaurants are both a the pool or off the lobby and would be a great place to meet your friends or enjoy on your own. The Peninsula Beverly Hills details and our exclusive amenities here.
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection | This classic from 1912 was my favorite, but if you want to walk to shopping don’t stay here. Just take Uber or the hotel’s car — it’s only 5 minutes. This hotel has the classic feel of being in Southern California and makes you a local. From the famous Polo Lounge (inside or outside patio it’s more like being a guest in Hollywood home) with its amazing service and fabulous hamburgers and salads; to the pool which is to die for (palm trees, movie stars, cocktails et al); the Fountain Coffee Room (yes, you might be discovered here); the rooms (interesting and very local and some with gas fireplaces); the bungalows (OMG, I mean you can stay in Elizabeth Taylor’s bungalow!) The Beverly Hills Hotel details and our exclusive amenities here. We also offer an upgrade at the time of booking here.
Four Seasons Los Angeles (on Doheny), Montage, Viceroy L’Ermitage | Did not visit on this trip.
f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n & t o b o o k
josh friedman luxury travel
in san francisco
415.987.0372 | joshfriedmantravel.com
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Josh Friedman is an old-fashioned travel agent offering highly personalized 24/7 service. Specialties include high-end and bespoke luxury travel for small groups and individuals. His areas of expertise include ultra-luxury cruises, customized vacations & luxury hotel stays. He also plans spectacular honeymoons, anniversary and birthday celebrations and completes trips that clients have started and just can’t quite figure out how to finish.
His relationships built over twenty years with the world’s top hotels, cruise lines and local agencies will ensure your successful vacation. As a client you get exclusive and complimentary perks that you can’t get on your own — from VIP introduction to the hotel’s management to upgrades, scrumptious breakfasts and hotel spending credits.
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