Los Angeles - SLS Beverly Hills or Andaz West Hollywood? How about the London West Hollywood?

Hi!
My husband and I are going to LA to have dinner at the Bazaar on a Sunday evening in May. Other than that we just want to lounge at the pool, maybe walk around the city. We want to stay for one night only. The main point of the trip is to relax and just go to dinner.

Which would you recommend? I've checked rates and Andaz is lower by $100. I've looked at the reviews for both properties on Flyertalk. The last couple of pages for SLS don't sound good (stained sheets, bad service if you're a non celebrity). For Andaz, I only worry about the unions picketing and accosting guests (is that still ongoing?).

What I like about SLS is that we don't have to drive to the restaurant. It has a spa and the pool seems nicer than Andaz.

What I like about Andaz is that it receives good reviews here and I'm a fan of the Hyatt chain in general (i'm only a platinum though).

I haven't read much about the London West Hollywood but I'm intrigued by the larger rooms and also what seems like a very nice pool area.

Advice would be appreciated :) Thanks!

Hi!
My husband and I are going to LA to have dinner at the Bazaar on a Sunday evening in May. Other than that we just want to lounge at the pool, maybe walk around the city. We want to stay for one night only. The main point of the trip is to relax and just go to dinner.

Which would you recommend? I've checked rates and Andaz is lower by $100. I've looked at the reviews for both properties on Flyertalk. The last couple of pages for SLS don't sound good (stained sheets, bad service if you're a non celebrity). For Andaz, I only worry about the unions picketing and accosting guests (is that still ongoing?).

What I like about SLS is that we don't have to drive to the restaurant. It has a spa and the pool seems nicer than Andaz.

What I like about Andaz is that it receives good reviews here and I'm a fan of the Hyatt chain in general (i'm only a platinum though).

I haven't read much about the London West Hollywood but I'm intrigued by the larger rooms and also what seems like a very nice pool area.

Advice would be appreciated :) Thanks!

Hi ck2003.

I haven't stayed at any of these properties, but I live in the area, so I thought I should weigh in regarding your criteria of a place amenable to "maybe walk around the city". (Although there is no "city" per se).

If I'm right in assuming that you won't have a car during your stay then I'd rule out the SLS - it's located near an obnoxious major intersection and a big dreary mall, not much worth seeing in my book.

However both of the other properties could lend themselves to an interesting little excursion on foot.

From the Andaz on Sunset, you could walk west for a little bit and you'll come across a very nice upscale area with lots of boutique stores and restaurants - around Sunset Plaza. Here's a google map with walking directions (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=8401+Sunset+Boulevard,+West+Hollywood,+ California&daddr=8653+Sunset+Boulevard,+West+Hollywood,+CA&hl=en&sll=34.095832,-118.373115&sspn=0.010768,0.022638&geocode=Fa5CCAId_cTx-ClxxMI3vr7CgDHqBguJnfdHvw%3BFUM0CAId86fx-Cmvl3vQvL7CgDG4TqcvX45PzA&mra=ls&t=m&z=17)from the Andaz to the Sunset Plaza area. You can go into streetview and virtually check it out if interested. (I like going to the cafe Petit Four, you'll see it on the southside of the street with outdoor tables under yellow umbrellas).

I googled Sunset Plaza thinking there might be a website dedicated to a listing of all its stores and restaurants but only found the links posted below. The first, a HuffPo link to an LA Magazine article, and the second a cheesy and silly website about celebrity sightings, but it does mention some of the area's establishments:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/25/sunset-plaza-shopping-and_n_787625.html#s190173&title=Polish

http://www.seeing-stars.com/shop/sunsetplaza.shtml

If you stayed at the London, you'd be on San Vicente just south of Sunset, so you could walk up to Sunset and head east to encounter the Sunset Plaza area (and from the London you'd be closer to this area than if you stayed at the Andaz). Or you could walk west to see the "Sunset Strip" area. You'll see the Whisky a Go Go is right at the top of San Vicente, and further west you'll see the Roxy and past that now stands the Key Club, once home to Gazzari's.

Here are some links that somewhat indicate things of interest in this area:

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/list/112611

http://www.seeing-stars.com/streets/sunsetstrip.shtml (the cheesy site again!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Strip

But since the walking around aspect seems to be the least of your criteria - hopefully others will weigh in regarding the pools and rooms, etc.

Hope you have a nice visit. :)

thanks sk3! we will have a car. we'll be driving up from san diego. but we try to avoid driving during vacation since we do it all.the.time. :)
i will check out sunset plaza and look into the cafe you mentioned. actually since you're a local... we've made reservations at the bazaar already but are open to other suggestions. a coworker recommended animal. what say you?

thanks sk3! we will have a car. we'll be driving up from san diego. but we try to avoid driving during vacation since we do it all.the.time. :)
i will check out sunset plaza and look into the cafe you mentioned. actually since you're a local... we've made reservations at the bazaar already but are open to other suggestions. a coworker recommended animal. what say you?

So you're a fellow SoCal person! Sorry to have assumed incorrectly about the car situation. Well if you stayed at the SLS, like you said you wouldn't have to drive to dinner (and more importantly, you wouldn't have to drive after dinner - so no worry about limiting your wine intake, etc ;) ). And if you wanted a brief day time outing from there, you could drive down Burton Way (it morphs into Little Santa Monica) into BH and walk around there some - unless that's too been-there-done-that for you. But if you do go into BH here are the locations for the free parking (http://www.beverlyhills.org/services/parking/parkingstructures.asp) and it's a VERY short drive from the SLS (relative to LA).

(I avoid driving too when possible. I've been trying to live in LA in the way I do when I'm in Europe: I walk to Trader Joe's, Gelsons, the drycleaners, Beverly Center, etc, and because of it I'm liking West Hollywood SO much better now).

I've never eaten at Animal, sorry. But here's the link to Petit Four http://www.lepetitfour.net/ , might be nice for your lunch if you stay at the Andaz or London.

I recommend considering L'Ermitage Beverly Hills (http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/beverlyhills). It's on Burton Way fairly close to the restaurant and walking distance to Rodeo Drive.

Assuming you keep to your plan to dine at Bazaar and that you'll stay at the SLS - I thought of a vacation-y, relaxing thing you may want to do in lieu of a walk around the "city".

The grounds and courtyard of Greystone Mansion are open to the public and parking is free. It seems to me that taking a stroll around the estate could be a lovely way to spend some of your afternoon, nice photo ops and all. You'll see on the link (http://www.beverlyhills.org/attractions/greystone/default.asp)that it is closed sometimes due to events, so do call the number to double check that it's open on your day. (I was inspired to suggest this because there's currently a bunch of flag ads along the streets announcing this weekend's Greystone Mansion Concours d'Elegance (http://www.beverlyhills.org/attractions/greystone/greystone_concours_delegance/default.asp) ).

Here are the driving directions from the SLS (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=8536+Clifton+Way,+Los+Angeles,+CA&daddr=905+Loma+Vista+Dr.,+Beverly+Hills,+CA+90210&hl=en&sll=34.09129,-118.400125&sspn=0.010769,0.022638&geocode=FSzbBwIdPLTx-CmRhaWOTrnCgDFKgHG6mvVpow%3BFRoxCAIdg1vx-Cm32j4-IrzCgDE_Kch0PtkJ0Q&oq=8536+Clifton+Way,+Los+Angeles,+CA&mra=ls&t=m&z=14).

But of course, if you stay at the Andaz or London, you'll be even closer.

And here are the google images of Greystone to give you an idea - lots of wedding pix tho:
http://www.google.com/search?q=greystone+mansion+beverly+hills&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=TASjT9HPOq7UiAK3zrzEDA&sqi=2&ved=0CGoQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=710

This link to the Friends of Greystone (http://www.greystonemansion.org/Home_Page.html)website though gives its history, and other info

thanks twa884. L'ermitage looks beautiful. the rooms are huge! it actually sounds more our speed than sls but it's more expensive and the fact that i don't have to drive after dinner if we stay at sls is a big plus. i'll keep checking rates though.

thanks sk3 for the greystone mansion link. i'll put it on the list of potential things to do. the one place we did want to check out was heath ceramics:
7525 Beverly Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036

any lunch suggestions around that area?

any lunch suggestions around that area?

There are so many choices within walking or a short driving distance. You will be on Restaurant Row and close to the Beverly Hills business district, Third Street, Robertson Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. It is hard to make a recommendation without knowing more about your likes and interests.

There are so many choices within walking or a short driving distance. You will be on Restaurant Row and close to the Beverly Hills business district, Third Street, Robertson Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. It is hard to make a recommendation without knowing more about your likes and interests.

I believe they were asking about restaurants near 7525 Beverly Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036, for lunch, not around the SLS. That is down by the post office by the Grove.

For lunch you can go to The Original Farmer's Market and hit one of the many spots there or the Grove and go to Morel's French Steakhouse. There is also Canter's Deli, one of LA's oldest, on Fairfax. There is also a good Thai place across from CBS called Chao Krung. The area is great for dinner, some of LA's hottest places like Animal, Son of a Gun, BLD, Eva, AOC and more including the belovedly bad, El Coyote Cafe.

As to where to stay, L'Ermitage would be my pick, but the SLS is fine, so is the Sofitel. I'd also hardly call the Bev Center "dreary". It has Bloomie's, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Henri Bendel, YSL and many more designers.

...I'd also hardly call the Bev Center "dreary". It has Bloomie's, Burberry, Jimmy Choo, Henri Bendel, YSL and many more designers.

I was referring to its indoor atmosphere - it does have a lot of good stores. My comment was more geared to the people who come from all around the world and stay at the SLS, and then go to the BC looking for an LA or SoCal experience. To those people, I'd think the BC would be dreary! (If you have to go to a mall in this general area, the beautiful Grove, or Century City would be where I'd steer tourists).

...the one place we did want to check out was heath ceramics: 7525 Beverly Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036...any lunch suggestions around that area?

JeremyS1973's suggestions of The Grove (http://www.thegrovela.com/los_angeles/dining/dining.php) and Farmer's Market (http://www.farmersmarketla.com/restaurants/index.html) might be the easiest, and would offer the most choices.

Two places I like for lunch that are somewhat nearby would require a short drive however (or you could conceivably walk to the first one below).

Blu Jam (http://www.blujamcafe.com/)
Driving directions from Heath Ceramics (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=7525+Beverly+Boulevard+Los+Angeles,+CA+ 90036&daddr=7371+Melrose+Ave.+Los+Angeles,+CA+90046&hl=en&ll=34.079838,-118.352323&spn=0.01077,0.022638&sll=34.076276,-118.354075&sspn=0.010771,0.022638&geocode=FXT2BwIdZQ_y-ClhPJknLLnCgDFzlaL-SE0BRg%3BFUcTCAIdIx3y-CnFIyrr1L7CgDE0f1tX6HhHqA&mra=ls&t=m&z=16)

Taste (http://ilovetaste.com/app/taste_melrose/)
Driving directions from Heath Ceramics (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=7525+Beverly+Boulevard+Los+Angeles,+CA+ 90036&daddr=8454+Melrose+Avenue,+West+Hollywood,+CA+9006 9&hl=en&ll=34.07982,-118.365369&spn=0.02154,0.045276&sll=34.076276,-118.354075&sspn=0.010771,0.022638&geocode=FXT2BwIdZQ_y-ClhPJknLLnCgDFzlaL-SE0BRg%3BFYYPCAIdFb7x-ClBEgTJtr7CgDEdv_txf4hEFw&oq=8454+melrose+avenue,+west+hollywood,+ca+90069&mra=ls&t=m&z=15)

Personally, I'd go with the SLS. There really isn't much around the Andaz and the decor and clientele at the SLS is more sophisticated. The Andaz seems to have lots of students/young adults reserve rooms and hold loud parties in their room and on the roof deck. As a Hyatt Plat, you won't get anything beyond internet and a 2pm check out. Beverly Wilshire (Four Seasons) is also a great property.

Thank you all for the input. I've booked SLS and will let you know how it is.

For those interested i booked it through kiwicollection.com and it included visa signature benefits:

Best available rate guarantee
Automatic room upgrade upon arrival, when available
Free in-room Internet or Valet parking
Complimentary continental breakfast
3PM check-out, when available
VIP Guest status
$25 food or beverage voucher

Thank you all for the input. I've booked SLS and will let you know how it is.

For those interested i booked it through kiwicollection.com...

Do you earn SPG points and stay credit if booked that way?

i believe so but i'll have to double check. kiwi collection is owned by signature travel which is similar to virtuoso. i know with virtuoso and hyatt that we earn stay and points credit when i book hyatt with a virtuoso agent.

all of this i learned from reading the luxury forums here and after pm'ing the hyatt gp concierges in the hyatt forum (regarding virtuoso bookings).

I pm'd starwood lurker. will let you know what i learn.

Do you earn SPG points and stay credit if booked that way?

Here now and the answer is yes you do get points!

Mini trip report later.

Sls Beverly hills trip report

We arrived on Sunday of memorial day weekend. .We were hoping to just lounge around the pool upon arrival until dinner but it wasn't meant to be.

Check in was good. .Our room wasn't quite ready but were given access to the pool immediately. .We were told though that it was going to be a very busy day at the pool since they were having a party. .What a mistake!
We were given an upgrade from premier room to a studio suite. .That was great! Don't know if it was because of kiwi collection booking or because we were there for a special occasion. . Since she saw that we noted that we were celebrating an anniversary she congratulated us and said she would "send something up". .Soon after she checked .us in, our room was ready. It was 2 pm. Dropped our things off and headed to the pool. .It was a zoo! .We were thinking of having lunch there and sat at the bar. .Looked at the menu and a twenty dollar salad with all those people wasn't appetizing nor relaxing. .So we nixed that idea and decided on a movie. .Drove to the grove which was the closest theater with good show time. .Ate a couple of appetizers at cheesecake factory next to theater then watched the avengers.
After all that we only had an hour left before dinner at 7 pm. .Where does time go? .Anyway dinner at bazaar was good and would definitely go back. .I didn't like the dessert that much. .In case anyone was wondering corkage fee is $35.
Service at the hotel was good all around except they never "sent anything up".
Also, valet could use some work. .They somehow had the wrong name for our room which caused confusion with retrieving our car at check out.
Continental breakfast at tres was included with our room package. .I wouldn't recommend paying for it. .I wish we had used the credit and .ordered ala carte instead.
After breakfast on Monday I went to the pool right when they opened at 9 am. It was much better. .No crowd, the sun was out, it felt like it was 80 degrees. .And no wind like yesterday afternoon. .Our checkout time was 4 pm but left at 10:30 to go to Heath ceramics, then head home.
I thought I got a great deal by booking through kiwi collection and will do it again. I paid what was the BAR on sls website and with kiwi it was refundable up to 6 pm the day before arrival. .Read up thread for details of package. .Thanks to all for all the great tips. We def want to go back and try other restaurants in the area.