Luxury Hotels - Hotels in Beverly Hills/Bel-Air?

I'm looking for a hotel in Beverly Hills or Bel-Air, with a balcony/patio/outdoor seating for my family of 4 (18 & 21 year old kids). We will only be there for one, maybe two nights. We must stay in BH or Bel-Air because of its proximity to UCLA. We will be taxiing to and from UCLA and the airport, unless a hotel has a free shuttle to areas within a certain proximity of the hotel. The hotel requirement are: nice, clean, look updated/modern, good food, good service. We don't care as much about having pools, a gym, etc.

We also want to have a nice meal in BH as well, do you guys have any recommendations on nice restaurants? We've been to Spago before, but wouldn't mind going back. We want to stay near to the hotel for dinner, but will have a car when my son joins us for part of the stay, so it doesn't necessarily have to be within walking distance, but prefer it not too be too far either.

It looks like the best hotels that fit are: Hotel Bel Air, Peninsula, BHH, Montage, L'Ermitage, Beverly Hilton. And they all look to be around the same price. The backup is Hyatt Century City (for price and hotel points, and still a comfortable hotel, but these are not the biggest factors).

What are your comments/suggestions on these? We don't have a budget.

Thanks for your help, I appreciate the suggestions.

Forget the Beverly Hilton if you're looking for a luxury hotel :)
Montage doesn't get good reviews on this board, Bel Air was just renovated but service seems to be lacking compared to before (you'll find short reviews on this board) . Peninsula gets amazing reviews but you can't say that you'll find "modern" design. I've stayed there on family holiday numerous times and service is amazing, the complimentary house car is usually readily available, the check in / check out flexibility is a must and Peninsula service is perfect !
You could also add the Four Seasons on Doheny Drive (not the BWilshire).

The Patio Rooms at Peninsula I believe have recently been renovated, but the style and decor is still very traditional. FS Doheny and BWilshire have lots of options also with a balcony. BWilshire has 24hrs check in / check out via Four Seasons Pref Partners (not sure about other clients). I believe you can also toss in The BH Hotel, over the Bel Air.

"balcony/patio/outdoor seating for my family of 4" makes this a bit harder. Your best bet is Hotel Bel Air, but I was just there in March for 4 nights and was miserable. The ghosts that made this place so charming have been killed and shipped to Barstow. The WP restaurant was chaos and other hotel services were spotty. The swans are back, but one of'em had hormone problems and was in jail. The grounds are, as the tradition, breathtaking. Lyn and David of Gallivanter's had a great stay not two weeks before we were there but they get treated **VERY** differently than I do. If you can figure out how to get a VP of Dorchester (http://www.dorchestercollection.com/edward-mady) to travel in specifically to make sure your stay is perfect, then HBA is your choice. If not, go elsewhere.

I like FS LA/BH, but I'm not sure they have rooms with outdoor seating. I think FS BW is a circus to be avoided. The Montage made me long for the large spacious rooms of a Motel 6, but that was several years ago and they might have fixed many of the problems. And there were MANY.

I have never had a bad stay at the Peninsula, but I'm not sure about rooms with outdoor seating. The Pen is a tad compact. I think BHH is probably your best choice. You won't go wrong there. Get one of the bungalows maybe?

PS -- Still chuckling a bit that you put the Hilton in this list .... You might as well pitch a tent at the golf course across the street.

/http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/1179711-beverly-hills-hotel.html (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/1179711-beverly-hills-hotel.html)

We had a great room with a very large patio - table and 4 chairs and 2 chaise lounges. Robyn

P.S. My trip report also discusses some restaurants we dined at.

Beverly Hills or Bel-Air, with a balcony/patio/outdoor seating

1 - rooms >
bel air and BHH have a bunch incl rooms, some floorplans online, ask for others

2 - suites >
$1250 - bel air - canyon suite (and above) - large outdoor with fireplace, jacuzzi, view
$1500 - pen - garden suite (and top royal patio suite)
FS wilshire - veranda suite - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxury-hotels/868296-crisis-discounts-highend-hotels-post15084650.html#post15084650

We don't have a budget
3 - top suites >
top suite/bungalow at bel air and BHH have large private swimming pools

Another option to consider would be the SLS Beverly Hills. This is a great boutique contemporary hotel that is quite hip. Some of their guestrooms do not have outdoor space but they do have terrace rooms. Of course, they also have outdoor space with a pool. Be sure to reserve your stay through a Virtuoso advisor in order to receive the amenities here.

Peninsula and the higher-end rooms at the BH are both great and meet your criteria.

"balcony/patio/outdoor seating for my family of 4" makes this a bit harder. Your best bet is Hotel Bel Air, but I was just there in March for 4 nights and was miserable. The ghosts that made this place so charming have been killed and shipped to Barstow. The WP restaurant was chaos and other hotel services were spotty. The swans are back, but one of'em had hormone problems and was in jail. The grounds are, as the tradition, breathtaking. Lyn and David of Gallivanter's had a great stay not two weeks before we were there but they get treated **VERY** differently than I do. If you can figure out how to get a VP of Dorchester (http://www.dorchestercollection.com/edward-mady) to travel in specifically to make sure your stay is perfect, then HBA is your choice. If not, go elsewhere.

I like FS LA/BH, but I'm not sure they have rooms with outdoor seating. I think FS BW is a circus to be avoided. The Montage made me long for the large spacious rooms of a Motel 6, but that was several years ago and they might have fixed many of the problems. And there were MANY.

I have never had a bad stay at the Peninsula, but I'm not sure about rooms with outdoor seating. The Pen is a tad compact. I think BHH is probably your best choice. You won't go wrong there. Get one of the bungalows maybe?

PS -- Still chuckling a bit that you put the Hilton in this list .... You might as well pitch a tent at the golf course across the street.

I agree that The Beverly Hills Hotel would be the best option. Interestingly, the Dorchester VP you mention is actually also the General Manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel - Ed Mady - so he didn't have to travel at all. He also oversees The Bel-Air, so spends his time at both properties.

My votes would be for either belair or bh hotels. I disagree with negative remarks about restaurant at hotel belair. We live in the neighborhood and love the atmosphere, food and service. Commute to UCLA is very easy from both. FS's and pen may be harder due to potential traffic.

I highly recommend The Bel-Air. Stayed there three weeks ago and the property is just stunning, both inside and outside. My impression is that the initial service issues reported after the reopening last October have been ironed out.

My votes would be for either belair or bh hotels. I disagree with negative remarks about restaurant at hotel belair. We live in the neighborhood and love the atmosphere, food and service. Commute to UCLA is very easy from both. FS's and pen may be harder due to potential traffic.
I much preferred Gus and Steve in the bar. And I find it hard to argue WP made anything better at HBA. As locals you might get treated differently.

Turn down was missed twice in a 4-night stay. The newspapers I requested at check-in were not delivered correctly once.

D-team works Mon/Tues. On Monday night, the kitchen couldn't be bothered to turn the tuna tartare into a full meal. What they did cook took 60 minutes...They were out of English muffins on Monday.

Breakfast was average at best. The Huevos Rancheros, a WP specialty, was bland and served cold.

you made a comparison between different days. how good/bad on the "better" days?

I much preferred Gus and Steve in the bar. And I find it hard to argue WP made anything better at HBA. As locals you might get treated differently.

I have not seen any other hotels around Southern California that match ambience at Hotel Bel-Air. Some like ghostly characters of it's pre-remodel. But personally, new looks of common areas as well as service level has not been a bit of issue for us. Food quality has also been fantastic at WP restaurant. WP has also done a great job at RC LA.

Peninsula BH has never failed me on numerous stays. Some of their rooms meet your requirements. Call them, explain what you are looking for and they will describe your options and take care of your needs. They also have 24 hour check-in/check-out and the service is amazing in my experience. I would take their house car into town however for dinner as I think the Belvedere which is their higher end restaurant is just above average IMO.

I heartily recommend one of the patio rooms at the BHH in the 100 series (first floor). They are fantastic and the patio is huge. The pool area is also IMHO the best in LA and you will enjoy spending time there after driving to and from UCLA. Service is excellent and the food is pretty good, although very expensive (so book through FHR or Virtuoso to get free breakfast).

I was recently at the property and they have completed the lobby renovations, so there won't be any work going on during your stay (the rooms, the Polo Lounge and pool are due for renovation later this year and start of next year).

Check out the link that Robyng posted for more details.

I have not seen any other hotels around Southern California that match ambience at Hotel Bel-Air. Some like ghostly characters of it's pre-remodel. But personally, new looks of common areas as well as service level has not been a bit of issue for us. Food quality has also been fantastic at WP restaurant. WP has also done a great job at RC LA.

I agree that the 'new' Bel-Air is fantastic - I don't miss a thing from the 'old' version.

you made a comparison between different days. how good/bad on the "better" days?
Interesting question about HBA. We were on a Virtuoso booking so BK was included. BK on all four mornings was total chaos made worse by the fact that you eat outside at HBA. March can be a tad cold in southern California, and there was a fight on at least one occasion for the outdoor gas heater. (Only one was working.) One morning a light Santa Ana wind was blowing so it was cold and rather windy. I remember service being glacial on all four mornings, to the point I was late for my trade show in downtown LA. 'Juice of the Day' was on the menu, but it was very clear that kitchen did not plan the drink forcing the wait staff to make it up as they went along. How does a 5* WP restaurant in the middle of LA run out of English muffins? WP's signature dish, huevos rancheros, was a cold soggy mess. I think I had that dish Friday morning.

We ate at the bar all four nights and had 8 total meals. Monday and Tues were dismal, with the chef being actively antagonistic. I think it did improve on Wed/Thursday when the 'D' team working Monday/Tues was replaced by the 'A' team on Wed/Sun, but by this time our expectations were so low that we didn't test them. A simple request to modify an appetizer on Monday night was met with not only a 'NO', but essentially an ' F*** NO!'. That took me back a little. I admit I was too shocked to look the bartender in the eye and say "Uhhh, that isn't the correct answer. Would you like to go ask the chef again?" (In case anybody is curious, the correct answer is "We'd be happy to modify the dish to your tastes, but it is very busy and could take some time. Is that OK?")

Turn down was missed on two of the four nights. The newspapers weren't delivered on two of the mornings. The new bar tending staff was more interested in an '82-shake martini dance' than getting the ingredients correct. It was as if they were on the stage at DWTS. Gus would be horrified.

All together, a sorry show for such a storied property. This thread has lead me to believe my stay was the exception, but I doubt I return anytime soon with the Pen just down the street. 'No' doesn't seem to be a word in the dictionary at the Pen.

D-team works Mon/Tues...They were out of English muffins on Monday.

Breakfast was average at best. The Huevos Rancheros, a WP specialty, was bland and served cold.

because they happened to run out of english muffins on monday (D team) i wasnt sure whether D team applied to breakfast as well (even though you didnt specifically reiterate that)

BK on all four mornings was total chaos made worse by the fact that you eat outside at HBA
so everything about breakfast
We ate at the bar
so no lunch/dinner at restaurant

I think it did improve on Wed/Thursday when the 'D' team working Monday/Tues was replaced by the 'A' team
so in your experience, avoid bar on mon/tue

new bar tending staff was more interested in an '82-shake martini dance' than getting the ingredients correct

'No' doesn't seem to be a word in the dictionary at the Pen.
ok, you seem like a good person to discuss this with :D

to me it seems clear that there is always room for "no" for certain things

that could potentially lead to >

- disruption of other guests' stay
- hassle of dealing with potential physical/ecological damage to property/grounds and injuries regardless of financial cost to resort
- damaging media coverage following such events regardless of how well the resort handled recovery because it could have been prevented
- industry/government inquiry due to media coverage
- etc

Interesting question about HBA. We were on a Virtuoso booking so BK was included. BK on all four mornings was total chaos made worse by the fact that you eat outside at HBA. March can be a tad cold in southern California, and there was a fight on at least one occasion for the outdoor gas heater. (Only one was working.) One morning a light Santa Ana wind was blowing so it was cold and rather windy. I remember service being glacial on all four mornings, to the point I was late for my trade show in downtown LA. 'Juice of the Day' was on the menu, but it was very clear that kitchen did not plan the drink forcing the wait staff to make it up as they went along. How does a 5* WP restaurant in the middle of LA run out of English muffins? WP's signature dish, huevos rancheros, was a cold soggy mess. I think I had that dish Friday morning.

We ate at the bar all four nights and had 8 total meals. Monday and Tues were dismal, with the chef being actively antagonistic. I think it did improve on Wed/Thursday when the 'D' team working Monday/Tues was replaced by the 'A' team on Wed/Sun, but by this time our expectations were so low that we didn't test them. A simple request to modify an appetizer on Monday night was met with not only a 'NO', but essentially an ' F*** NO!'. That took me back a little. I admit I was too shocked to look the bartender in the eye and say "Uhhh, that isn't the correct answer. Would you like to go ask the chef again?" (In case anybody is curious, the correct answer is "We'd be happy to modify the dish to your tastes, but it is very busy and could take some time. Is that OK?")

Turn down was missed on two of the four nights. The newspapers weren't delivered on two of the mornings. The new bar tending staff was more interested in an '82-shake martini dance' than getting the ingredients correct. It was as if they were on the stage at DWTS. Gus would be horrified.

All together, a sorry show for such a storied property. This thread has lead me to believe my stay was the exception, but I doubt I return anytime soon with the Pen just down the street. 'No' doesn't seem to be a word in the dictionary at the Pen.

Since it's a "sister" property - and we also had a Virtuoso booking - I will note that our experience at the BHH was very different. First off - breakfast is in the Polo Lounge - either inside or outside. We didn't need heat lamps during our visit. But - had they been necessary - we would have dined inside. We were on vacation - and wanted leisurely breakfasts. We told that to our servers - and they paced their service accordingly. I don't know how fast the Polo Lounge can do breakfast if pressed. But - had we been in a really big hurry - and speed might have been a problem - we could have dined at the Fountain ("diner type" setting with counter seating and short order cook) - or ordered breakfast in advance through room service. The breakfast was really good at the Polo Lounge:

http://www.beverlyhillshotel.com/breakfast

And we liked all the juices of the day - except the one that tasted like a "health tonic" ;) - it was celery with a couple of other things. (We ordered samples every day before we placed our orders - I hate to waste food.)

I don't think it's unusual to have dinner at a hotel bar (or through room service). Especially if you're on a business trip or staying at a place for a week or so. We did the bar 2 nights during our week long stay - "small plates" dinners - both after big lunches/long tiring days. The bar staff was kind of involved looking at a sports event one night - but we were interested in it too (maybe their football team was playing our football team? - can't remember). And service didn't suffer. No harm - no foul.

We never had lunch or dinner at the Polo Lounge. Just didn't look like our cup of tea. Nor would Wolfgang Puck's place at the HBA be our cup of tea either.

The only service mistake during our week long stay was finding only decaf coffee with our complimentary coffee pot/service morning after arrival. Fixed in about 4 minutes at 5 am. My full hotel report is in the link I cited above.

My only request in terms of the BHH is it should get a friggin' traffic light with a left turn arrow so one can drive into the hotel without risking one's life. Nothing like being on the corner of a 5 way intersection - in a city that seems to have a contract with a traffic light company that doesn't make lights with left turn signals. Although - IIRC - the BHH intersection just had stop signs :(. Robyn

get a friggin' traffic light with a left turn arrow...doesn't make lights with left turn signals. Although - IIRC - the BHH intersection just had stop signs
and left turn on green is an endangered species, because its "not safe"
even though they always tell pedestrians to walk into turning traffic
proximity to UCLA was important, than the Hotel Bel Air is the most logical choice as it is only about 5 minutes away

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=hotel+bel+air&ll=34.080869,-118.44384&spn=0.012832,0.017188&client=safari&oe=UTF-8&fb=1&gl=us&hq=hotel+bel+air&cid=0,0,2439227239920826437&t=h&z=16

if there was a path, its almost walkable

Given that the OP mentioned that proximity to UCLA was important, than the Hotel Bel Air is the most logical choice as it is only about 5 minutes away. Of al of the hotels mentioned, The Bel Air is the most beautiful.

Thanks for the suggestions! I will take everything you said into consideration when picking a hotel in BH.