Thanks very much! That's helpful. The pool does matter to me - coming from London, the chance to stay somewhere where we can enjoy the sunshine and a bit of relaxing outside is very welcome - so a bigger and possibly nicer pool may tip it for me. The Peninsula looks a little more refined, and is again a bit less expensive, which is tempting - but from what I gather the Maybourne also may have a better location in terms of neighborhood. (I appreciate it's much of a muchness location-wise, and we'll need a car to get anywhere anyway, but coming from London I do like a place where you can walk outside directly to a pleasant street and easily walk to shops/restaurants. Which I gather describes the Maybourne a touch more than the Peninsula.)
That seems a strange aspect to the breakfast being outdoors only, and the Peninsula does look to have a beautiful breakfast room (also with a lovely terrace). But I suppose given we'll be there in the summer, the days are liable to be dry and sunny in any case, so outdoor dining will probably be the thing. I was starting to steer toward the Peninsula (the use of hotel cars for the local area is a nice touch, and I do like the elegance), but may stick with the Maybourne just to have tried it while it's still reasonably new. And I've had great experiences with the Maybourne group previously in terms of service - although for that matter I have with Peninsulas also, which is partially why I'm struggling. Plus either hotel will be a splurge for us and we are unlikely to come back to California again for a while, so I want to get it right.
Will think things over a little more. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
Originally Posted by
jja34-1
I wouldn't say the Peninsula's pool is as nice as the Maybourne's. It's small and surrounded by cabanas and quiet. That's the Peninsula vibe. The Maybourne's is big, surrounded by deck chairs with a few cabanas and a bit of a scene (but not as much of a scene as any hotel with a pool in WeHo).
I stayed at the Maybourne last month because it was the designated hotel for a group I was with. I would not have stayed there otherwise, as I did not have fond memories of the hotel as a Montage, other than the prime location. My mind was changed. The hotel is great, the rooms have been redecorated in a much more fitting style for California (although entry level rooms are small and there was no overhead lighting in the bedroom in my junior suite) and the staff was really tuned in. My only complaint aside from the lack of bedroom lighting was that the breakfast restaurant is a terrace so you're exposed to the elements if the weather is bad. There is an interior coffee shop, which I assume has the same menu, but it's a much more casual vibe. Of course, you can always walk to Erehwon.