SLS at Beverly Hills, CA [Master Thread]
Oct 26, 18, 2:31 pm
SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
465 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA US 90048
Spectacular renovated SLS Suite stay with incredible Somni/Bazaar dining and service (60 Photos)
SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
Despite not loving our Lifestyle Suite in June 2017, we knew we would return to the SLS Beverly Hills after the wonderful service last year and after the room/suite renovations were completed by end of summer 2018. The Bazaar always was one of our favorite restaurants in LA, and its private dining room, Saam, actually had been my absolute favorite. Saam closed in July 2017 and reopened as Somni in March 2018--and I wanted to go badly! We just waited until the room/suite renovation was completed in August 2017.
Due to a snafu with our wine pairings at Saam in 2017, the SLS and Somni offered us a free dinner for 2 at Somni. So we booked our 2 nights at the SLS accordingly for our Saturday night dinner at Somni. I ended up getting upgraded to the SLS Suite over a month in advance by one of the amazing SLS managers we'd met last year. I then decided to extend my stay another 2 nights, rather than move to the nearby W Los Angeles/West Beverly Hills where I normally stay for work. The SLS graciously offered to keep me in the SLS Suite despite the fact that my husband (and dog) wouldn't be with me for the final 3 nights. I told the hotel I was happy to downgrade for the final nights, but the hotel insisted I enjoy the SLS Suite for my entire stay.
The seating area outside the lobby during the daytime:
The main hotel restaurant, Tres by Jose Andres, is front and center on entering the lobby:
Guest relations is to right of the lobby entrance:
Reception and concierge are to the left and around a corner.
The gym is very nice and has lots of equipment:
The spa is very nice, too. Here is the couples treatment room:
The pool deck on the 6th floor is extremely popular, understandably.
Check In
Check in was quick and easy--though there was no mention or thanks for my Marriott elite status. I did ask if the FDA could see my status, and he then indicated he could see I was Platinum. He indicated they are supposed to get the new Marriott reservation system in November.
He did say I had been upgraded to one of the nicest suites in the hotel. Of course, I already knew this--but it was cute how mysterious he tried to be.
Room
I not only stayed in the SLS Suite, but I also was able to check out a regular superior room and a 1 bedroom suite. All were part of the recent room/suite renovation.
THE SLS SUITE
The SLS Suite was a tremendous room.
The bedroom was very spacious and full of natural light:
You can just make out the Hollywood sign in the distance to the right of the dark building.
The small bathroom was off the closet hallway, which was ginormous.
There was the dreaded Book of Mormon in the closet drawer. Sigh...
The small single-vanity bathroom was probably the biggest issue I had with this otherwise wonderful suite. It was about the same size as the bathroom we'd had last year--a bit too small for a suite this size, in my opinion. The sliding mirrored door also seemed a little too kitsch for me, especially if someone were doing their business in the bathroom. Another sliding mirored door opened slightly into the bedroom for no good reason.
Wifi was blazing fast at around 115-120 Mbps download and 185-200 Mbps upload. Some of the fastest Wifi I've ever enjoyed.
The air con worked like magic--once I had them set it so it wouldn't turn off in the bedroom (which was controlled in the closet). Set to 60 F for me, it never stopped running--and the bedroom easily achieved a beautiful (for me) 62 F by the next morning. There were 2 additional thermostats and air con units in the living room.
I could hear some traffic noise by 7-8 am on Monday morning. I didn't hear much traffic on Sunday morning, fortunately. This was the 6th floor and a top suite, so I think double paned glass would have been more appropriate. The suite was totally blacked out when the shades were drawn.
The whole suite was incredibly comfortable. Despite the small bathroom and slight traffic noise , we really loved the suite. I might request a courtyard facing room/suite for my next visit, though--just to be safe on noise.
SUPERIOR ROOM
ONE BEDROOM SUITE (COURTYARD FACING)
The One Bedroom Suite may be my favorite, as its pretty spacious, has a bigger bathroom than our particular SLS Suite (though the other SLS Suites supposedly have bigger bathrooms with full baths), and is courtyard facing and therefore very quiet. There also is a One Bedroom Terrace Suite that opens to the terrace seen in the courtyard.
Service
Service again was extraordinary, as good as any St Regis. Everyone was extremely friendly, always trying to help, and always handling things in a very prompt and efficient manner. Even the air con engineer was a delight. Even my request for housekeeping to keep the bedroom doors closed so it would stay colder was honored throughout my stay.
A small welcome amenity bottle of red wine, chocolate, and card were left for us once my husband and dog arrived:
A few days later, a second welcome amenity and card were left for me (since I had 2 reservations, most likely). This one was even better--with cheese, nuts, fruit, water, and champagne.
I had driven my Tesla, and the hotel valets charged it every night of my stay. Another nice service touch.
Kudos to the entire team for exceptional service.
Dining
Food and beverage here is amazing--certainly the best we've ever enjoyed at any hotel anywhere else in LA or Southern California thus far. We dined A LOT here, since Somni was the original reason for this particular stay and because I love the dining here. We had Saturday night dinner at Somni, Sunday breakfast at Tres, Sunday brunch at Tres, and Tuesday dinner at The Bazaar. I also had room service breakfast every other morning, and I had room service dinner twice. Everything but Sunday brunch is something I would do again and again.
SOMNI dinner, Saturday night
Somni is the equivalent of a 2 or 3 Michelin star dinner experience. It was sublime. Menu costs $235 per person. Our wine pairings were $500 apiece because we chose the priciest option. (We are major foodies, and I'm a major wine fanatic.)
Breakfast at Tres
Breakfast was a pretty lean continental breakfast buffet with numerous hot menu options. The Marriott Platinum benefit is among the least generous we've seen, with only the continental cold breakfast being included. You can order hot menu options for $14 or more.
I ordered the eggs benedict with salmon, which is served very differently here:
Personally, I wasn't a big fan, but it was interesting to try. My husband enjoyed it more than I did.
The meats, cheese, and breads/muffins were absolutely delicious. It wasn't a big spread, but it was a very high quality spread.
Sunday brunch at Tres
Sunday brunch was $65 and was also very high quality but not particularly impressive in its spread. Again, the buffet was a mix of hot and cold dishes, all very high quality, but no egg dishes. Extra dishes from the menu had to be ordered with a supplemental fee of $14. Bottomless mimosas was an additional $25 charge. We enjoyed brunch but expected more for the price. We wouldn't do Sunday brunch here again.
Tuesday night dinner at The Bazaar by Jose Andres
Dinner was extraordinary. Even after the incredible Somni only 3 nights before, this was quite an amazing dinner. My friends decided we should try the 10 course tasting menu for $100 per person. It was still quite the deal and amazing meal.
In room dining breakfasts and dinners
I ordered the same breakfast for 3 mornings...because it was so good! It wasn't cheap ($49-52 per morning), but I loved it.
I also ordered the cheeseburger for dinner on 2 nights because it was so comforting and so good--and not badly priced for $38 compared to breakfast.
Basically, the food and beverage at the SLS is incredible. I loved it all.
Location
The SLS Beverly Hills is extremely convenient for us as it houses two of my favorite restaurants, Somni and the Bazaar by Jose Andres. It's so nice and easy to have dinner and drinks and then just walk back up to my room.
It's also very convenient to most of my business in LA. It was just a 1 hr 20 min drive up from Newport Beach, a 12-15 min drive into Westwood, a 20 min drive to the West side, and a 30-45 min drive to Pasadena. Shockingly, it was only a 25-30 min drive to reach LAX on my way home on Wednesday.
Overall
It's a very impressive hotel. Service is stellar. The food/beverage is unmatched by any hotel in LA. The rooms/suites are much improved and very comfortable. The facilities are top rate. It's a contemporary luxury experience all around. I highly recommend it!
Oct 26, 18, 6:25 pm
@bhrubin I love St. Regis, however did not find the service at SLS BH comparable. I wonder if that you are Plat Ambassador didn't impact the level of service you received. I was Gold at the time of our stay. Bazaar was definitely a highlight. Thanks for the Somni write-up and pics!
Oct 26, 18, 7:16 pm
@bhrubin I love St. Regis, however did not find the service at SLS BH comparable. I wonder if that you are Plat Ambassador didn't impact the level of service you received. I was Gold at the time of our stay. Bazaar was definitely a highlight. Thanks for the Somni write-up and pics!
I certainly can believe that my Ambassador status (not just having an actual Ambassador) and the fact that I’m a repeat guest has an impact. That being said, I know from many friends and colleagues with no elite status how well they’ve been treated here, too. To me, this property is one of the best, especially considering it’s LA! Our service here on two occasions now has been comparable to that which we’ve received at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, in fact.
I stay at many StR properties, as my reviews list can confirm. I just returned from a stay a few weeks ago at the celebrated StR Florence. The SLS Beverly Hills treated me just as well (but without the butler service I so adore, unfortunately).
I’m therefore inclined to believe that your experience was an exception rather than the rule. I don’t mean to belittle what happened to you, of course. Certainly, I’d have insisted on following up with a senior manager even after the fact for more satisfactory recovery or perhaps a free night stay at another time to make up for such poor security handling of the situation you described.
Oct 27, 18, 9:53 am
So sorry to hear about your poor night.
I certainly can believe that my Ambassador status (not just having an actual Ambassador) and the fact that Im a repeat guest has an impact. That being said, I know from many friends and colleagues with no elite status how well theyve been treated here, too. To me, this property is one of the best, especially considering its LA! Our service here on two occasions now has been comparable to that which weve received at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, in fact.
I stay at many StR properties, as my reviews list can confirm. I just returned from a stay a few weeks ago at the celebrated StR Florence. The SLS Beverly Hills treated me just as well (but without the butler service I so adore, unfortunately).
Im therefore inclined to believe that your experience was an exception rather than the rule. I dont mean to belittle what happened to you, of course. Certainly, Id have insisted on following up with a senior manager even after the fact for more satisfactory recovery or perhaps a free night stay at another time to make up for such poor security handling of the situation you described.
Under the circumstances, there was no reason to follow up with a senior manager. Would not return to this property.
Oct 27, 18, 3:20 pm
Aug 4, 19, 11:56 pm
To summarize, it was another amazing stay. I was pre-upgraded to a Courtyard Deluxe One Bedroom Suite from my entry level room: this hotel is amazing with Ambassador recognition. Air con was preset to 67 F, and engineering was only too happy to reset it even lower to make me happy. Had welcome amenity of chocolates, fruits, and nuts on first night, had a second welcome amenity of champagne on our second night. Had breakfast once, delicious as always. Had drinks and snacks at pool bar, even bette than I remember. We even were allowed to bring our dog up to the pool deck with us.
Aces again in my book. This is my go-to luxury hotel for LA.
Aug 12, 19, 10:32 am
tl;dr: Super cool place, albeit highly priced for what it was. Service level here was high, although the cost across the board was high for what we got. I doubt anyone staying here on the regular is leaning towards value however.
We took advantage of a Marriott summer special with a 20% discount, so was $429 w/ tax. By comparison, DTLA higher end (Indigo, Intercontinental) were around $300/night. We arrived around 230pm, and were offered an upgrade at checkin immediately to a Premiere room, or we could wait for a Terrace room on 2nd floor. Have never had one of those, and was quite nice - smaller than the other rooms I've seen, but with a large outdoor patio (large enough for 2 chairs, a couch, a table), and the weather was gorgeous, so was great to have. We went up to the pool, had a drink, got into the room around 430pm, changed clothes and spent a few hours by the pool. Always a cool scene, great music, good service at bar (a bit less poolside), a a few semi-famous people to gawk at, with great drinks that (theme here) were a tad steep price-wise.
We cleaned up & changed for dinner and had an entirely unexpected amazing dinner in the Bazaar. We didn't do the high end Somni, but instead dropped about 4hrs (and close to $400), doing a progressive dinner for 2 throughout the space, where we were escorted around the facility, sitting and eating in 4 different locations, serviced by different teams, in the bar, the patio, the dining cafe and the patisserie, with courses & wine & cocktails at each. Was an incredibly memorable, fantastic meal, although more for the experience than for the food. Food was good, with a few courses falling flat, drinks were great, but the star was the resto itself and the experience. Slept in Sunday, hung out on our little patio, and had a leisurely drive home.
Great hotel, great resto, but definitely paying for the experience. $1k for a 24hr stay was a bit steep for what was delivered, although, again, I doubt anyone staying here is price-shopping.
I'd probably come back for dinner, but maybe stay in DTLA.
Aug 14, 19, 6:09 pm
SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
465 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA US 90048
Another amazing (terrace suite) stay with truly outstanding service (21 Photos)
SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
My husband and I stayed at the SLS Beverly Hills again with our dog in mid July. This really has become our favorite and go-to hotel in LA. And this stay continued the longstanding trend of treating us so darn well.
Check In
Even a few weeks before arrival, we had been upgraded to a one bedroom deluxe suite. Ambassador status matters, I continue to say, as does the fact that I'm obviously a frequent repeat guest.
I arrived separately from my husband, and several at the front desk recognized me. The front office assistant manager actually came out and walked me to the suite.
Room
The One Bedroom Deluxe Suite may be my new favorite at the hotel because of its private garden terrace in the central courtyard of the hotel. It really was sublime. And the courtyard facing location made it VERY quiet, though you could hear the pool deck music when hanging out in the courtyard terrace.
They had a lovely set up for our dog...since they also have a 40 lb weight limit. Of course, our boy is 115 lbs and had been given special permission a few years ago and ever since--but he dwarved the cute doggie bed!
The air con was fantastic for me throughout the entire suite and was able to cool to well below 65 F, but my husband started to be too cold. So we held the bedroom to 65 F for me and the living room to 68 F for him. And he had that fabulous outdoor terrace to enjoy.
Service
Service was fabulous yet again.
I was surprised to learn that we were able to bring our dog with us to the pool deck. We had great drinks and snacks there with fantastic service at the bar...with Macallan hanging out at our feet.
Pool service was amazing.
I had breakfast in the restaurant only once...and they let Macallan join me on the sofa. Breakfast was delicious, though service was a bit on the slower side.
They also brought us extra treats for Macallan...and a huge fruit bowl and champagne for us as usual.
For such a high energy and chic place, the service here truly is beyond measure.
Dining
We had most meals away from the hotel on this trip--dining at the newly 2* Providence and 1* Osteria Mozza for dinners and 1* AOC for brunch. But my one breakfast at the hotel resturant was fantastic.
Overall
This hotel continues to really impress us. The service has been as good for us here as it ever was at the Peninsula Beverly Hills--but this is still cheaper. The fact that they let us bring our big dog is special, and the fact that he also can hang with us at the pool deck was even more so.
They really treat us like family here, and we love it. The staff is special. The service is phenomonal. The hard product is excellent. And the location is great.
I'll be back again in October for work, back in November for Thanksgiving, and back again in December with friends for a culinary weekend in LA.
Thanks again, SLS!
Aug 20, 19, 9:36 am
When I arrived at the front desk to check in, it took 3+ minutes for anyone to show up. I did receive some Cava and chocolates as an amenity, which was nice, but since I wasn't having anything to drink this trip, it lost a little bit of luster.
Bazaar is closed Sunday/MOnday I believe, so I wasn't able to get anything there (bummer).
All that said, the room and its appointments were extremely high quality.
Oct 7, 19, 12:23 pm
Oct 7, 19, 1:28 pm
Nov 5, 19, 2:18 pm
Overall, liked the hotel quite a lot. Service was really excellent throughout, frankly much better than I expected from a "scene" hotel. Extremely attentive staff in every department.
Requested an SNA which didn't come through. Fair enough given it was over the weekend. I did find it odd that many suite types were still showing as available even within my 5-day window of the SNA being confirmable. I know there are capacity controls on SNAs so I guess the hotel was making use of those. By check-in day the availability on Marriott.com was much more limited, either because they did in fact sell the rooms and thus the capacity controls were justified, or because they just gave them away as upgrades at check-in.
"Premier" room was given which is a slight upgrade apparently, though I'm not sure in what respect. It was a decent size and well-appointed for a standard room. No in-room coffee maker, as is often the case at luxury properties, but free coffee was available in the lobby in the mornings.
Had dinner at Bazaar to use the $100 FHR F&B credit, which I probably wouldn't bother to do again. The food was good, but maybe not quite good enough to justify the price (or just too similar to a lot of other high-end dining in cities around the world these days) and there are lots of options in LA. And besides, it doesn't take a lot to spend $100 on F&B at this hotel -- a few cocktails and a buy-up for 2 at breakfast (see below) would do it. The cocktails were by far the best part of dinner at Bazaar, and you can get those at the bar area, so I probably would stop by the bar even if not dining there next time.
I was a bit disappointed by breakfast. Elite breakfast amenity or FHR both cover the same thing, no option to stack. Either one gets you the "buffet" breakfast, and you can add a hot dish for $15 per person. I didn't mind that part so much; they technically met the requirements of each program. But, the buffet is quite small -- everything offered is very high quality stuff, but it's strictly a continental breakfast, not even a hard-boiled egg to be found. It would have been quite a ripoff at the menu price of $35 (plus another $15 on top of that to add on a hot dish), even by the standards of high-end hotels in cities like LA. The hot dishes carry over some of the molecular gastronomy-type touches of Bazaar (e.g., "hollandaise air" on the benedict) which is cute but ... it's a lot for breakfast. It's fun for a short weekend stay but would be annoying for a longer stay or during the workweek, IMO.
Nonetheless, good points earning/redeeming hotels in this part of LA are scarce, and other than breakfast I did like the hotel a lot, so I will probably return.
Nov 15, 19, 11:15 pm
