Arrival/Check-In: Before the airport shuttle van had even come to a complete stop, a valet and a bellhop stepped forward to greet me, relieving me of my luggage and accompanying me to the front desk. Check-in was swift and pleasant, with the clerk reminding me of this Kimpton property’s evening hosted Wine Hour in the lobby and complimentary coffee and tea service there every morning. The friendly bellhop escorted me to my room, relating features of the hotel and my room along the way.

Guest Quarters: My Vista room provided an extremely comfortable king-sized bed, loaded with pillows and soft linens; two bedside tables with reading lamps and an iHome docking clock radio; and a stylish chaise longue and standing lamp strategically positioned beside the floor-to-ceiling window with a genuinely stunning view. The towers of Century City in the immediate foreground gave way to downtown L.A. skyscrapers farther south, while off to the west I could see the blue Pacific shimmering in the afternoon sun. Opposite the bed a large console housed a well-stocked minibar and refrigerator; a safe; and the large, flat-screen television. I really appreciated the adjoining large desk and ergonomic work chair with easy access to multiple power outlets.

The roomy bathroom offered a generous single-sink vanity stocked with Etro from Milano toiletries, created exclusively for Kimpton in support of Dress for Success. The mild, unscented formulas would be pleasing to men and women alike. The tub/shower combo boasted responsive controls and good water pressure. Like the bedroom, the color palette included neutral walls and floor with pops of color in the accessories and original artwork.

Services/Amenities: The Palomar offers BLVD 16, a lounge and restaurant just off the street-level lobby. Although off-site business meetings and dinners didn’t afford me the opportunity to sample that menu or room service, I appreciated the swift and courteous tableside service of the continental breakfast (complimentary to Kimpton InTouch loyalty members) I enjoyed each morning there. I did sample the atmosphere in the hotel’s “living room,” the aptly named lobby area furnished with cozy chairs and sofas, an open-sided fireplace and soft lighting. The Wine Hour offers guests the opportunity to enjoy several bottlings chosen by Palomar’s master sommelier while visiting with work colleagues, meeting other guests or simply enjoying the live music (never so intrusive as to make conversation difficult). I found it to be a comfortable, relaxing setting, even for a solo traveler.

The hotel offers on-site parking, a small but pleasantly sited outdoor heated pool and deck area, ballroom and meeting space, two computers and a printer in the business center, and a fitness center. Although it lacked weight machines, the other equipment was up to date, and the sixth-floor windows provided distracting views overlooking Wilshire Boulevard. Note to animal lovers: The Palomar welcomes four-legged travelers with several pet-friendly features at no fee, no matter the size of your companion. I took advantage of the property’s car service, offering complimentary drop-off within three miles of the hotel. This encompasses the shopping and luxury hotels of Beverly Hills as well as the U.C.L.A. campus — what more could a girl need?

The Experience: The Hotel Palomar offers boutique-style, comfortable accommodations in a pleasant, convenient location with every amenity a business or leisure traveler could want. Every staff member I met seemed genuinely eager to assist me, greeting me warmly each time I arrived “home” and seeing me off cheerfully on each departure. I would highly recommend a stay here if your travels take you to Los Angeles.

GT Checklist

• Doorman/valet
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Separate tub and shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• High-quality bed linens
• Large, flat-screen television
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Large, complimentary laptop safe
• Complimentary in-room WiFi
• Complimentary bottled water
• Stocked minibar
• Ample lighting
• In-room coffeemaker
• Iron and ironing board
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• State-of-the-art fitness center

Hotel Palomar Los Angeles – Westwood

10740 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
tel 310 475 8711
kimptonhotels.com