Arrival/Check-in: I was greeted with “Bonjour!” by the doorman upon my arrival at Los Angeles’ Sofitel, and we chatted about my trip as he escorted me to the front desk. After the swift check-in process, the front desk attendant walked me through the lobby and pointed out the hotel’s restaurant and bar, business center and concierge desk. She called for the elevator, and I proceeded to my room.

Guest Quarters: My luxury room on the fifth floor had a view of the hills and the distant Hollywood sign. A box of chocolates, bottle of Evian water and welcome note from Günther Zweimüller, Sofitel general manager, awaited me. The desk had ample workspace, a convenient outlet and Sofitel stationery. The décor reflected French style and Hollywood glamour. Two paintings and two photographs accented the cream-colored walls. A nightstand and dresser were situated on either side of the king-sized bed, which offered a choice of pillows. Outlets directly next to the bed made charging my phone and using my laptop convenient. I dozed while watching television on the large HD screen. Heavy drapes helped block the light in the morning as I adjusted to the time change.

The reasonably sized bathroom was stocked with L’Occitane bath amenities, a favorite of mine, and featured a glass-enclosed rainfall shower with a detachable showerhead option. A robe and slippers hung to the left of the sliding bathroom door. An unexpected shoot of green bamboo on the vanity brought life to the room. One of my favorite features was the closet. The light was automatic, turning on and off as I opened and closed the doors. A variety of hangers was available.

Services/Amenities: Upon check-in, I was given a voucher for $25 off any service at the hotel’s LeSpa, which I unfortunately did not take advantage of on this visit. The front desk attendant told me that coffee would be offered in the lobby in the morning; however, the stand was gone by the time I ventured down at 8 a.m. Though I did not order room service, I was happy to know it is available 24 hours. On my last night at the Sofitel, I stopped in the Stone Rose Lounge, the hotel’s bar, for a glass of wine. The long corridor led to the dimly lit bar. The Stone Rose Lounge offers a variety of seating options: tables for small groups, leather couches and bar stools. I sat at the bar overlooking the outdoor patio, which was too windy to enjoy on that particular night.

Located just beyond the front desk, the hotel’s small business center features several Mac desktops and a printer. For my purposes, the services were adequate. WiFi is available at a cost of $9.99 per 24 hours. Several coffee shops nearby provide free WiFi for those not wanting to pay the daily fee.

The Experience: My first Sofitel stay was a good one. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the accommodations were comfortable and convenient. I hope to say “Bonjour!” again sometime soon.

GT Checklist

• Doorman/valet
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Separate tub/shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Large, flat-screen TV
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Complimentary in-room WiFi
• Ample lighting
• High-quality bed linens
• Choice of pillows
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• Iron and ironing board
• Easy-to-set alarm clock
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• In-room coffeemaker
• Large, complimentary laptop safe

Hotel Sofitel Los Angeles

8555 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
tel 310 278 5444
www.sofitel.com