Arrival/Check-In: After a lengthy flight from back East (Philadelphia) and the now all-too-common Los Angeles traffic snarl, it was wonderful to encounter efficient, smiling doormen and bellmen at the crescent-shaped, sweeping entrance of the Sofitel. I was accompanied to the two-person check-in station; the Sofitel Beverly Hills needs no more than two desk personnel most times — again, efficiency was the name of the game. Check-in took just more than five minutes, and a staff person escorted me to my room while informing me of the hotel features (fitness center, spa, pool, bar/nightclub, area destinations, The Beverly Center across the street and more). Once in my room, I had a few minutes before a late afternoon meeting to take my first look at one of the hotel’s superior king guestrooms.

Guest Quarters: The Sofitel Beverly Hills boasts 295 guestrooms and 28 suites on 10 floors, including the 950-square-foot Presidential Suite. My accommodations were spacious and modern with a king-sized bed; lengthy dresser/minibar combination; desk area with convenient USB and electrical outlets; and, past a separate wall, a bathroom and shower area. The vanity featured an oversized sink, towel tree and cosmetics areas mounted waist-high on one wall. The glassed-in shower featured a Speakman rain fixture. Large, wooden louvered blinds covered the windows; mine opened on the lower portion of the Hollywood Hills. Most extraordinary for me was the bedding, an amazingly comfortable SoBed — Sofitel’s signature featherbed and duvet sleep system. A delight!

Services/Amenities: The prominent gathering spot of the Sofitel, Estérel, offers guests a complete range of dining options, from Le Jardin French garden patio to a private cocktail party in The Aviary. The dinner menu features unique French and California cuisines, often combined into one. It’s a wonderful place to meet, to dine and to observe — after all, this is Beverly Hills. For pampering, there’s SoSpa, a complete day spa featuring Decléor and Carita products for welcome relaxation, and a well-equipped fitness center with 34 strength and cardio machines. And, of course, for those last-minute touch-ups, the Sofitel can give you the Hollywood look in La Salon.

The Experience: At Sofitel, you’re not going to forget you’re in town. There’s the roof-deck pool with a city view and a seating area/event space perched above. You’ll see few people languishing in the lobby; there are meetings to attend, dinners to enjoy, planes to catch. For the business traveler, this means a comfortable, modern, well-equipped facility with a decidedly European flair and extremely accommodating staff.

Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

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