Arrival/Check-In: Whether you’re a frequent celebrity visitor or a guest of the Viceroy L’Ermitage, there are eyes on you … primarily, the staffs’. Lobby doors open as your car pulls up. A waiter in Viceroy’s exciting new bistro, Avec Nous, notices a woman rub her arms against a chill and rushes over with a handsome shawl. At the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, service isn’t just delivered — it’s anticipated.

The Viceroy L’Ermitage is a sophisticated hideaway nestled on a tree-lined street, just a short stroll from Rodeo Drive and local Beverly Hills attractions. Its quiet location is perhaps the reason I saw some well-known celebrities meeting and dining there.

Guest Quarters: Imagine what would be most comforting, innovative and convenient in a luxury hotel room. That’s been anticipated as well. Multifunction panels throughout the suite control lights, lock doors, set the temperature and call room service. Other features include a huge marble dressing room, fully mirrored, with custom makeup settings for various lighting situations you might encounter; curated artwork; a TV embedded in mirrors across from a generous soaking tub; a separate marble bathroom with a rain shower; and charging ports and USB outlets smartly incorporated into nightstands. My studio suite included a custom-designed couch and seating area, an alcove for working with all necessary connections, and French doors opening to a balcony — all remarkably executed in a 650-squarefoot space.

Originally housing private residences, the Viceroy now offers 116 newly renovated suites. The guestrooms, and especially the massive rooftop deck and pool, offer breathtaking vistas of Beverly Hills and the Hollywood sign. It’s a place to be pampered, with complimentary turn-down service, a welcome tray of sweets and bottled water, and an outstanding desk and concierge staff.

Services/Amenities: The spa and wellness center are for the exclusive use of Viceroy guests and offer an eclectic range of therapies, massage and rejuvenating services. The fitness center, at the time of my visit, was adequately equipped and about to undergo additional renovation, including installation of state-of-the-art equipment.

My dinner at Avec Nous was a wonderful experience. You’ll find a contemporary take on a French bistro with some exciting Italian and Spanish touches. Opened only one month at the time of my visit, it features a fine (and growing) wine list; an inventive menu wonderfully prepared; and outstanding, unobtrusive service.

The Experience: It’s little wonder the Viceroy L’Ermitage has won both the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond awards. Sophisticated, subtly energetic and designed to pamper its discriminating guests, the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills proves a standout gem in a glittering city.

Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills

9291 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
tel 310 278 3344
viceroyhotelsandresorts.com