Arrival/Check-in: I was in Beverly Hills to attend Global Traveler’s GT Tested Reader Survey awards gala cocktail reception at a nearby hotel. After an uneventful flight from the chilly East Coast, I arrived in Los Angeles to summer-like weather, which I appreciated. The doorman gave me a warm greeting and directed me to reception, where the friendly staff promptly checked me in and the concierge showed me to my room. The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is a new hotel, opened in June 2017, so everything about it has a newly minted glow.
Guest Quarters: I had a Beverly Hills suite, which included a balcony overlooking Santa Monica Boulevard. The balcony held two chairs and a small coffee table.
I entered the suite into an entrance foyer that led to a hallway, one side of which included a more than spacious walk-in dressing room/closet with a dresser and built-in bench. Opposite the dressing room/closet was the bathroom, which included a large tub, two sinks, a separate shower and a water closet.
The bedroom itself featured a king-sized bed with two nightstands and a bench at the foot of the bed. The desk offered electric outlets at desktop level. The desk also held an iPad that controlled the lighting, AC/heat and the window blinds, as well as room service and more.
There were two armchairs, one on either side of the desk, as well as an easy chair with an ottoman for when one feels a swoon coming on. And for when one feels peckish, a minibar and a coffeemaker offer sustenance. The toiletries are by Salvatore Ferragamo.
Services/Amenities: The hotel is on the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica, so it is near the heart of Beverly Hills, especially convenient if Rodeo Drive is on your list of must-visit places while in L.A.
The hotel restaurant is Jean-Georges, the only Jean Georges Vongerichten restaurant in California. I had breakfast here, and I have to say the breakfast menu is one of the best in my experience. The hotel features three cocktail lounges: one in the restaurant, one in the lobby and a spectacular one on the roof. Since the roof is the 12th floor of the hotel, the rooftop bar offers great 360-degree views night and day. The fully equipped gym caters only to hotel guests, so there is no concern about it being crowded. The spa is La Prairie, a Swiss brand, and has six treatment rooms.
The pool is also on the roof and has cabanas for those seeking some shade. The property includes a business center, several meeting rooms and a ballroom.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ The staff is friendly and accommodating. All of them, from the doormen to the bellhops to the maids and the people at reception, make a point of saying hello whenever they see you.
◆ I hosted a lunch for four of my colleagues at the rooftop bar, and we were all pleased with what we had and impressed with the daytime views. It is definitely worth visiting at least once during your stay.
WALDORF ASTORIA BEVERLY HILLS
9850 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
tel 310 860 6666
waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
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