Hotel Bel-Air
Bel Air
COST: $$$
What sets the Bel-Air apart is its sense of sanctuary; despite the property’s relatively large size (12 acres), the warm staff, the cozy Spanish Mission-style architecture, and old-world gestures like complimentary tea service create an intimate ambience here. The 91 uniquely decorated rooms all have luxurious, understated touches like Alicante marble tiles and Pratesi linens; many of its 39 suites include fireplaces. Those with private patios are tucked behind walls covered with cascading bougainvillea, flowering shrubs, and giant California oaks. Lunching on lobster salad and La Grande Dame on the Bel-Air terrace, while gazing over the swan pond and pretending not to notice the Oscar winner at the next table, is a decades-old L.A. pleasure.
Tip: If you’re keen to see the Olsen twins, forget about it; celebs who require the attention of gawkers and paparazzi know to head elsewhere.
Room to Book: The 835-square-foot Grace Kelly Suite, with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private garden patio, outdoor Jacuzzi, and burbling fountain.
From the T+L 500
Spanish mission-style hideaway on 12 lush acres in a residential community. An 11,000-square-foot spa and gym will open in November.
- Stats:
- 91 rooms; 1 restaurant; 1 bar.
- Competitive Edge:
- A serene setting with a swan lake, just minutes from Beverly Hills.
- Rooms to Book:
- Grand Deluxes with outdoor patios and wood-burning fireplaces.
- Don't Miss:
- A house-made ginger or mango popsicle while lounging by the pool.
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