Beverly Hills is known for extravagance and opulence, and this hotel definitely withholds this reputation. This Spanish colonial hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills is a tribute to the Southern California estates of the 1920s and ‘30s. Complete with Moroccan inspired furnishings and a 20,000-square-foot spa, this resort is a hidden slice of luxury.
First Impressions
Blink and you will miss it- we certainly almost did! This hotel with 201 rooms has only one small sign, and the building blends in perfectly with those around it. Yet once inside, you realize it is in fact very different from it’s neighbors- murals and mosaics decorate the walls, valets are dressed to the nines and a harpist plays each day at the tea saloon. From the outside, we did not know what to expect from this subdued building. Yet once we came inside, we almost felt as if we had fallen down the rabbit hole, into a luxurious, magical world.
The Room
The rooms at the Montage Beverly Hills continue the opulence of the hotel, with elegant dark wood furnishings, bedside control panels, LCD televisions, WiFi and marble and mosaic-tiled baths reflecting the vintage Hollywood and modern day luxury. We stayed in the Garden Terrace Guestroom. This room has a spacious living area, with 550-square-feet of space, furnished terraces with spectacular views of the Beverly Canon Gardens and one of two queen beds. The room is also equipped with an executive desk and a Gentleman’s Valet. We very much enjoyed staying in this room, from the complimentary champagne we were given on arrival, to the opulent soak at the end of the day in the marble bathtub.
The Food
At Montage Beverly Hills, there are plenty of dining options for you to choose from. For something light and easy, visit Paninoteca- a courtyard kitchen reminiscent of Italian al fresco cafes, serving salads, sweets and sandwiches. If you want to indulge in soulful Italian dishes created with seasonal ingredients, take a seat at Scarpetta Los Angeles. You can dine on the rooftop overlooking the Hollywood Hills whilst enjoying Californian cuisine at The Rooftop Grill, or have an interactive dining experience at the Chef’s Counter, where up to five guests can watch the preparation process with detailed descriptions of an 8,10 or 12 course dinner. However, if, like us, it is intimacy you are after, head to Parq Bar for sushi, wine and champagne in a more secluded setting.
The Drink
As with everything else at this hotel, the bar is a great entity in itself, and delivers some perfect late night frills. The intimate Parq Bar becomes a chic Beverly Hills lounge every evening. Sit back and relax with a wine, champagne, cocktail or rare whiskey such as The Macallan and Highland, while the sweet sounds of dynamic jazz, R&B or blues float through the bar, performed by talented artists from near and far.
The Surroundings
Being in Los Angeles, there is plenty to indulge in. On our visit we acted like complete tourists- we went on a Hollywood homes of the stars’ tour, looking out to see if we could spot George Clooney in his hilltop mansion! We shopped up and down Rodeo drive and headed over to the famous Pink’s hotdogs for a lunchtime snack (get there early, the queues can get quite long!). We even took a yoga class to burn off some of those greasy calories in a hip, fashionable LA way. This was all around Beverly Hills/Hollywood, and if you want to explore further afield then catch a cab to downtown LA, where you can loose yourself in amongst the thousands of books at The Last Bookstore or the vibrant clothing stalls at the downtown fashion markets.
If you have had enough exploring and you want to unwind in the hotel, then loosen up at the Spa Montage or get a new hairstyle at the Kim Vô Hair Salon or Gornick & Drucker Barber Shop at the hotel.
The Facts
Rooms: 201, including 55 suites.
Rates: Doubles from (approx.) $885 a night.
Extras: Over 20,000 ft. of event space.