Location, location and dessert
Pamela Wade follows in the footsteps of Golden Globe hopefuls, staying at the well-situated Beverly Hilton.
You’ve already seen inside this hotel – it’s where the Golden Globes take place. After parading along the red carpet outside, all those familiar faces from TV and film shuffle through the airy lobby and into the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom to act their little hearts out when, for most of them, they don’t win.
The place
Externally, it’s unremarkable – a tower block with arms surrounding what is claimed to be the largest heated pool in Beverly Hills, though it looks quite standard. But its location is the hotel’s selling point. It’s tucked into the angle where Wilshire Blvd meets Santa Monica Blvd, within walking distance of some of Beverly Hills’ more iconic sights.
The manicured fairways of the Los Angeles Country Club are next door, the vast Westfield Century City mall is just a couple of blocks’ stroll away, and Rodeo Drive’s three blocks of outrageous opulence are not much further in the other direction. Once you’re in a car, all sorts of famous places are within easy reach.
The space
Built in 1955, the Beverly Hilton is a four-star hotel, with 549 guest rooms, including more than
100 suites with panoramic views and nine luxury penthouse suites. I can only imagine who has slept in those beds, but definitely royalty, real and Hollywood. There is a boutique selling everything from tissues to bikinis, all the dining takes place in Circa 55, and there is a bar and coffee shop in the lobby.
The room
No 204 was a rather modest, standard room. It looked a little dated, but had all the necessities, and I especially enjoyed the fine Egyptian cotton sheets on the bed, which had a comfy topper.
In a glorious first, the sheets were not tucked in, so the bed was actually easy to climb into.
The mini-bar was standardly outrageous – US$6 (NZ$9.30) for a muesli bar, and if you wanted to use the locked fridge, it cost an extra US$25 (NZ$38.80).
But the iPad with all the hotel information was nifty and, although the wi-fi was apparently only complimentary for Hilton Honours club members, I seemed to get it for free. There was a restful view across to the green Hollywood Hills.
Amenities
It’s always a treat to find L’Occitane en Provence toiletries in the bathroom, even if those little plastic bottles are aren’t environmental. Pets are welcome, and there is a baby-sitting service.
Food
The breakfast buffet was perfectly adequate, with a chef standing by to whip up eggs and waffles to order, but it was far from overwhelming. The absence of bircher muesli was a personal blow.
The generous and varied cocktail nibbles and then the fancy dinner served in the Ballroom at the event I was attending, however, were a total delight in presentation and flavour, and clear proof that they know what they’re doing in the kitchen.
Spa
The traditional Bellezza Salon promises a backstage pass to the stars’ beauty secrets. Then there’s Upgrade Labs, ‘‘the first-ever biohacking human upgrade facility offering over 15 customised hi-tech experiences for your brain and body’’.
Worth stepping out for
Westfield Century City is a must. It’s huge and elegant, full of stylish people with dogs on leads and in shoulder bags.
The flagship stores are Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, but there is a wide range of other shops, including Rodd & Gunn.
And, if you get carried away with the shopping, the Beverly Hilton has a courtesy car.
Highlight
Attending an event in the tiered International Ballroom, sitting at round dining tables, all with a perfect view of the stage, it was a small thrill to imagine who might have sat there before me.
The big thrill came at the end of dinner when a huge cloth screen was whipped away to reveal a long table loaded with delicious desserts.
Lowlight
For me, it was the big tropical fish tank in the lift lobby. It had clean water and was well-lit, but it just didn’t look any fun for the poor fish.
It’s also quite hard to find your way back into the hotel on foot, as it has no obvious entrance on the main roads. The hotel is working on upgrades to rooms, so there is some construction noise.
The essentials
The standard room, with double or king beds, costs US$295 (NZ$458) a night. To splash out on the threeroom Presidential Suite, expect to pay upwards of US$24,000 (NZ$37,269) a night. beverlyhilton.com.