Within five minutes of arriving in Hollywood, you quickly realize that fame isn’t an issue here: it’s an obsession. If you’re not somebody, you’re nobody, and every VIP area you eventually get to has a V-VIP section where the real action happens. There’s almost no way to get access to these Hollywood hotspots, but you can get a piece of the action by staying at Beverly Hills’ most famous hotel. But does this icon of Hollywood’s golden age live up to the hype?
REMAIN
The Beverly Hills occupies a prime location on Sunset Boulevard in the heart of LA’s 90210, and its facade is so iconic that tourists pay the Lyft fare to drive across town to pose in front of the sign, catch a glimpse of the iconic green and pink facade, and then head straight back to the more affordable neighborhoods LA has to offer. However, the cars that make it to the red-carpeted entrance are generally sleek SUVs or high-end sports cars, rather than the beat-up silver Nissan Uber we pull up in. Whatever the case, the welcome we receive from the uniformed bellhops is as warm as the welcome given to anyone else walking the bustling red carpet. Beyond its iconic striped entrance and pink-and-green walls, the hotel is surrounded by towering palm trees and lush gardens teeming with wildlife (we spot a hummingbird on our morning stroll behind the Polo Lounge), and there are secluded spots away from the glitz and glamour of the hotel’s common areas.
There are 208 guest rooms, including the 23 famous bungalows. Marilyn Monroe frequently stayed in Bungalow 1, while Bunglow 11 is where John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their 1972 “Bed-In for Peace” campaign, spending a week in bed in protest for world peace.
While a week in bed at the Beverly Hills Hotel has its appeal, staying in your room means you’re missing out on everything this Hollywood address has to offer, not least its interior (and exterior) decor. Known as the “Pink Palace,” the hotel’s signature pink-and-green color palette was the stuff of social media dreams long before the internet even existed. You’ll recognize classic features like the Martinique banana leaf wallpaper and striped roof of the Polo Lounge terrace, and the hotel continues its photograpable aesthetic outside too, with must-pose spots like a neon hotel sign and (currently Dior-branded) lounge chairs en route to the pool for the ultimate wish-you-were-here selfie.
Dior takeover at the Beverly Hills Hotel
Beverly Hills Hotel Pool
No selfies are allowed at the pool itself, however, as this is where the hotel’s celebrity guests must be allowed to swim in peace. A pity, as this is arguably the most photogenic pool in the world. The pool currently hosts the Dioriviera pop-up, with loungers, umbrellas and cabanas adorned with Dior’s iconic pink Toile de Jouy Soleil print, as well as life-sized animal sculptures and a pop-up boutique. Keep your sunglasses on and take leisurely laps in the pool like the silver screen’s finest have done before you, in the shade of slender palm trees and under the watchful eye of a lifeguard who looks like he’s here instead of an interview because he was successfully cast in the role of “hip Hollywood lifeguard.”
EAT
You can grab a bite to eat at the Cabana Café if you need to refuel during your day of lounging, but dinner at the Polo Lounge is a must during your stay. It’s always been one of the hottest dinner spots in town and another “if these walls could talk” spot in the Pink Palace, where countless romantic rendezvous have taken place and many a Hollywood deal has been made. The food is expensive but excellent; think upscale California comfort food, with favorites like the McCarthy salad and lobster risotto. The daily special during our visit is Southern chicken with biscuits and mashed potatoes (how could we turn that down?), which was as satisfying as the people-watching and matched by the excellent service. To drink, there’s the unforgettable El Jardin Gimlet cocktail, a mix of vodka, lime and cucumber with hints of cilantro and jalapeño. Breakfast here is equally tempting, with truffle eggs being the house favourite.
(c) Rebecca Cox
THE LAST WORD
The Beverly Hills Hotel is a place to see and be seen. It’s like a living museum, with photos of iconic moments on the walls and a condensed version of the century-old property’s history depicted in the basement corridors. It’s worth digging deep into your pockets to round out your stay at Lalaland and secure your place in its glorious history.
BOOK
Rooms from $995 in low season | $1,325 in high season | www.dorchestercollection.com
