Last stay: June 2023
My overall score
9.0/10
My personal assessment
- Location
- 9/10
- Style & character
- 10/10
- Rooms
- 9/10
- Dining
- 9/10
- Facilities
- 9/10
- Value
- 8/10
Some hotels appeal to me because they feel completely new. The Beverly Hills Hotel appeals for the opposite reason: it has a visual identity, a history and a sense of place that could belong nowhere else. For me, that character is its greatest luxury.
The hotel: a Hollywood original
I am drawn to places with personality, and the Pink Palace has plenty of it. The pink façade, palms and familiar green accents create a world of their own. As an artist, I appreciate how confidently the hotel holds on to its colours and proportions. There is no need to explain the look: it is instantly recognisable.
My interest here goes beyond its famous name. I want a hotel to contribute something to a trip, and this one gives a Beverly Hills stay a distinctly Hollywood frame. I would choose it for that atmosphere and continuity, rather than for the surprise of a newly opened design hotel.
The location
The Sunset Boulevard address is a strong part of the appeal. Beverly Hills is the setting I associate with this particular kind of Los Angeles glamour, and the hotel belongs naturally in it. For shopping, restaurants and exploring further afield, I would plan transport into the day rather than build an itinerary around walking everywhere.
That matters to my assessment: a prestigious address and a convenient base are not always the same thing. Here, I value the setting very highly, while remembering that Los Angeles rewards a little planning. I would leave enough space in the schedule to enjoy the hotel itself.
Style & character
This is the standout category for me. The banana-leaf wallpaper, pink and green palette, gardens and poolside imagery have a clarity that many newer hotels try hard to achieve. I love a design language that is carried through consistently, without every corner competing for attention.
There is also something appealing about a hotel that allows glamour to be playful. I do not need every luxury interior to be beige, restrained or minimal. Here, colour is part of the pleasure. For strength of identity and visual character, this is the element I would give a full 10.
The rooms
The choice between the main house and the garden bungalows is worth considering carefully. For me, it changes the kind of stay to book: being part of the main hotel has a different appeal from choosing a more tucked-away bungalow setting.
I would make that decision around privacy, space and how I wanted to spend my time, rather than choosing on the room name alone. My preference in a hotel with this much heritage is for comfort that feels connected to the surroundings. I would not come looking for a deliberately futuristic bedroom; the attraction is the continuity of the hotel’s character.
Dining & drinks
The Polo Lounge, the poolside Cabana Cafe and the Fountain Coffee Room give the hotel several distinct dining moods. I like that variety: an elegant address should still leave room for a relaxed lunch or a less formal start to the day.
For me, the appeal of these venues is as much about their place within the hotel as their individual menus. I would allow time for the atmosphere instead of treating dining as something to fit between appointments. The food budget deserves attention too; at this level, I want to choose the moments that feel most worthwhile.
Facilities & my verdict
The pool, spa and fitness facilities give the hotel a reason to be more than a base for going out. My ideal balance would be a little city time and a little hotel time, with neither taking over the whole trip.
My overall score is 9/10. The distinctive style is the highlight; value receives a more measured score because I would book this hotel for its particular character, not simply for the greatest amount of space or facilities at the price. For a traveller who shares my affection for classic Hollywood glamour, that character is a compelling reason to choose it.
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