The state of California and numerous others have declared a state of emergency, gatherings are cancelled, schools are closed. What to do? Suitcase at the front door has always been my mantra, and I am not going to sit out the Corona Virus at home – there are safe alternatives nearby! Hotel Bel Air has always been my 90210 favorite, well truth be told, their sister Beverly Hills Hotel is probably tied for number one.
The West Coast sisters in the Dorchester Collection of lovely hotels reside in a small pocket of Beverly Hills – like fascinating sisters, they each exude unique personalities. I’ve stayed at both The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air and love each for innumerable reasons.
My recent jaunt to Hotel Bel Air to attend travel events and meet clients reminded me again of the gracious carefree art of living in a hotel, and with the current climate and fear surrounding the CV issue, hotel living might be the perfect antidote. Consider a dash away to the extraordinary, far from typical, Hotel Bel-Air. A quick bay area/Burbank or LAX flight, the perfect mini escape, disappear and catch your breath for a few days, order in, hole up in a bungalow or suite or pony up for the grand Presidential Suite with pool, avoid the hysteria in superb comfort! As part of the hotel Arrive in Style program, the hotel will provide a complimentary car to whisk you from airport to hotel, details below.
I am actually considering a partial hotel lifestyle. A la Heloise, Elaine Stritch and Howard Hughes, who had a fondness for Bungalow 3 at The Beverly Hills Hotel, a 30-year fondness, in fact!
My recent several days jaunt to Hotel Bel Air reminded me of the cozy comforts of hotel living – coffee is quietly delivered exactly when you wake up, cleared away while you visit the first-rate, almost never used gym, at Hotel Bel Air, I’ve never encountered a soul in the gym. Schedule all your meetings in the snug private booths at Wolfgang Puck, a mere jaunt down the stairs from your hilly eucalyptus suite or just past the pool in my recent suite stay. My four months long plant-based diet was challenged, my furtive room service vice is a Club House Sandwich and I succumbed. And it was so worth it! Professional cocktail event advice – dine before you go – so much easier to balance a flute of bubbly without noshing on petite canapés, chat, sip and pay attention to multiple conversations. Room service Club House sandwich pre-event solves multiple problems.
Hotel Bel-Air, despite the close proximity to downtown Beverly Hills shopping and culture, is surrounded by twelve acres of lush gardens and tucked into a pocket-sized canyon. Amid towering palm and silver leafed eucalyptus trees, the Spanish Colonial design is subtle and elegant. A hidden sanctuary amongst the wooded hills, untouched by the clamor of life beyond the gates of Bel-Air. The most quintessentially private and exclusive hotel, delivering low-key elegance since 1946. Suites with garden patios, private plunge pools are enchanting. Move up to the canyon rooms and relish the sweeping views of the canyon from your secluded plunge pool and deck. On my last visit, yes, I escape here as often as possible, a bit of spring mist kept the fireplace in my suite crackling most of the day, a cozy enclave where I cocooned and worked in between meals with my clients.
An extended list of swells have been long term hotel residents, among them Howard Hughes at The Beverly Hills Hotel, Coco Chanel at The Ritz in Paris, Playwright Tennessee Williams lived in Manhattan’s Hotel Elysée for 15 years. One story circulates that guests would complain to the front desk about the constant tap tap tapping of a typewriter. According to Wikipedia: “They knew right away who the culprit was, but they couldn’t very well ask Mr. Williams to stop playwriting, so we simply moved the guest to another room.”
After a few days dining, languishing and working at Hotel Bel-Air, I can easily imagine moving into a hotel. A simple elegant lifestyle might be envisioned by my days here…amble down the hill to Wolfgang Puck restaurant; dine and catch up with friends, idly observe the fascinating locals, picking up on idiosyncrasies and imagine their story. One evening I used the hotel car to make my way to The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel for dinner with friends and clients. Leisurely life here in the hills, both properties diminish travel stress. Plan your meetings or entertainment between both hotels and I guarantee you will wonder why didn’t I do this before! Wolfgang Puck serves light fresh gourmet Mediterranean fare, all day long.
Huevos Rancheros Wolfgang Puck Hotel Bel Air..Huevos Rancheros don’t seem to be a bay area thing, so So Cal! 
Vege snack pool Hotel Bel Air
Need a Corona Virus staycation? Hotel Bel Air provides ultimate luxury, rooms comfy and cozy, don’t even venture farther than the spa! Mosey to the gym followed by a massage, return to your perfectly made up room…what’s not to like, Eloise?
Tote your book bag, laptop if you must, to the lush pool, surrounded by towering palms, and tended to by a very sweet Cabana guy, Frank, who knows if you’re snoozing and doesn’t disturb your 40 winks! Quiet jazzy bossanova background music only interrupted by birdsong – what could be better?. Tell me!
Wolfgang Puck restaurant resides in a Spanish inspired courtyard, hide away in a corner booth while enjoying the delicious contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. The celebrated hotel bar feels like a glamorous private club, afternoon tea or chic cocktails by the roaring fire is where you will find me entertaining my clients and friends.
One of my dearest local clients came for dinner, we curled up in our half-moon shaped banquette and traded ‘table confidential’ stories for hours – I’m appropriating her quote: I forgot how much I love Hotel Bel Air – once you cross the bridge over Swan lake, you enter a portal of relaxation and calm.
The Dorchester properties spoil our guests! Diamond Club amenities are bestowed on our guests: Arrive in Style If you book a room up to a Junior Suite category you will receive: A one-time $100 hotel credit. Daily full breakfast for two guests. Upgrade to next category at time of booking up to a Junior Suite. High speed internet included. Round -trip transfer LAX or a $200 transfer credit for neighboring airports.
This is an especially stressful time, why not indulge in pampering and escape from the frenzy. Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel two scrumptious properties, Five Star Luxury!
Cross into the serene Portal of Hotel Bel Air. Call us for all the little amenities bestowed!
Cross into the serene Portal of Hotel Bel Air.
Useful sites for staying tuned in to Travel Conditions:
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