Beverly Hills
California


The Experience

Right in the heart of Beverly Hills, Raffles L'Ermitage firmly rejects L.A. flash, offering celebrities and business travelers privacy and understated luxury instead. Of course, this anti-Hollywood approach -- as well as the hotel's elegant minimalism -- attracts the A-listers, who bed down here during award shows and premieres. But discretion is key among staffers, leading to a soothing ambience. Frankly, it's a welcome break from the exhibitionism of the rest of the city, and the kind of place that provokes a sigh of relief when you check in.

The Rooms

The light-wood Asian theme of the rest of the property continues into the generous 650-square-feet rooms. Large low-platform beds, huge walk-in closets and work areas big enough for a small board meeting make guests feel like celebrities, while requisite Bose speakers and four phone lines complete the picture. No one can accuse the decor of being gaudy, but "understated" sometimes means "boring." If you like splashes of color or riots of gold, you won't find it here.

The Service

Most of L.A.'s highest-standard hotels can't match the L'Ermitage for service -- kind, understated and quick. And general manager Jack Naderkhani (supposedly the model for the GM in Pretty Woman) has become a legend in the hotel biz as someone who treats celebrities and mere mortals alike.

The Highlights

In a world where guests are often charged for every bottle of water, this is one hotel that understands how annoying that is. Free amenities include not only local calls and a loaner cell phone but also nonalcoholic drinks in the minibar, DVDs on loan and customized business cards and stationery. The rooftop pool is serene enough to take advantage of Wi-Fi service, and the writer's bar is perfect for meeting your banker, or agent. Even pets are welcome -- at least those under 40 pounds, which should be adequate for the pooches of most starlets.

-- Ondine Cohane

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