PRICE:
Frommer's Highly Recommended

If you're a fan of awards shows you'll probably recognize this hotel as the annual home to the star-studded Golden Globe Awards. Located at the crossroads of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards, in the heart of Beverly Hills, this boxlike eight-story hotel has been attracting city business travelers, movie stars, U.S. presidents, royalty, and tourists alike since 1955. It was previously owned by Merv Griffin, who didn't put much into renovations (and it showed), but now the Beverly Hills-based Hilton Corporation has upgraded the entire interior of the hotel as part of an $80-million renovation. All guest rooms have been completely redesigned with a contemporary casual feel and loads of luxury amenities: Italian linens, L'Occitane bath products, 42-inch plasma TVs, Bose Wave Radios, and even 13-inch flatscreen TVs in the bathroom. Many have balconies that offer views of Century City, Beverly Hills, and the Hollywood Hills. During the summer, the ground-level poolside cabana rooms are a good choice -- the alluring pool area alone is worth staying here -- thanks to sliding doors that open directly onto the sun deck. For city views, request one of the Wilshire Tower rooms. Among the Beverly Hilton's best advantages are its food and cocktail outlets: It's hard to beat a pupu platter and a rum-spiked Navy Grog at the groovy Polynesian-style Trader Vic's, and the new retro-chic Circa 55 restaurant and lounge on the pool level is a visual stunner. Other new additions include a huge state-of-the-art fitness room, and the serene Aqua Star Spa offering treatments for both men and women. Facilities: 2 restaurants; 3 lounges; heated Olympic-size outdoor pool; state-of-the-art fitness center; full-service spa; 24-hr. concierge; courtesy car within 5-mile radius; business center; salon; 24-hr. room service; laundry service; dry cleaning; gift shop

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Los Angeles 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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