The Beverly Hills Hotel

A hotel older than Beverly Hills

The Beverly Hills Hotel opened on Sunset Boulevard in 1912, before Beverly Hills became an incorporated city. When it first opened, people came to the area to look at land. As the city grew, the hotel became a gathering place for Hollywood figures and earned its nickname, the Pink Palace.

Its history is part of the appeal, but the property is also a working hotel with guest rooms, suites and private bungalows. The grounds cover 12 acres, with palms and tropical planting around the buildings. You can take a walk through the landscaped areas, including the bungalow surroundings, without needing to leave the property.

The pink-and-green design

Architect Paul R. Williams shaped some of the hotel’s most recognizable details. He introduced its signature pink-and-green palette, and the hotel script that appears on the Crescent building and front sign was added in the 1950s. The sign remains a popular photo backdrop.

The hotel’s tropical look continues indoors with Martinique banana-leaf wallpaper. The rooms and suites combine this distinct setting with marble bathrooms; some have private balconies or patios. The bungalows provide a more secluded option within the grounds. The design draws on Hollywood glamour of the 1940s and 1950s, while the property has also undergone renovation.

The Polo Lounge and afternoon tea

The Polo Lounge has served diners since 1941 and is one of the hotel’s best-known places to eat. Choose it for a meal in the dining room, at the bar or on the flowered patio. The patio sits beneath pink arches and is surrounded by palms and flowering plants. Reserve ahead if you plan to dine there.

Afternoon tea is served in the Polo Lounge on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 5pm. The spread includes canapés and sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries, alongside black, green and blended teas. Options noted on the menu include fig and blue cheese popovers, citrus vanilla scones, coffee éclairs and Italian Blood Orange tea.

For a more casual meal, the property also has the Cabana Cafe beside the pool and the Fountain Coffee Room, which has a 1950s style. The Cabana Cafe serves poolside meals, including brunch; dishes mentioned include the McCarthy Salad, a burger and parmesan truffle fries.

Pool, spa and special stays

The outdoor pool has a long association with the hotel. In 1938, the Sand and Pool Club brought real sand to the pool area to create a beach-like setting. The pool is now surrounded by striped loungers and has private cabanas. It is for hotel guests only.

The full-service spa has treatments including deep-tissue massage, pink Himalayan salt stone massage and reflexology. Guests can ask about couple’s experiences and whether a male or female masseuse is available. The grounds, dining rooms, pool and spa make the hotel suited to a stay where you plan to spend time on site.

For a celebration, mention the occasion when arranging your stay. The hotel has been known to add personal touches, such as a card or rose petals. Guests travelling with dogs or cats should contact the hotel before booking to confirm its pet arrangements; the supplied information describes a pet program for dogs, including a bed and personalized cookies.