The Hotel Bel-Air is everything you’ll ever want and imagine rolled into one. A cocoon – a perfect haven in a sea of clutter
Located in the canyons of Los Angeles, Hotel Bel-Air has been a hideaway for world travellers for well over half a century. It’s nestled within five hectares of lush gardens in one of the world’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.
On the drive to the hotel, you can very well imagine yourself in a movie. From the overcrowded, humid streets of Venice Beach, through the busy LA traffic, you enter Beverley Hills and then all of a sudden, the streets get wider, the trees greener, and it feels like you’ve been transported to a different place. You get a glimpse of the hotel through the trees and lush gardens surrounding it and you get a feeling that there’s something about this place that goes beyond anything you’ve expected. Beyond the splendour of the surroundings, perfectly appointed in every detail. Something so wonderful, it’s beyond everything …
As you arrive, a stillness sets over you. The hotel waits quietly … as you get whisked into the Hotel Bel-Air, you walk over a stone bridge with a covered archway, and underneath it perfectly poised swans swim in their own lake, almost in slow motion. They are known as Hercules, Athena, Odette and Chloe and they embody the grace and elegance of the hotel as they welcome you. And it’s as if they signal to you, leave the business, rush hour traffic and everything else behind: you are now welcome in our sanctuary. Our perfect paradise.
The native surroundings create a tropical and secluded atmosphere of soaring trees, lush foliage and scented blooms. We’ve been told that even the garden’s draping branches and cascading vines are intentional, adding to the intimate, romantic and natural setting. As you walk the grounds enjoying the quiet surroundings, you get a glimpse of the numerous hummingbirds nesting in the redwoods and tree ferns. The aroma of the fresh blossoms is enchanting − that is probably why Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom fragrance captures this exact scent of the surrounds (it is her favourite Los Angeles hotel).
The hotel is a member of the Dorchester Collection and each of their hotels reflects the distinctive culture of its destination. Steeped in cultural history, each hotel is synonymous with defining historical moments and has hosted numerous royal families, celebrities and world leaders over the years. They each have their own story to tell, highlighting the group’s stylish heritage with fascinating historical anecdotes.
The grounds provide a natural sanctuary throughout the year. Guests relax beneath the tropical palms or the oval swimming pool, or on the private terraces of their rooms. Rather than the usual, long corridors lined with room numbers, most of the rooms and suites open directly onto gardens and each of the 103 guest rooms and suites features the finest decor and a range of innovative technology − from impressive Bang & Olufsen TVs to beautiful desks with integrated media hubs and iPads in every room.
Every detail in the rooms and suites are designed for your comfort and to ensure you have the best experience ever.
The hotel boasts seven individually designed speciality suites.
One is named after Grace Kelly – it was one of her favourite hideaways. Hours after winning the Academy Award in 1953 for her role in The Country Girl, she drifted off to blissful sleep in the tranquillity that can only be experienced at this magnificent place. The suite is named after her because she had chosen it for her post-Oscar photoshoot and even lived at the hotel prior to her marriage to Prince Rainier Grimaldi III.
And when you think it can’t get any better than this … Well-known master chef Wolfgang Puck oversees the hotel’s entire culinary operation, including the world-famous restaurant Wolfgang Puck at Bel-Air. It’s a beloved setting for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, diner or brunch, and provides the ideal atmosphere for a romantic meal, a social celebration or solo dining. They make every guest feel special and the restaurant setting is close to the garden with an indoor/outdoor patio adjacent to the outdoor terrace. Uncovered skylights and stacking doors allow natural light to fill the place.
And then there’s the spa … as if you can relax any more. The spa is a timeless retreat where the history, glamour and beauty of this oasis provide the perfect surroundings in which to relax and unwind. For some truly quiet time, you will have ‘that moment’ to yourself and feel like a completely new person when you leave.
If ever you find yourself in Los Angeles and you feel the business and crowds get too much, do yourself a favour and visit the Hotel Bel-Air.
For more information visit: https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/hotel-bel-air/
