{ daydream destination } Hotel Bel Air
Posted: November 24th, 2011 | Author: Jennifer | Filed under: dream destination | Tags: California, hotels, Los Angeles, USA | Comments Off
The Location
Bel Air is another monied community in the Los Angeles area. This isn’t a place for the partying types (try the Chateau Marmont on Sunset for that) . It’s much more private and subdued – a great respite away from crazy LA. This location is still one of the most iconic and storied hotels in the area. It’s even worth a trip just to eat in the restaurant and ogle the gardens.
(For more LA information, you can find my Los Angeles travel guide here.)
The Hotel
Hotel Bel Air occupies a spectacular early 20th century castle. The exquisitely manicured grounds sprawl over 12 acres. The hotel just re-opened in October after two years of extensive renovations. Gone is the French Country theme – now the hotel is a sea of calm sophisticated neutrals and high end finishes. Fortunately the signature feature of the hotel remain – Swan Lake, the small lake guests must cross over by foot to reach the lobby. There are 103 rooms to choose from, ranging from a straightforward room up to the sprawling Presidential Suite on the hillside. (Also – be warned that this level of luxury does not come cheap. Rates run from $565 a night for the most “basic” room all the way up to $4,800 for a hillside suite.)
Famed designer Alexandra Champalimaud handled the renovations of the private spaces in the hotel. Champalimaud took her influence from the golden era of Hollywood (the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s) and blended it to fit within the original Spanish Colonial buildings, which are still bathed in the classic Bel Air pink. Heated stone and marble floors, plaster walls, natural wood ceilings are found throughout the space.
The room designs are all quite different. The loft rooms are as sleek as you would expect, while the rooms in the original building and bungalows have more of an Art Deco influence. The colour palettes range from chic chocolate to black and white. But all the fixtures and furnishings are the highest quality possible and have been outfitted with the best of the best. Amenities include state-of-the-art automation system which controls the lights, a/c, messaging and curtains. Hillside rooms features sweeping views of the canyon. Most rooms have indoor and outdoor fireplaces, spacious decks and grand pianos. fetures a large indoor/outdoor patio which overlooks the lush garden.
The Extras
Rockwell Group headed the changes to the design of the restaurant on the property. The restaurant is now headed by Wolfgang Puck and serves up modern Californian cuisine, with Mediterranean and French influences. The room features a large indoor/outdoor patio, with large retractable glass walls overlooking the lush gardens outside.
The lobby lounge and hotel bar have also been redone, in lovely dark understated colours. There are also two different ballrooms available for larger events.
Another recent addition to the hotel is the 4,134-square-foot Hotel Bel Air Spa by La Prairie. The spa features seven treatment rooms, including a private space for couples complete with outdoor patio. There is also a brand-spanking new fitness studio.
(And yes, I think most of these are renderings – but they are still pretty great!)
Hotel Bel Air
701 Stone Canyon Road
Los Angeles CA 90077
Rooms from $565.
If you are looking to give your space a dose of style- whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.
