"A glamourous Beverly Hills wonderland that channels the uber-chic Italian Renaissance - definately not one for the shy and retiring!"
At the Regent Beverley Wilshire in Los Angeles, aka ‘the Pretty Woman Hotel’, the first surprise is its lobby – there is an eye-befuddling explosion of blooms occupying the foyer – tulips the size of fists and spiraling tendrils of orchid as tall as a man. This botanical scene may differ from the movie scenes we’re used to, but it certainly doesn’t deter honeymooners and fans from renting the “Pretty Woman Suite” or even from renting the dress she wore in the movie.
The facilities
One thing the movie did faithfully record is the level of service at this luxury hotel. I appear to have been assigned my very own keeper (with a staff to guest ratio of about 5 to 3, not too implausible), a spruced young Mexican called Diego in a traditional British barrister’s outfit.
The Regent Beverley Wilshire is enough of an institution to have its own “Ambassador”, named Ron Howard. “I’ve been here 27 years now. I’ve had every job except GM. I was planning on being the owner’s daughter’s husband but that didn’t work out. But hey, I’m jazzed,” he exclaims, whisking me up and down and round the hotel on a lightning tour.
“We get all the heads of state because the Peninsula’s too small and the Beverley Hills has so many entrances, it’s a security nightmare. Our clientele,” he whispers, “are preeminently quality. And get this, I’ve installed special dishes on the roof so I can bring in every TV station in the world. The Middle Eastern heads of state like that. We’ve had everybody here. King Hussein of Jordan, Emperor Hirohito – when he came we cut through a wall so he could have two of our townhouse suites, one for living in and one for dining.”
The rooms
My room, a standard, is nothing short of magnificent. A room like this seems to geographically map out the elegant life. Here’s a big antique desk with a ten-pound leather blotter for you to work on. There’s a deep sofa beside the minibar where you have your drink. Next a little escritoire for, say, writing a postcard or perusing a magazine. Next the tremendous oak armoire at the end of the room, with a set of voluminous drawers and a mammoth TV hidden within. The leatherbound TV pages are held open to today’s page by a special TV room-service menu: chips, chicken wings, popcorn. Snacks to lie down with on that pile of big cushions while giggling at your favourite old comedy shows. (Where have I seen this before?) Then through French windows into the marble emporium the size of an average walkup, otherwise known as the bathroom.
Star rating:
Address: 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California 90212, United States
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Address: 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California 90212, United States
Booking info
Arrival:
Sun 31 Aug 2008
Departure: Mon 1 Sep 2008
No. adults: 2
Departure: Mon 1 Sep 2008
No. adults: 2
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Come for
- The assurance of the Four Seasons brand, right on Wilshire Blvd
- A good base to shop on the famous and glamorous Rodeo Drive
- All the celeb-spotting you could hope for
Not suitable for
- Those looking for a quiet, solitary retreat
Children
The hotel first offers their young guests a welcome gift, than continues to spoil them. There are child-sized bathrobes, complimentary children's toiletries, children's menus, and special teen amenities. Parents will also be pleased to know that under 18s can stay free with their parents, items are available to childproof the rooms, and cribs and extra beds are provided free of charge.
Eating in
The hotel's CUT restaurant takes a new spin to the classic steakhouse concept. The cuisine is designed by renowned celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and the interior is by Richard Meier, acclaimed architect of the Getty Center.
