Who doesn’t love Beverly Hills?
A clean, beautiful Southern California City overrun by fantastic shopping, luxury hotels and famous A-list movie stars. Beverly Hills is the super fun, perfect weekend getaway that always leaves me feeling glamorized and energized!
You definitely know you’ve been transported to another galaxy when you catch your first glimpse of the LA horizon. Smog, traffic, crazy-aggressive drivers and movie billboards should totally clue you in. I usually ride through LA wearing a baseball cap, ready to pump the gas, slam on the breaks and make 204786000 lane changes before finding my exit. An exit which is determined by the traffic flow and can of course be easily changed. Thank God for WAZE and my cousin Garrett who first introduced me to it. I love you both SO much!
Thankfully, the Pink Palace transports you to its own planet. One of my absolute favorite American hotels, The Beverly Hills Hotel is steeped in rich history (built over 100 years ago) and Hollywood charm. It’s also quiet. Super quiet. In fact, it’s so quiet you wonder how it can be so close to the epicenter of Beverly Hills and only a 20-30 minute drive from downtown LA.
Not only is The Beverly Hills Hotel a uniquely pink color, it’s covered in and surrounded by lush, beautiful foliage like a jungle. Every pathway is surrounded by green palm trees, bright flowers and bushes. Hotel walls are covered and draped in ivy. The whole ambience is so soothing and invigorating.
All the rooms are spacious and newly luxurious, having just undergone a major renovation this year. Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Carey Grant stayed here numerous times. You can’t have a drink or meal in one of the bars without recognizing at least one Hollywood face.
And the service? First class. I love how accommodating the hotel staff are, especially with their repeat guests. You don’t have to be a celebrity to be treated like one! Wow, imagine that.
On our most recent trip, we were given an early noon check-in and a complimentary upgrade into one of their fantastic bungalows (check out my AMEX Platinum blog to make this happen). Super pet-friendly, our Yorkies enjoyed their own private, fenced in yard and patio as well as doggie treats, decorated with their names. My favorite little details. Treat my dogs well and you have my loyalty for life!
As for my fiancé, he became obsessed with the Bungalow’s newest remodel addition: a complete bidet bathroom system with temperature control, a seat sensored to lower and lift when you enter the bathroom and various other buttons I’m sure only he can explain. Such a boy, lol. As for me, I was just happy with the whole package and STARVING!
Lunch and dinner at the hotel’s Polo Lounge restaurant is always my favorite. I love their comfortable seating and outdoor courtyard. The food is pretty delicious too.
For lunch, I enjoyed a glass of champagne and a light and yummy Caesar salad (always no croutons) topped with the most insanely delicious salmon you will ever eat. I don’t know what they do to their salmon nor how they cook it, but it’s to die for. My mouth is watering even now as I’m typing. The salmon is served hot with its crispy skin attached (it may sound gross, but please eat the skin, it’s delicious and uber good for you). The inside of the filet is so moist and fluffy, I’ve never had anything this perfect. And we all know how picky I am. If I’m saying this, you know it must be pretty darn incredible!
While I chose to sit by the pool and soak up some rays, Anton opted for a 10 mile run around the city. Apparently the run was quite beautiful. I know my poolside time was divine.
After a bit of rest and relaxation, our friends joined us for another amazing meal in the Polo Lounge. The musicians here are wonderful, they even accommodated our dancing (or should I say, our guys’ dancing lol). A few fresh squeezed lime martinis later, I wanted one more photo op. My BFF Irina and I chose Jimmy Choo for our glamorous evening out.
Did I tell you how much I LOVE the Amex Platinum card and their travel program? I mean seriously. We checked in at noon and the next day instead of rushing to pack, eat breakfast and check out, we got to take our time.
By taking our time I mean: sleep in till 11am (which FYI I never ever get to do because of work so this is a real treat for me), eat a late breakfast at the world’s number one diner, lounge by the pool and snack (okay so maybe I had a much needed Bloody Mary to nurse my hangover- their extra spicy ones are the bomb btw), and nap all before our 4pm checkout. Unheard of, right? Head over to the American Express Platinum homepage for more information if you love to travel like I do. It has changed my life!
Last but not least, let’s chat quickly about that DINER!
The Fountain Coffee Room is God’s gift to the world of diners! Everything here is fresh, tasty, delicious and simply awesome. Their Belgian waffles with heated maple syrup are fantastic and the Eggs Benedict has some of the fluffiest eggs I’ve tasted. Luckily, our timing was spot on so we only waited about 10 minutes or so. Usually, the line is out the door, around the corner and half way up the stairs. There are just as many locals (producers, actors, directors, you know, the usual Beverly Hills crowd) as there are hotel guests who come here each day. I noticed their staff never forget a face, make friends with ease, and work super hard and fast to get you your breakfast in as little time as possible. Here are a few teaser photos to feast your eyes upon:
When in LA, promise me you will visit my favorite Pink Palace. Whether it’s a quick drink or a full meal at the Polo Lounge, breakfast at the Fountain Coffee Room, or a weekend getaway stay, The Beverly Hills Hotel will give you a glitzy, glamorous, fabulous time!
xx Shanna
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