Background
Four Seasons opened this 16-storey property in Beverley Hills in 1987, which is widely recognised as a venue for Hollywood’s press and film events.
Despite its starry setting, it’s not to be confused with its nearby sister property, the Beverly Wilshire, which is well-known as the filming location for Pretty Woman.
Where is it?
On South Doheny Drive in Beverly Hills, a 15-minute palm-fringed walk to Rodeo Drive.
The concierge can arrange car transfers (or a limo if you’re feeling particularly VIP) to/from Los Angeles International airport (LAX), which is a 30-45 minute drive from the hotel – provided traffic isn’t too bad.
What's it like?
The large luxe hotel fits right into the Beverly Hills landscape with its statement, leafy driveway while friendly staff are on hand to welcome you into the property.
Once you exit your vehicle, the carpeted entry to the door has a red carpet-like feel, with well-kept lush greenery on either side – plus a statue of Marilyn Monroe, of course – and Art Deco-style doors with old-school branding of the Four Seasons name.
Inside, the spaces are light and airy thanks to large glass windows, and a colour scheme of beige and golds. Natural light reflects off glitzy chandeliers, while Jeff Leatham’s eye-catching floral installations provide character and seasonality.
The ground floor is home to a helpful concierge and reception to the left, various meeting areas straight ahead and the Culina restaurant and lounge bar off to the right. There’s also a UPS shop to provide printing, shipping, packaging and business centre needs, and a Krigler shop.
At check-in I was offered a glass of Champagne or water – check-in is from 3pm, and checkout at 12pm. It’s worth downloading the Four Seasons app ahead of your trip, as it’s excellent for seeing all your trip details and you can also chat to staff to arrange services such as airport transfers.
The highlight of the hotel is its fourth floor rooftop pool, which is a tropical oasis for some post-meeting R&R. Bold orange parasols and sun loungers brighten up the space, with six private cabanas for rent too, while dragonflies buzz over the peaceful pool.
Should you want to feel slightly more in the cityscape, head to the elevated whirlpool and peek over the wall for extraordinary views of Beverly Hills.
Rooms
The hotel has 185 rooms and 100 suites, and impressively every single room has a balcony with views of either the Hollywood Hills or downtown LA. The scenic view shines in the Southern Californian sunshine during the day and glitters at night. These balconies are often used for photoshoots, particularly during awards seasons.
Each corridor has ethereal watercolours on display, while the guest rooms have black-and-white photos of old Hollywood.
My Premier Balcony room (37 sqm) was beautifully appointed, with a ceiling-high upholstered headboard and the brand’s famously comfortable king-size bed with sumptuous bedding.
The room had an armchair and footrest for lounging, and a dining/work table with upholstered chairs. It’s a comfortable workspace, with sockets nearby and a standing lamp.
Tech features include a large TV facing the bed and a bedside tablet to source hotel info, book facilities/dining and chat with the staff, while amenities include regularly replenished cans of drinking water, a Bose speaker, coffee and tea-making facilities – plus a mini fridge with paid-for items.
The marble bathroom is particularly special, with a vanity area as you enter – which is perfect for getting glam – while a toilet and powerful rain shower over a bathtub are located behind another set of doors.
For those with corner rooms like mine, there are shuttered doors (rather than a curtain) hiding the additional windows, giving it a California beachside feel. Meanwhile, heavy blackout curtains are great at blocking the sunshine from the balcony.
There were a few areas which seemed a bit worn-down, but overall the room was well-designed and I had a wonderful night’s sleep following my long flight from London.
The hotel also has wellness rooms and suites, designed with wellbeing in mind – amenities include air purification systems, in-room yoga equipment, energising light to help regulate circadian rhythm and a soundscape machine among other features.
At the end of September the hotel launched a new experience for those staying in its top suites. The California Indulgence Suite experience includes luxury transport from LAX or Burbank airports, complimentary Range Rover rental for the duration of the stay, in-suite floral arrangement, personalised welcome amenities, and open arrival/departure times.
Food and drink
The hotel has two restaurants with very different offerings. The ground floor is home to the moody, mahogany-rich Culina – an Italian restaurant that also serves a generous a la carte breakfast with various LA favourites, healthy wellness dishes and the more indulgent ‘morning cravings’ – brioche French toast, pancakes and waffles.
Grab a table on the foliage-filled terrace for an al fresco breakfast – recommended is the shakshouka (US$28), served with labneh and naan. Staff are very welcoming and make each guest feel like a VIP.
The fourth floor rooftop is home to vegan restaurant Plant Food + Wine by chef Matthew Kenney. The restaurant debuted here in the summer, relocating from its former Venice Beach location.
It’s a beautiful, lush outdoor setting for dining, with the greenery going hand-in-hand with the restaurant’s ethos – a small herb garden runs alongside, which the team use for drinks and dishes. Guests can dine here for breakfast, lunch and dinner 9am-10pm daily, or instead enjoy the food poolside.
The menu has been updated for the new venue, and features brunch-style dishes with both small and larger plates on offer. I loved the breakfast tacos (US$28) with tofu scramble (which could have easily been scrambled eggs), black beans and salsa verde.
Meetings
The hotel is an important venue for meetings and events, particularly during awards season.
There is 1,532 sqm of meetings and events space, including a 379 sqm ballroom which can cater up to 500 people for a reception, and lots of the venues include natural light. Given its location in a city known for film and TV, four of the hotel’s floors are reserved for press junkets and there’s also a 37-seat screening room.
The fourth floor is also home to the ‘Well Office’, a modern light-filled space for hybrid workers keen to stay healthy on the road. The office features hypoallergenic wood floors, an air purification system and adjustable-height conference table and standing desk stools to suit all needs, plus a large TV for presentations and videoconferencing. Pricing starts at US$900 for full-day use (8am-8pm) for up to four people including coffee and pastries.
The lush Wetherly Gardens, complete with whispering fountains, is also a beautiful backdrop for events for up to 200 people.
Leisure
The hotel partnered with Delos Living to transform its fourth floor into a wellness destination, which smells beautiful as soon as you exit the lifts. Just before you reach the aforementioned pool deck, there’s a contemporary spa with eight treatment rooms, a nail salon, steam and sauna rooms.
The hotel has a 24-hour open-air fitness centre on the fourth-floor rooftop, which neighbours the pool and is a refreshing and original setting for early morning workouts. If you prefer to have your own space, there’s also a private fitness suite with high-tech equipment (plus a private bathroom and shower) which you can hire for two hours for up to three guests at a time.
Verdict
This luxury hotel has a fittingly indoor-outdoor feel for its LA location, with friendly staff at the dining venues, an unmissable restful rooftop and rooms with enviable views over the city.
The hotel’s focus on wellness is also in keeping with the new generation of guests that are increasingly interested in wellbeing while travelling.
FACT BOX
- Best for: Living like a movie star in Beverly Hills
- Don’t miss: Plant-based poolside dining
- Price: Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in January start from £1,036 for a Premier Balcony room (£855 for entry level)
- Contact: 300 South Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90048; +1 310 273 2222; fourseasons.com
