Review: Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The Lobby | Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Why this is the best city feel hotel in the city

Background

Opened in 2017, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills isn’t the only luxury hotel in the city of Beverly Hills. There’s The Peninsula, The Beverly Wilshire, and the Beverly Hills Hotel to name a few. And these are all nice hotels, but The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills with its tall edifice that pierces the city’s skyline allows you to get away in the busyness surrounding the city of Beverly Hills. Designed by interior design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon, it’s luxurious but it’s not overbearing. 

What’s It Like?

As soon as you walk into the lobby you notice the ornate retro Art Deco vibes, and the triple-height ceilings. The ivory color tones, light green wing back chairs, live foliage and flowers, wood furniture, and gold accenting that brings a relaxing vibe to the lobby. A noticeable thing about the hotel is that the staff is very welcoming and helpful, always speaking and there to help. It’s a place in the hotel where you can read, have a meeting, or just be. Actors, the well-to-do, businessmen and women, and people on vacation can be seen coming in and out of the hotel. Also, in the lobby is a House of Bijan satellite boutique where you’ll find luxury accessories, footwear, leather accessories, and silk tie sets that have serviced US Presidents.

Where Is It?

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, in the Golden Triangle that splits Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard is the hotel. You can walk ten minutes to Rodeo Drive and have a Pretty Woman shopping spree kind of a day, and you can also walk to Beverly Hills City Hall and see its cactus garden, as well as to the Beverly Hills Gardens. A city with its own police department, within Los Angeles, it’s a one-of-a-kind bubble.

Rooms

Deluxe King Room

There are 170 rooms, fifty-one of them suites. Walking into the Deluxe King Room the first thing you notice is all the space. Who needs a suite when you have a foyer, sizeable closet, large marble bathroom, and large bedroom overlooking a balcony, which overlooks Beverly Hills mansions. The taupe tones blend well with the light turquoise carpet and yellow accent chairs + Brazilan wood accent of the minibar and closet. Another nice touch is the book shelving showcasing coffee table books. The king-sized bed with pearl headboard makes for a deep sleep.

The Hollywood Suite

The Hollywood Suite has darker tones and a masculine feel. With deep purple tones, golds, camel brown, and beige colors it’s a great space to relax in. The closet, just like the hallways have Brazilian wood accenting that’s reminiscent of a luxury yacht, and bathroom, like all bathrooms in the hotel has a deep soaking tub and shower so you never have to choose.

But, it’s the Villa Suite that’s breathtaking with teal and cream tones that steals the show. The hotel has celebrity events in the suite and it’s set up makes for a space for entertaining and relaxing. It’s the large outdoor patio with fireplace overlooking the entrance of the hotel that makes the space pop.

Food and Drink

Espelette and its modern high ceiling restaurant | Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Espelette is the lobby level restaurant. It’s modern with high vaulted ceilings, open space, and wood accenting. The outdoor patio is Mediterranean-like with a wall waterfall and foliage, giving the vibes of a Lebanese resto-café. Even on a busy night it’s possible to still have a sense of privacy. The affordable menu by head chef Steve Benjamin and his team is all encompassing from raw seafood options like the Yellowtail Carpaccio, Salmon Carpaccio, or Beef Tartar (with items ranging from $18-25). There is also a selection of caviar ranging from $54 to 195. From the appetizer menu the Langoustine Papillote ($28) that comes with frisée salad and basil is to-die-for! The Classic Baguette ($13) is also a must try. With only three salad options: Greek, Caesar, and Brussel & Kale (that range from $23-29) less is more with the offering as all three are good. There’s the Smash Burger ($31), Roasted Chicken ($38), Steamed Mussels ($31), and Carbonara Pasta ($27). But, we implore you to try something from the Wood Grilled section of the menu, the Branzino fish ($38) which pairs nicely with the Haricots Verts (French-style green beans) and Mashed Potatoes. The nice thing about our experience is that you don’t leave stuffed, which is a testament to the quality of the food the restaurant sources. The food is good and plenty, but doesn’t leave you in a food coma. 

Dining in room and on the balcony | Photo Credit: SEELE

In room dining allows you to truly be a hermit, something we all need from time to time. The menu is concise with the perfect number of items. For breakfast, the Vanilla Chia Bowl ($24) with fruit that was in season of blueberries and strawberries over chia pudding with Brazilian nuts and fruit, a side of Chicken and Jalapeno Sausage ($13) made with chicken and apple and garnished jalapenos hits the spot, and a glass of the hotel’s freshly squeezed orange juice ($11) is enough to start the day.

The Rooftop Beverly Hills is a sea of green overlooking the city. Located on the 12th floor near the pool, it’s where guests and visitors to the hotel can have lunch and dinner. Staying in line with the hotel’s raw and caviar offering, you can also order an appetizer. You must. Ok, stop and listen. You must try the Shrimp Tempura “Tacos.” If you don’t eat anything else on the menu you must eat this. There’s also a range of sandwiches, salads, and mains with an Asian fusion twist.

Leisure

Photo provided by The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The La Prairie Spa is spacious with signature treatments like the Reflexology and Hot Stone massages, and has a steam room that’s complimentary for all guests. The gym has the latest TechnoGym equipment where a personal trainer can train guests, but it’s the rooftop pool that’s the kicker. While it’s not huge it’s big enough. With deck chairs surrounding the rectangular pool, it’s the perfect place to be even on a hotel LA day because of the breeze countering the sun. Perfect for families and someone alone, the staff serve meals from the Rooftop restaurant where you can have caviar, guacamole, a warm Maine Lobster Roll, a burger, salads, mains with an Asian twist or sip on a cocktail or juice. Opposite the pool is the jacuzzi, which is relaxing.

Verdict Stay here. The staff is inviting, the food is good, and it’s a place where you can unplug from LA’s busyness.

Best For being in the center of Beverly Hills, a stone’s throw from Rodeo Drive.

Don’t Miss the rooftop pool.

Price rooms during this current summer season range from $912 to $5,468 per night.

Contact 9850 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210