Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills review: Luxury Art Deco-inspired hotel with Jean Georges restaurant
Newly opened this year, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is just a hop and skip from Rodeo Drive.
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Your support makes all the difference.In a nutshell: A swish, art deco-inspired luxury hotel in Beverly Hills – grand yet modern, luxurious but with laid-back staff.
Price point: ££££
The neighbourhood
In a prime position on the western edge of Beverly Hills, the Waldorf Astoria - which opened in 2017 - is right by Santa Monica Boulevard, and a hop and skip from Rodeo Drive.
The centre of Beverly Hills is walkable, but like anywhere in LA, you’ll need a car to get anywhere else. Many choose to rent, but car-share apps like Uber and (the less controversial) Lyft are cheap out here, so nowhere’s going to set you back more than $15 a trip. From the hotel, it’s a 12-mile ride to Downtown, 6.5 miles to Hollywood, and 13 miles to LAX airport.
The look
The $200m hotel was in development since 2008, and was designed by the studio of Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR), with additional exterior collaboration with architectural firms Perkins+Will and Gensler. Made of white limestone, it's shaped like a wedge and positioned at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard in a satisfying curve. Inside, the white, clean interiors are peppered with metallic artwork – like the grand bronze chandelier in the lobby - and bright colours. It feels like an art deco twist on mid-century design.
The vibe
It’s a big, airy, modern hotel with plush furnishings. It feels like a perfect spot for well-heeled couples, although I did see several families playing poolside.
Check-in was relaxed and unstuffy, and the incredibly quick turnaround from cab door to room door was impressive. They also offer a complimentary unpacking service if you’re particularly lazy.
Bed and bath
Airy, pristine, white and above all – large. The website describes even the entry-level rooms as “oversize” and they do deliver. Mine - an entry-level "superior with terrace" - was long, wide and high-ceilinged. You can jog from one end of the room to another, or breakdance in the bathroom, if that’s your thing.
Everything is geared around a good sleep: a gigantic bed, high above the busy street below, with sound-insulating windows and thick curtains.
Lights and gadgets in the room can be controlled using the iPad provided – from the opening of curtains to the dimming of lights. It's more of a novelty than a major timesaver, but a nice touch nonetheless.
My south-facing room overlooked the urban sprawl of LA, and I could see DTLA in the distance to the left, and Century City to the right. Rooms facing north east get nice views of residential Beverly Hills, while those facing south get more of a feel for the bustling city.
Food and drink
The main restaurant is Jean Georges, located on the ground floor. It bills itself as French-American cuisine though the menu includes South American flavours and European classics - a slightly unfocused mish-mash, though there are hits. Don’t leave without trying the avocado pizza, with chilli, lime and cilantro – the freshness of the toppings and the tang of salt crystals offset the rich oily dough.
The rooftop bar and restaurant - called simply The Rooftop by JG - has some of the best views in LA and the bar prices in particular are very reasonable for the part of town.
Pools, spas and public areas
Close to the bar, the rooftop pool is a no-fuss affair - a reasonably sized oblong area with surround views across the city. The gym is on the larger side for a hotel, and was empty when I explored it. There’s also a 5,000 square foot spa with six treatment rooms, and a hair salon.
Nuts and bolts
Room count: 119 rooms, 51 suites
Freebies: Bottled water (2 x 800ml Voss bottles per day), and chocolates with the turndown
In the bathroom: Toiletries by Diptyque
WiFi: Free and fast
Extra charges: Parking costs $50 a day for guests, or $17 for the first hour and $2 every additional 20 minutes
Disability access: Wheelchair-accessible rooms available
Pet policy: Pets allowed for a $150 fee
Bottom line
Best thing: The rooftop space is an unusually high perch in this part of town, and allows a full 360-degree view of the city with a little bit of wandering.
Worst thing: It’s a huge, high hotel with a limited number of lifts, which means waiting times can be a couple of minutes.
Perfect for: Couples after a romantic stay in a fancier part of LA.
Instagram from: The rooftop bar - overlooking leafy Beverly Hills.
Room rate: Doubles from $815 (£614), room only.
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