Review: Beverly Wilshire, a grand dame of the LA hotel scene

Introduction

Some hotels are mere places to sleep. Others, like the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles, are destinations in their own right – sites of pilgrimage where people travel the world over just to set foot in the lobby.

On a recent trip to the United States, I got the chance to do exactly that… plus a lot more with two nights in a One Bedroom Beverly Suite allowing ample time to soak up the dining, the pool, spa and location opposite glamorous Rodeo Drive.

Location & Impressions

Taking its name from the intersection of Beverly Drive and Wilshire Boulevard on which it stands, the hotel is directly opposite a who’s who of fashion boutiques including Versace and Tiffany & Co. 

Rodeo Drive is directly opposite the hotel’s main entrance.

You’ve no doubt seen the distinctive façade in countless movies – Pretty Woman, Beverly Hills Cop and Clueless are a few of the modern classics featuring the storied hangout.

Beverly Wilshire was fully refurbished in 2022.

The main building – rising 10 floors and lined with intricate stonework and domed awnings at its base – was built atop a former speedway in 1928. At the time there was nothing like it, with the now-city of Beverly Hills springing up around it. 

A crystal chandelier dominates the Wilshire Wing lobby.

As the hotel’s reputation grew, a 14-floor annex dubbed the ‘Beverly Wing’ was added in 1971. Today, the two are linked by an elevated walkway, above the central driveway.

The lobby of the Beverly Wing is a little more understated.

History is on show throughout the original building: photographs line the walls, signage details its growth and evolution, but it doesn’t feel like you’re in a time capsule. There’s enough modernity to remind you’re in the 21st century.

Room

Check-in was quick, easy and it wasn’t long before I made my way to a room in the Beverly Wing: a One Bedroom Beverly Suite with balcony, offering views to Century City and Downtown (albeit slightly obscured by the LA haze). 

A One Bedroom Beverly Suite at the Beverly Wilshire.

At 67 sqm the room was generously proportioned and surprisingly modern, with separate living area and bedroom, large walk-in robe and a large entry area housing the minibar.

Bathed in light from the French doors by day, the living room featured a two-person dining setting, three-seater lounge and coffee table, facing a huge smart television.

Ambient lighting at night.

And through the double doors in the bedroom, a king-bed, chaise lounge and yet another massive television. A Bluetooth speaker and wireless charging pad and USB outlets dialled up the tech convenience.

Slippers await either side of the bed.

Beyond the light and bright marble bathroom – with its large vanity, walk-in shower, separate tub and doored powder room – the majority of lighting in the room came from lamps. 

The light-filled bathroom.

While nice for ambience, this did make the room a little dark, particularly in the entry. It also created a challenge when turning off lights. When you switch one off, you realise another is on and then have to hunt down the button.

A daytime view of the living room.

Out on the balcony were a couple of outdoor chairs for you to kick back and gaze out across the neighbourhood, or perhaps peer down to the swimming pool and bar on the ground floor.

A night time balcony view.

In all, it was a supremely comfortable room with more than enough space to stretch out, though I wouldn’t recommend using it as a work base, as the lighting just wasn’t strong enough.

Unfortunately the Beverly Wilshire doesn’t have an executive/club lounge, which would be a welcome addition. 

Eat

Beverly Wilshire’s two primary dining venues are more than enough for most guests.

Those craving all-day ‘contemporary American’ can head to The Blvd, either sitting inside or on the Rodeo Drive-view adjacent, while diners after more elevated fare can visit CUT by Wolfgang Puck.

CUT is the hotel’s signature steak and seafood restaurant.

These are joined by CUT Lounge, an intimate cocktail bar with plush red chairs and a lengthy menu of whisky, rum, and tequila; and The Pool Bar & Cafe, where light bites and drinks are served poolside.

The entrance to CUT Lounge.

Seating at The Pool Bar & Café.

For breakfast, I stopped by The Blvd for the ‘Smoked Norwegian Salmon Benedict Royale’, alongside some fresh fruit for grazing and a double espresso (no long blacks here). As expected, it was a delicious meal.

Sharply-dressed waiters at The Blvd.

Benedict Royale at The Blvd.

An extensive all-day in-room dining menu is available between 6am and 11pm, including the ‘Pretty Woman’ breakfast collection: an egg white omelette, chicken apple sausage, fresh fruit and a pastry on the side.

A reduced ‘late night’ menu kicks in from 11pm to 6am, with lobster cobb salad, street corn penne, and a buttermilk chocolate cake a few of the dishes available.

Relax

Of course, it wouldn’t be a five star escape without some spa time, and for this, Beverly Wilshire’s ultra-stylish wellness zone delivers.

In addition to massages, facials and other restorative body treatments, the spa features a mosaic-tiled steam room with an ice fountain (rub the shaved ice on your skin to get the blood circulating) plus an ‘Experience Shower’ with three different settings. 

Add to this a Mediterranean pool – modelled on Sofia Loren’s Italian villa pool – and a gym with cardio and weight training equipment, and you have the complete package.

Beverly Wilshire’s small but well-equipped gym.

Verdict

If you’re in the mood for an indulgent getaway, this is the one. While there were a few lighting quirks in the room, these didn’t diminish the quality and style of the overall experience.

Beverly Wilshire is a quintessential Los Angeles hotel, with a well-deserved reputation: service, amenities and the location are top-notch, while the surrounding Beverly Hills neighbourhood is also worth exploring if you get the chance.