The Peninsula Hotel on Santa Monica Boulevard is a fancy tropical oasis located right in the heart of Beverly Hills near the famous Rodeo Drive. Widely praised for their über-personalized service that exceeds five star luxury standards, the Peninsula Beverly Hills is constantly rated as one of the best hotels in L.A. and the west coast by hard-to-impress critics: Mobil gave them five stars, AAA gave them five diamonds, and Conde Nast included them in their Traveler’s Best of the Best List. This stunning and superb hotel is a must-try for the world-weary traveler who has seen it all.

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First Impression/Lobby: Even though it is located in a very busy area in the middle of shopping malls and myriad financial activities, Peninsula Beverly Hills is covered with lush tropical gardens. When we arrived at the hotel, I noticed right away the serenity and tranquility that enveloped the place. But I was even more impressed by the architecture, the height of European elegance combined with idyllic Southern Californian charm. The moment we stepped out of the car, the doormen and bellmen were there to greet us by name and were ready to assist us with lavish graciousness. We never felt more welcomed in our globetrotting lives and felt like movie stars.

Inside was even more gorgeous. It looked and felt like the chic elegance of old Hollywood updated with modern amenities. Exquisite marble covered the floors and a large floral arrangement right below the crystal chandelier filled the air with a romantic scent.

Reception: It seemed that the front desk staff was already anticipating our arrival even before we got there. The staff greeted us with kind enthusiasm and addressed us by name. The receptionist asked us when we wanted the room cleaned and if we had any special requests. A personal assistant was assigned to us for the duration of our stay. Each and every one of the staff that we talked to was very attentive and made sure that we were satisfied and resolved whatever concern we had. It is amazing that a resort as large as this can provide this level of personalized and customized service, making us feel as if we owned the estate.

The Suite: We had a glorious and wonderfully spacious California Suite with a living room, a study area, a small balcony, a bedroom, a wet bar, a hallway with generous closets, and a large bathroom. It felt like an upscale Beverly Hills residence of some celebrity. I loved the soft and pastel colors they used for the furnishings. The style was updated but it was still faithful to old world elegance. The polished timber floors and wooden tables and chairs provided ample warmth and coziness. My only complaint was that we didn’t have much of a view from our small balcony, just a little greenery and concrete.

The king-sized bed was fitted with luxurious Frette linens and monogrammed pillowcases. Fingertip electronic bedside controls let us regulate the lighting and temperature of the room according to our mood.

The marble bathroom was divine and had a separate tub and shower. The towels were extra-luxurious, soft and fluffy, and Davi bath products, created by the grandson of winemaker Robert Mondavi, made bathing a blissful pleasure.

Housekeeping: Via The Peninsula’s pre check-in services, the staff goes out of their way to get to know their guests and personalize their service accordingly. Managing Director, Offer Nissenbaum trained his staff to treat all guests as VIPs and we felt this policy all throughout our stay, and especially in housekeeping. Crisp, clean, perfection! We couldn’t ask for anything more.

Concierge: A complimentary luxury car was made available for us to take us to whatever destination we choose to go in the area of Beverly Hills. We asked the concierge for some dining recommendations and they gave us a comprehensive list of the hottest and trendiest places as well as the more obscure and quiet ones. They also have a To Go service, where they can arrange a lovely beach picnic. As with all the other staff, they were gracious, knowledgeable, professional and friendly.

Restaurant: The Peninsula Beverly Hills has a three diamond restaurant, the Belvedere, which serves American cuisine in a sophisticated Hollywood-chic atmosphere, with its wood paneled walls, mood lighting and big banquets, although we didn’t get the chance to try it. There is also casual, al fresco dining at the re-hauled $4 million Roof Garden as well as afternoon tea served daily in The Living Room beyond the lobby. Nightly live entertainment is featured in the Club Bar.

Pool/Spa/Activities: The rooftop garden has a heated pool surrounded by poolside cabanas and lounge chairs, perfect for enjoying the views of Beverly Hills. The space is limited and can get crowded during the day. The best part is the incomparable and lavish attention that the staff gives you. Next to the pool is a fitness center, a salon and a state-of-the-art spa.

Check-Out: Check-out was a breeze and as pleasant as check-in, a perfect close to a perfect stay in this amazing five star hotel, one of the best I have ever stayed in.

Overall Impression: The staff, from front desk to room service to housekeeping, all addressed us by name, even in situations where we had no idea how they knew our name (such as passing us in the hallway). We were more than pleased in our wonderful stay at the Peninsula Beverly Hills and would definitely stay there again and again and recommend it to all our friends. Fantastic Bombastic!

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