The Maybourne Beverly Hills: Inside one of the most luxurious hotels in L.A
During a recent stay in Los Angeles, this Aussie was shocked by a very unique detail inside their $4k a night hotel room.
There is no place in the world quite like Beverly Hills.
I grew up in a small Queensland beach town where people brazenly don bare feet at the local supermarket, and the local RSL is the place to be for a Friday night chicken parmi deal.
So it might surprise you to hear that I’ve never really seen what true luxury and opulence looks like in real life.
But stepping into the Maybourne Beverly Hills, I instantly felt like I’d transformed into royalty, as if I were Anne Hathaway’s character Mia on The Princess Diaries.
Even from the outside, the hotel looks like some kind of palace, with its intricate European architecture and romantic, renaissance-style gardens.
As I entered the hotel, a beautiful aroma of fresh flowers wafted through the air, and I was mesmerised by the stunning floral display that sat in the centre of the lobby.
“Welcome, Miss Kazlauskas” the friendly reception staff beamed.
“We hope you have a beautiful stay with us.”
Having just spent the last 24 hours travelling and looking a little worse for wear, I could have easily felt out of place among the other guests who were donning their chic luxury dresses and pricey designer handbags.
But every person I encountered at the beautiful Maybourne Beverly Hills made me feel so warmly welcomed and significantly special, that I easily felt right at home.
Beverly Hills is a haven for Aussies
Australians seeking a bit of glitz and glamour while in Los Angeles are flocking to Beverly Hills at a staggering rate.
Walking around Rodeo Drive, my ears were pricking up left, right and centre as I overheard a few Aussie accents.
But it makes sense, seeing as we are one of the top three international visitors who fly in to LAX each year.
“Beverly Hills continues to be a popular destination for Australians travelling overseas,” said Julie Wagner, CDME and CEO of the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau.
“In fact, flight data shows that Australians are in the top three international visitors to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“With so many things to do, it’s easy to fall in love with Beverly Hills. From world-class dining, unrivalled shopping along the famed Rodeo Drive, acclaimed spas, plus everything else from architecture, celebrity sightings, lush gardens and our palm-tree-lined streets, all within a walkable 14 square kilometres.
“We offer some of the finest hotels in the world, both boutique and luxury five-star, five-diamond retreats, in our famous 90210 postcode. Our hotels cater to movie stars, monarchs, studio moguls and visitors alike, offering first-class amenities and service.
“When it comes to finding a home away from home, Beverly Hills hotels offer the ultimate in luxury for every taste in a safe, welcoming environment.
“Our weather is incredible most of the year and we are conveniently located in the heart of Los Angeles and Southern California, just minutes from the area’s most famous attractions such as Hollywood, Santa Monica Beaches, Universal Studios, Downtown LA and Disneyland.”
The Room
You might think I am being dramatic, but the giant kingsize bed that was waiting for me in my Junior Terrace Suite was the cosiest cloudlike heaven I have ever laid in.
It was a comfort I never knew possible, and the sheets were like silk against my skin.
First though, it was time for a luxurious soak in the giant bath tub, that was adorned with intricate flower details on the walls and even had a television up on the wall, so I could catch up on some reality shows while I bathed.
I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman rocking out to Prince’s Kiss in Richard Gere’s fancy hotel room (location wise, I actually wasn’t far off, with the movie being set in the nearby Wiltshire Hotel).
The bathroom itself was magnificent, and I loved the ability to have the lights come on as soon as I walked in via sensor, which is really helpful if you’ve indulged in one too many champagnes.
But one of the wildest features I found lay inside the shower, which actually had a real mirror replacing one of the tiles, so you could take a look at your own reflection while you scrubbed off.
It doesn’t get more Beverly Hills than that!
While I don’t think I’ll be installing a mirror in my shower at home, I did imagine it might be quite a handy feature when you’re applying messy face masks or practising your singing audition for the next season of The Voice.
The dramatic stream of water cascading over your face from the rain shower above, while you stare at your own reflection, could also be handy while giving yourself a confidence-boosting pep talk or pondering the meaning of the universe.
Another luxurious feature was the ability to open and close the blinds right from the comfort of your bed, thanks to a handy button.
I had only ever seen things like that in the movies, so it really made me feel like a star.
It was these surprising and elegant little touches made the room feel extra luxurious and unforgettable.
The cream-coloured couch was incredibly comfortable and the perfect spot to have a little daydream, while the double doors opened up a charming balcony that had a serene view of the gardens.
I found it the perfect spot to enjoy a freshly made cup of tea in my robe after a refreshing afternoon swim at the picturesque rooftop pool.
And while I did not have time to visit (or at least that is my excuse), the hotel also boasts an impressive 24 hour gym with the most modern of equipment.
The Junior Terrace Suite is priced at around USD$1,545 (AUD$2,410) per night on week days and USD $2,500 (AUD$3,929) on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Spa
It would be wrong to talk about The Maybourne Beverly Hills without talking about the spa.
I am very much an at home self-care queen, and love nothing more than spending my Sunday afternoons relaxing with a hair and face mask on, while I messily try to paint my toenails.
I’m also fond of a soothing bubble bath on stressful days, where I can truly channel my inner ‘Percy the Dog’ from Pocahontas (1995).
While this all felt quite lush for me, I had always wanted to see what it would be like to be truly pampered.
I have never truly indulged in a spa experience, outside of the odd aromatherapy massage while holidaying in Bali and Thailand.
The spa at The Maybourne Beverly Hills is unlike anything I have ever seen and the relaxation began as soon as I entered the front doors.
There are dedicated male and female sections located on each side of the spa, as well as a mixed-gender stunning mineral pool which is certainly one of the highlights of the space.
Soaring mosaics and a sky-lit ceiling cast a gentle light on the light blue water below, and it truly felt like I had gone back in time to an ancient Turkish-style bathing ritual.
Before my appointment, I took some time to slip into a comfy, soft robe and made my way into the women-only area.
I lazed in the gorgeous hot tub, before trying out both the dry sauna and the steam room, which helped melt all the tension from my muscles.
Before long, my lovely therapist came to collect me, and we walked through an illuminated hallway to the treatment room.
I chose to have a bespoke Barbara Sturm facial, as my jet lag was in full swing and my poor skin was feeling and looking a little worse for wear.
I felt like a cosy little caterpillar as I cocooned myself under blanket of the heavenly soft treatment bed, and loved every minute of my face being given the 5-star treatment.
I emerged a revitalised, glowy butterfly, and my blissed-out spa high lasted for hours.
The Restaurant
Beverly Hills is a dream foodie destination, with ultra-lux restaurants and bars spotted along every street and often frequented by A-list celebs.
The Maybourne Beverly Hills offers an exciting array of different options where one can eat, drink and be merry after a long day of exploring Los Angeles.
The legendary New York City restaurant and aperitivo bar, Dante, owned by Aussie couple Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson, offers sweeping views of LA, from the rooftop and it the perfect spot to admire the iconic Hollywood sign.
There is a suave cigar and whiskey bar, as well as The Maybourne Bar which offers a routinely-updated menu of all sorts of delicious cocktails crafted by expert mixologist, Chris Amirault.
The Maybourne Cafe is a more casual option, where guests can enjoy a dine-in breakfast or get a pastry and coffee to-go if they are on the run.
I was lucky enough to spend a leisurely afternoon lunch at their most popular venue, The Terrace, which offers a sunny, Mediterranean-style vibe and a peaceful view of the Beverly Canon Gardens.
The menu was fresh, vibrant and fitting to the location, and I decided upon the mouth-watering gnocchi bianco with gorgonzola dolce and Parmigiano-Reggiono.
I paired this with a ‘Little Osaka’ cocktail, which was a delightful mix of gin, sake, jasmine, watermelon and sparking water.
While The Terrace may not seem like the type of spot where one could enjoy a good old burger and fries, I was pleasantly surprised to see they did offer this on the menu and was told by a fellow diner that it was the best burger they’d ever had.
Is it worth it?
Let’s be honest.
A stay at The Maybourne Beverly Hills will not come cheap, with the basic ‘Superior Room’ starting from around USD$995 (AUD$1,548) per night, while the hotel’s most extravagant top tier ‘Hollywood Suite’ will set you back an eye-watering USD$7,000 a night (AUD$10,899).
On Friday and Saturday nights, this rate will be increased, with these aforementioned rooms going for $1,500USD (AUD$2,356) and USD$15,000 (AUD$23,566) respectively per night.
The restaurants and bars can be a little pricey depending on what you order, while the super-luxe spa treatments will also set you back if you want to indulge in a day of pampering.
However, we have to be real: this is Beverly Hills, the home of glitz, glamour and an iconic playground for the rich and famous.
Million dollar cars line the wide palm-tree streets, while the glamorous men and women strutting along rodeo drive sport the latest designer threads.
A stay at The Maybourne Beverly Hills is not going to be a budget holiday destination – but it is not supposed to be.
It has been designed to make each guest feel like royalty, from the moment you walk into reception, everyone is treated like a celebrity.
Everything at this hotel, down to the most minor, intricate details, has been meticulously designed to exude glamour, opulence and luxury.
So, is it worth it? If you have the money, absolutely.
There really is nowhere in the world like Beverly Hills, and the central location of this hotel means you will be right in the heart and soul of it all.
The writer stayed at The Maybourne Beverly Hills as a guest of the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau
’Incredible’ find hidden behind grey door
LA Tourism CEO Adam Burke has dished on the best “hidden gems” Aussie tourists need to know about his home city.
‘Can’t unsee it’: Wild Hollywood sign fact
It’s one of the most recognised monuments in the world — but if you take a closer look at the Hollywood sign, there’s a “mistake” you can’t unsee.
One million flights discounted
One major airline has released more than one million discounted airfares across the country and to an incredibly popular destination.