Hotels California

LOS Angeles is the acme of urban sprawl. If you crave a little sanctuary, here are seven of the most refined and charming options.

The Avalon, Beverly Hills

LOS Angeles is the acme of urban sprawl. If you crave a little sanctuary, here are seven of the most refined and charming options. If you're lucky, you'll get to rub shoulders with the stars, maybe sleep in Grace Kelly's favourite room and catch a sunglass-tinted glimpse of the bodies beautiful parading poolside.

The Hotel Bel-Air

The hotel - The Hotel Bel-Air reopened in October after a two-year renovation. Spread over a 5ha estate of lush gardens, the hotel has 103 guestrooms and suites as well as seven individually designed speciality suites. Twelve new hillside guestrooms offer sweeping views over Stone Canyon. The Bel-Air estates were created and named by developer Alphonso Bell in 1922 and cover more than 242ha west of Los Angeles. What is now the main part of the hotel was originally Bell's planning and sales offices and the famous oval-shaped pool was once the riding ring attached to the stables where Bel-Air residents could board their horses. Joseph Drown, a hotelier from Texas, purchased the offices and surrounding land from Bell in 1946 and promptly turned it into a hotel.

The guests - Given its secluded location, the hotel has attracted a stellar cast of Hollywood royalty over the years. Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Julia Roberts and Tom Cruise have all stayed here. Grace Kelly's preferred room is now one of Hotel Bel-Air's signature suites and named after her. Marilyn Monroe also spent a lot of time here and the last portrait photos of her were taken in the hotel by Bert Stern for Vogue over three days in 1962, just a few weeks before she died.

The accommodation - The hotel's restoration was completed by two design firms. The Rockwell Group refurbished the dining and entertainment venues while Alexandra Champalimaud designed the guestrooms and reception area. There are plenty of different options, from the new loft-style rooms to standard rooms in the original part of the hotel to the incredible Presidential Suite, which has its own entrance, chef's kitchen and grand piano (yours from $US13,500 a night). The 12 hillside rooms and suites, which have retractable glass walls, outdoor fireplaces and private pools, are no less private than the signature suites and a great option for a longer stay in LA.

The neigbourhood - Today Bel-Air is an exclusive LA neighbourhood and the residential properties that surround the hotel are large to say the least. When you drive around the neighbourhood all you can see are perfectly manicured hedges, high walls and imposing gates. There's nothing in the way of street life here, which in a way is part of the hotel's charm. That said, the shops of Beverly Hills are a short drive away and for restaurants your best bet is to head to West Hollywood, which is about 15 minutes away.

The dining - Celebrated chef Wolfgang Puck oversees all dining operations at the Hotel Bel-Air and, since its opening, his signature restaurant, which specialises in Californian cuisine with a European influence, quickly become a place to be seen. It's best enjoyed on a fine day as most of the seating is outdoors. The perfect place for a leisurely breakfast.

The WISH verdict - It's pink, it has a lake complete with swans and smacks of the golden days of Hollywood. It's the quintessential Los Angeles hotel.

The details - 701 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles CA 90077. Tel: [phone]; hotelbelair.com

The London
West Hollywood

The hotel - The London is an entirely suites hotel, just off the Sunset Strip, and its 200 rooms are indeed spacious. It is the sister property of The London New York.

The guests - The London has one of the best rooftop pools in LA and the body beautiful can often be found on parade poolside. There are also a lot of reflective surfaces in the public areas of the hotel so it tends to attract the attractive, but then this is LA.

The accommodation - The interiors were designed by David Collins, the man responsible for the decor of some of London's finest hotels including The Berkeley and The Connaught. Rooms are open plan and even the smallest contain a cosy sitting area.

The neigbourhood - As this is West Hollywood there's plenty of nightlife. Several restaurants and bars are within walking distance - a rarity in this city.

The dining - Dining operations are overseen by Gordon Ramsay and the hotel houses Ramsay's first West Coast restaurant, awarded a Michelin Star in 2009. The cuisine is European with subtle Asian influences.

The WISH verdict - A great location if you're in LA for a short stay and want to be in the centre of the action.

The details - 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. Tel: [phone]; thelondonwesthollywood.com

The Thompson
Beverly Hills

The hotel - Right in the heart of Beverly Hills on Wilshire Blvd, The Thompson has 107 guestrooms and suites.

The guests - We can't say we actually spotted any of the cast of the TV show Entourage here but it definitely feels like the kind of place they would hang out.

The accommodation - Rooms, by Dodd Mitchell Design, are dark and sleek in the best boutique designer hotel tradition. DMD opted for exotic finishes and custom-made furnishings to give a cool, 1970s vibe. The only places more comfortable than the stylish rooms are the cabanas by the rooftop pool. Fashion photographer Steven Klein's work graces the walls of the guestrooms and public spaces.

The neigbourhood - Rodeo Drive is just three blocks away. This is where the cool kids stay in LA so you really need to think about what you're going to wear.

The dining - Caulfield's restaurant and bar, opened late last year by the duo behind Hollywood hangouts such as Magnolia and Bar Chloe, became an instant hit. ABH (Above Beverly Hills) is a private rooftop bar area exclusive to hotel guests and their invitees.

The WISH verdict - LA hotels are all about the rooftop pool and The Thompson has one of the best.

The details - 9360 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Tel: [phone]; thompsonhotels.com

The Avalon
Beverly Hills

The hotel - The Avalon, built in 1949, was completely redesigned in 1999 by Kelly Wearstler and all the 83 guestrooms and suites were refurbished last year. The hotel's hourglass-shaped pool is the focal point.

The guests - Design aficionados flock to this retro yet modern and sophisticated hotel.

The accommodation - Standard rooms are on the smaller side so if you're a couple it would be worth upgrading to a suite. That said, the rooms are nicely designed in a palette of muted greens and greys. The mix of custom-designed furniture and iconic pieces by designers such as George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi, and Charles Eames lends an upscale Beverly Hills feel.

The neigbourhood - The main shopping district is a few streets away and The Avalon is on the edge of the residential part of Beverly Hills, which means it feels more like an apartment building than a hotel.

The dining - Mirko Paderno has been executive chef of the hotel's Italian eatery, Oliverio, since 2009. The menu is a mix of Italian regional fare and Californian.

The WISH verdict - If you're a fan of interior designer Kelly Wearstler (see our story on page 32), you'll want to stay here just for the decor.

The details - 9400 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Tel: [phone]; avalonbeverlyhills.com

The Peninsula
Beverly Hills

The hotel - Last year the Peninsula celebrated its 20th birthday with a refurbishment of its 193 guestrooms, which include 36 suites and 16 private villas.

The guests - During the awards season you'll find the really big Hollywood players here. In summer, the cabanas around the rooftop pool are heavily booked by movie moguls who use them as a summer office.

The accommodation - Rooms are traditional and very comfortable with overstuffed sofas, canopied beds and old armoires to hide the TV and mini bar. It has the feel of a very nice Beverly Hills mansion rather than a hotel.

The neigbourhood - Boutiques and department stores (Barneys, Saks and Neiman Marcus) are just a few blocks away and are more than happy to deliver purchases to your hotel.

The dining - Several options: The Belvedere, a favourite of Hollywood powerbrokers; the casual Roof Garden adjacent to the pool; traditional afternoon tea in the Living Room (bookings are recommended).

The WISH verdict - Service is pretty good in LA but, as you would expect of a Peninsula hotel, they take it to another level here. How else to explain the monogrammed pillowcases on your bed?

The details - 9882 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Tel: [phone]; peninsula.com

The Charlie Hotel

The hotel - The Charlie gets its name from a former owner, Charlie Chaplin, who is said to have kept a pied-a-terre here. It's actually a compound of 14 cottages around a central garden and each residence takes its name from someone who lived, worked or partied here. There's the Gregory (Peck), the Marilyn, the Valentino, the Gloria (Swanson), the Betty (Grable), among others.

The guests - If you bump into a celebrity, it's more likely to be a Natalie (Portman), a Liv (Tyler) or a Robert (Pattinson).

The accommodation - In 2002, Menachem Treivush saved the property from demolition, refurbished it and opened it as a hotel in 2008. Each residence has been individually decorated and has a kitchen, which makes them perfect for longer stays. Daily and monthly rates are available. Don't expect valet parking or a nightly turndown service here but what The Charlie lacks in five-star amenities it more than makes up for with charm. Staying here makes you feel like an LA local.

The neigbourhood - Melrose Ave boutiques are a short walk away as is the Beverly Centre and Robertson Blvd.

The dining - No restaurant, no room service, no pool or fitness centre. But Santa Monica Blvd, with its cafes, restaurants and food stores, is close by.

The WISH verdict - Great location, cool vibe and the perfect hotel for a longer stay in LA.

The details - 819 N Sweetzer Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069. Tel: [phone]; thecharliehotel.com

Shutters On The Beach

The hotel - If you're looking for a hotel that's close to the beach, you can't get closer than Shutters on the promenade at Santa Monica. It has 186 rooms and 12 suites, refurbished by Michael S Smith in 2005, and gets its name from the white shutters that adorn its windows.

The guests - Popular with families as well as couples, the hotel is luxurious and simultaneously unpretentious.

The accommodation - Rooms feel like a guestroom in a beach home. They have timber floors with Persian rugs, comfortable chairs and custom-made white linens.

The neigbourhood - The Santa Monica Pier is a short walk down the promenade and worth seeing at night time. For great coffee and interesting shopping, drive over to Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice and seek out the Intelligentsia Cafe or just wander the shops.

The dining - Three options: One Pico, which commands the best views of the beach; Coast Beach Cafe and Bar is great for a long breakfast; or you can chill in the Lobby Lounge for a cocktail and snack.

The WISH verdict - It's worth combining a stay at Shutters with a stay at one of the Beverly Hills or West Hollywood hotels. The beach is a surprisingly long drive from central LA so when you're at Shutters it feels like you're on a holiday from your holiday.

The details - 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90405. Tel: [phone]; shuttersonthebeach.com; or book through Leading Hotels of the World on 02 9377 8444.