Nestled in the heart of the Golden Triangle of Beverly Hills, where the sun-kissed streets echo with the footsteps of the glamorous and the dreams of the ambitious, lies The Maybourne Beverly Hills. The property is the brainchild – and the first North American outpost – of the Maybourne Group, the dream team behind London’s iconic hospitality trifecta – Claridge’s, The Connaught, and The Berkeley, and The Maybourne Riviera, set on the Côte d’Azur, France.
As we drive up Rodeo Drive, which feels like the hotel’s very own driveway, The Maybourne’s signature pink Moke which inspires many a photo, adorns the entryway to the Spanish colonial property – a playful prelude to the hotel’s whimsical sense of fun. The lobby sets the tone for the entire property. Retaining a sense of old Hollywood glamour it is fused with the perfect amount of modern Californian cool. Grand floral displays are complemented by library nooks – an ode to its sister properties across the pond – and impressive works of art celebrating Californian artists like Alex Israel and Jennifer Guidi. Such is the love of art at the property that British artist Beryl Cook is holding her second overseas exhibition exclusively at the hotel for the entire month of March. The staff’s intuitive attention to detail creates an environment where I feel like more than just a guest; I feel like a welcomed member of an exclusive community. Within minutes of checking in I have been offered insightful recommendations for exploring the city and the use of the hotel’s house car if I’m heading anywhere within a two-mile radius. It’s rare to find a place where genuine hospitality is an art form, but at The Maybourne, it’s clear that it is a way of life.
Celebrity sightings are common at the property with an actor casually brushing past me as I wait to take the elevator to my room. I am awed by the intimacy and feeling of homeliness that the property manages to retain despite spanning nine floors. Rooms here have a more pied-à-terre feel, the spacious Terrace Junior Suite I am shown to is bigger than most studio flats in the city. Thanks to the impeccable interiors designed by award-winning Bryan O’Sullivan, the lodgings are bright, spacious and give off a laid-back SoCal charm. Curvy sofas and mid-century furniture in neutral hues line the space which features a sumptuous bed and a curated library collection. Custom vases by Belgian glassware purveyor Henry Dean and one-of-a-kind artwork by Californian artists add further zest and a youthful element to the space. Beyond the floor to ceiling windows, I step onto my terrace where I’m greeted by breath-taking vistas that stretch from the verdant Beverly Cañon Gardens to the picturesque palm tree-lined streets of Beverly Hills basking in the glow of sunlight that has inspired many a filmmaker. Plush linens and a marble bathroom with a built-in TV and Dyson hairdryer elevate the guest experience to Hollywood star levels.
To relieve my post-flight exhaustion, I head to the sprawling spa. At the centre of the space is a riad-style mineral pool – the perfect place for couples and friends to gather pre-treatment. As my treatment unfolds, I learn that my masseuse has a roster of celebrity clients and has crafted a signature massage style that features elements of Thai, sports, and shiatsu techniques. The massage is designed to relax me and as a bonus also fixes my alignment.
Post-massage my thoughts turn to exploring my surroundings. Within walking distance, I am enveloped by the finest shopping boutiques, art galleries, and cultural landmarks that the city has to offer. Splurging on Rodeo Drive, strolling through the Getty Center’s art collection, and taking in the energy of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame all became easily accessible, thanks to the hotel’s prime location. However, I am swayed by the rooftop pool. With views across the Hollywood Hills, it is the ideal spot to take in the LA vibe and a spot of lunch.
Although the hotel is surrounded by eateries which range from age-old favourites like Il Pastaio to the happening Avra and Spago, it is a culinary destination in itself. Breakfast is a lavish affair, with no buffet in sight. One can opt to take breakfast in their room – with menus gently placed on your pillow at turndown – or head to The Maybourne Café which features a wholesome farm-to-table style menu. Alternatively, like me, you can eat at The Terrace, where the al fresco setting with its terracotta pots, lemon trees and views of the Beverly Cañon Gardens feels very European – until you spot the designer-clad dogs and overhear agents arguing over scripts. The recent arrival of Dante Beverly Hills, the beloved restaurant and aperitivo bar from New York, has cemented the hotel’s culinary status in the city. Set on the hotel’s rooftop, aperitivo-style cocktails are paired with a Mediterranean-inspired menu, centred around a wood-fired oven. To really take in the ambience it is worth heading there for golden hour for drinks, as the wood-fired oven pizzas and live music provide the perfect backdrop as the sun dips below the LA skyline, with the Hollywood sign just visible in the distance.
My evening continues in The Maybourne Bar, the hidden gem at the heart of the hotel. Designed by world-renowned interior designer André Fu, the seductive space is anchored by a spectacular bar carved from solid Turkish silver onyx and surrounded by high bar stools in Yves Klein blue and photography by Mary McCartney – the perfect place for cocktail aficionados. Nights can also be finished off under the stars or within the wooden-clad walls of the speakeasy-style Cigar and Whiskey bar. It is one of just three destinations in the city of Beverly Hills where smoking is permitted and makes for an excellent surreptitious date night spot.
As I lay my head down on my 600-thread-count Egyptian Cotton sheets, I think about how my stay at The Maybourne Beverly Hills has left an indelible mark, reminding me that true luxury is not just about extravagance, but about the art of curated excellence. In a world where luxury often dances on the edge of excess, the hotel emerges as an authentic Californian retreat that seamlessly marries elegance with glamour. This hotel isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a destination in itself, promising memories that will linger long after the journey has ended.
WHAT: Terrace Junior Suite
WHERE: The Maybourne Beverly Hills
TEL: +1 (310) 860 7800
www.maybournebeverlyhills.com