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First of all, please be sure to rent a car. This is a must for Los Angeles no matter where you stay, because everything is so spread out. Having stayed in Santa Monica, downtown Los Angeles, the heart of Beverly Hills and Hollywood, I keep finding myself drawn back to the Beverly Hills Plaza Hotel. This property is located between Westwood and Century City and is about a 5 minute drive into Beverly Hills. The area is residential, so you actually feel like you live here. Also, because it is residential, you can find free parking on the street after business hours and can avoid paying for valet parking, which is available if you choose. Let's face it, you will probably be out exploring all day anyway.
This is an old Hollywood throw back in style. The rooms are a bit dated, but can be overlooked for the price. It is an all-suite property, and stairs are involved to get to some of the rooms, so be aware of that if you have mobility issues.
The outdoor pool is charming with cabanas and has an intimate feel. There is a restaurant and full service spa on the property. You will also find a small gym, but I would highly recommend taking the 5 minute walk to Holmby Park. What a great place! Holmby Hills residents have included Walt Disney, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Jean Harlow, Jack Benny, Aaron Spelling and Neil Diamond to name a few.
The park has walking and jogging trails, picnic area, playground, a 9 hole putting green and a lawn bowling area where they offer free lessons! I started each day with a walk in the park and saw a lot of famous faces jog past me.
The hotel has a European feel and magnificent lobby. There is no free wi-fi, so that's a bummer, but they do offer complimentary coffee, daily newspaper, cable TV and a plush bathrobe and slippers.
You are about a 20 minute drive to Santa Monica in one direction and 20 minutes to L.A. in the other.
I did hear that back in the day, this hotel (had another name at the time) served as a rendezvous spot for a lot of celebrities. It has a lot of history and may not be pure luxury and some rooms could stand to be updated, but, for the price, it will be hard to beat in L.A.!
Website: www.beverlyhillsplazahotel.com
Rating: 
July 5, 2023
