The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Set among landscaped gardens in the centre of Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Beverly Hills stands a short walk from Rodeo Drive. Rooms are cream-toned and bright, with French doors opening onto views of the gardens, a fountain, or the city skyline beyond. It is a fine base for exploring the shops nearby. The hotel runs on personal recognition rather than routine service; regulars are welcomed by name and their preferences remembered from one stay to the next. Peninsula Time lets guests arrive as early as 6am and stay until 10pm at no extra charge, a rare flexibility among hotels in the area. Dining runs across three distinct rooms: The Belvedere for European brasserie fare under contemporary art, The Roof Garden for produce-driven meals beneath yellow-and-white umbrellas five floors up, and The Club Bar for spirit-forward drinks after dark. Afternoon tea is served in The Living Room to the sound of a live harp, with Champagne and a tiered stand of sweets and savouries. A rooftop pool overlooks the city, and a gym on site offers personal coaching. Universal Studios lies 13.4 km away, UCLA closer still at 4 km. The overall effect is polished but unfussy, tuned to the rhythms of Los Angeles rather than imported from elsewhere.