Typical starting/peak prices: $995/$1,195
On-site amenities: Dining by Wolfgang Puck, pool, spa, fitness center, lake, meeting and event space.
Pros: This hotel is all about understated luxury — it's quiet, private, and off the beaten trail. It oozes with history and elegance, hosting A-listers since 1946.
Cons: Don't expect a walkable destination. This hotel is tucked into a residential community and is a short car ride from Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and other desirable destinations.
I grew up in the same neighborhood as this special hotel, which holds a dear place in my heart as a leafy oasis in an elegant canyon environment. In fact, the Hotel Bel-Air has been a special place to a lot of people, hosting celebs, dignitaries, heads of state, and countless milestone occasions since 1946. Frequent guest Marilyn Monroe did her last Vogue photo shoot here, Oprah celebrated her 50th birthday on the property, and my family once strolled by Val Kilmer during a visit.
The bucolic setting feels worlds away from the noise and bustle of LA as swans swim serenely in a lake on the property. Entry-level rooms are glam with limestone floors, natural wood ceilings, and Egyptian cotton linens. The baths have built-in TVs, heated floors, and ultra-plush robes.
Wolfgang Puck heads up the dining operations, and there's also an idyllic pool, a spa, and a fitness center.
Find out more about the Hotel Bel Air on its website.