Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Historically the top brand in my favorite hotel program, I’m generally intrigued by any new Waldorf Astoria property. When the Beverly Hills location opened about six years ago, I looked on with interest but no intent on visiting. That changed earlier this year, when my wife and I had the good problem of holding way more Hilton free night certificates than we originally planned. On top of that, I wanted to get together with some friends in the area. I decided embracing the fanciness for a couple nights would be an experience. What type of experience, I didn’t know – but that’s part of the fun. Here’s my Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills review.
Booking
Again, I used free night certificates for this stay. Hilton certs are my favorite out there, good for most all properties with only a few exceptions. I booked with an agent over the phone, which took about 10 minutes. For my planned dates, the points rate was 120k nightly, and the all-in cash rate came in well north of $1k nightly. Meeting my friends in LA was the primary goal, and doing so with such a lucrative redemption was icing on the cake.
I earned 3,960 points during the stay, based on incidentals, bonus points, promos, and paying with my Hilton Amex Business card.
Location
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is located at the intersection of Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards, just east of the historic Beverly Hilton. Not surprisingly, shopaholics will enjoy convenient pedestrian access to luxury stores and dining. On the other side of the Beverly Hilton is the Los Angeles Country Club. While a bus stop faces Santa Monica Boulevard, I didn’t bother. Instead, I enjoyed walking, including a brisk stroll to the Museum of Tolerance about 25 minutes south, enjoying the distinctive neighborhood architecture along the way. I found cheapish Uber rides more convenient for jaunts beyond Beverly Hills, including a visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Check-In
I arrived at approximately 8:30 pm, and the front desk agent was refreshingly efficient checking me in. She proactively provided a sheet of summarizing Hilton Honors Diamond benefits. The property advertised the following benefits:
- $25 nightly food and beverage credit per person, up to two guests, redeemable at the Rooftop by JG, Espelette, or in-room dining
- One level room upgrade upon arrival, when available
- Early check-in and late checkout, when available
- Bottled water daily
- Wi-Fi
When I asked about the room upgrade, the agent provided an improved view on the 10th floor. Essentially, this high floor was the “upgrade.” Otherwise, I had a basic two queen room. I’ll dive into the room experience now.
Room
I received a two queen bed room, the only standard room reward available for the nights I booked. As I opened the door to the spacious foyer, the gold and yellow motif immediately stood out. Leaving the foyer, I noted the large bathroom on the right and walk-in closet on the left.
The heart of the room felt bigger than its actual dimensions. No dresser drawers clutter the area – those are in the walk-in closet. The desk is just big enough, and an easy chair sits in the corner next to the second bed. Also, the desk houses an iPad highlighting room service and other hotel amenities, plus an Alexa speaker. I found the beds uncomfortably firm – I woke up with a sore back both mornings.
Light fixtures are impressively bright throughout. The large television is remarkably smooth to operate – I experienced no lagging issues during the stay. All lights and drapes operate via convenient wall buttons. Opening the curtains revealed a large balcony with impressive views. Simple but eye-catching art adorns the room.
Entering the bathroom, the tub’s on the left with the separate shower and powder room on the opposite side. The dual vanity offers plenty of space but is otherwise unremarkable. The Waldorf provides Aesop toiletries in the shower. The vanity offers pump hand soap and lotion, but no bar of soap. Disappointingly, my room offered no toiletries at the tub. While drawing a bath, I awkwardly carried the three large Aesop bottles from the shower across the considerable space to the tub.
Amenities
Dining
Perhaps the biggest highlight of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is The Rooftop by JG, the restaurant on, you guessed it, the rooftop. I enjoyed drinks with a friend on the first night and dinner with a few others on the second night. Guests are paying just as much for the view as they are for food and drink here. Indeed, prices are predictably steep but par for the course with the view on offer. Beers are around $12, with mixed drinks in the $20-30 range. Mains start around $50. I was underwhelmed by the skirt steak and eggs nachos rancheros. But my friends seemed to enjoy their dishes, including sushi. I enjoyed the overall ambience – a perfect combination of views, twilight, music, and lively conversation with friends.
Espelette is the Mediterranean restaurant located on the lobby level. The restaurant offers hearty breakfast dishes in addition to serving dinner. Unfortunately, I opted out, as I didn’t have the stomach real estate for such a big morning meal.
Pool
Next to The Rooftop by JG is the striking pool. I can imagine this area fills up quickly with warmer weather, given the tight dimensions and amount of chairs jammed in. Not so much when I walked through, as temperatures were in the low 60’s. Attendants were happy to help but outnumbered the visitors – me, and a guy bundled up in towels. Glass partitions border the pool area, maximizing views throughout.
Spa and Fitness Center
The hotel offers a full service spa and salon, seemingly required at this level of property. The attendant was perky and helpful, as if I was the first person to ask her about spa services all day. The fitness center was adequate but a bit smaller than I expected for a property this size. Each of these amenities appeared fine enough, but nothing noteworthy.
Service
I found the service predictably competent at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Standouts are the front desk agents and waitstaff at The Rooftop by JG. Housekeeping was efficient but invisible. I didn’t see one housekeeper during the entire stay, but my room was properly cleaned and turn down service timely performed. I imagine some guests prefer such understated service, but I found it a bit surreal.
Conclusion
I met up with friends while burning a few Hilton free night certs at a luxury property. Simply put, I consider this stay an overall success. But bigger picture, I have no urge to stay here again, even on free night certs. And overspending on points (120k) or cash (more than $1k) rates at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is something most should avoid, just like the traps on Rodeo Drive. While the item is nice, it’s difficult to justify the price.
It’s been years since I visited Southern California, and I don’t have any firm plans to return at this point. But when that time comes, I’ll look at other chains’ options, or maybe Hilton’s LXR or Conrad offerings. Never is a strong word, but I can’t imagine why I’d ever stay at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills again.
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What an odd review…
“Good service! Housekeeping was well done! We enjoyed our views and drinks! Surprisingly spacious room! I’m never staying again!”
If the complaint is that the hotel is overpriced, then make that clearer (why the amenities or service wasn’t worth what was charged,” suggest other alternatives that provide luxury in the area for a better price, etc
Imagine going to a Morton’s Steakhouse. Nice meal but the intangibles . . . the je ne sais quoi . . . don’t motivate you to eat there again. Same thing. As for alternative suggestions, it was a single property review. Not a compare and contrast review. Cut him some slack. Readers, such as myself, will chime in with suggestions. And, I did. You have the alternative for which you asked. I’m in BH 40 to 50 nights a year. I’m happy to answer any questions you have.
The best place in town is the Beverly Hills Hotel. Expensive, yes. Points, no. But, every aspect of the hotel is top notch.
Thanks for the recommendation, Lee!
The food has always sucked.Where else can you get a beautifully presented hamburger for 50 bucks on the roof thats well mediocre.But you can pretend its tastes great and focus on the views and nice eye candy and ambience all around.
The hotel is just as you state a clip joint and doing the bare minimum for elites other than what is required
The rooms are very well kept but sometimes they don’t change the bed linens between guests or at least in the past they haven’t.For the price paid a complete joke.But many have bucks to burn and on a weekend night there are a light of tight dresses with everything hanging out with the many Kim Kardashian wanna bes trying to hook a wealthy BF or husband.Its amusing yet hard to watch the surrounding desperation of it all.
I’ll never say never but unlikely to return.The management hates us points and redemption folks and it shows.Some are so impressed with the Rolls Royce and attractive facility they forget how much they are being ripped off
I guess if you enjoy it thats all that matters