In the City of Dreams, guests at the Maybourne Beverly Hills find themselves in a cycle of ‘life imitating art, and art imitating life’. By Lotte Jeffs
Here’s how I know I’ve been in Beverly Hills too long – I started the day with a US$16 Matcha Bomb smoothie from the world’s most bougie grocery store, Erewhon, and now I’m drinking an espresso martini with a picture of my face on it at a rooftop restaurant.
A whole new level of narcissism has been unlocked, as I watch the image of my face – an Instagram selfie printed with a dusting of cocoa powder on top of the cocktail froth – wobble and distort horrifically with every sip. I feel like a modern-day Dorian Gray, but instead of a portrait in the attic, my own moral failings are staring back at me in a cut crystal coupe. Whatever, a Valley Girl voice in my head trills, as I knock back the last of it.
If it sounds like I’m complaining, I’m not. This moment of literal self-indulgence is served with a knowing wink at Dante, the buzzy hotspot on the top floor of the Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel – unlike the overpriced smoothie at Erewhon which came with zero irony.
The stunning restaurant, with its glamorous view of the city, is just one of this hotel’s many USPs. Another, I think, is its sense of fun, levity, humour, and effortless cool in a zip code weighed down by its own solid-gold plated, celeb-endorsed, over-the-top rococo hubris.
I love how bright and contemporary the lobby is. There’s a Beryl Cook painting by the elevators, a Damien Hirst butterfly piece, and a painting of a spiral by that reads “California”.
Of course, this being the Maybourne – the eponymous LA outpost of a hotel group that includes Claridge’s, the Berkeley, the Connaught and the new Emory hotel in London – there is still ample evidence of the absolute top-notch hospitality you’d expect here.
From the confidently easy-breezy reception team, to the waiters and hosts who have had to elegantly manage the egos of Hollywood’s major players since the hotel opened in 2020, the tone is just right.
The incredible floral display by the entrance says it all; the décor and ambience here are modern without feeling flimsily trendy. It’s classic, here-to-stay, old-school quality meets a very quirky kind of cool, and after a day on Rodeo Drive, it’s a balm for the soul.
Near the entrance, you’ll find the Maybourne Bar where a Martini is made to perfection (don’t expect your face on a drink in this old school cocktail bar). Follow the busy-looking Los Angeleans in baseball caps clasping laptops, down a long high-ceilinged corridor to the Maybourne Café, a busy spot where locals stop for a quick breakfast before their first power meeting.
Carry on, and you’ll find the Terrace restaurant, which sprawls onto the manicured plaza of Beverly Cañon Gardens. Breakfast here was nothing short of perfection. I had a delicious avocado toast and fresh fruit as I did some subtle celeb spotting. Oprah has called it her favourite new hotel and let’s face it, she’s never wrong.
My room was dripping in contemporary elegance, with the old leather and dark wood you might expect from Beverly Hills giving way to mid-century modern furnishings and local LA artwork, infusing the space with youthful energy.
Rooms boast Dyson hair dryers, Cowshed products, luxurious 600-thread count linens, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Suite guests can savour breakfast on their balconies, overlooking the bustling square below. The vibe is white, bright and minimalist with a uniquely Californian warmth.
The spa is another of those USPs I mentioned. It’s big, spanning 1,858 sqm of pampering pleasure, and features a stunning riad-style mineral pool, saunas, Turkish steam rooms, and Balinese-inspired relaxation rooms.
Treatments include personalised massages, facials, and body rituals. Exclusive to this spa are facial therapies from Dr Barbara Sturm, including the Maybourne Sturm Glow facial (a pre-red carpet essential, I’m told). Additionally, it is the only spa in the US to offer Ila products, a French-Japanese brand known for its plant-based, hand-blended treatments.
The fitness centre features Peloton bikes, Woodway treadmills, and the latest Technogym machines. Even the dumbbells are classy. Made by Pent – one of the chicest fitness brands in the world – the handcrafted wooden handles really make those reps feel good.
I enjoyed having sole use of the rooftop pool in the early mornings before, it seemed, any of my fellow guests were up. Swimming lengths while looking at an artwork by Joel Mesler that read Hopes & Dreams made me smile. By 10am it was heaving, with young couples taking ownership of the luxurious cabanas that cost US$1,500 a day and come with dedicated service.
Back to Dante, (the cieling features a mural by Los Angeles-based artist Abel Macia) – the menu is inspired by Mediterranean and SoCal flavours, all from a wood-fired oven. Highlights include the Pizza Rosa with whipped mortadella, Stracciatella, pistachio, and rosemary, and Crudo del Pescatore with caper leaves, Calabrian chilli, and citrus.
The cocktail list shines with choices like the Celery Paloma, featuring blanco tequila, green chartreuse, St Germain, celery bitters, verjus and lime. (Above are photos of the Whisky Bar and Maybourne Bar.)
Outside the hotel, there’s a light pink Maybourne Jeep always on hand to whisk you down Rodeo on a shopping trip whenever you want – wind in your hair, sunglasses on, smiling.
As the Ed Ruscha painting in the lobby attests, it really is A WAD OF FUN.
VERDICT: In a movie of your life, this is the place where you’d want to take centre stage. The Maybourne Beverly Hills is an elegant addition to the LA hotel scene, bringing with it an ever-growing art collection, superb wellness facilities, and restaurants and bars for every mood.
PRICE: Entry-level Superior rooms start from US$1,091 including tax.