Review: Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills sits within the renowned 90210 zip code in Beverly Hills. Since its grand opening on June 28, 2017, this hotel has swiftly established itself as one of the most prestigious luxury destinations in the area.

As we embarked on our pre-honeymoon in the Pacific, my partner Jessy and I were looking forward to kicking things off in style with a stay at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Booking

I booked our stay using a Hilton Free Night Reward, as this is one of LA’s most aspirational – and therefore expensive – hotels. It’s also one of the better uses of a Hilton Free Night Award if you happen to have one on hand, given that cash rates at the hotel can be quite high.

If you’re looking to pay with points or cash, a standard room at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills retails for 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night at the low end, making it an advantageous choice when you take into account the usual cash rates of $1,000+ (USD).

To further maximize value, you can book this hotel for four nights using points and get the Fifth Night Free. A five-night stay would therefore cost you as few as 308,000 points, equivalent to 61,600 points per night.

If booking a cash rate, keep in mind that this property participates in Hilton Impresario, a preferred partner program. By booking your stay through an authorized travel advisor, you’ll enjoy a suite of extra perks, such as free breakfast, a $100 (USD) hotel credit, and more, all while paying the same as the best available flexible rate.

What’s more, while Hilton Impresario typically only grants an upgrade upon availability at check-in rather than at the time of booking, I was able to connect with the sales manager at this property and learned that the hotel usually does their best to confirm an upgrade at the time of booking for Impresario guests, subject to forecasted occupancy.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Location

The Waldorf Astoria is located in a prime area in Beverly Hills, where the Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards intersect.

The area is known for its glamorous ambiance and proximity to the sights and sounds of Hollywood. In terms of the immediate area of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, it’s adjacent to its sister hotel, the iconic Beverly Hilton, and there’s an ample number of upscale dining and shopping mere steps away.

Rodeo Drive is just a few blocks away and a leisurely 15-minute walk northwest, and it’s just 20 minutes to Westfield Century City Mall by foot. It’s also just a 15-minute short drive from the Sunset Strip.

If you’re keen to explore further attractions in Beverly Hills, notable destinations such as the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation and the picturesque Greystone Mansion & Park are a mere five- and 10-minute drive, respectively, situated to the north and northwest of the hotel.

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills isn’t too far from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) either, although it’s about a 40-minute drive. The best way to get to the hotel from the airport would be to take a taxi or rideshare service like Uber, Lyft, or Alto (an LA-based rideshare startup that has curbside pickup rights, unlike Uber and Lyft). 

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Check-in

We arrived by way of Alto, passing under an arch made entirely of carefully manicured hedges, to an ornate porte-cochère with an elegant water feature at its centre. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a bellman and escorted inside to check in.

The building’s exterior is designed like the bow of an elegant yacht, featuring a combination of glass and white Portuguese limestone building rising 12 storeys into the California sky.

As I stepped inside, I was immediately captivated by a beautiful timeless lobby with soaring triple-height ceilings, and a magnificent custom bronze Strass chandelier that immediately captured our attention.

Natural light filtered through the windows, and lush greenery breathes life into the surroundings, transforming the space into an inviting Art Deco haven of celadon, pearl, taupe, and gold tones.

Complimentary coffee and tea is available in the lobby every morning, which is always a thoughtful touch.

The associate confirmed our Deluxe King Room and Hilton Diamond perks, including $25 (USD) per person food & beverage credit. Gold and Diamond members get this credit in lieu of free breakfast at US properties, and this is one of the properties where you lose out compared to simply getting free breakfast.

However, on the plus side, we also had the option of using the credit on other meals if we didn’t opt to eat breakfast at the hotel.

The associate gave us a rundown of the hotel, including a free in-house car service that you can book with the concierge, which will drop you off and pick you up within a three-mile radius. That’s quite a good perk, and we used it to get dropped off and picked up at a nearby Best Buy to collect a drone that I had ordered for our upcoming Bora Bora adventures.

We proceeded towards a set of elegant elevators adorned in warm taupe tones, which were ready to whisk us up to our luxurious Deluxe King Room.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Deluxe King Room

As we walked along the long guest-room hallways, I noticed the opulent gold carpeting adorned with intricate palm frond designs. Arriving at our room, the cherry wood doors added a sense of grandeur to the setting.

Upon entering the room, we were greeted by a tiled foyer, with the bathroom conveniently situated to the left.

Stepping in further, we were met by rich jewel-like interiors decked out in creams, and golds with subtle celadon and black accents. Guest rooms come with either a turquoise or a mustard golden yellow carpet.

The ambiance was reminiscent of the elegant Hollywood glamour aesthetic popularized in the 1930s. To add to the charm, bespoke art pieces adorned the walls.

Tucked in the right corner of the room is a plush king bed and a chaise longue.

On the opposite wall, a desk and two armchairs provide a versatile space for catching up on work or enjoying a meal. The desk was equipped with a Crestron smart home system, allowing for convenient control over the drapes, entertainment, lighting, and room service.

Adjacent to the desk is a wall-mounted flat-screen TV positioned for optimal viewing from the bed.

Near the entrance, a well-stocked minibar, a Nespresso machine, and bottled water awaited us at the counter. As a welcome amenity, three delicate sweets were left in the room, adding a thoughtful touch to our arrival.

Moving toward the bathroom, which is located near the entrance of the room, we discovered a well-appointed and beautiful space. The double vanity exudes an Art Deco touch, boasting Italian marble and an airy cream colour palette.

Additionally, a generously sized alcove bathtub took centre stage, while the toilet and walk-in shower are discreetly concealed behind separate glass doors. Notably, a Dyson hair dryer adds a luxurious touch to the amenities provided.

Lastly, the bathroom featured a spacious deep mahogany-red walk-in closet, which offered ample storage space for our belongings.

Each room at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills boasts a balcony and large floor-to-ceiling windows, providing magnificent views of either the Hollywood Hills or Downtown LA.

(Note that all rooms at this hotel, including the entry-level Superior Room, come with an open-air terrace, which is a very attractive feature compared to other properties in the area.)

Our room had beautiful views of Beverly Hills, and although the brisk LA weather in February limited our time outside, the balcony had a comfortable patio chair and lounge chair for relaxing.

The Deluxe King Room resembles a beautiful residential property with classy interiors. Notably, the small sliding doors for the power outlets added to the thoughtful detail of the room, keeping them hidden from view.

Overall, I thought the rooms at the Beverly Hills location carry the same mix of elegance and opulence as other Waldorf Astoria properties I’ve stayed in, such as Dubai, Doha, and the Maldives, all while striking a harmonious balance between aesthetic appeal and practicality.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills King Room

I also had the chance to take a tour of the Beverly Hills King Room and the Junior Suite at this property. The Beverly Hills King Room is located on floors four through 11, and spans about 560 square feet. It’s one category up from the Deluxe Room I stayed in.

These rooms showcase a lavish California king bed, and have a dedicated lounge area for extra space to entertain.

The Beverly Hills King Room also comes equipped with a luxurious bathtub and a separate shower and toilet in the bathroom, as well as as a spacious walk-in closet.

In addition, it boasts a private terrace measuring 169 square feet, affording an excellent vantage point of the Beverly Hills skyline each evening.

In essence, the Beverly Hills King Room offers ample space and refined furnishings, and is ideal for those looking to do some entertaining or simply have more space at their disposal.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Deluxe Corner Junior Suite

The Deluxe Corner Junior Suite at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is a step up from the base-level suites, located on floors six through 11.

These suites fall in the range of 696–775 square feet, depending on the specific room assignment. Due to the unique design of the hotel, there’s a variety of layouts and sizes for each room type at the hotel.

The suite features an inviting bedroom, complete with a king bed, an armchair for relaxation, and a flat-screen TV.

A separate living room area adds to the spaciousness of the suite, and is furnished with a loveseat, armchair, and desk, providing a designated space for work or leisure.

In keeping with the other room types available, the Deluxe Corner Junior Suite has a private terrace of 241–303 square feet.

The bathroom is equipped with dual vanities, a bathtub, and a separate shower and toilet.

Consistency in design is a hallmark of the Waldorf Astoria brand, and this extends to the bathrooms found in all room types, including the Deluxe Corner Junior Suite.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Dining

There are two dining venues available at this establishment, both associated with renowned French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Downstairs, you can find Jean-Georges, while upstairs there’s The Rooftop by JG.

During my stay, I decided to have breakfast at Jean-Georges, the signature restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.

The restaurant is quite beautiful, featuring high ceilings, chandeliers, and a dimly-lit, dining room. There’s amply dining tables, and bench style seating, as well as an outdoor terrace. It’s a lovely place to come to in the mornings.

The breakfast menu read as follows:

We ordered the chef’s special, which was a ham and cheese croissant, and also the eggs Benedict with ham and smoked salmon. I must say, both were quite tasty; however, the $25 (USD) per person food and beverage credit didn’t stretch very far.

The Rooftop by JG is a hotspot in Beverly Hills, situated 12 storeys above ground level with panoramic views of Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

The bar has an impeccably styled garden setting with a cozy fireplace, mixed seating, and a stunning turquoise bar.

Even though I personally didn’t have the opportunity to sit down here, the Rooftop by JG’s allure and reputation speak volumes, and I’d love to return here one day to enjoy a drink or a meal.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – Other Facilities

The fitness centre is open around the clock, and is located on the second floor. It’s quite spacious and has everything you’d need for a good workout, with an ample number of cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights.

Adding to the allure of the rooftop bar is the adjacent rooftop pool and jacuzzi. The rooftop pool deck offers incredible views, while the pool deck is surrounded by loungers with white umbrellas, as well as cabanas.

The rooftop pool appeared to be an enticing location, especially during warmer weather; however, the temperature was a bit chilly at the time of our stay, so we didn’t partake.

Located at the rear of the lobby is the Lobby Lounge, where you can sit down and enjoy some light snacks and beverages.

Lastly, La Prairie Spa is located directly within the hotel, as is an in-house salon, the Kevin B Salon.

I decided to get a last-minute haircut before my flight to Bora Bora, and enjoyed my conversations with the barber – although the price certainly wasn’t cheap at $120 (USD)!

Conclusion

As one of the most esteemed hotels in Los Angeles, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills certainly lives up to its reputation. The hotel’s prime location offers easy access to the allure and attractions of Beverly Hills while maintaining close proximity to nearby Hollywood.

In addition, the rooms are smartly appointed in the signature Waldorf Astoria style, and the outdoor terraces in all of the hotel’s rooms are a thoughtful inclusion.

The crown jewel of the Waldorf Astoria is its impressive rooftop bar and pool, which has garnered well-deserved recognition as one of the city’s finest for its 360-degree panoramas of Beverly Hills.

Overall, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills served as a very enjoyable and attractive hotel for my one-night stop in the city, and makes for an excellent spot to redeem Hilton Honors points or a Hilton Free Night Reward for great value.