If you stay at the Hotel Bel-Air, you probably have some sort of expectation of what the food, service, and ambience should be at such a highly touted establishment. Unfortunately, this hotel did not live up to my expectations at all. I agree with others who have written that you need to "look the part" to get better service. I was on vacation with my family and looking for a chance to relax - therefore, I decided to dress more casually - although, still in a nice shirt/sweater and dressy jeans or khakis each day (with nicer clothes for evening wear). Despite this, I still had a general feeling of being looked down upon by the hotel staff and hotel "regulars". This is definately not a welcoming, family-like atmosphere - it seems that it would be better suited as a catwalk for you to show off your newest surgical improvement or designer clothing from Rodeo Drive. We went to the restaurant one evening and got exceptionally poor service because all we wanted were appetizers and drinks and did not order off the "pricier" main entree menu (We would have ordered off it had there been more choices and seating in the Pub - not everyone wants to eat Foie Gras or Rack of Lamb after being on an airplane all day). The rooms were nice but the lack of cleanliness was appalling. There was mildew on the bathtub, the tile floors throughout the suite were full of hair and dirt, and the bathroom wall had some sort of disgusting, brown splatter on it. Oh, and the "Business Center" was a joke. It was nothing more than a computer tucked into a small, hot closet that you needed to ask the front desk staff for permission to use. Not what I expected from a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Don't get me wrong - Hotel Bel-Air is in a gorgeous setting and definately worth checking out. However, I would recommend simply stopping buy for a walk on the grounds rather than staying or eating here. That is, unless you think your appearance and wallet can keep up with the likes of Posh and Becks (and if you don't know who that is, you really don't even belong at this place.)

My wife and I spent 4 days in November at the Hotel Bel Air.

We arrived around noon and our room was not yet available, we were treated very cordially and we chose to enjoy lunch on the Terrace. This open air restaurant has the same menu as the dining room, but is an oasis of flowering plants and classic California design. The service was beyond compare without being smothering.

The first room that we were shown, 135, was on a main walking area, although well laid out we were put off by the proximity to a walkway, in hindsight it would not have mattered as despite a high occupancy we barely ever saw another guest. We were quickly moved to room 115, a premium room with a nice patio with fountain. Not only does this hotel offer a quiet escape from the bustle of the city just a few blocks away, but it also soothes the soul in its gentle charm and the easy service that seems to flow naturally from the outstanding staff.

We don't look like a-listers (although we are in our corner of the world!), but we felt that we received the star treatment throughout our stay. No request was too small (like pressing a jacket within 30 minutes of dinner) or town car service to the Getty Museum, discretion was beyond reproach (in fact, noone ever addressed my wife as "Mrs.", they only called her Madame and used my name - I guess in case she was someone other than my wife! I hadn't noticed but she certainly did.

There were some stars and influential people staying at the hotel and eating at the restaurant during our time there, but everyone received the same treatment - I can't repeat enough how special you feel being at the Hotel Bel Air - from the valet to the gardener, everyone is in on the star treatment. You notice it even more when you leave the little neighborhood of Bel Air and realize that you are just blocks from the 405 freeway.

Don't ask how much it costs. It has a high economic cost, but it delivers excellent value for the dollar. No where else in LA will you feel so welcome. You will be at home in a wealthy friend's estate at the Hotel Bel Air.

We stayed at the Hotel Bel-Air from 10/29 - 11/1 and, while we really enjoyed our second stay there this year, the service was a little uneven.

Specifically, we were treated a little more like the poor cousins this time - which I think is due to the fact that we don't really look or act LA/Bel-Air glamorous, and as a result the service we received poolside, in the bar, at check-in etc. was noticeably different from the more obviously fabulous clientele. This was a disappointment, especially given how much we enjoyed our first stay.

So I guess the lesson is that, if you want the best service, dress and act the part (spray on a tan; glam it up; treat the staff like they are adorable, but tragically slow, children; talk on your cell phone constantly at the pool; chain smoke). If you just want to be yourself, expect to be treated a little more like the token at the country club who is allowed entrance mostly to show how “accepting” the other members are.

With that said, the hotel itself is remarkable, and the location really is an oasis. Explore the grounds – there are so many beautiful hidden gardens and tranquil spots to sit and read. The food is wonderful – try the lobster pot pie, it’s quite the twist on a classic. And the fresh fruit smoothies at the pool are amazingly tasty.

We usually stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel when travelling to LA, but wanted to give Hotel Bel Air a try, over an intermediate leg of our 3-week vacation to West USA last summer.
We booked 2 rooms on the Getaway Package ( = stay 4 nights pay only 3), direct with the hotel, since it did not show directly on the website.

SETTINGS : in a very quiet road in Bel Air. A little difficult to locate, perhaps, but no big deal. Slightly remote also, but wherever you stay in LA you need your car wherever you want to go, so not an issue. Set in a lavish garden, extending profusely into the canyon, your room might be a -small distance from reception and/or restaurant.

ATMOSPHERE : californian yet old word, surgeon-wealthy rather than garment maker rich, if I can make such a point. People dress up (a little). Adults don't shout across reception. Children behave. It is very peaceful.

CHECK-IN : we turned up at 8.00 pm, driving from Las Vegas, after 10 days touring the National Parks, our rented black Lincoln Towncar red with dust and mud, embarrassingly packed with big suitcases and litterrally dozens of bags and carriers. Valet and bellman reacted very prodessionnally, and sorted the mess beautifully. Trolley loads were delivered to both rooms without a mistake nor a delay. Welcome at reception was OK, nothing spectacular. Reasonably swift.
Welcome fruits, cake and tea were waiting for us.

ROOMS : my partner and I staid in Grand Deluxe Fireplace Patio room located close to the tower, while my mother-in-law had a Premium Room just above the hotel shop.
Views were on the garden.
Both had been recently refurbished, in the same french country house style, with a hint of english taste. They all look different.
Ours had a bigger bathroom. Only bigger, not big. The other was really micro. Neither had a separate bath stall, which is a shame at this level. Bathrooms are really a downside at Hotel Bel Air. They are cramped and old style to the point of looking dated, eventhough honestly everything worked.
Ours had a huge flat screen TV. The other had a standard TV, which we found stingy.
King Bed is as comfortable as it should be (extremely). They deliver Evian water at turndown. Amenities are good.

POOL : they seem to be over proud of the "signature" oval pool. It is nice indeed. Availability of loungers is limited, and it might be a problem to sit 3 people together at times, eventhough the loungers sit on each other. It does not get the sun very late in the afternoon. It is very clean. There is a no camera policy which is fine with me. Only hoped the no cell phone policy had been enforced. They don't nickel-and-dime you : the basic drinks (iced tea, delicious) we ordered were complimentary, to our surprise.

FOOD : I can't comment in dinner, but it seems very popular with local highflyers, which flock to the garden dining room around the fireplace, by the BMW load. Not cheap, but why the hell should it be cheap. Breakfast was extremely good.

SERVICE : excellent. Just as it should be, except may be housekeeping which might be a little more careful, may be, if I had to say something. Everything comes in due time. Staff is smiling. Concierge made great dining recommandations and reservations where and hen we asked, and was also helpful for more tourist things.

CELEBS : not the place for celebrity spotting. After 3 stays at the Beverly Hills Hotel, I never spotted one anyway ... It is a discreet place : it is only after 2 nights that we realised that Hillary Clinton was staying 2 rooms ahead of us, when we spotted her getting in her car early ine morning.

CONCLUSION : one of the 2 milestone hotels in L.A., the other being the BHH. They are extremely different in settings, style, ambiance, customer-style. The aditional experience I had at the BHH the next week was not as good as it should have been (service breaches, packed with screaming kids). They are equally likeable, eventhough I think I might slightly prefer the BHH in the end. Why :
PROs over BHH : more serene atmosphere, smaller property, more comfy, less gleaming style, slightly cheaper with packages available even in summer, quicker more attentive service.
CONs over BHH : smaller rooms, small and old bathrooms, pool, limited dining options, 25-year-old house car.