My and husband and I were guests at the Bel Air in January. Every detail was as close to perfect as you can get.

Our room was absolutely lovely with a view of the swans from a bay window and a terrace. High ceilings and lots of windows. The most comfortable bed and beautiful high quality linens...changed daily. Large flat screen HDTV. Bose clock radio/CD. Fruit, a little cake and a cute tea basket with this devine passion fruit/vanilla hot tea waiting for us.

The staff was one of the nicest we've experienced in a while....my husband is a bit picky about service within the higher level hotels we enjoy. From the bellmen, front desk, concierge...even the friendly waitress in the bar....everyone went above and beyond.

The grounds were beautiful. Meals were delicious.

The ONLY downside was the tiny bath with a single sink/toilet/tub. A bit difficult for us both to dress at the same time. But I did see some rooms with a separate dressing area from the bath.

Overall, we truly enjoyed the Hotel Bel Air and would definitely return on our next L.A. trip.

Spent 2 wonderful nights at this charming hotel with my large family. The staff was very accommodating and the atmosphere was peaceful and beautiful. The rooms are spacious and have been updated yet they have preserved the old world charm of the hotel. The Sunday brunch unlike many Los Angeles restaurant establishments make every patron feel welcome and comfortable. The meal was excellent. Great getaway spot for couples or a family reunion (with older children).

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.