The London West Hollywood occupies a singular space in the history of Los Angeles hospitality—a hotel that has reinvented itself from 1980s excess to modern sophistication. The transformation of the Bel Age Hotel has been achieved while preserving the kind of glamour that attracts celebrities.
Known for its “big rooms and faded décor,” according to a 2007 Los Angeles Times story, the Bel Age Hotel of the 1980s and ‘90s had a lobby paneled in pine wood bordered by muted pink accents.
Some of that décor was not so much faded as priceless. The hotel’s walls were hung with 1,100 artworks, including those created by Joan Miró, Erté, and Salvador Dalí. The Bel Age was favored by celebrities and the music industry, and served as a shooting location for the television series, Beverly Hills, 90210.
After a closure and extensive renovation, the Bel Age reopened as the London West Hollywood in 2008. Another $27 million renovation in 2015 added more suites, bringing the total to 226. A penthouse, billed as the largest in Los Angeles, was also added—a “villa in the sky” with interiors by designer Vivienne Westwood. The redo also added a new fitness center and screening room.
At, Architecture, and Bulldogs
The property now embodies California cool married to a British elegance. In short, the property is urbane and chic. David Collins Studio mastered the recent design, which includes a rooftop pool and dining area surrounded by views of mountains and distant skyscrapers.
The hotel is dog-friendly, naturally, since its mascot is the British bulldog.
Inside, the lobby’s mirrors and a clocks are inspired by Cartier. A custom tapestry behind the front desk is a nod to vintage star maps.
This summer, the hotel has partnered with LVE Wines by John Legend to host its second annual rooftop dining experience, through October 31. The service, available from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. each evening, is offered at tables with expansive views or inside private cabanas.
The View from the Top
My guest and I were seated at a rooftop table and greeted by Beatrice, who has worked at the London for four years. She introduced us to the three-course prix-fixe menu, created by executive chef Anthony Keene with dishes inspired by selections from Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook Cravings. The menu is paired with a curated wine list of LVE and Boisset favorites.
We decided to choose from the larger menu. We began with a Caesar salad, a towering assemblage (of romaine hearts, pane fritto, and grana padano) that paired crunch with satisfying flavors. The burrata with wild flower honey was good, but not a standout, and the scallops were expertly cooked. My guest’s oxtail pasta was not her favorite, but I found the taste to be rich and deeply satisfying.
For dessert, we chose English toffee pudding bathed in toffee sauce and served with brown butter ice cream. The textures and warm-cool combination were perfect for a summer night.
The hotel’s Boxwood restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Afternoon tea service is available between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (last reservation) on weekends.