We had a roughly 22 hour overnight at LAX, so I put a bit of thought into where to stay. On one hand I figured we’d be tired and want to nap, on the other hand I wanted to be somewhere that was walkable (and as much as I love LA, walking seems to be a near criminal offense there based on how few people walk).
My preferred area in LA is Beverly Hills/West Hollywood, since I find it has the most to do (best restaurants and bars, is at least borderline walkable, etc.).
My usual hotel is the Andaz West Hollywood, though for this stay I decided on the SLS Beverly Hills, for whatever reason.
I actually had a quick stay at the SLS Beverly Hills about a year ago, and wrote a review of that stay.
The property is affiliated with Virtuoso, so by booking through a Virtuoso advisor I received the following benefits:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
- in Tres Restaurant
- $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay
- (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early check-in/late check-out
- subject to availability
The rate was quite reasonable by this hotel’s standards. I find the SLS usually runs $400+ per night, while it was only about $300 for the night we booked. That was probably a function of it being the day before Thanksgiving. Furthermore, I had applied a Platinum Suite Night Award to the reservation, which confirmed us an upgrade to a Studio Suite five days before arrival. What’s cool about this property is that they have Studio Suites with two beds — it’s usually tough to find suites with two beds.
The hotel has a nice understated exterior, and doesn’t look nearly as flashy on the outside as on the inside. It’s located right next to the Beverly Center, so is in a good area for walking around.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills exterior
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills signage
The entrance feels very “Hollywood,” given the red carpet leading up to the entrance. There’s furniture on the patio which feels almost more like an indoor lounge area than an outdoor patio (but given the temperatures and lack of rain in LA, what’s the difference, really?).
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills entrance
The lobby is a bit bizarre in terms of decor (not to be confused with the hotel’s restaurant, The Bazaar).
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills lobby
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills lobby
The lobby is really quirky, and to this day I can’t decide whether I love it or hate it. It’s tough to feel indifferent about it, really.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills lobby
The check-in process was a bit of a pain. The hotel had confirmed in advance we’d be able to check-in at 11AM, though the room wasn’t yet ready. So I asked how long it would be. They said they weren’t sure. I asked if the previous guests had already checked out. They said they had. So I asked if there was a general estimate as to how long it would be. They said they didn’t have one.
Very odd.
So I gave them my number and we walked around the Beverly Center. Within about 45 minutes we got a call saying our room was ready, so we headed back for check-in.
We were given a letter describing the benefits we would receive for booking through Virtuoso.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills welcome letter
We proceeded towards the elevators and up to the second floor, where our room was located.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills elevators
The hotel only has a few floors, though each floor is massive, so it’s actually quite easy to get lost.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills hallway
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills floorplan
The room itself was very nice. There was an entryway with the bathroom immediately ahead, while the rest of the room was located to the right.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite entrance
On the left side is a wall display which actually looks like 12 lockers, though in reality is a weird combination of a closet and nothingness.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite entrance
The living area featured a couch and two chairs facing a flat screen TV which was built into the mirror (you can’t do anything at this hotel without looking at yourself).
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite living area
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite living area
Then in the corner by the window was a daybed with minibar snacks oddly placed at the end of it.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite living area
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite minibar
The room did have two super comfortable double beds, which I passed out on for a couple of hours upon our arrival.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite bedroom
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite bedroom
What’s both a blessing and a curse is that the SLS is in a residential neighborhood. On one hand I find it quite charming that you’re literally overlooking a residential street. On the other hand I also quite like the views of Sunset Boulevard from a high rise.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite view
While the room as a whole is pretty “hip,” the bathroom is totally lost on me. The bathroom would make even an Instagram selfie whore feel self conscious based on how many mirrors it has.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite bathroom
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite bathroom
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite sink
Like, the shower has mirrors on two sides… is anyone that desperate to look at themselves?!
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite shower
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite toilet
The toiletries were CIEL branded, which is also the hotel’s spa.
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite toiletries
The advisor that booked this stay was awesome, and since it was my dad’s birthday week they sent up more goodies than we knew what to do with, from red wine to Diet Coke with lime to cupcakes to chocolate. Damn!
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite welcome amenity
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills Studio Suite welcome amenity
We had an amazing dinner at BOA Steakhouse, though unfortunately the relaxing part of the evening ended there. There was super loud music which I could hear from our room until 2AM. I’ve heard somewhat loud music at this hotel in the past on weekends, though was kind of surprised to hear this on weekdays.
It actually worked out okay since I was jetlagged and just got some more work done, and then eventually fell asleep at 2AM when the music abruptly stopped.
The next morning we left for the airport at 6AM, so couldn’t do breakfast, since it only starts at 7AM (the worst part of Beverly Hills/West Hollywood is that it’s basically impossible to get coffee before that hour, which drives me bonkers).
When we checked out, the friendly associate asked how our stay was. I said “great, at least after 2AM, since it was really loud all night.” She explained that they were having some party at the hotel, apologized profusely, and asked if she could maybe credit some Starpoints to my account.
I thought that was rather generous, as I wasn’t expecting anything.
SLS Beverly Hills bottom line
The SLS is a nice hotel. It’s quirky. Very quirky. In some ways I like the quirkiness (like the lobby area), in other ways I don’t (the number of mirrors in the bathroom).
However, I don’t think it’s any nicer than the Andaz, despite the fact that this hotel consistently charges a substantial price premium over the Andaz. The location is arguably preferable since it’s closer to Beverly Hills than West Hollywood, and there are actually places in the immediate area of the hotel you can walk to.
That being said, given the general price this hotel seems to go for, I’ll continue to stick to the Andaz.
If you’ve stayed at the SLS Beverly Hills, what was your experience like?
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