Suggestions for Short Beverly Hills Visit?

[penguin]

Going to Beverly Hills Hilton For A Conference...

I'll be in Beverly Hills, CA April 7-9 for a conference with some free time the first day. I'm staying at The Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd. I've been to L.A. before and done most of the touristy attractions/sights. I'm looking for suggestions on things to do within walking distance or a short cab ride from the hotel. I will not have a car this visit. Any suggestions on the best hangouts for star gazing, too? Also any good ethnic eats (Asian, Indian, Greek) in that neighborhood? Anything to do besides shopping?

Lastly, is the SuperShuttle bus ride from LAX to the hotel reliable? Am told if I book in advance it's $16 one way, and upon checking in at the SuperShuttle desk, the next bus should pick me up within 15 minutes. True?
Thanks for your ideas, Tuggers!

 

[abbekit]

We stayed at the Beverly Hilton last year for a convention and loved the hotel. It is located on the edge of Beverly Hills but within walking distance of the main area (Rodeo Drive, etc.). The hotel has a free car service that will drive you anywhere within five miles of the hotel if you don't want to walk.

We enjoyed a poolside breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It is a famous classic old hotel just a few miles away from the Beverly Hilton. For a NY style deli try Nate n Als. The concierge at the Hilton was very helpful about suggesting good restaurants also. We ate at a good Indian restaurant that she recommended (sorry I don't remember the name).

I liked taking my morning walks through the housing neighborhood next to the hotel. Beautiful homes with lovely gardens. It's also nice sitting out by the hotel pool with a Mai Tai from Trader Vic's .

Read the reviews of the Hilton on Trip Advisor for other suggestions.

FYI, I recommend you request a room on an upper floor (5th or higher) in the Wilshire Tower at the Hilton. Otherwise you might end up looking at the parking garage or AC vents from your room. Also try to get a room with a balcony if you can. The balconies are huge. Here's a photo of our room and view:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Location...Hilton-Beverly_Hills_California.html#17127317

 

[julienjay]

Robertson Blvd. in BH is where all the stars hang out.

Make reservations at The Ivy.

Go to Kitson.

You'll prob see some stars!

 

[UWSurfer]

The Beverly Hilton is right at the intersection of Beverly Blvd & SM Blvd's.

If you walk up Santa Monica Blvd (east) there are a host of shops along there & places to eat. Maybe 1/2 mile down the road is Beverly Blvd...on the corner is the TV and Radio Museum which can be interesting. It specializes in archives of old TV and radio programs and the only other location is in New York.

There are lots more shops lining Beverly as well.

Also the hotel is in the shaddow of Century City, a collection of high rises built on what had been the back lot for 20th Century Fox. The movie studio is still there about a mile south of the hotel. I don't belive they do tours, but it's a fun fact. If you watch the original "Die Hard" film, the "Nakatomi Plaza" can be easily spotted at Olympic Blvd and Avenue of the Stars. Ironically the same building later housed the office for former president Ronald Regan.

Lots of golf right around there. The non-private, ie: public course is Rancho Park with both a full 18 and a pitch and put 3 par, 9 hole course. In the 50's Rancho Park was on the PGA tour and in the 70's/80's it was on the LPGA tour.

If you'd rather be along the coast, you can catch a ride west to Santa Monica as SM Blvd ends at Ocean Ave...which lines the very nice touristy area there and a very pretty park which provides a great view of the ocean, the pier and such. The Third St. Prominade is also right there.

Take your pick.

 

[penguin]

Thanks, West Coast Tuggers, Keep the Love Coming!!!

Thanks for all the comments and the gorgeous photos. I was torn between a cabana room or higher floor, but I belive the cabanas are street level and would not provide much of a view, as stated.

Is Spago still an "in" spot for celeb sightings and/or all hype? Thanks again, Tuggers!

 

[abbekit]

Thanks for all the comments and the gorgeous photos. I was torn between a cabana room or higher floor, but I belive the cabanas are street level and would not provide much of a view, as stated.

Is Spago still an "in" spot for celeb sightings and/or all hype? Thanks again, Tuggers!

Cabana rooms face the pool so your view would be of that, not the street. However the Cabana building is only a two story building so if you get a ground floor room you will have a sliding door that opens directly onto the pool area. Some people seem to love that option but I would find it lacking privacy. You would have to always keep your curtains shut when you didn't want everyone at the pool so see inside your room. The second floor of the Cabana rooms don't have balconies and would also have the interiors seen by people at the pool. And to me the biggest draw back of the Cabana rooms is that the pool area is often used at night for corporate functions. Our group used it for one of our parties while we were there. It was VERY loud and lasted late into the night so I'm sure it was awful for those people trying to sleep in those rooms.

In the Wilshire Tower you will face either Santa Monica or Wilshire Blvd. These are busy streets so you will hear traffic noise but we found that to be preferred over the party noise at the pool.

The other wing is the Oasis Court. It is going to be demolished soon but it might be okay. No view from these rooms except a small courtyard with a fountain and a pretty tacky looking astroturf surfaced patio.

Since it was last summer since we were there I'm not sure what the update is on the hotel construction process. They are going to tear down the Oasis Wing and put up several high rise towers with more hotel rooms and condos. I believe one of the high rises is supposed to be a Waldorf hotel. This is going where the original Trader Vic's restaurant used to be. The current Trader Vic's is now located poolside and has lost the ambiance of a real Trader Vic's restaurant.

I've also heard the The Ivy is the place to see celebs but some of our group ate there and didn't so of course it's all a matter of chance timing to see the Hollywood stars. In any case, check out the hotel ballroom where the Golden Globes are held (and the ladies restroom inside the ballroom, it was designed by Zza Zza Gabor while she was married to Conrad Hilton).