apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

ummm do you live next door??? many of the sweet posh hotels in LA are 1. much more than $10 to park at (keep in mind that LA for its size is nowhere near public transportation connected like an NYC or the like!!!) let alone swill an overpriced iced tea for $10 or less.
2. Try rolling up on your retro Schwinn and see if they'll seat you.
3. try finding a taxi somewhere other than the airport to take you to one.

more to the point, do you really want to mimic or get your ideas for design from places that cater to the idle (tasteless) rich lowest common denominator? why not just get an iced latte at starbucks and tour model mcmansion homes.

What happened to personal flair and making your space comfortable for you, not some "design within reach" catalog page that you think your friends will approve of.

Some of my favorite places to enjoy a luncheon or cocktails are local hotels - some have excellent after-work scenes, but are often easier to get into and have better service than regular bars...
...although it's always a bit more than $10 for a single cocktail unless you're hitting a Happy Hour special as we lucked into at Le Meridien here in SF recently who also just recently happened to redecorate their lobby bar and introduce a new bar menu.

good memories in the polo lounge

It is very easy to park on the street near the beverly hills hotel, btw. I do that type of thing once every now and then here in LA and it just makes for a lovely old hollywood afternoon. May as well have a cocktail for $15 though. also you can easily park during the weekdays on sunset and go for coffee at the Chateau - beautiful and relaxing and lush. Not everyday but now and then...why not?

Someone get ubertimmo a cocktail STAT!

Afternoon deliiight!

Umbertino,

1. There is tons of free parking near the Beverly Hills Hotel, and quite a few of us live/work within walking distance (and not in McMansions, mind you).

2. I also biked to one of the nicest hotels in San Diego, The Hotel Del Coronado, and they held my bike for me while I had cocktails with friends. There are plenty of places to attach one's bike around L.A., no matter where you prefer to go.

3. I've taken many a taxi from my house to Beverly Hills. (The trick is to call them first, as opposed to standing out on the empty corners waiting for one to drive by). Some of these things you have to make happen if you want the experience!

As for your other point, why do you assume that so many rich people are idle, tasteless, and low? I have been inspired by many things that I can't or won't ever be able to afford. The key to personal style is finding those things you admire in others' spaces, and finding a way to put your personal spin on them - whether you get your goods from Ikea, the side of the road, France, thrift stores, Design Within Reach, or choose to create your own.

I love the Beverly Hills Hotel, and think a lot of the stylistic elements are lovely, esp. the stripes! Thanks for the pics and the post!

Now, I'm off to get a nice iced latte and tour the old Spelling place...

the only thing interesting about the 3 pictures associated w/ this article is the font on the side of The Beverly Hills Hotel.

@ubertimmo: Who peed in your cherrios? The Beverly Hills Hotel has always been a fantastic place to relax on a busy weekend, the staff is noting less than perfectly accommodating and friendly (It's sort of like stepping back into the 50's, the place has not changed at all). I wont even get started on the "idle rich" comment. I would add the Viceroy in Santa Monica to the list (a Kelly Wearstler masterpiece), I have spent many hours there lounging by the pool, drinking mojitos and reading. My ex and I would meet there when he was drudging through law school, he would study and I would drink too much and read design magazines. The Hotel Bel-Air is another amazingly relaxing place to have a gibson on a hot summer day. The Standard, either one, is always a good spot for people watching and affordable drinks (for L.A.), assuming you get there before they put up the velvet ropes.

Oh I love sipping cocktails at the Del Coronado!
there's that bar by the pool with the beach in front of you.
The sunsets are spectacular. Everyone should try it at least once. I usually can find parking around the corner from the hotel...