Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills, a Member of Design Hotels

The outdoor-style layout gives the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills a relaxed, boutique feel. We liked our stay and would come back. Valet parking is $65 a night and there’s also a $46 resort fee, so keep those charges in mind. Getting there is easy, though you may need some patience with the valet because arrivals and departures share one lane. We booked at the last minute after a terrible experience at another motel in Santa Monica. It turned out to be a great decision, especially when we were pleasantly surprised with an upgrade to a spacious, clean Junior Suite. Louis at the front desk and the parking attendants were extremely friendly and helpful, which made the stay even better.

We’re LA locals, and for our anniversary my husband and I like to get away for a night once a year and save the cost of a flight. The staff were super friendly, and the restaurant food was actually really great. I’ve stayed at other four-star hotels, and how the staff treat you makes a big difference to my experience. Taking one of the hotel bikes for a spin through the neighborhood is a good idea. I rode one to LACMA, about 15 minutes away. Highly recommend.

Check the bill closely. We prepaid through Amex and hadn’t realized there would be extra fees each night. The part that still leaves a sour taste is the breakfast charge. Amex included a $100 food and beverage credit, and we ordered a decent amount. With tip, I put down $100 total and even took a photo, but at checkout they said the bill was $101.10. I objected and showed them the picture, and they assured me they’d fix it. They didn’t. I didn’t want to call and argue over $1.10, but I’m still salty.

We’ve stayed here three times and will be back. The staff and valets have always been super friendly and helpful. Our junior suite across the street was quiet, spacious, and luxurious. We loved an early morning swim, taking the complimentary bikes around the neighborhood, and walking to nearby Il Fornio and Erewhon.