The Peninsula Beverly Hills

I had brunch at the Peninsula’s Living Room recently, and the staff made us feel genuinely welcome. They were attentive without hovering. The setting was elegant but relaxed, with lots of natural light and comfortable seats that made it feel just right for a weekend. The food was good, with familiar brunch choices alongside a few international touches. It’s a lovely option for a special occasion or a luxurious weekend treat, and I’d recommend it for a top-tier brunch in an elegant setting.

The food and service at afternoon tea in The Living Room were wonderful, and the whole thing felt both fancy and relaxing. You need a reservation. I’d really consider adding the endless bubble (champagne) option.

The pool was warm even with cold weather and rain coming, and I went for a swim during our stay. The hotel’s location in the heart of Beverly Hills is hard to beat. We had lunch nearby at a fantastic seafood restaurant where you choose the fish to be cooked, which reminded me of Italy and its great fish and pasta combinations. My wife had visited The Peninsula Beverly Hills before with her florist friends for tea and spa treatments, and now I see why. She’s already talking about a Valentine’s Day staycation. We’d just spent several nights at The Peninsula New York over New Year’s, near Saks and Rockefeller Center, and we’ve also stayed at the St. Regis and the Ritz Carlton. We have high standards, but our Beverly Hills stay for my wife’s birthday somehow topped even those experiences. From check-in to check-out, everything felt first class, with warm, sincere hospitality. Marcelo, the Front Office Assistant Manager, was friendly and helpful, and a female front desk associate personally walked us to our room, setting a thoughtful tone right away. We loved the embroidered pillowcases with our initials and were graciously allowed to take them home. The birthday cake for my wife was delicious and thoughtful, and our Chase booking included a room upgrade. Afternoon tea was elegant and memorable. Eric, who has worked at the hotel for 16 years, was energetic, passionate, and a joy to talk to. He said serving us was actually his break, because he was having so much fun with us. That made it even more special. The chocolate tea was so good we ordered another teapot. We came back to the Living Room later for coffee and live piano. Antonio, also at the hotel for 16 years, was phenomenal. He played our favorites, including My Way, New York New York, America the Beautiful, and What a Wonderful World. My wife tipped Eric and Antonio fifty dollars each and tried to order Antonio a drink and dessert, but he graciously declined. He mentioned he plays Friday and Saturday evenings, which is worth planning around. Miles, the bellman, was friendly and welcoming, too. I could go on about what makes this hotel special, especially after staying at several other five-star properties in recent weeks. Simply put, it’s incredible.

Update: management was nice and tried to address the issue. I really hope this terrible concierge gets fired, though. Four stars. This place used to be amazing, but service has declined a lot over the last 5 years. The concierge was especially bad, an extremely rude lady who treated my wife and our group terribly. It’s unfortunate, since we booked 2 suites and 3 rooms for everyone. The breakfast staff were amazing, at least.