Viceroy L’Ermitage: One of a Kind

Since 2010 Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills has been the epitome of luxury lodging. Boasting the largest rooms in Beverly Hills, the hotel is comprised totally of suite-style accommodations, therefore living up to its name, l’ermitage, meaning a secluded residence or private retreat; hideaway. One hundred and sixteen suites in total, each one is complete with a private balcony promising views of either Hollywood or Beverly Hills.

Secluded and residential it is. Situated on a tree-lined neighborhood block among affluent apartments and million dollar mini-mansions it’s less than a mile away from the action on Rodeo Drive. Traveling sans wheels? The Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills has you covered, offering on-call house Mercedes to shuttle you to your choice of the many local designer boutiques, museums, and restaurants.

Immediately upon arrival, we feel right at home. And that’s the intention. L’Ermitage has recently undergone and completed a $50 million dollar renovation courtesy of Smith-Firestone Associates (SFA). Along with updates to the décor or the rooms, lounges, and restaurant one of the main objectives was to create a lobby that wasn’t — an entryway that made guests feel like they had arrived at their home away from home rather than like checking in at another swanky, yet impersonal hotel. “The lobby vibe is that it isn’t a lobby,” says Kara Smith president of SFA. “It feels perfect for a long stay.”

The color scheme for the redesign is downright regal. Neutral hues are tranquil yet elevated, brushed in gold and silver from the walls to the carpeting with matching metallic upholstery and lustrous leather and velvet coverings. Bold accents of royal blue and dark chocolate create rich contrast throughout the corporate areas of the residence. “Our intent was to create a series of unique settings that celebrate the individuality and personalities of L’Ermitage’s guests,” said Smith. All the glitz and glamour nods to vintage Hollywood, and we can easily see how this tranquil retreat became a celebrity haven.

“Beverly Hills is a destination that is one of a kind and Viceroy L’Ermitage is a hotel within that destination that is equally one of a kind. To stand out amongst the quality of competition that we face it was important that the approach to the design in this hotel was truly individual,” says Bill Walshe, Chief Executive Officer of the Viceroy Hotel Group of the redesign, revealed in 2016. “This renovation, the refurbishment, and the re-launch has truly been a labor of love. The memories that our guests’ generate at this hotel are one-off, bespoke, couture memories that will last for a lifetime.”

One of our favorite luxury settings is the rooftop pool, featuring 360-degree views of Beverly Hills and private cabanas to enjoy a massage or cocktails in the shade. The amenities don’t stop there. Guests can also make a toast with welcome glass of bubbly upon arrival or relax and rejuvenate with complementary yoga on Saturdays. Can’t bear to part with your pooch? L’Ermitage is highly pet friendly, offering a Canine Club that includes treats, dog walking services, and a custom Viceroy dog bed, leash, food and water bowls en suite. There is a fee, but L’Ermitage Beverly Hills will donate 50% of it to local adoption center, Wags & Walks.

The boutique property offers unrivaled intimate and personalized service. For example, say you have a very particular request like requiring your room temperature be set at a crisp 68-degrees. L’Ermitage will not only ensure that your request is met, but also noted so that your room is chilled to your liking when you arrive for your decided future stays. The staff meets daily to discuss guest preferences and how they can go above and beyond their guests’ last experience.

It’s these details that have earned Viceroy L’Ermitage multiple Forbes Five Star Hotel and AAA Five Diamond Hotel awards many consecutive years in a row.

Speaking of accolades… L’Ermitage Beverly Hills’ most brag-worthy award today might be landing the number one spot on Travel + Leisure’s 2018 reader-selected Top 10 City Hotels in Greater Los Angeles that debuted last month. L’Ermitage is eager to celebrate with their loyal patrons offering savings on two nights or more, complimentary bottles of champagne, and, the ultimate luxury, late check out until December 30, 2018.

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills employs some of the best staff in Los Angeles, whose attention to customer service and guest relations is unparalleled. “Service starts with guest needs innovatively anticipated, then uniquely accommodated. Warmth is a given, discretion an essential,” says Viceroy of its intuitive service. In fact, Viceroy is on the cutting edge of hospitality. The group will be the first to test a new smartwatch hotel management solution by Samsung and ALICE, a hotel operations platform. The technology will improve communication and one up Viceroy’s seemingly flawless service beginning with L’Ermitage this summer.

We’re here to shoot our summer cover star, Olivia Culpo, on a balmy afternoon during mid-August in Los Angeles. Our experience wasn’t met with anything less than excellence. We began setting up in a Viceroy Junior suite. While even the most conservative of suites start at 700-square feet, we were hard pressed for space to fit our wardrobe, equipment, lighting, hair and makeup, photographer, videographer, and editorial teams. “Ask and you shall receive” proved to be the motto on the property when we were quickly afforded an additional suite for our use. Just like that we had ample room to roll in our racks, cover the countertops with accessories, and offer Culpo’s entourage a place to relax while we got to work creating the ultimate glamour shots of our star in her gilded hideaway. Guests can even mimic our Hollywood experience by arranging in-suite hair, makeup, and nail services during their stay. We shot Culpo in the “ultimate dressing space” as Smith calls it, a gorgeous vanity area that allowed us to create stunning images of our model as reflected in the full-length three-way mirror. Even the closet features a bespoke layout with designated spaces measured to fit sky-high stilettos. Elements like these bring the extravagance of personal shopping experiences found on Rodeo Drive inside the hotel to be enjoyed from the comfort of an intimate suite.

No trip to Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills would be complete without dining in Avec Nous, the modern French brasserie open to guests and locals alike. Executive Chef Olivier Quignon adapts the menu to the local lifestyle fusing iconic Southern French dishes with farm-fresh California ingredients. Guests will always find seasonal favorites on the menu, like summer’s refreshing chilled watermelon soup. Avec Nous is award winning in its own right, gaining a Wine Spectator “2018 Best of Award of Excellence” distinction. During our shoot, we indulged in the menu’s most savory side item: Truffle Fries, which we think should be given their own award as the World’s Most Posh Snack.

It seems as if each of the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills’ eight floors has something unique to offer. From the welcoming entryway to the rooftop pool deck under the stars, its engaging atmosphere and staff trained in superiority, this relaxing refuge is shrouded from top to bottom in low-key, high-designed elegance where guests become the kings and queens of this castle.