boutique in Beverly Hills

double-double room at Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

Do you prefer smaller or larger hotels? Most of the Virtuoso hotels in Beverly Hills range from 170 to 395 rooms. Larger hotels can offer such advantages as larger spas, more elaborate exercise facilities, and multiple dining outlets. Your chance of being upgraded can be better when a hotel has more rooms.

But boutique hotels offer a kind of charm that larger hotels cannot, and such properties pride themselves on the high percentage of repeat guests. After a few stays, you'll get to know the staff, and they'll get to know you and your preferences... As an example, I love the experience of going into the breakfast room at The Lowell in New York and having the same waiter.

Viceroy L'Ermitage has tried to create an Upper East Side ambience in their small (only 117 rooms) property in Beverly Hills. Understated yet comfortable, the hotel has recently completed a thorough and successful renovation. Rooms are large — 650 sq. ft. at a minimum — offering a simple elegance without being splashy. But wait until you get into your dressing room. Lots of closet space, makeup mirror with settings for both artificial and natural light, and a trifold runway mirror to help you get everything right for a dressy dinner, Beverly Hills party, or perchance the Academy Awards!

For a real treat, book one of the suites in the hotel's residential wing, but whether you book a room or a suite, Virtuoso guests receive daily full breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit towards F&B or spa, and complimentary WiFi.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

New York luxury hotels | The Carlyle

Located in the Upper East Side at East 76th and Madison, the Carlyle, New York, is set in a residential neighborhood very convenient to such attractions as the Metropolitan Museum. This is a very attractive luxury hotel, and the newly renovated rooms come in either an ivory or a blue color scheme; I found both very appealing.

There is much variety among the rooms (and the bathrooms), and it's important to let me know your preferences when booking this hotel. Do you want a bath tub? a separate shower? a powder room in your suite? a kitchenette? Chances are, the hotel can accommodate whatever you wish — if you ask for it. For a special treat, book a tower room for incredible views of the full expanse of Central Park — or looking south down Madison Avenue.

For great discounted rates and valuable amenities, just book through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant. You will be upgraded upon arrival (subject to availability), receive complimentary breakfasts and internet service, as well as a $50 Food & Beverage credit to be used once during your stay.

Carlyle, New York (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2008 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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New York luxury hotels | The Lowell

I recently made a hotel site inspection of seven New York luxury hotels and will be posting brief reviews of those properties. This first review is of the Lowell Hotel New York.

Don't be put off by the postage-stamp lobby right off of East 63rd Street in Manhattan's Upper East Side. I loved everything else about the Lowell, from the residential feel of its guestrooms to the genuine warmth and personal attention provided guests at this boutique hotel. I was upgraded to a Junior Suite on one of the floors recently decorated by interior decorator Michael Smith. The room is large by New York standards and extremely attractive with muted earth tones of tan, gold, and brown.

Renovated rooms feature dark hardwood floors with oriental rugs. My marble bathroom was large with double sinks, a tub (with its own small flat screen television to match the large wall mounted set in the bedroom), and an immense shower. Being on the south east corner of the building, the room was flooded with natural light. Other perks? Bulgari amenities, free internet, a live potted orchid in the bedroom, and an orchid in a vase on the bathroom vanity. Families will appreciate the spacious one and two bedroom suites, and for a real treat, book the Penthouse suite.

Guests booking through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant also receive a daily Continental breakfast for two, upgrade on arrival subject to availability, and a welcome amenity of a bottle red or white wine and a fruit basket.

Lowell Hotel New York (search here on Google)


Click here for other reviews of New York City luxury hotels...
Ritz-Carlton Central Park, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton Battery Park
Mandarin Oriental, Benjamin, Gramercy Park
Peninsula, St. Regis, Gansevoort


copyright (c) 2008 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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