Hotel Bel-Air — Hotel in Los Angeles

The best hotel in Los Angeles, probably North America, and quite possibly the entire world. A marvel to any luxury traveler with an eye for detail. They didn't miss anything. Sometimes when I'm here, I play a little game with myself where I try to find fault with some aspect of the the hotel and I can't do it. It's on the pricey side (but no more than any other luxury brand) and it's totally worth every penny. If you're looking for tranquility in the big city, world class service in the most luxurious and peaceful setting imaginable, then you've come to the right place.

I'd recommend this place as the perfect venue for an incredible date, to pop the question, to have the wedding at, or to go on your honeymoon at. I think you get my drift- it's one of the most elegant and romantic spots in the world. Everything here is world class.

The food is incredible. Honestly, they do room service so well here, that I often prefer to dine in than go out to some of my favorite restaurant in LA. It's kind of a funny thing, but the Hotel Bel Air may be home to the best Huevos Rancheros in the world (honorable mention for the steak frittes.) They also have an amazing bar area with one of the best bloody mary's I've ever had.

The rooms are really the masterpieces of the structural part of the hotel though. From almost any point in the room you can control the temperature, the lights (there are such convenient settings for them too,) or order any of the services the hotel has to offer. The miss no details, right down to the heated bathroom floors in winter. I'd invite anyone who's reconsidering a remodel of their home to come stay here for a couple of nights to take notes on features you might not have thought of, but will instantly recognize as perfection.

And the real masterpiece is the service. My only warning is that once you've been treated this well, you may not feel like anywhere else really lives up. For an incredibly busy person, this is the place for you. I have them unpack and pack my bags upon arrival and departure (they do about ten times a better job than I could and in a fraction of the time.) The concierge desk here rivals that of any in the world. Just tell them what you're interested in, and they'll supply you with an insiders itinerary for whatever it is you fancy. I saw them handling the medical needs of a guest so well yesterday that I secretly wished that they working in my doctors office when I got back home. They got me into an impossible restaurant within an hour of my asking and I can tell you from experience that doing these kinds of things is the norm out here.

Lastly, I know there's some controversy with the owner of this hotel, but after I thought about boycotting this place it occurred to me that I would most definitely not be doing any real damage to this man on the other side of the world who's worth 20 billion dollars. Instead, I would be hurting the people I've come to value most in this city. I'd imagine the people who are really suffering are the employees of this hotel, who are probably losing their jobs wholesale from this boycott thing. They're genuinely some of the most intelligent, empathetic, knowledgeable, and caring people in this city. So I am still very happy to stay here, because I'm for supporting them. I can understand the other perspective, and it's certainly valid, this is just...

This hotel has a storied history and reputation that unfortunately has not been translated into the present day and leaves much to be desired for the cartel-like pricing scheme it practices along with its sister pink hotel down the road. ||On arrival I was “upgraded” to a room with a patio, however this didn’t really feel like an upgrade as the patio was next to the street and the service entrance and the rooms have no sound proofing, so all you hear is traffic and big trucks coming in and out and being unloaded and banged around all day and night. Made it hard to sleep despite a very comfortable bed. The house across the street can see right in, so it’s not exactly private either, and the plants on my patio were also dead, really made for a nice atmosphere. ||Breakfast the next morning was equally disappointing. For $107, I received an unmixed ginger shot, a lukewarm omelet and a completely melted açaí bowl that presented at best like fruit soup. I left afterwards to work out and go for a hike and put the maid light on when I left. Came back three hours later, no maid service. Called and requested, never came. After another hour, I went to the front desk and requested it again in person, still never came. ||Next I wanted to try the high tea that they have been promoting on their social media, so I went to the restaurant at 3pm (tea time) and asked to do the high tea. I was told it was impossible that they were already booked, and I needed a reservation in advance. If that’s the case, why wouldn’t you anticipate your guests’ needs and tell them this at check in or maybe offer to make a reservation for them upon arrival? ||Naturally I was disappointed, so I asked instead to just have lunch, and the host refused to seat me saying they were full (all tables empty except 2) and that they were closing soon, and coldly told me to go order room service or sit in the bar and walked away. I have never stayed at a five star hotel that closes its dining facilities in the middle of the day (especially on the weekend!), nor do I appreciate being dismissed by the help. The bar is a dark cave and only has things like chips or French fries on the menu, and at 3pm when the sun is shining, the last place you want to be is in a windowless room hunched over over a low coffee table eating French fries for lunch. So I was left to go back to my room, tail between my legs, order room service and eat a cold chicken sandwich alone like a recluse, and of course, that’s when the maid finally decided to show up, so at least I had lunch company. ||I’ll also note I had originally planned to stay only one night but decided to extend my trip, and in retrospect, I really regret it. I’m aware that America isn’t exactly known to have high service standards, but even so, the only way I would ever even remotely consider returning is if there were a change in management, because Dorchester clearly has no idea what they’re doing and it’s shocking to me that this hotel received three...

Afternoon tea at Hotel Bel-Air offers an undeniably elegant experience in the serene Living Room, surrounded by lush gardens and timeless decor. The ambiance is warm and inviting, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely afternoon. The Living Room exudes an understated elegance, with warm natural light filtering through arched windows, lush greenery adding a touch of serenity, and a striking central fireplace that creates an inviting atmosphere.

The Presentation & Courses

The multi-course experience had all the makings of a five-star outing, but the pacing was noticeably uneven. Dishes often arrived in rapid succession, overcrowding the table and leaving little room to fully enjoy each course. Then, unexpectedly long pauses followed, with finished plates left uncleared, creating moments of awkward stillness as we waited for the next course to arrive.

Some standout bites included the raisin and blueberry scones, served warm with Devonshire cream and fresh mixed berry jam. The Organic Jidori Chicken Salad sandwiches were among the better savory options—light yet flavorful with a nice crunch from the toasted walnut bread.

The three-tiered dessert selection was the highlight of the afternoon. The Lemon Earl Grey Macaron had a bright citrusy note that paired beautifully with tea, and the Strawberry Shortcake was delicate and perfectly balanced.

We also added the Imperial Kaluga Caviar course, which was a fantastic addition. The caviar was smooth, rich, and indulgent—definitely one of the highlights of the experience.

Tea Selection & Service

We selected the Halo tea, a flowering tea infused with blueberry and white peach essence, and the Earl Grey with Bergamot, a classic Yunnan tea blend with Sicilian bergamot oil. Both teas were enjoyable, but the tea service had a notable restriction—guests are limited to one choice of tea and one teapot for the entire afternoon, which felt unnecessarily limiting for a high-end tea experience.

Service & Overall Experience

Service, unfortunately, was inconsistent. While some staff members were attentive and warm, there were noticeable gaps where service felt absent, leaving us waiting for refills or additional assistance. Given the setting and price point, the service should have been more seamless and refined.

Final Thoughts

At $500+ for two people, afternoon tea at Hotel Bel-Air is certainly a luxurious experience, but does it warrant the price? Probably not. While the ambiance is stunning and the desserts, scones, and caviar were exceptional, the uninspired sandwich selection, restrictive tea policy, and inconsistent service made the experience feel like it missed the mark for a truly five-star...