Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills — Hotel in Los Angeles

I'll preface this review by disclosing that I'm an Accor Live Limitless Platinum member so have come to expect, without asking, a certain level of access and amenities.

On this visit, I stayed at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills over two periods. First, from 11/20/23 to 11/24 23 and then 12/1 to 12/3.

As I was arriving earlier on 11/20, I requested an early checkin, knowing that this was not guaranteed.

On initial arrival, I was warmly welcomed with the usual professionalism and courtesy. I was advised that my room was not yet ready and they'd message me once it was ready. They also advised that I had been upgraded to the Hollywood Suite. (Pictures included).

When my room was ready, I was presented the usual welcome letter and drink vouchers.

Upon entering the room, I noticed that the Platinum welcome amenities were not present. No major issue despite it being mentioned in the welcome letter.

The one issue with the room was that there did not appear to be one switch that turns off all the lights. You need to turn them off individually. Minor inconvenience.

From a non-American perspective I found getting the hot water to work was not intuitive but finally worked it out.

The following day, I went down for breakfast and mentioned that breakfast was included only to be told that I was not on the list and was advised to check with reception.

I was advised by reception and a supervisor that in North America it is only Diamond Accor Live Limitless members who have breakfast included. Had I have known that at the time that I booked the accommodation I would have booked breakfast. The receptionist admitted that this causes a number of issues for other ALL Platinum members as you would expect the same things in each location.

I only had breakfast at the hotel once because I couldn't justify $70USD per day.

The rest of stay was uneventful until I checked out and arrived in Salt Lake City only to realise that I had left my travel power adapter and phone charger in the room.

On checkout, the reception person advised that the Urban Fee had been removed. More about this later.

I contacted the hotel and they found the item and kept it for me till I returned on 12/1.

When I checked in on 12/1 I was upgraded to a Penthouse Suite. (Pictures included)

I should point out that I have never asked or demanded an upgrade. If I get one that I'm thankful.

The difference this time was that I was provided with 2 breakfast vouchers. Not sure why this happened or whether breakfast was included because it was the weekend.

I had requested a late checkout.

When I went to checkout, I was presented with my invoice and I noticed that the Urban fee was included. I asked what that was and they have me a card that listed what the Urban inclusions were.

They are:

High-Speed Wireless internet. Domestic and toll-free calling within the US. In-room premium coffee and tea making facilities. Electric vehicle charging with paid parking. Access to digital newspapers and magazines Access to Beverly Center passport with offers and discounts.

All of the above were included in my welcome letter as being included because I'm a Platinum member.

I mentioned this to the reception staff and was abruptly told that everyone has to pay it.

If that is the case then why does it say they are included in my welcome letter?

Overall, my stay was pleasant with some minor hiccups.

However, if you are an Accor Live Limitless Platinum member just remember that what you get overseas will not be what you get in the USA.

Since writing this review I have been contacted by Alex (a Sofitel manager) who thanked me for my review and advised that the verbiage of the welcome letter was incorrect and would be changed. He also advised that the breakfast vouchers I was given was as a courtesy for the previous inconvenience.

I have also spoken with staff from Accor Live Limitless who advise that what I have listed above is correct. Sofitel LA appear to be charging for things that should...

I chose to stay at Sofitel because it was the closest hotel to Cedars Sinai, where I was supporting close friends at a critical time. It would have been enough to simply have a comfortable, calm place to rest each night. But my experience was so much more than that. Time after time, the people working at Sofitel went well beyond rote courtesy. They were authentic, kind, and genuinely cared about helping me out during a stressful time. My first such experience was with Marta at the hotel restaurant, where I went to have a quick breakfast before my first morning at Cedars. I was in a bit of a hurry, and while I wasn't expecting special treatment, Marta was attuned to my situation, and personally made sure I'd be taken care of quickly. I interacted with Marta on several subsequent days, and by the time I left town, she felt like family to me. The next humane and compassionate interaction happened with George at the front desk. I didn't know how long I'd be staying in town, and had only booked two nights initially. As my friend's stay at Cedars continued, I was hoping to be able to stay at Sofitel longer. They were fully booked for the upcoming nights, but made it a point to keep me in mind if and when any rooms opened up, or there were any cancellations. I lucked out! Furthermore, George was able to keep me in the room I was already in. And, he was also able to give me the additional nights at the special rate for people visiting loved ones at Cedars. This scenario played out again a couple nights later, and this time it was Alex at the front desk who helped me. I'm not writing about these interactions simply because I lucked into being able to extend my stay. I'm writing because people like George and Alex were warm, kind and purposefully helpful. They weren't merely doing their jobs well. They were genuinely kind, attuned humans. Like Marta, they not only provided space, they held space. I had really positive interactions with others on the wait staff at the restaurant (their burger is insanely good, by the way), as well as at the front desk. But Marta, George and Alex left an indelible impression. On my last night there, I had time to go have a drink before going to bed. I went down to the bar, but unfortunately they were already closing. The bartenders could have just told me that, and of course that would have been fine. But they made a point, instead, to tell me about the Roger Room down the street, a really cool spot with a speakeasy vibe. Prior to this visit to L.A., I had never before stayed at a Sofitel. After having done so, I will be looking for Sofitels as an option wherever I travel. Few qualities can really distinguish a brand from all others. Marta, George and Alex made sure through their authentic human touch that Sofitel raises the bar on what a hotel experience can be, especially in a...

I chose to stay at Sofitel because it was the closest hotel to Cedars Sinai, where I was supporting close friends at a critical time. It would have been enough to simply have a comfortable, calm place to rest each night. But my experience was so much more than that. Time after time, the people working at Sofitel went well beyond rote courtesy. They were authentic, kind, and genuinely cared about helping me out during a stressful time. My first such experience was with Marta at the hotel restaurant, where I went to have a quick breakfast before my first morning at Cedars. I was in a bit of a hurry, and while I wasn't expecting special treatment, Marta was attuned to my situation, and personally made sure I'd be taken care of quickly. I interacted with Marta on several subsequent days, and by the time I left town, she felt like family to me. The next humane and compassionate interaction happened with George at the front desk. I didn't know how long I'd be staying in town, and had only booked two nights initially. As my friend's stay at Cedars continued, I was hoping to be able to stay at Sofitel longer. They were fully booked for the upcoming nights, but made it a point to keep me in mind if and when any rooms opened up, or there were any cancellations. I lucked out! Furthermore, George was able to keep me in the room I was already in. And, he was also able to give me the additional nights at the special rate for people visiting loved ones at Cedars. This scenario played out again a couple nights later, and this time it was Alex at the front desk who helped me. I'm not writing about these interactions simply because I lucked into being able to extend my stay. I'm writing because people like George and Alex were warm, kind and purposefully helpful. They weren't merely doing their jobs well. They were genuinely kind, attuned humans. Like Marta, they not only provided space, they held space. I had really positive interactions with others on the wait staff at the restaurant, as well as at the front desk. But Marta, George and Alex left an indelible impression. On my last night there, I had time to go have a drink before going to bed. I went down to the bar, but unfortunately they were already closing. The bartenders could have just told me that, and of course that would have been fine. But they made a point, instead, to tell me about the Roger Room down the street, a really cool spot with a speakeasy vibe. Prior to this visit to L.A., I had never before stayed at a Sofitel. After having done so, I will be looking for Sofitels as an option wherever I travel. Few qualities can really distinguish a brand from all others. Marta, George and Alex made sure through their authentic human touch that Sofitel raises the bar on what a hotel experience can be, especially in a...