Hotel Bel-Air

Hotel Bel-Air opened in 1946 in a wooded canyon in Bel Air, one of the most exclusive residential areas of Los Angeles, and it has long been known as a discreet retreat. It is now part of the Dorchester Collection, and the hotel describes itself as a legendary hideaway set within twelve acres of gardens.

Arrival sets the tone. Guests cross a footbridge over Swan Lake, a small lake created by developer Joseph Drown as part of the hotel's oasis theme, and swans remain a symbol of the hotel. Beyond it, buildings in a Hollywood Regency style sit among the gardens, so the property feels more like a private estate than a city hotel.

The hotel has a little over a hundred rooms and suites, including a Swan Lake Suite among its signature categories. The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air serves modern Californian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence, in the dining room, on an al fresco terrace or in the bar and lounge, and the spa offers a menu of wellness treatments.

This is a hotel for couples, honeymooners and travellers who value privacy and calm over nightlife. It suits those who plan to explore the Westside, Beverly Hills and the Getty Center, all within a short drive, rather than spending their days in Hollywood or Downtown. Rates are at the top of the Los Angeles market.

Even if you are not staying, the restaurant and bar are open to outside guests, and lunch on the terrace is a gentler way to experience the hotel. Reservations are recommended. Smart dress fits the setting, although the atmosphere is relaxed rather than stiff. Part of the pleasure of a stay here is simply wandering the grounds, where paths lead between gardens, courtyards and water features, and the sense of seclusion is remarkable given how close the hotel is to some of the busiest roads in the city. The spa's treatments and the calm of the gardens make it a natural choice for a restorative break at the start or end of a longer trip around California.

Getting around requires a car or a driver, as the hotel sits in a quiet residential canyon with no public transport close by. Sunset Boulevard is a few minutes away, and the University of California, Los Angeles campus in Westwood is a short drive. The Getty Center is around fifteen minutes away in normal traffic.