Built in 1926 as a dorm for silent film actors, the Crescent is now a sleek boutique hotel within walking distance of the Beverly Hills shopping triangle. Low couches and tables, an indoor-outdoor fireplace, French doors that open to its streetside patio restaurant, boé, and shimmering candlelight at night give the hotel's public areas a welcoming and sophisticated look. Guest rooms are small, but platform beds and built-in furniture maximize the space. Bathrooms are finished in concrete—utilitarian but also coolly cozy. High-tech amenities include flat-screen TVs, in-room iPods, and a library of the latest CDs and DVDs. Pros: boé's tasy cuisine and convivial happy hour, the lobby is fashionista-central. Cons: dorm-sized rooms, gym an additional fee and only accessed outside hotel via Sports ClubLA, no elevator.
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