Helping a friend pick a hotel for xmas. Her family suggested the Sunset Marquis but I think it would be better to be in walking distance of Rodeo Drive. She'll be with family at night so day time places to walk seem a better idea. Options being considered are the Crescent, Maison 140 and SIXTY. Any thoughts or experience with these? Better options? TIA for any and all input.

I work in Beverly Hills and have not stayed in any of these hotels. (I assume you've read all the reviews and found no issues/problems.) Based on this short list, I'm not sure what your friend's budget is.

There is Rodeo Drive, and then there are the department stores on Wilshire Boulevard (Neiman, Saks, Barney's). There are more individual shops on Beverly Drive than on Rodeo Drive.

The Crescent is the closest to Rodeo Drive and restaurants (most of which are on Canon Drive, the next street over from the hotel). Street parking in the immediate area is a little hard to find.

Maison 140 is outside of the Golden Triangle (Wilshire/Santa Monica/Rexford) on the other side of Wilshire Boulevard, on the back side of the Peninsula Hotel, 8+ blocks from Rodeo Drive. (It shares ownership with the Mosaic Hotel nearby, but rates at the Mosaic are higher.) Maison 140 may be a nicer property, overall, than the Crescent, and it's slightly closer to the Wilshire stores. There is metered street parking in this area.

SIXTY is about 1/3 mile to the start of Rodeo Drive in a blah location. Personally, I wouldn't consider it.

Thanks Jean. I think she's going to try the Crescent.

Why Rodeo Drive? It is fun to window shop but not that big and not affordable shopping for the average person.

Well, a person can dream, can't they? Personally, I make a point every Christmas of window-shopping at Van Cleef & Arpels and at Cartier any time of year.

BTW, VC&A is having a special exhibit of high-end jewelry to commemorate the store's 45th anniversary in BH. New and vintage, some on loan from private collections. Open to the public until March 2nd.

Some exhibit photos to drool over:

http://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/...of-nature.html

http://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/...n/couture.html

http://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/...ion/Dance.html

Anyway, the city and store holiday displays, esp. at night, are beautiful. The last few years, the city has hung Baccarat chandeliers down the center of Rodeo.

If location matters more than neighborhood ambience I'd recommend the Beverly Wilshire. You can actually drag your packages home on foot.