I've narrowed down an anniversary trip to one of these 3 this month. Does anyone have a favorite, and why? The Bel Air sounds lovely, but it is the most expensive of the 3...
Also, which of these 3 treats your average guy the best? (We'll be pulling up in a minivan!)...

For service and anonymity, The Hotel Bel Aire. The service at that hotel is unparelled. Chances are 100% you will run into someone famous but don't even try to take photos, they will confiscate your camera.

Total seduction and romantic.

For old Hollywood flair, The Bevery Hills Hotel. Can you swing a bungelow?

Don't know about Raffles.

I'd choose the Bel-Air. Hubby and I were at both the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Bel-Air just before Christmas to play, not to stay. Both beautiful, but the Beverly Hills Hotel's famous pool area was being totally refurbished and closed off at that time. It's a big part of the hotel's charm, so check with them to see if it's done before you stay there.

Agree the Bel-Air exudes romantic charm. A Lake with swans a'swimming. Lush tropical gardens, paths to stroll with hidden niches, gazebos, fireplaces. Outrageously warm,clubby bar. The most romantic dining room--had a wonderful lunch there, saw Anthony Perkins dining nearby. The staff are trained to treat everyone well, so don't worry about your car. You'll be a star in your partner's eyes for choosing this bit of paradise! Enjoy!!

Woops! It was Anthony Hopkins, not Anthony Perkins -- no more wine for me tonight!

Thanks for your replies. the Bel Air does sound wonderful...

Frankie,
An update: On business (then pleasure) at the Beverly Hills Hotel yesterday. The pool and cabanas are finished and the area is pristine, as is the rest of the hotel with beautiful tropical landscaping.

After that we hit the Bel-Air again for lunch. The grounds are like a nature sanctuary just outside of LA. While sipping Bloody Marys, we watched the graceful, white swans being fed their lunch of hearts of romaine and some sort of meal. We spent quite a while relaxing and watching them glide across the little lake. This was a week-day and there were very few people to be seen--we felt like we had the place to ourselves. What a luxury!

After a nice lunch on the restaurant terrace (go early to get a cabana banquette with pillows), we strolled the grounds and marveled at the grove of ancient redwood trees, babbling brook and extensive stone walking paths, fountains and bridge.

Very expensive, but, if you can swing it, a romantic getaway to remember. If you need more room info, I have it. Enjoy!

Thanks so much, winerycat! Well, we had booked both places with a room at the Belair with terrace/fireplace and a deluxe room at Beverly Hills H. w/breakfast, and are going this weekend. Purely because of $$, we're staying at BHH (about $150 less) this weekend. Any info on rooms I still appreciate. I still have time to cancel the Beverly Hills Hotel ! Have you stayed in the rooms at the Beverly HH? Thanks very much!

The public spaces in both hotels are wonderful. As far as that goes, you can't miss either way. I can't compare the rooms, since I haven't seen the BHH's -- our business was done in the public areas.

We did see a room at the Bel-Air briefly and it had a fireplace, warm, soft salmon, taupe and cream colors, medium colored woods, a little chintz, etc. But each room is decorated individually, no two quite alike. Some of the rooms adjoin each other in front with a small courtyard with fountain, so there's no privacy in the front area for those types. I didn't like that as well as the others, but they may have had terraces out back for privacy, which would make up for that. And as you know, the bigger and better ones get real expensive, real fast! It sounds like you may have booked a Deluxe with fireplace or w/ Patio? They describe that as spacious, as opposed to the Superior, described as "cozy" (small) or Premium, described as lovely.

The hotels are just 4-5 miles away from each other off Sunset Blvd. You can stay at one and play at another or both very easily. You really can't miss. If you go for lunch at the Bel-Air, be sure to use valet parking, it's complimentary. The weather's been gorgeous, so have a fabulous anniversary!

Oh, frankie, another thing. If you'll be there on the week-end, expect more people. The Bel-Air is popular for weddings under the gazebo near Swan Lake, mostly on week-ends, so that's something to think about too.

Just returned from a weekend stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel! What a place! We were more than happy with our choice! I don't think I've ever encountered better service at a hotel before...
And our deluxe room was very nice. Pretty, large bathroom, extremely comfortable bed -- just about everything you'd want in a room. Thanks, gotravel and winerycat for your input. Maybe next year, the BelAir! (Oh, by the way, lots of celebrity sightings at the BHH -- the Critics Choice Awards were held there Saturday night. We even got to walk up the red carpet on our way into the hotel!)

in my opinion it comes down to person opinion as they are both really nice hotels