Los Angeles: L'Ermitage or Sofitel
 

I'm going to be in LA for three nights in December to attend a family wedding. The venues are the LA County Museum of Art on Wilshire and Lucques on Melrose.

I don't drive so renting a car is not an option. I'll be using cabs to get to the wedding-related events and would like to stay somewhere walkable. I'm not planning on sightseeing.

I am currently booked at the L'Ermitage. I have an excellent rate which includes breakfast and internet. I know it is a fabulous hotel, I'm just a little bit concerned about the location. They tell me that I am an easy walk into the center of Beverly Hills but I am not convinced.

For the same rate (not including breakfast), I could stay in the Opera Suite at the Sofitel. I know the hotels don't compare but the Sofitel is across from the Beverly Center and seems a bit more central.

It has been over 20 years since my last visit to LA so advice would be welcome.

Thanks!

This is from someone who loves, loves, loves L'Ermitage -- based on what you just said, stay at the Sofitel. Unless you change your mind after reading this!

It is an easy, but but perhaps a little longer than you might expect, walk to the center (assuming by "center" you mean Rodeo Drive) of downtown Beverly Hills. And I assume they also mean the commercial (downtown) area. Because Burton way kind of half-arcs around the northerly portion of the commercial area and turns into "Little Santa Monica" as you head west into the downtown area, if you go down that street, and walk at a regular gate, it will take about 20 minutes. You pass the courthouse, city hall -- the police and adminin. buildings before hitting the downtown area.

On the other hand, if you cross Burton Way at Foothill (and Burton Way's width is like walking a short block!)you could hang a right at Dayton Way and probably be at Rodeo Drive in about 10 - 15 minutes.

L'Ermitage is surrounded by residential condos. The closest eatery is Il Cielo, on the other side of the street, about 6 blocks away.

Sofitel is smack in the middle of commercial, surrounded by a lot of places to shop and dine. It's closwer to LACMA. It is going to be a lot noisier too, especially during rush hour. You may also hear (unless they have double or triple paned windows -- and I'd ask about that!) a lot of siren noise, since it's virtually kitty corner (or cater-corner to those who'd prefer the original spelling) to Cedars-Sinai hospital and trauma center. The inside of the Sofitel has kind of an Hilton Hotel Beverly Hills feel to it, and they have many "events" -- from meetings to weddings.

You've confirmed my worst fears! I don't know what to do. What is the bus situation like at L'Ermitage? It looks like one stops in front of the hotel that would take me wherever I need to go.

I'm going to throw one more hotel into the mix-- the Mosaic. I know very little about it except that it has gotten good review.

I rarely go down Spalding Drive, so funny you should mention the Mosaic, since I saw it for the first time a few weeks ago when I didn't feel like waiting in the line to go down Santa Monica Blvd., and took a left at Spalding instead (takes me down to Olympic Blvd). Never been inside, but it's the westerly edge of Beverly Hills, close to a good bus line along Wilshire; very safe area; a few blocks and lots of places to dine; a very short bus ride (or car ride) to Century City Shopping and Entertainment Center. The reviews don't look bad. Obviously much higher scale would be the Peninsula, practically around the corner (nice place to stop for a drink!).

Since I don't usually take the bus and when I do I try to make it the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus because, frankly, they're a lot nicer and cleaner (and cheaper) than the Metro buses, I had to look this up for you. The one in front of L'Ermitage is Metro Line 16 that goes from Century City (essentially, the mall) downtown and back. $1.50/ride. Of course, if you need to get to LACMA, you have to get off at 3rd & Fairfax (by the Farmer's Market), then take the 217 south down to Wilshire. I don't know how much transfers are, but they do cost, so keep that in mind.

Thank you. I plan to cab it to use the L'Ermitage's car to get to the wedding venues. I was just wondering about during the day if I didn't want to walk.

You don't say what rate you'd prefer, but you might look at the Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive.

If the choice is only between the L'Ermitage and the Sofitel, I'd pick the L'Ermitage. I'm not fond of the Beverly Center area, but I admit I'm biased in favor of Beverly Hills as I've worked there for 30+ years.

FYI, it's about a half mile level walk from the L'Ermitage to Rodeo Drive.

I forgot to point out that there are several very good restaurants in the 300 and 400 blocks of Canon Drive which is two blocks closer to L'Ermitage than Rodeo, so if you're just walking to dinner it's only 4-5 blocks in each direction.

Thanks Jean. I actually had a reservation at the Luxe Hotel but I cancelled as the rooms seemed very small. I'm going to stay with L'Ermitage. I have any amazing rate. Around $300 a night, including breakfast and Internet.

flyer, I don't think you'll be disappointed.