Fodor's Expert Review AKA Beverly Hills
155 N. Crescent Dr., Beverly Hills, California 90210, USA See on Map
Set in a residential street just off the main thoroughfares of busy Beverly Hills, AKA is more like a home than a hotel. A minimalist quality extends throughout the entire property as the 1% shields themselves within this extraordinarily private location (it's that kind of minimalist quality that shouts "we're all still super rich, though"). Celebrities and wealthy foreigners hole up here for extended stays and get access to all the luxe that Beverly Hills has to offer without all the fuss.
room
There are 88 suites, including 12 individual street-side townhomes and 16 newly-redesigned penthouses. Every room comes complete with washer/dryer, a gourmet kitchen and modern Italian furniture that provides better lumbar support than overall comfort. Stays here start at a minimum of seven days, though it’s not abnormal for guests to be here for up to two months.
YOU SHOULD KNOW Check your calendar early because the hotel fills up for many months in advance during the summer, with guests looking to luxuriate in Beverly Hills right after Ramadan.
bathroom
All the rooms have a minimum of 1½ baths with the main spacious bathrooms featuring sunken tubs, rain showers, a separate toilet stall and high-end Bulgari bath products.
lobby
The minimalist lobby is chic and refined with elongated rich-brown leather sofas and fresh flowers. Every morning, there is complimentary coffee and tea and an assortment of newspapers for guests to pick from.
Ask the front desk about the hotel’s "Live It" program. Since long-term stays are mandated here, the program offers a variety of options to make your stay more enjoyable. There is everything from cooking classes and wine tastings to surf lessons and horseback riding. You'll really be "living it."
gym
The gym is open 24-hours and is equipped with Technogym machines and free weights. There’s also a side room if you need your yoga fix.
dining
While there’s techincally no in-house restaurant, the hotel has its own entrance to Spago, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s signature California restaurant. In-room dining is also provided by Spago for lunch and dinner. So, basically Spago acts as the hotel restaurant. Chaumont Bakery & Café offers pastries and beverages for breakfast.
There’s a Whole Foods Market (2-minute walk) up the street, so stock up on supplies and make the most of your long-term stay inside the suite’s kitchen.
gardens
The third-floor terrace is one of the highlights of the property. Offering up exceptional views of the Hollywood Hills, the terrace is the perfect spot to curl up with your significant other and a bottle of wine in front of a fire pit.
screening room
The hotel has a 20-person cinema on the ground floor with plush, fully reclinable seats and a weekly schedule of the latest hit movies.
LOCATION
Getting Around
Beverly Hills is a great walking area and you can generally find anything you might be looking for. There’s no metro access in this neighborhood, so if you want to get out to see the rest of the city, it’s better to rent a car or hail a cab. The hotel does provide a complimentary car service within a 2-mile radius.
Restaurants
Even though the hotel sits on a residential street, only one block away are some of the best restaurants in town. For steak and Old Fashioneds, there's Mastro’s Steakhouse (3-minute walk). For a see-and-be-seen lunch crowd, try Bouchon Bistro (2-minute walk). And for inventive Cali-cuisine, just head into Spago right next door.
WHY WE LIKE IT
Being right in the heart of Beverly Hills but still feeling a sense of separation and privacy is what makes this location so ideal. You’re able to walk to some of the finest restaurants and shopping in LA or you can get a week’s worth of groceries at Whole Foods and cook inside. The rooms are fully equipped for long term vacationers and are perfectly set up for families, as well. There’s no restaurant, spa or bar on the premises, but if you want a massage, the AKA can set you up right inside your room. Also, let's face it, Spago is kind of the property's restaurant. With unmatched service, this home away from home will have you wanting to extend your extended stays even further.
QUICK FACTS
HOTEL INFO
What’s Nearby
People also liked
The NoMad Hotel Los Angeles
$$$ | 649 S Olive St.
Close your eyes and imagine an Italian-themed hotel. You’re prob... Read More
Mr. C Beverly Hills
$$$ | 1224 Beverwil Dr.
An Italian getaway in the middle of Los Angeles, Mr. C Beverly Hills o... Read More
Freehand Los Angeles
$$ | Downtown Los Angeles | 416 W. 8th St.
Despite being smack-dab in the middle of what was once a forgotten blo... Read More
Venice Breeze Suites
$$
There’s nothing quite like the sights, sounds, smells, and taste... Read More
Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
$$$
Combining French sensibilities with Hollywood glamour, the Sofitel is... Read More
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
$$$
The best things in life come with a wait. In the Mission Inn’s c... Read More
