Highlights: Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

•Chic Beverly Hills location

•Rooftop pool with fantastic views of Bel Air and the Hollywood Hills

•Sleek, contemporary guest rooms fitted with state-of-the-art technology

•Three stylish settings for cocktails and dining

•Amrita Spa provides an urban oasis

•Excellent, anticipatory service

Amenities: Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

• 119 rooms, 8 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions; fee. Check-in 24-hours, check-out 24-hours. Wireless Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Fitness room, spa. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, Raffles L’Ermitage is a posh hotel that boasts expert service, fine dining, and a host of luxurious amenities. It is ideal for discerning travelers seeking a prestigious, yet comfortable, spot in this tony neighborhood. World-renowned shopping, restaurants, and cafés are just a cab ride away, as are famed destinations like Mann’s Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Beach lovers, meanwhile, will find everything they want on the sandy shores of nearby beaches, Malibu and Santa Monica.

Sleek Asian sensibilities meet relaxed California cool in this modern masterpiece of a hotel. High-tech features in the rooms allow guests to program lighting, audio, and temperature preferences from a bedside panel. Public spaces such as the bar, lounge, and restaurant are airy and sophisticated. The stunning rooftop pool, open only to hotel guests, makes everyone feel like a celebrity with its Bel-Air views and private cabanas. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a hurried day of deal-making or shopping.

Raffles L’Ermitage is well suited for both business and leisure travelers. Its central location and in-room business amenities make it ideal for setting up shop on the road. If you’re there for pleasure instead of business, the area’s plentiful shopping, dining, and tourist attractions will keep you entertained. Health-minded guests can work up a sweat in the fitness center, and the Amrita spa is a luxurious retreat with soothing treatments and light spa cuisine. A candlelight dinner on the rooftop terrace is a romantic way to end the day.

While children certainly are welcome at Raffles, the hotel doesn’t offer any specific family-friendly amenities. The refined ambience is probably better suited for adults.

(+) Stylish setting with a prestigious address, superior amenities, and first-class service
(-) Refined ambience is more inviting for guests not traveling with young children

Guest Services: Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

Raffles places a premium on guest satisfaction. The hotel offers several unique services that cater to its high-profile, jet-setting clientele, such as 24-hour check-in/checkout and a policy allowing pets that are less than 40 pounds to accompany their owners.

From check-in to check-out, I found the staff to be efficient and professional. On several occasions, I was delighted that staff members went the extra mile to meet my needs. When I inquired about borrowing fitness gear, a staffer promptly called housekeeping to secure it; upon discovering that the item was out of stock, the staffer offered to purchase it at a nearby sporting goods store. When I asked the concierge to provide me with a driving time to a location in the area, she went an extra step and also printed out directions.

The service was equally outstanding at the restaurants and lounges, and the proficient housekeeping team delivered perfectly pressed laundry in a timely manner.

(+) Polite professional staff members deliver exemplary, unpretentious service

Guest Rooms: Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

Raffles L’Ermitage has 119 guest rooms and suites, all of which are fitted with InnCom, a bedside panel that enables a guest to control the lighting, audio, and air conditioning and heating systems. In addition to the standard rooms and the one-bedroom and grand luxury suites, the hotel has a two-bedroom Governor’s Suite that offers 2,200 square feet of living and entertaining space, as well as a two-bedroom Presidential Suite that tops out at 3,000 square feet.

My room was stylishly serene, marrying contemporary design elements from Japan and California. The décor consisted of soft beige and olive tones and lightly colored woods. My bed was slightly lower than standard beds, adding to the Asian style, and had exquisitely soft bed linens that made it exceptionally comfortable. Although the room was spacious, it felt intimate. The bathroom, which was modern in design and spacious, also had a warm and comfortable feel. Several touches -- including a check-in gift of fresh orchids and miniature muffins and the placement of old-fashioned clocks rather than digital alarms – enhanced the cozy ambience. Although on several occasions I could hear muted noise from the hallway, the room generally was quiet and relaxing.

(+) Stunning Asian-influenced design complete with warm, personal touches
(-) Highly sensitive travelers might be slightly distracted by muffled outside noise

Facilities & Activities: Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

Some hotel and resort pools offer chances to spot a celebrity; others are simply places to relax. Raffles L’Ermitage has both at its elegant, guests-only rooftop pool. Cabanas with billowing white fabric and inviting chaise lounges frame the breathtaking views of Bel-Air and the Hollywood Hills. In addition, Raffles’ reputation as a favorite hideaway for Hollywood celebrities means that you just might be lounging next to a star.

The hotel’s anticipatory service extends to the pool. Staffers circulate regularly, offering water and menus upon the arrival of guests. I felt truly cosseted in this chic outdoor setting.

The pool and cabanas are part of the Amrita Spa, which has treatment and steam rooms and a fitness center. In addition to the views of Bel-Air and the Hollywood Hills, the fitness center has cutting-edge exercise equipment and a professional staff. The only downsides are that no group fitness classes are offered and personal trainers are not available.

The spa’s treatments focus on relaxation and rejuvenation. Massage therapy is a main component of the treatment menu, which also includes a varied selection of body treatments and facials. A delicious spa cuisine menu also is offered.

Raffles L’Ermitage’s Beverly Hills address is convenient for guests who enjoy perusing the high-end boutiques on Rodeo Drive or whiling away the hours at the area’s exclusive restaurants and bars. Los Angeles’ many movie-themed attractions, as well as the golden beaches of Malibu and Santa Monica, also are relatively close to this centrally located hotel.

(+) Fantastic pool with a beautiful view
(+) Spa offering a varied selection of treatments in a relaxing setting
(-) No group classes or personal trainers offered at the hotel’s fitness center

Dining & Lounge: Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

In addition to 24-hour in-room dining, Raffles L’Ermitage invites guests to three different settings for cocktails, snacks, and meals. Each outlet reflects the hotel’s Zen-chic style while still maintaining its own identity.

I felt right at home at the Writer’s Bar, thanks to its attentive staff, wide selection of beverages, and delicious snacks. I spotted several celebrities and dealmakers -- it was fun to feel like I was part of the Los Angeles power scene.

Breakfast in the main dining room, Jaan, was just as enjoyable; the setting was fashionable, the menu was varied, and the food was delicious. Although the staff was efficient and strived to not be intrusive, I would have appreciated just a bit more interaction since I was dining alone. Thoughtful touches, such as the racks of magazines and newspapers, were evident throughout the restaurant. I especially enjoyed my table’s beautiful outdoor location.

The third space, the Living Room, lives up to its name. It’s a comfortable spot that has a fireplace and offers afternoon tea, cocktails, and snacks.

The in-room dining also was pleasurable. The food was on par with the hotel’s other fare, and the excellent service transformed the experience into something that felt more like an event than a simple in-room meal. My meal was delivered promptly and then cleared away shortly after I placed the call for tray pick-up service.

(+) High quality food accompanied by skillful service in a stylish setting
(-) More interaction from staff at breakfast service would have been appreciated since I was dining solo

Business Services: Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

Business travelers will appreciate the spacious work areas and the amenities -- a fax machine and complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access -- in each room and suite. A separate, staffed business center is not available, but it is doubtful that visitors will miss it considering the in-room features. The always-helpful staff also is on hand to assist with any questions or needs.

(+) In-room amenities make conducting business on the road a cinch
(-) No formal business center, but most business needs can be met with in-room amenities or through the Concierge