The Best Business Hotels in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, also known as 464 square miles in search of a city, choosing a business hotel is as much (or more) about location than it is about anything else. Sadly, if you don't know the turf, discovering the best property to choose in the vast City of Angels can be a seemingly insurmountable challenge.

No worries; I'm glad to help.

As a 27-year resident who took 18 years to get acclimated, I am constantly on the watch for new, better and—most importantly—convenient business hotels in and around Los Angeles.

My most common request for help is when someone (often a relative) wants to book in near or close to my home. That's difficult since I live in the L.A. version of an artist's colony called Los Feliz/Silver Lake where not even a bed-and-breakfast has survived for very long.

That said, I usually direct the inquiry to a lovely suburban-ish hotel with all kinds of perks. Called the Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale & Executive Meeting Center, this Glendale, California-based inn under the watchful eye of female general manager extraordinaire Linda Norman is within 10 minutes from my house and also from downtown which makes it an easy commute. Worth the splurge is the very reasonably priced President Suite (actually there are two), for plenty of splendor and just the right amount of space for an intimate cocktail party or serious meeting away from the fray. Check it out at http://www.hilton.com/.

Meanwhile, if you rely on resting your head in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, try The Standard (http://www.standardhotel.com/) with a very nifty skyline bar, a panoramic meeting spot where everybody who's anybody eventually shows up at least once in their L.A. lifetime or Hilton Checkers Los Angeles (http://www.hilton.com/), a charming, high-end boutique hotel in the heart of the financial district laden with antiques.

In Santa Monica, about a half hour drive (at best in no traffic) from downtown, my choice for a full-service, business oriented property is Le Merigot Beach Hotel and Spa (http://www.lemerigothotel.com/), a JW Marriott hotel. Home to upscale French/Californian/Asian eatery Cezanne, this is definitely worth a power dinner even if you aren't booked into Le Merigot.

In the college town of Westwood, home to prestigious UCLA, The W Los Angeles (http://www.whotels.com/), a Starwood Hotel, is where I send my closest colleagues and friends, especially if their trip means visiting the university's campus as it is in walking distance—not that anyone really walks in L.A.

In Beverly Hills, I can't imagine not gushing about the venerable Beverly Hills Hotel (http://www.thebeverlyhillshotel.com/), otherwise known as the Pink Palace, a veritable movie star's hideaway. Also high on the list is the Regent Beverly Wilshire, as well as the more down-low boutique hotel, Maison 140 (http://www.maison140.com/), located on my namesake street, Lasky Drive, and delivering a sweet retreat in a style that I like to call Paris meets Shanghai.

Farther west a bit in the wealthy enclave of Bel-Air is the aptly dubbed Hotel Bel-Air Hotel (http://www.hotelbelair.com/), a rarefied retreat that can make any recluse completely happy. The garden-laden retreat with its beautiful bungalows and swan-infested pond is also a must for any business executive who wishes to impress a client with the promise of a fine meal in the topnotch hotel's haute cuisine in-house restaurant or for a more leisurely respite at the prominent property's popular pool.

As for a hotel that is airport convenient, those wanting to be close to LAX should consider the inviting Renaissance Montura (http://www.marriott.com/) right in the vicinity on Airport Drive or, for a more scenic stay, The Inn at Venice Beach (http://www.pacificahotels.com/). This Pacifica Hotel operates a block from the beach and offers minimal-fee shuttles to the airport as well as complimentary high-speed wireless Internet in all guestrooms.

Within easy access of Bob Hope (Burbank) Airport in Burbank, my pick and that of many colleagues, is The Graciela (http://www.thegraciela.com/), also in Burbank. A gracious 101-room boutique retreat, this suave hotel feels like a fine residential property with plenty of privacy and lots of finery. Fun fact: The hotel will put the initial of your last name on your pillow. Sweet dreams. For an extra special treat, have the hotel book you a spa treatment at the nearby Sanctuary Salon & Spa (818-845-2700). The Sanctuary is an oasis within the cement landscape of Burbank, and boasts exceptional customer service and treatments. Exceptional customer service is something you will also find at The Graciela. On a recent stay, a colleague was in desperate need of a digital camera. What did the hotel do? Got her a personal escort to the local Costco who also gave her expert camera advice.

Finally, in Brentwood: Just opened on edge of this famous West side enclave and already the talk of the town, Hotel Angeleno (http://www.jdvhospitality.com/) is situated in a very distinctive circular L.A. landmark building comprehensively reinvented as a very hip place to stay. The top floor has been converted into a fashion-forward restaurant and lounge offering breathtaking panoramic views covering much of Los Angeles, a left coast legend that, while enchanting, is at the end of the day, simply 464 square miles of suburbs in search of a city.

Swimming Pools and Movie Stars

When actress Renee Zellweger was late for her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes in 2000 because she was in the bathroom, I wondered how far this famous lady had to walk in her high heels to get to the podium.

Now I know: not far.

The faux pas occurred in the Beverly Hilton Hotel's international ballroom, completely transformed for the night to host the big event. I recently checked out the giant arena, in awe of its many abilities to become whatever an event planner wants it to become, including a full-blown sound stage. Still, I was more enthralled by the aforementioned bathroom located in the back of the big room.

First of all, it is pink. All pink. Pink marble, pink walls, pink chaise. Rare Southern Italian marble washes over the large and lavish space. Us women can thank Eva Gabor for the unforgettable look of this frothy haven. Apparently, back in the late 1970s, then-owner Merv Griffin asked his actress friend to spruce up the now-famous ladies bathroom in her own personal style.

Gabor's magic touch is apparent today, although much of the rest of the famous landmark hotel has been transformed under the watchful eye of new owner Beny [correct spelling] Alagem and general manager Denny Fitzpatrick. A $80 million renovation—or "reinvention" as the famed hotel is calling it—is partially complete, with revamped luxury rooms, updated electronic amenities, a new spa and some other special effects worthy of this millennium.

With an eye toward more user-friendly public space and a more up-to-date look, the Beverly Hilton still retains the cache and pizzazz that earned it such a glowing reputation when this landmark opened half a century ago.

Worth The Drive

Mention you're going off on assignment to coastal Southern California and everyone gets industrious.

One of my (usually lazy) kids said, "I can go and carry your bags" while the other offered to "take notes in all the meetings." Unfortunately for both boys, I didn't take either up on his offer, though I did include my husband who has been under the weather and needed some sunshine. So did our dog, Pepper, who I let tag along to keep Paul company while I worked.

At an annual average of 73 degrees, we found plenty of rays in Dana Point, just a town north of President Richard Nixon's beloved San Clemente. Halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles, the oceanside retreat is home to the enchanting Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, a Victorian-style spread sitting atop dramatic bluffs directly overlooking the Pacific. Both business and pleasure are the priority for everyone who stays there, including pets.

On the business side, the 377-room property commands some 55,000 square feet of meeting space. Two ballrooms, 16 meeting rooms and a state-of-the-art learning center provide ideal work environments, including the Doheny board room, which houses a built-in screen and projectors. In addition, guestrooms are wired for high speed while public spaces accommodate laptop users via wireless Internet.

Meanwhile, on the pleasure side, the options at this Southern California resort are limitless, up to and including surf butlers on hand to teach even novices how to ride a wave in the nearby Pacific Ocean. On site, activities range from active (swimming, volleyball, tennis and croquet) to inactive (body scrubs, couples massages and deluxe facials).

I opted for the latter, going directly to reception at the 14,000-square-foot Spa at Laguna Cliffs once business was done. After checking in with a friendly staff seated behind a wall of water, I went on to enjoy a signature rub-down. The massage was given by a lovely lady named Colleen who has magic hands and a charismatic personality that would make anyone feel comfortable. We spent nearly two hours together after which I felt better than I had in a long, long time.

My husband was also enthralled with The Spa at Laguna Cliffs. Since some of the staff's masseurs spend part of their week working with cancer patients who come by the hotel's wellness center for free massages, Paul was assigned one of these professionals to work on his problematic spine. He called the regimen "a real treat." In fact, Paul declared himself rejuvenated, so we picked up Pepper from our room and went for a walk right after our treatments.

Our destination was Doheny State Beach, reached by strolling the 42-acre resort's beautiful jogging trails that took us downward through lush landscaping, a delight enhanced by the cool ocean breeze. Pepper found plenty to keep her entertained during our jaunt, including chasing some small lizards that had been taking refuge in and among all the verdant plants.

Back at home base, our digs were truly splendid, with everything from the biggest flat-screen TV on the market to a giant Jacuzzi big enough for two. While we were out, the Marriott staff had delivered a welcome plate of cheeses and fruits for us and a dog bowl, dog treats and a dog toy for Pepper.

Because our room was such a delight and since Paul was not feeling all that social, we dined in our sprawling room on the most succulent steaks either of us had ever been served. Our meals came straight from the hotel's celebrated Regatta Grill serving contemporary California cuisine.

Late at night, we went out on our private balcony to relax and enjoy more of that signature sea breeze and an impressive wide-screen view of the Pacific Ocean. Now that's what I call California living at its best.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa is at 25135 Park Lantern Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. For further information, call (949) 661-5000, or go to http://www.lagunacliffs.com/.

Desert Cool

I watched as a large gondola arrived in the middle of my hotel lobby lounge and wondered, "Is this a mirage or simply a delusion of grandeur?"

Not only was the unexpected sighting alarming because of the setting but also because I was staying in the California desert.

But, after rubbing my eyes and upon closer inspection, I realized that what I was seeing was, in fact, what I was seeing.

At The Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, boats are routinely docked inside the massive, multilevel lobby before hitting the vast property's amply stocked waterways for refreshing hotel tours past cascading waterfalls. It was like Venice meets Disneyland.

I was amazed by much more about this rarefied retreat as it is one of the largest in the Southwest. Consider the stats: 450 acres, 13 restaurants, 884 accommodations, five swimming pools and 210,000 square feet of meeting space—and that's just for starters.

I admit I found it hard to get acclimated to the sprawling Desert Springs Resort & Spa but then again I have a very bad sense of direction. However, once I did get the lay of the land I felt like part of a special community, happily chatting with whomever I came across as I went about my business during a brief spring visit. I met plenty of folks from all over the world, all of whom seemed to be totally adjusted to, if not a bit blasé about, the fact that our home away from home had a boat docked and at the ready in the middle of the lobby lounge.

Not quite as awe-inspiring but certainly just as appreciated is the onsite spa with its array of relaxing treatments. After a busy business day, I relished in an aromatherapy bath, soaking in mineral-rich essential oils before giving myself up to the perfect Swedish massage. What a sacrifice!

Work meant lots of meetings in lots of places within the confines of this giant resort. I had breakfast poolside with a New York colleague, a brief morning meeting in a small conference room, a round of golf with one of my editors, a coffee pick-me-up strategy session at the lobbyside Starbucks with my assistant, and dinner in the hotel's Ristorante Tuscany with a gang of other journalists.

All aspects of life at The Desert Springs resort were quite enjoyable, even though it was more work than play for this business traveler. Even the room service was exceptional, served in a matter of only 15 minutes after ordering, a huge accomplishment given the size of the fully booked property and the number of guests who were surely making requests at the same time as me.

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