Hotel Bel-Air
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Alphonzo Bell (original property), Joseph Drown (hotel transformation) |
| Headquarters | Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (as part of Dorchester Collection) |
| Products | Hotel accommodations, suites, dining |
| Owner | Brunei Investment Agency |
| Parent | Dorchester Collection |
The Hotel Bel-Air is an upscale boutique establishment situated in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California. It is part of a group of nine prestigious hotels managed by the Dorchester Collection, which is owned by the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). Nestled within 12 acres of landscaped gardens in the Bel-Air Estates area, the hotel offers 103 guest accommodations, including 45 suites.
Located close to Beverly Hills and Westwood, Hotel Bel-Air has welcomed many distinguished visitors over the years, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, Paul Newman, and Grace Kelly, who has a suite named in her honor. Additionally, it was the setting for Marilyn Monroe's last Vogue magazine photo session before her passing.
History
Originally established in 1922 on expansive garden grounds by Alphonzo Bell, the property opened as a hotel in 1946 on Stone Canyon Road. It has since been a favored retreat for celebrities, world leaders, and dignitaries. The site initially housed offices and riding stables until Texan businessman Joseph Drown acquired it and collaborated with architect Burton Schutt to transform it into a luxury hotel.
Conceived as a tranquil sanctuary, the hotel features Swan Lake, which guests cross via a footbridge to access the main building. The estate's landscaping includes ficus trees, fig trees, palm trees, and an array of flowers that bloom year-round.
Following Drown's passing in the 1980s, ownership transferred to Texas’ Hunt family, who incorporated the hotel into their Rosewood Hotels & Resorts collection. The Hunts enhanced the property's appeal by engaging acclaimed chef Wolfgang Puck as a consultant for the dining venue. In 1989, Caroline Hunt sold the hotel to Japan's Sazale Group for $100 million.
In 1995, ownership passed to Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei’s royal family. The Dorchester Collection, under the Brunei Investment Agency’s control, assumed management in 2008. After closing for extensive renovations lasting two years, Hotel Bel-Air reopened its doors in October 2011.
The hotel became subject to controversy in 2014 due to its ownership ties with the Sultan of Brunei, who introduced elements of Sharia law into Brunei’s penal system. This prompted protests and boycotts targeting his hotels worldwide.