The Beverly Hills Hotel

Beverly Hills Hotel

Company type	Private
Industry	Hospitality
Founded	May 12, 1912 (1912-05-12) in Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Founder	Margaret J. Anderson and Stanley S. Anderson
Headquarters	Beverly Hills , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Edward Mady (former general manager), John Scanlon (general manager since 2022)
Products	Hotel accommodation, dining, event hosting
Owner	Sultan of Brunei (since 1987)
Parent	Dorchester Collection (since 1996)
Website	www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/the-beverly-hills-hotel/

The Beverly Hills Hotel, frequently referred to as the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, is situated on Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California. It enjoys worldwide fame, closely associated with Hollywood celebrities, rock stars, and film icons. The property comprises 210 guest rooms and suites alongside 23 bungalows, all distinguished by its iconic pink and green facade.

Founded in May 1912, prior to the official incorporation of Beverly Hills, the hotel was established by affluent widow Margaret J. Anderson and her son Stanley S. Anderson, who had previously managed the Hollywood Hotel. The design, crafted by Pasadena architect Elmer Grey in a Mediterranean Revival style, saw multiple ownership changes: from the Interstate Company (1928–1932) to Hernando Courtright and his partners in 1941. Courtright, then a vice president at Bank of America, introduced the legendary Polo Lounge, a top dining spot in Los Angeles favored by entertainers like the Rat Pack, Humphrey Bogart, and Marlene Dietrich. The hotel’s signature pink hue was applied during a 1948 refurbishment inspired by country club aesthetics, followed by the addition of the Crescent Wing designed by architect Paul Williams in 1949.

Between 1958 and 1979, ownership rested with former Detroit real estate entrepreneur Ben L. Silberstein. In 1986, Marvin Davis purchased the property from Silberstein’s son-in-law Ivan F. Boesky, subsequently selling it within a year to the Sultan of Brunei. A comprehensive restoration took place from December 1992 through June 1995. Since 1996, the hotel has been managed under the Dorchester Collection. In 2012, it earned designation as Beverly Hills’ inaugural historic landmark and expanded with two new Presidential Bungalows.

The American rock group the Eagles partially drew inspiration from the hotel's mystique for their track "Hotel California", which also features the hotel on its album cover.

Early history

In early 1911, Margaret J. Anderson, a prosperous widow, along with her son Stanley S. Anderson—then overseeing operations at the Hollywood Hotel—commissioned construction of what would become the Beverly Hills Hotel near oil magnate and real estate developer Burton Green's residence. Green had acquired land in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, developing mansions that struggled to find buyers. To stimulate interest, he engaged Anderson to build a hotel initially called Beverly Farms, strategically positioned "midway between Los Angeles and the sea." With Hollywood's film industry beginning to flourish, investors were eager to cultivate the area.

An article dated May 11, 1911, in the Los Angeles Times heralded a "vast Mission-style hotel" promising guests "the finest amenities regardless of expense."

The hotel officially opened its doors on May 12, 1912—preceding Beverly Hills’ formal establishment—with Margaret and Stanley Anderson residing on-site. By 1914, prominent Hollywood personalities including Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, Buster Keaton, Rudolph Valentino, and Will Rogers had acquired nearby residences, transforming the locale into sought-after real estate. That same year marked Beverly Hills’ incorporation as a city. The first five bungalows were added to the property in 1915.

In 1919, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford purchased and expanded a lodge above the hotel known as Pickfair, which became emblematic of Hollywood prestige. Meanwhile, Gloria Swanson lived in one of the bungalows during her divorce proceedings.

In 1915, part of the hotel's land was donated by the Andersons for Beverly Hills’ first public park—today recognized as Will Rogers Memorial Park. A longstanding tradition included an annual Easter egg hunt for children of guests.

Silent era star Harold Lloyd shot a scene at the hotel in 1921 for A Sailor-Made Man. Ownership passed to the Interstate Company from 1928 until 1932; however, during the Great Depression, the hotel was closed and its bungalows rented out individually. Thanks to funding from Bank of America, it reopened its doors in 1932.

The heyday of glamour

Throughout the 1930s, the Beverly Hills Hotel became a favored retreat for Hollywood's elite. Fred Astaire was a regular visitor, often seen relaxing by the pool while reading Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. In 1937, Cesar Romero and Carole Lombard were captured in photographs at the hotel. The following year saw the debut of the Sand and Pool Club, which featured white sand imported from Arizona to simulate a beach atmosphere around the pool. By 1939, the venue hosted fashion events sponsored by prominent local department stores such as Bullock's Wilshire. In 1940, guest Marlene Dietrich successfully advocated for a change in Polo Lounge policy, eliminating the rule that women had to wear skirts.

In 1941, Hernando Courtright, then a Bank of America vice president, acquired the hotel along with partners including Irene Dunne, Loretta Young, and Harry Warner. Courtright established the Polo Lounge, named in tribute to a celebrity polo team known for celebrating victories there. The year 1942 marked Howard Hughes’ purchase of several bungalows; he stayed sporadically over many years and made unusual requests such as having "roast beef sandwiches delivered to a nook in a tree." Renovations in the late 1940s included expanding and adding stripes to the porte cochere. In 1947, Courtright introduced the Crystal Room and Lanai Restaurant (which was later renamed The Coterie). The hotel's signature pink exterior was painted in 1948 to reflect a country club aesthetic, earning it the nickname "the Pink Palace." Architect Paul Williams designed the Crescent Wing in 1949, coinciding with the opening of the Fountain Coffee Shop.

By 1954, Detroit real estate investor Ben L. Silberstein proposed purchasing the hotel for $4 million; the transaction was finalized in 1958 at $6 million. Courtright subsequently took on management of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Throughout the 1950s, the Beverly Hills Hotel cemented its status as an upscale destination, drawing notable figures such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Princess Margaret with Lord Snowdon, King Albert II of Belgium, Prince Rainier III alongside Princess Grace, as well as stars including John Wayne and Henry Fonda. Among its most frequent guests was Elizabeth Taylor, who stayed often with her spouses in various bungalows and celebrated six honeymoons there; her father also ran an on-site art gallery. The Polo Lounge became famously linked with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and their Rat Pack entourage. The hotel's pool and cabana club appeared in Designing Woman (1956), featuring Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall. Marilyn Monroe preferred bungalow No. 7 during her work on Let's Make Love. Regular visitors also included actors George Hamilton and Rex Harrison; Harrison was notably known for sunbathing nude in Cabana One.

The hotel served as a filming location for Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? (1963), starring Dean Martin and Carol Burnett. During the 1970s, John Lennon and Yoko Ono spent a week residing in one of the bungalows. In 1972, H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman discovered news of the Watergate break-in while dining at the Polo Lounge. Actor Peter Finch passed away unexpectedly in the lobby in January 1977; he received a posthumous Academy Award that year for his role in Network. Co-star Faye Dunaway remained at the hotel following her Oscar win for the same film—famously photographed by the pool surrounded by newspapers alongside her trophy. The hotel's exterior was featured on the cover of the Eagles' album Hotel California (1977). Two years later, scenes from California Suite were also shot on location at the hotel.

Subsequent Developments

Following the death of owner Ben Silberstein in 1979, ownership of the hotel transferred to his daughters, Muriel Slatkin and Seema Boesky, the latter being married to stockbroker Ivan Boesky. Boesky eventually acquired the remaining 5% stake and chose to sell the property despite Slatkin’s desire to maintain control. In 1986, Marvin Davis purchased the hotel from Boesky but sold it within a year to Brunei’s Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, for $110 million.

The hotel ceased operations on December 30, 1992, to undergo an extensive restoration project valued between $100 and $125 million. After two and a half years of refurbishment, it reopened on June 3, 1995, featuring updated interiors. This renovation was met with resistance from certain guests, including Irving Link.

Since 1996, ownership and management have been under the Dorchester Collection, which was created to manage the hotel assets of the Brunei Investment Agency. In 2011, Edward Mady was appointed general manager for both the Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air. Mady received accolades such as the 2011 Hospitality Professional of the Year Award and Hotels Magazine's 2017 Hotelier of the World honor.

The hotel celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012 and began refurbishing its lobby, Polo Lounge, poolside cabanas, Cabana Cafe, guest rooms, and suites by 2014. That year also saw its designation as Beverly Hills’ inaugural historic landmark. John Scanlon took over as general manager in 2022.

Controversy and Boycott

In April 2014, protests emerged against the hotel following Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s implementation of Sharia law provisions in Brunei’s legal code, which included severe punishments targeting homosexual individuals. The Gill Action Fund, a U.S.-based LGBT advocacy organization, canceled a major donor event scheduled at the Beverly Hills Hotel and demanded reimbursement. The hotel management affirmed its non-discriminatory stance regarding sexual orientation.

Fashion designers Brian Atwood and Peter Som advocated for expanded demonstrations targeting all Dorchester Collection properties. The boycott received backing from Virgin Group founder Richard Branson as well as celebrities such as Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres. Numerous organizations withdrew planned events at the hotel, while travel agencies also avoided Dorchester establishments. Conversely, actors Russell Crowe and Kim Kardashian voiced criticism of the boycott, emphasizing concern for hotel staff rather than supporting the owner’s policies. HR Magazine observed that protests were unlikely to influence Brunei’s government decisions given Dorchester’s annual revenue of $300 million compared to the Brunei Investment Agency’s $30 billion asset portfolio.

In May 2014, the Beverly Hills City Council passed a resolution urging the Sultan to divest from the hotel. Then-mayor Lili Bosse endorsed this measure and personally boycotted the property pending resolution of the issues. By that point, cancellations had exceeded $2 million in lost events at the venue. Dorchester CEO Christopher Cowdray noted that many global brands have foreign investors and highlighted that Sharia law is practiced in various Muslim nations—including Saudi Arabia—which holds significant stakes in U.S.-based hotel chains such as Four Seasons and Fairmont. Adweek reported that the boycott inflicted damage on the Beverly Hills Hotel’s esteemed brand reputation, complicating efforts to restore its image.

The Dorchester Collection encountered renewed boycotts in April 2019 after Brunei enacted laws prescribing death by stoning for adultery and homosexual acts. Supporters of this renewed protest included Los Angeles City Comptroller Ron Galperin alongside celebrities George Clooney and Elton John. The LA City Council prohibited municipal dealings with the hotel and encouraged residents to avoid patronage. Dorchester reiterated its strict anti-discrimination policy. In May 2019, Brunei’s Sultan declared a moratorium on capital punishment for these offenses and committed to ratifying the UN Convention against Torture; nevertheless, Los Angeles officials maintained their support for ongoing boycotts.

COVID-19 response

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel continued operations but postponed its scheduled events for summer and fall 2020. It initiated fundraising efforts benefiting groups such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Hollywood Food Coalition. Led by general manager Edward Mady, the establishment also supplied meals to frontline medical personnel at Los Angeles hospitals through the Polo Lounge. Furthermore, the hotel reimagined its iconic sign for the first time in seven decades as a tribute to these healthcare heroes.

Exterior

Judith Kirkwood from Orange Coast Magazine characterized The Beverly Hills Hotel as "resembling a peachy pink fantasy sprinkled with gold — complemented by green and white striped details".

The original main structure was crafted by Pasadena-based architect Elmer Grey in the Mediterranean Revival style. Situated prominently above the roadway, it evoked the image of a white colonial estate or mission, complete with verandas and wicker furnishings. The entrance is marked by three domes topped with flags, while a trolley-stop pavilion was positioned on the western side. The renowned signage and subsequent enhancements were designed by architect Paul Williams.

The hotel's vast gardens were masterminded by landscape architect Wilbur David Cook, showcasing bougainvillea, banana trees, hibiscus, and other tropical plants. Svend Petersen, a Danish-American who served as pool manager for 42 years before becoming Hotel Ambassador, played a significant role in the hotel's history by hosting celebrities such as the Beatles and instructing actress Faye Dunaway in swimming for her role in Mommie Dearest.

Interior

The Crystal Room was reserved for intimate private dinners. The primary dining area could accommodate up to 500 guests, while the children's dining space later transformed into the Polo Lounge. After its 1974 renovation, the lounge adopted a more relaxed ambiance featuring table lamps, floral arrangements, peachy pink hues, dark green booths equipped with plug-in phones, and a photograph of regular patrons Will Rogers and Darryl F. Zanuck engaged in polo. The menu includes the Neil McCarthy salad, named after the polo-playing millionaire. The hotel operates an in-house bakery and herb garden, produces its own vinegar, and smokes meats; Katsuo Sugiura served as chef in 2003. In 2007, a large suite was converted into Bar Nineteen12. The lobby fireplace remains lit daily throughout the year.

An addition on the east side known as the "Crescent Wing" was constructed in the late 1940s, featuring mature greenery on its balconies.

Rooms and bungalows

Numerous rooms include balconies and are adorned with the hotel's distinctive palette of peachy pinks, greens, apricots, and yellows. Premium accommodations offer private patios, Jacuzzis, and kitchen facilities.

Initially, five bungalows were introduced in 1915 to house families along with their staff; by 2015, this number had grown to 23 bungalows dispersed throughout the gardens. Bungalows numbered 14 to 21, dubbed "Bachelor's Row," were popular among film stars such as Warren Beatty and Orson Welles. In 1990, Bungalow No. 5 was upgraded with a private pool and Jacuzzi for businessman Walter Annenberg. This particular bungalow was favored by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who maintained a standing room service request for vodka. During her marriage to Eddie Fisher, Taylor preferred Bungalow No. 3. Marilyn Monroe favored Bungalows Nos. 1 and 7; No. 1 is noted for its seclusion and traditional décor, whereas No. 7 is known as "the Norma Jean." Marlene Dietrich had a large bed installed in No. 10—a bungalow where John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed during the 1970s. Bungalow No. 22 was a favorite of Frank Sinatra and later Donald Trump, who redecorated it reflecting Sinatra’s style with an octagonal ceiling and staff quarters. In 2011, two Presidential Bungalows replaced tennis courts; each includes three bedrooms along with private pools and showers. By 2018, nightly rates for bungalows could reach $10,000.

Howard Hughes kept a secret bungalow at the hotel; only the chef was often aware of Hughes’ presence as he prepared meals for him overnight. Some bungalows carry rumors of being haunted, with reports including hearing Harpo Marx playing harp music and sightings of an apparition resembling Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Related topics

• Dorchester Collection
• Hotel Bel-Air
• Van Noy Railway News and Hotel Company

References

• Edwards, Nick; Hodgkins, Charles; Keeling, Stephen. The Rough Guide to California. Rough Guides Limited, 2014.
• Fleming, E. J. Hollywood Death and Scandal Sites. McFarland, 2000.
• Lis, Tara de. Frommer's Los Angeles. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.
• Ochs, Michael. 1000 Record Covers. Taschen, 2014.
• Southall, Richard. Haunted Route 66. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2013.
• Stuart, Sandra Lee. The Pink Palace: Behind Closed Doors at the Beverly Hills Hotel. L. Stuart, 1978.
• Wanamaker, Marc. Early Beverly Hills. Arcadia Publishing, 2005.
• Winter, Robert. An Arch Guidebook to Los Angeles. Gibbs Smith, 2009.

External resources

• Official site