If you haven’t been living under a cave the last six months or so, you probably know that Prince William got married to Kate Middleton, and they’re now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

What you may or may not know, though, is that the royal couple will be spending July 8-10, 2011 in California on a post-honeymoon vacation. To be specific, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.

Presidential Suite at Beverly Hills Hotel

To be even more specific, they’ll be staying in the hotel’s 1932 square foot Presidential Suite.  Here’s what the hotel has to say about this opulent suite:

“classic wood furnishings and is bathed in soft tones of peach, mauve, sage, yellow, and beige. The suite has one king-size bed, full vanity and dressing area, gas fireplace, a spacious living room with dining area, den, and 1½ marble bathrooms with bidet, jacuzzi tub, and two stall showers. There is a full kitchen and access to a restaurant-size banquet kitchen across the hall, a grand piano, private balcony, and a top-floor view towards downtown Los Angeles. Approximately 1932 square feet.”

One more tiny detail the hotel left out – the suite is going to set the royal couple back $10,800 per night.

After all, The Pink Palace, as it is known, is an iconic luxury five-star hotel on Sunset Boulevard. The building is set within 12 acres of lush gardens and private walkways.

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To be specific, it’s Beverly Hills where the Mr. C hotel has landed, and said hotel has its roots in Venice, Italy. Actually, it is one of a kind at present, being the first hotel in a new signature brand launched by the famous Cipriani family.

Mr. C Hotel, Beverly Hills

The 12-story, 138-room property exudes old-world charm and European style, with large rooms and private balconies offering views of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

The dark hardwood floors contrast with the soft white accents, gray palette and the vintage black and white photography on the walls.

Even the bathrooms are classic, with marble/teak flooring. Of the 138 rooms, twelve are suites that offer everything from a library to an in-room private bar. All rooms have complimentary wireless and wired internet.

The restaurant and lobby lounge are similarly classic with rosewood walls and Venetian chandeliers. Being Los Angeles, the pool is both a retreat and an event venue. The 4,500 sq ft pool has a teak deck with poolside spa, bar and dining service, and private cabanas and day beds set in lush landscaped gardens.

Their intent seems to be to maximize the high-end event space, so there’s also a 5,000 sq ft indoor/outdoor glass encased rooftop terrace that provides a breathtaking 360 degree view. There’s a private exterior glass elevator for direct access from the lobby to the 12 th floor terrace.

Throw in the 10,000 sq ft outdoor space in the driveway garden, the 2000 sq ft lobby lounge plus two private dining rooms and the poolside space, and it’s fair to say that Mr. C has come to Los Angeles to join the party.

Also in a nod to another trend where posh hotels in Beverly Hills are offering exclusive villas, Mr. C is planning to add another adjacent wing with five 4-story, 3000 sq ft bungalows.

Each bungalow will have its own private garden and plunge pool, with full service from Mr. C including room service, housekeeping and spa treatments.

Photo – Mr. C  Hotels

More info: 1224 Beverwil Drive Los Angeles CA 90035; (877) 334-5623; www.mrchotels.com/

Related posts:
Total Luxury in Beverly Hills, CA
Golden Age of Hollywood Hotels
Views from the Loo – Lovely Bathroom Views
Harry’s Bar – Venice, Italy

The Exterior of the Montage Hotel

Last week, I was lucky enough to attend a Hollywood event in Beverly Hills, courtesy of Honda.  We stayed at the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel, a luxury hotel just a few blocks from the famed Rodeo Drive.  I’ve stayed in many hotels in my life, but the Montage just may have been the nicest!

The Montage Beverly Hills offers several on-site restaurants, including the Conservatory Grill on the rooftop, a lobby bar, and the soon-to-be-opened Scarpetta, as well as private in-room dining.  Bouchon, by celebrity chef Thomas Keller, is directly next door.

The hotel offers 201 guest rooms, including 55 suites.  Standard guest rooms are a spacious 500 square feet, with king or queen beds.  Room amenities include a large bathtub with bathroom television, LCD TVs, high-tech communications (including high-tech room shade controls), Egyptian cotton linens, L-shaped chaises, and the most comfortable hotel bed I’ve ever experienced!

The Montage offers guests some amazingly luxurious hotel amenities, such as a two-floor 20,000 square foot deluxe spa with seventeen treatment rooms, a rooftop pool (open 24 hours a day), a deluxe fitness center (also open 24-hours), valet parking, complimentary shoe shine, 24-hour dry cleaning and laundry services, and twice daily room servicing.

In addition to being incredibly luxurious and beautiful, the Montage Hotel is the first hotel in Southern California to receive gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, and is environmentally responsible in its design and day-to-day management.

The Montage Beverly Hills
225 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.860.7800

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: I stayed at this hotel at no cost for an event with Honda.

Do you have several thousand dollars lying around to spend on an extravagant night of pampering?  Me neither.  But someone in the United States is enjoying the life of luxury.

Here’s where they’re doing it…

10 Most Luxurious Hotels in the US

Enjoy everything from camping to beachfront property at the nation’s top luxury hotels.

1. Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas, NV

Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at Palms in Las Vegas

The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas has built a reputation as the decadent playground for celebrities in Las.  At $40,000 a night, their Hugh Hefner Sky Villa provides the ultimate luxury for playboys and playgirls alike.  Or, for a mere $4,000 per night, you can connect with your inner child in the Barbie Suite.

2. The Peninsula Beverly Hills – Beverly Hills, CA

The Peninsula Beverly Hills (image courtesy of The Peninsula Hotel Group)

Naturally, one of the world’s most luxurious cities needs a place for the visiting Pretty People to lay their head.  The Peninsula Beverly Hills property offers simple luxuries – like complimentary wireless internet and private poolside cabanas.  Of course, Pretty People shouldn’t be expected to rely on front doors – which is why several of the rooms here come with private entrances and guaranteed “discretion”.

3. Halekulani – Honolulu, HI

Halekulani in Honolulu Hawaii - the Vera Wang suite

I suspect everything in Hawaii feels luxurious.  But if you want to step it up a notch, pick a hotel whose name means “house befitting heaven”.  You can go big with an ocean view suite, or settle for a basic room at the Halekulani for just a little over $400 per night.

4. The Peninsula Chicago – Chicago, IL

Private rooftop terrace at Peninsula Chicago

The most luxurious street in Chicago is Michigan Avenue, and The Peninsula Chicago is located in the heart of the famed Magnificent Mile.  The hotel’s restaurants and bars provide gourmet dining and a chance to rub elbows with Chicago’s elite.

5. The Peninsula New York – New York, NY

A dining room inside a hotel room at The Peninsula New York

Are you getting the impression that The Peninsula Hotel Group specializes in luxury hotels for the privileged masses?  The New York property is no exception.  Everything about this hotel says luxury – from it’s prime 5th Avenue location and glass enclosed rooftop pool, to the oversized rooms (unheard of in Manhattan) and 450-count linens.

6. Mandarin Oriental – New York New York, NY

Mandarin Oriental and Central Park in New York City

A suite with a connected room at the Mandarin Oriental will cost you about $3,000 per night.  What you’ll get for the money is the opportunity to enjoy sweeping views of Central Park, 5-star customer service, and access to a world-class spa and fitness center.

7. Four Seasons New York New York, NY

Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons New York

New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so it’s no wonder that it’s home to so many luxury hotels.  And it doesn’t get more luxurious than the Four Seasons.  Guests who stay in the Ty Warner Penthouse will pay $34,000 a night to enjoy a view from the top of the city as well as a personal trainer, butler, therapist and a private chauffeur.  Of course, a chauffeur isn’t much use without a car – so the hotel throws in unlimited use of either a Rolls Royce or Mercedes Maybach.

8. The Setai – Miami Beach, FL

The Setai - Miami Beach, FL

The Setai is located in Miami’s famed South Beach district and offers privileged sun worshipers luxury on the beach.  The Setai is a favorite destination for celebrities visiting South Beach.  An ocean front suite will run you about $2,400 per night.  Throw in “complimentary breakfast” and you’ll spend $3100.  I assume the eggs are magnificent.

9. The Point – Lake Placid (roughly), New York.

The Point - former Great Camp of the Rockefellers

Guests of The Point enjoy luxury before they even arrive in the form of a ride from a private jet.  If you’d prefer to drive, you’ll need to wait until you’ve paid for your stay to receive directions to this exclusive hideaway.  The Point was originally built as a Great Camp for the Rockefeller family – and it retains that prestige and opulence to this day.

10. Mansion at MGM Grand Las Vegas

Mansion at MGM Grand Las Vegas

Need a break from home but can’t bear to live without the familiarity of a full staff?  Then the Mansion at MGM Grand is the perfect hotel for you.  Enjoy celebrity neighbors, personal butlers, and an indoor swimming pool while you’re being pampered in the lap of luxury.  Oh – and leave behind $5,000 for the night when you go.

What are the odds I can save some money by booking one of these hotels on Priceline?