The best Beverly Hills hotels

The famous pink stucco façade, the manicured grounds and the sumptuous rooms of the Beverly Hills Hotel look as fresh and fanciful as they did on opening day 100 years ago. It oozes exclusivity: every screen legend from Valentino to Arnie has slept in this fabled hideaway or held court in its still-popular Polo Lounge. The biggest draw are the bungalows, where Liz Taylor spent six of her honeymoons: No.5 has its own pool; No.7 is decorated to Marilyn's taste. These now almost pale compared to the two new Presidential Bungalows—the epitome of lavishness, and yours for a cool $9,000 (minimum).

Designed to look and feel like a private estate, the Peninsula exudes opulence. There are 193 rooms and suites—all recently renovated in 2011—and 16 detached private villas situated on the lushly landscaped grounds. There's also a fitness center, a world-class spa, a rooftop garden and a lap pool. Just off the lobby, the gorgeous Club Bar offers entertainment on most nights. The Belvedere, which serves classic American cuisine such as macaroni and cheese with a gourmet twist, is considered one of L.A.'s favorite restaurants. White-glove service throughout only adds to the high-end appeal.

You don't need to be fluent in French to understand the level of seclusion implied by this Viceroy hotel's name. Unassuming from the outside, this property has the feel of a private club or residence with all of the amenities of a luxury hotel, from rooftop cabanas to a complimentary car service (in a Maserati, of course). Sure, there are plenty of sights to see in the area, but once you set foot inside the spacious, stunning suites, you probably won't want to budge.

It may have been daring for the Montage to unveil this extravagance during the depths of the recession in November 2008, but if it can be pulled off anywere, it's Beverly Hills. The rooms don't quite have the "wow" factor of the public areas, but they're luxurious, with plush furnishings and marble and mosaic-tiled bathrooms. Further reasons to stay here include the lovely heated rooftop pool, with sweeping city views and the award-winning spa, a destination in itself. If a night here is beyond your budget, consider stopping by for afternoon tea in the soothing Lobby Lounge, dinner at Georgie or a drink at the Garden Bar.

The ornate detailing on this Four Seasons-operated gem, famous for its role in Pretty Woman, recalls 19th-century French splendor, but contemporary additions such as a Richard Meier-designed restaurant add 21st-century sophistication. The spa is worth a peek: the staff is gracious and the treatment rooms are blissful. The proximity to Rodeo Drive ensures a wealthy and occasionally sniffy crowd, but there's still something warm about the place. If the room rates are out of your range, stop by and relax with a coffee or a cocktail at the Blvd, a lovely sidewalk café.

The rooms at the Beverly Terrace are smaller and less luxurious than other Beverly Hills hotels, but this mid-century spot does offer one of the best deals to be found in the area. Teak furniture and planted palms hint playfully toward a tropical getaway, while the decor in the rooms themselves (which aren't huge) is retro and minimal. Continental breakfast is included in the rates; Trattoria Amici, the hotel's restaurant, offers Cal-Italian cooking. There's also a small garden and a nice little pool.

Formerly a Thompson hotel, the rebranded Sixty sports a few minor updates (faster Wi-Fi, fancier TVs), but the same bright, airy interiors, luxe rooftop pool and handsome, understated lobby that made the boutique hotel such a hit in the first place. A number of works by New York fashion photographer and artist Steven Klein still deck the hotel halls, and the staff continues to sport chic uniforms by Theory. Don't miss their on-location eatery, Caulfield's (which remains as high-end as ever), or their rooftop bar, Above Sixty Beverly Hills.

A fresh coat of pastel-colored paint and reconfigured decor has turned this Beverly Hills boutique hotel into a mid-century gem. The property features three bow-shaped buildings arranged around the pool area, all featuring accommodations that pair sea-inspired colors with pale wood and marble. The most noteworthy addition comes in the form of Viviane, the hotel's elegant yet laid-back poolside restaurant.

For years, this hotel was a dowdy property famous only as the home of the Golden Globes. Thanks to a remodel in 2007-2008, though, the rather tired decor has been replaced by a look that's both comfortable and handsome, classic but not wedged in the past. The Aqua Star Spa offers a string of upscale treatments; unusually for a hotel in this part of town, the heated pool is big enough to swim in. Dining and drinking options are provided by Circa55 and one of the sole surviving tiki lounges to carry the name Trader Vic's; up in the rooms, all mod cons are present and correct.

Following a $33 million renovation, the Four Seasons continues to pamper its guests something silly. From the fragrant, flower-filled lobby to the immaculate rooms, which come with chinoiserie headboards and Frette linens, every detail is calculated to spoil visitors. Limos to Rodeo Drive or anywhere within three miles are available; the revamped pool area features a state-of-the-art gym and the lovely shaded Cabana café. Other major draws include the superb spa and Culina, the ground-floor modern Italian restaurant and crudo bar.

This boutique hotel offers a quieter, less sprawling alternative to the typical Beverly Hills compound. Make no mistake, though: The Mosaic still offers plush accommodations in a luxe space. The rooms are handomsely appointed, if somewhat compact—which helps to keep the price slightly lower than some of the other area hotels.

The design of this hotel is an exercise in restraint. Located on Rodeo Drive (it's the only hotel on Beverly Hills' most famous street), the Luxe has an intimate lobby defined by its cool palette and sleek decor, and 88 rooms and suites that share an equally polished aesthetic. The high-priced luxury is tangible in the quality of the linens, the generous amenities and the professional service. The hotel is alluring for Hollywood movers and shakers, but it's also a good option for families.