Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Arrival/Check-In: After an early-morning flight, we arrived at the Sofitel at about 9 a.m., well before standard check-in time. The front desk attendant offered to call me when a room was available and said he would put a rush on one. The doorman gave us several close options for breakfast and also directed us to a shopping district within a short walk where I could pick up a couple of essentials I forgot.

Upon returning a few hours later, still well before the standard check-in time, the front desk staff upgraded me to the presidential suite in order to get me settled immediately. This was above and beyond my expectations but much appreciated as a tired traveler.

Guest Quarters: When I entered my suite, I was impressed with everything I saw, but I decided to inspect it all later because the bed was of immediate interest. I dove under the covers, where the comfortable mattress and perfect pillows allowed me to easily slip into my nap.

After a few hours of much-needed sleep, I took a shower. The separate shower offered an excellent water temperature range from the ceiling-mounted showerhead and the handheld option. Ideally, I would have liked a bit more water pressure, but it was close enough. The next day, I tried the tub and enjoyed watching the wall television while soaking my sore body.

The suite featured two large, flat-screen televisions, one in each room. The living area included a comfortable sofa bed as well as other chairs and a desk. There was no balcony, but the room’s large windows could be opened inward. The view was spectacular.

Services/Amenities: Of most interest to me was the workout facility, and Sofitel offers the best one I have ever seen. While it isn’t a 24-hour center, the regular long hours can be extended for special requests. The fitness center was spacious, immaculate and full of free weights and machines — all of which rivaled some stand-alone health clubs — and trainers were available. There was a decent-size pool and two levels of outdoor seating, both well-kept and offering beautiful views. Inside the hotel, a restaurant and a bar offered live music in the evening. It seemed the doormen could get a cab on a minute’s notice, as we never had to wait for one.

The Experience: The Sofitel was built with the guest’s needs in mind, and the high quality of service echoes that commitment. One of the doormen talked of the location benefits of the hotel, which amused me because aside from business, there really wasn’t any reason for me to ever leave.

GT CHECKLIST

Doorman/valet

Less than 10 minutes for check-in

Separate tub and shower

Large vanity

High-quality towels

Powerful, unattached hair dryer

High-quality bed linens

Large, flat-screen television

Large desk with convenient outlets

Large, complimentary laptop safe

Complimentary in-room WiFi

Complimentary bottled water

Stocked minibar

Ample lighting

In-room coffeemaker

Iron and ironing board

On-site restaurant

24-hour room service

24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center

Turn-down service