You absolutely must…
Must eat: it's very own Oliverio restaurant features modern Italian cuisine in a relaxed California patio atmosphere, created with poolside stone veneer tables, private cabanas set with Cippolino blue-green marble, custom Italian ceramic columns and geometric wall graphics, all encased within bamboo trees and floor to ceiling glass windows for chic Beverly Hills dining.
Avalon is in the heart of Beverly Hills, well placed for dinner at the Ivy, Matsuhisa, Maple Drive, Mako or Maestro
Must see:
Check out the contemporary art scene at galleries such as Pace, Gagosian or Wildenstein
Must shop:
Blow your budget at the boutiques of Rodeo Drive.
• The cabanas (semi-private seating areas) overlooking the hour-glass shaped pool are perfect for celebrating special occasions, relaxing with a drink or eating gourmet cuisine from the Blue on Blue restaurant.
• Avalon is in the heart of Beverly Hills, well placed for dinner at top restaurants and checking out the contemporary art scene at galleries.
The Whole Story
By Hollywood standards the Avalon has some real history. Back when it was still the Beverly Carlton, Marilyn Monroe lived here for two years. And the hotel's reception area was regularly featured in I Love Lucy.
Design-wise, the greatest achievement of Avalon Hotel today is that it creates the impression that little has changed. It feels like a well-preserved gem, a 1950s building that has been beautifully maintained. The reality couldn't be further from the truth. The mid-century vision of pristine design that greets the visitor was in fact constructed practically from scratch. When Brad Korzen, a Chicago native who made his fortune developing commercial properties, decided to turn his hand to hotels, the Avalon was a prime property only in terms of its potentials. Korzen deserves credit for assembling such an interesting team to achieve such a seamless result.
The restoration process started with some research. Interior designer Kelly Wearstler found and studied photographs of the property by legendary West Coast photographer Julius Shulman. But they revealed little she could work with. So to tackle the spatial complexities she approached transplanted Aussie architects Henk Koning and Julie Eizenberg. They instituted major changes which, to their credit, today seem completely natural. The hotel consists of three buildings: the Olympic Building of 1949, the Beverly Building of 1953, and the Canon built in 1962. When you enter the hotel you are confronted by a sweeping view of the original hour-glass shaped pool and the row of cabana spaces that open onto it. What you would never guess is that this spatial transparency is entirely new. The elevator and its shaft used to stand directly opposite the entrance, blocking the interior view. Koning Eizenberg's bold proposal was to move the entire elevator and place it in a newly designed tower added on to the rear side of the building, an avant-garde structure clad in copper that Eizenberg calls her "fat Brancusi" after its resemblance to the sculptor's famous geometric totems. Other structural changes included moving walls to expand the lobby and restaurant spaces. Finally, the facade was reinvented with a striking basket weave pattern executed in mosaic tiles.
Inside, Kelly Wearstler's design succeeds by seamlessly blending the old with the new. It was never her intention to mindlessly mimic 1950s style, but to create an exciting contemporary space that would evoke the mid-century spirit.
Period designs by Warren Platner, Milo Baughman, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen, Alvar Aalto, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson are confidently mixed with Thonet chairs, vintage finds and Wearstler's own designs. Lamps by George Nelson, tables by Noguchi and chairs by Aalto sit alongside her custom-designed bedheads in timber and black hemp, as well as her lounge chairs, lamps and ottomans. In the lobby, a Wearstler¬ designed copper-clad reception desk and a rosewood coffee table are combined with vintage 1950s furniture that she found in Paris, of all places. The rug that ties in the tones of green, blue and grey was commissioned from Angela Adams.
As in other hotels that Kelly Wearstler has designed, a consistent colour scheme is very much part of the equation. For Avalon she decided on a palette of refreshingly cool blues and greens inspired by a blue terrazzo floor in Koning and Eizenberg's own home. For the walls, Wearstler commissioned Mark Edward Harris to shoot black and white semi- abstract images of the hotel's architectures. These were then simply framed and used to adorn the guestrooms. The larger suites also have oil paintings discovered in the fleamarkets of London and Paris. Down pillows and Frette linen round out the depth of attention to detail.
If you are the type that likes to cocoon in your room with a movie, Avalon's spacious rooms make it a good choice. For those who want to go out, Avalon is in the heart of Beverly Hills, well placed for dinner at the Ivy, Matsuhisa, Maple Drive, Mako or Maestro; or for checking out the contemporary art scene at galleries such as Pace, Gagosian or Wildenstein; or for blowing your budget at the boutiques of Rodeo Drive. In short, all the attractions of LA's most glamorous district are within easy reach. Or you can enjoy the award-winning cuisine of the Avalon's Oliverio restaurant and never venture from your poolside cabana.
The Rooms
Classic Room
One queen bed with Italian designer linens. Many rooms include a private balcony overlooking street or pool. Two-line speakerphone with conference capability. CD player. High-speed wired and wireless Internet access.
Premium King Room
One king bed with Italian designer linens. Larger than classic rooms. Separate sitting area with sofa bed. Many rooms include work desk and private balcony overlooking street or pool. Two-line speakerphone with conference capability. CD player. High-speed wired and wireless Internet access.
Studio Penthouse
Oversized 500-sq.-ft. guestroom with sun deck and private patio. One king bed with Italian designer linens. Extended bath. Living room area with media center. Work station. Two-line speakerphone with conference capability. CD player. High-speed wired and wireless Internet access.
One Bedroom Suite
Spacious 850-sq.-ft. guestroom. One king bed with Italian designer linens. Extended bath. Convertible sleeper sofa. Media center with surround sound audio system. Work station. Two-line speakerphone with conference capability. CD player. High-speed wired and wireless Internet access.
Guestroom Amenities
• Luxury well-appointed Beverly Hills Accommodations
• High-speed wired and wireless Internet access
• Classic and custom designed furnishings
• Italian designer linens and bathrobes
• Custom beds with down comforters and pillows
• Molton Brown amenities
• In-room spa treatments
• Minibars
• Media centre with DVD player and CD player
All rooms include;
• Entertainment center with 42" TV, full cable access and pay-per-view
• Music and video games
• 2-line telephones with conference and speaker capability
• Wireless Internet access for $10.95/day
• 24-Hour Room Service from blue on blue restaurant
• In-room safe
• Laundry and dry cleaning service