Hotel Bel-Air

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Hotel Bel-Air

Matchbook from hotel circa 1990
General information
Location Bel-Air, California
Coordinates 34°5′11.09″N 118°26′46.63″W / 34.0864139°N 118.4462861°W / 34.0864139; -118.4462861
Opening 1946
Other information
Number of rooms 103
Website
http://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/hotel-bel-air

The Hotel Bel-Air is a boutique hotel located in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California. The hotel is owned by Hassanal Bolkiah, the current Sultan of Brunei. It is part of the Dorchester Collection group of hotels.[1]

History

Since opening in 1946, the 103-room facility located on Stone Canyon Road, has served celebrities, heads of state and dignitaries.[2] It was originally built by Alphonzo Bell, who developed the area and founded Bel-Air Estates. Originally built as office space and riding stables, it was purchased in 1946 and converted into a hotel by Texan entrepreneur Joseph Drown.[3]

Joseph Drown's partner in the hotel in the early 1950s was Ted Chanock, a former Chicagoan. Chanock and Drown remained partners until Chanock's death in 1973. Chanock's wife, Frances, remained on as a permanent resident as a condition of the Rosewood purchase agreement with the Joseph Drown Estate in the 1980s.[4]

The hotel was themed on an oasis, with Drown adding Swan Lake, which guests cross by foot bridge to get to the hotel. The grounds are planted in ficus, fig, palms and continuously-blooming flowers.

The hotel reopened in October, 2011 after a two-year renovation.[1][5] Upon reopening, management refused to rehire laid off unionized employees. This resulted in street demonstrations and calls for a boycott.

  • Restaurant

  • Lobby

  • Guest room

  • Pool

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Garrahan, Matthew (November 5, 2011). "The return of a Hollywood legend". Financial Times. Retrieved September 29, 2013. 
  2. ↑ "Hotel Bel-Air to Debut in October 2011" (Press release). Alisha Mahon, Hotel Belair. Retrieved 15 May 2012. 
  3. ↑ "Mission Statement". Joseph Drown Foundation. Retrieved May 18, 2010. 
  4. ↑ "Architectural digest, Volume 30". Conde Naste Publications. 1973. p. 69. 
  5. ↑ "The Best Closes to Get Better". Zagat.com. July 31, 2009. 

External links

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