The Beverly Hills Hotel is 100 Years Old

A Bigger Splash: the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Its Bungalows have welcomed the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, John Lennon and more while its design and luxury have made it one of LA’s most enduring icons. Now the Pink Palace, as it’s known, is one hundred years old. When The Beverly Hills Hotel opened its doors on May 12, 1912, two years before the city of Beverly Hills was officially incorporated, it signaled the birth of the community and became a cherished second home to generations of entertainment names. 

“Over the past century, The Beverly Hills Hotel has become a second home to celebrity icons, community leaders, social dignitaries and industry tycoons,” said Edward A. Mady, regional director of West Coast USA and general manager of The Beverly Hills Hotel.  “As we turn 100 this year, a variety of special offerings have been created to capture the mystique of Hollywood’s past and present, and pay homage to our coveted heritage,” he adds.

Making an entrance: the famous front door

The significance of this centennial year includes a look ahead to the future with the start of a thoughtful refurbishment program in March of 2012 to enhance the vibrancy of the hotel.  “Through this loving and careful process, we plan to maintain much of the building's originality while adding elegant and sophisticated new touches,” says Mr. Mady. “The hotel’s signature banana leaves, green and white stripes and famous pink exterior will remain a constant, while the lobby, Polo Lounge, guestrooms, and famed pool and cabanas will be stylishly refreshed to make us internationally relevant with today’s luxury traveler,” he adds.

To showcase its glamorous history, the hotel will be offering a life-size photo gallery in the lobby. Furthermore, dining surprises, a trove of packages and red carpet experiences will highlight the hotel’s celebration all year long:

Dining and Entertainment

• “Pop-Up 1912 Pricing” Selected once a week in each dining venue, one lucky table will be randomly selected to have their bill amount converted to 1912 dollars.
• 100-Year Anniversary “These Walls Are Talking” Cocktail Menu at The Polo Lounge and Bar Nineteen12, featuring anecdotal potables that include a 100-year cocktail priced at $100 and served in an engraved collectible keepsake glass coupe with 100-year design.
• Cocktail favorites include The Rebel, inspired by the pants-wearing Marlene Dietrich; The Recluse, a nod to Bungalow long-timer Howard Hughes, who left his Cadillac parked next to the hotel for two years – long enough for the tires to go flat and for plants to begin growing in and out of the car; and The Norma Jean, featuring Dom Perignon by the glass presented in loving memory of Bungalow resident Marilyn Monroe.

• Label Champagne; vintage menu covers sharing historic photos taken at The Polo Lounge, Fountain Coffee Shop and Cabana Café; and a Happy Birthday cake in the Polo Lounge.

Specialty Packages

• The Centennial Celebration, offering luxury accommodations, two complimentary cocktails from  the “These Walls Are Talking” cocktail menu, keepsake 100-Year candle and chocolate truffle box, and daily American breakfast for two. Price begins at $660.

• The Little Legends Family Package for young guests, featuring a kids’ red carpet arrival with photo shoot and an autograph seeker, and complete with boa, sunglasses and top hat.  Little Legends also receive a VVIP welcome card, a choice of milk shake or ice cream sundae at The Fountain Coffee Shop, a personalized chocolate star “Walk of Fame” amenity, and an “I’m a Little Legend” 100-year tee-shirt. Price begins at $610.