Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has a fabulous experience going on until Jan 1, 2024; Apres-Ski Theme Experience, inspired by the French Alps. After covering it a couple of weeks ago – I have decided to call this Chalet Chic!
I watch closely, and cover, when leading hotels and top restaurants think out of the box with new exciting offerings to meet today’s client, right where they want to be, a place of innovation with something different. It is so needed in today’s competitive culinary and hotel landscape. Normally, fine hotels follow strict elegant practices but now they are additionally getting creative with said elegance. They are investing in new offerings that keep in step with today’s discerning client and desire for that photo op.
The moment I walked into the newly appointed lounge (a lounge and hotel that I frequent regularly for business and have covered endless movie studio junkets for the last 28 years and go to gatherings in this hotel and this specific lounge so I felt the new environment right away.) It took me back to the days of my skiing the slopes of Courchevel in France. Having skied my entire life growing up, I know the chalet to the T. I can’t even begin to count how many apres-ski’s I have done in my life so I can say this chalet recreation-experience is authentic. The warm staff welcomes you wearing berets and a smile. I particularly noticed that the staff in the lounge care about their job and want to be there. That is what always stands out about this Four Seasons – you always feel the team members are proud of their jobs and want to serve – with sincerity.
The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills location is for the world traveller and for us locals of LA, as this hotel has always been a hip go-to spot. The idea of chalet chic was a partnership with their ski resort Four Seasons Megeve in France. The transformation of the lodge here in California brings charm to the cocktail scene in an inviting and well thought out way.
Authentic and Curated
Apres-Ski in the Lounge is now a gathering spot to have authentic French appetizers and signature apres-ski cocktails over the holidays. The special menu is so tasty and artistically plated and presented, each dish is worth a photo moment. From cheese boards to cheese and chocolate fondue with fresh fruit, their choice of culinary offerings place you in the French Alps. It is actually well done.
French Flavor
Tip: One thing missing was the music. It should use some lounge French based music. The perfect soundtrack would have been a variety of Costes La Suite soundtracks. It would have completed the beam-me-up-to-the-top-of-an Alp feel. The other thing I would have done is – train my wait and bar staff to learn three French quick welcoming sentences to say the moment they approach the table or bar to take the order to create that extra little ‘je ne sais quoi.’ This would have brought a few smiles and finished the sense of placing you right there.
Creating experiences is an all encompassing art – and I always say – it must include ‘all five senses.‘
Menu standouts were the absolutely delicious perfectly curated combination of cheeses in their cheese fondue and the almond crusted brie with pear mostarda and bagette, as well as the the Balmoral Salmon dip.
Speciality cocktails include; Negroni des Alpes, the spiked Mont Blanc Eggnog, Mulled Wine from the Cask and the delicious non-alcoholic The Bear and His Hot Chocolate.
What I loved about this experience were the on trend foer 2023 ‘flocked’ Christmas trees throughout, and the addition of towering plush velvet drapes. The Four Seasons installed massive ceiling to floor cascading drapes as you enter each of the three rooms of the lounge and around the main window. They are stunning. Right away they gave the room a feeling of elegant warmth.
Tip: Keep plush drapes installed after this experience ends. The room was graced with a refined polished sultry feeling creating a chic lounge facelift. They tie the three rooms of the lounge together to allow for a smooth enveloping flow from room to room. It’s like a silk ribbon that ties them together for continuous welcoming entry.
Christmas decorations at this Four Seasons always stand out but this years floral display in the lobby by the brilliant Jeff Leatham is an immersion in the glamour of the holiday season with his annual show-stopping display like never before. This year the lobby is at its best. It is truly breathtaking to walk into this hotel at night right now. From the moment you enter, to the moment you walk into the lounge, you feel the escape permeate your body. Stop by just to see the sites if nothing else.
All in all – Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, job well done.
Tip: This one was great so keep these up. Next time? Now that you’ve taken us to the French Alps – brings us the ‘The Amalfi Coast on the Gulf of Salerno Experience’ – or – ‘The Santorini in the Aegean Sea of Greece Experience.’
Great modern additions and surprises – done with taste and perfection as Four Seasons exemplifies.
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