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History
Nestled in the canyons of Los Angeles, Hotel Bel-Air has been a hideaway for world travelers for more than 50 years. A visionary significant in the development of the area, Alphonso E. Bell created Bel-Air Estates in 1922. Bell acquired over 600 acres west of the city of Los Angeles, naming his new purchase "Bel-Air." Determined that the estates would become an exclusive and upscale neighborhood, he enhanced the surrounding area with new roads, utilities, a country club and lush, exotic vegetation.
What is now Hotel Bel-Air’s main mission-style building was originally built as Bell’s estate planning and sales offices. These offices were located next to the Bel-Air Stables where residents could board their horses and enjoy the miles of equestrian trails winding throughout the canyons.
For the next few decades Bell’s dream flourished. In 1946 Joseph Drown, a hotel entrepreneur from Texas, purchased 18 acres, and the land offices, and began plans to create an elegant pastoral hotel hideaway encompassing most of the land. Drown immediately hired architect Burton Schutt to convert the buildings and construct the 62 rooms of what was to become Hotel Bel-Air. Drown transformed the grounds into lush, beautiful gardens, adding Swan Lake to the picturesque front lawn. He had a vision of creating a natural California oasis, planting palms, ficus trees and perennial blooms. Drown also closed the Stone Canyon stables and built the sparkling oval-shaped pool at the site of the original riding ring. The hotel opened on August 24, 1946.
Hotel Bel-Air quickly became a favorite of the rich and famous. Hollywood celebrities and world dignitaries were frequent guests at the young and glamorous retreat. Hotel Bel-Air attracted privacy seeking celebrities including Grace Kelly, Jackie Gleason, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. Today, the hotel is still considered a legend, drawing the latest Hollywood style-makers and stars. The exclusivity and tranquility of the hotel appeal to the likes of Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Hillary Swank, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and many other Hollywood notables.
Over the years, the hotel developed into one of the most luxuriant and respected properties in the world. As the hotel and city have matured, Hotel Bel-Air’s original ambiance remained intact. Extensive modern additions were made in 1982 when Rosewood Hotels & Resorts purchased the hotel. Ongoing renovations have continued over the years to bring the latest fabrics and fresh interiors to the hotel.
Now managed by the Dorchester Collection, Hotel Bel-Air closed in September 2009 for its most recent refurbishment, a two-year renovation spearheaded by revered design firms Alexandra Champalimaud and Rockwell Group. The iconic hotel reopened on October 14, 2011, welcoming old friends and new guests to experience its refreshed elegance and glamorous charm that remains reminiscent of its past and Hollywood’s Golden Age.
