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If the Beverly Hills Hotel symbolizes Hollywood opulence as it once was, L'Ermitage epitomizes what it is today. Each enormous (around 700 sq. ft.), superbly decorated room is done in a contemporary Asian-meets-Scandinavian style that exudes understatement. The real treat is the in-room technology, which includes a CD/DVD player, Bose speakers, a three-line phone system with a whopping five phones throughout the room (including a cellphone you can take with you around town), and "smart" bedside control panels that remember your lighting and climate preferences. The work desk is large, seating is copious and comfortable, carpeting is Berber, fabrics tend to tailored silk, and lighting is soft and on dimmers. The bathrooms feature a soaking tub, a shower for two, and cotton and terry robes. The faultless service includes flexible check-in/check-out and a wealth of freebies that include local and 800 calls, all nonalcoholic beverages in your minibar, customized stationery and business cards with your name and direct-dial phone and fax numbers (very slick), and complimentary DVD lending. Room service is reasonable and carries no automatic service charges. The house restaurant, JAAN, serves modern French-Indochina cuisine in an uberstylish setting. You'll love the rooftop pool as well.

Facilities: Jaan Restaurant w/outdoor patio; Living Room for afternoon tea and light meals; Writer's Bar; heated rooftop pool; Amrita spa and health club; 24-hr. concierge; courtesy car; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; laundry service; dry-cleaning service.

© 2005, Wiley Publishing, Inc.