The Montage Beverly Hills

By Michael J. Herman

The dictionary definition of MONTAGE is the bringing together of dissimilar elements to create the illusion that they belong together.

In the case of the new Montage Hotel Beverly Hills, all elements blend together seamlessly. It is nearly impossible to decipher where one thread of charm ends and another one begins. Quality, class, and customer service define this glistening diamond nestled comfortably in an oasis of cultural saturation in midtown Beverly Hills. Every detail, every nuance, and every subtlety is consistent with the most refined charm and opulence hospitality can offer.

From management to bellman, masseuse to manicurist, and maitre d’ to wine porter, there is a true desire to connect and provide an outstanding stay. This is refreshing in an era when customer service and quality are hard to find at any price. The Montage is fully committed to offer the best overall guest experience.
Designed from the ground up with every indulgence and convenience available, the Montage aims to please with lush opulence and yet convenient, friendly accessibility. The actions of the staff speak volumes. For example, I was asked what newspaper I like to read. When they couldn’t get the paper delivered, they printed it out from the Internet on extra large paper, bound it, and left it waiting on my pillow. When I casually noticed the men’s spa was low on bananas, spa porter Resolito momentarily excused himself to retrieve a fresh bunch just because I mentioned it. At the Montage, the guest is the priority – period.

Lavish and elegantly pleasing, the design of the hotel from entry to rooftop swimming pool is nothing short of stunning. The adorning art collections are reminiscent of Wynn’s Las Vegas private stash. A good example is the way they themed the art to create an ambiance in The Park Bar, a sure stop, even if not a guest of the hotel. In fact, the entire hotel is executed with precision in an effort to draw on days gone by when service was equal to style. The balconies that line the ceilings of the ballrooms and the stairs that go from one part of the hotel to the other are purposely reminiscent of days when movie stars haunted places like Trader Vic’s and The Brown Derby. Some parts of the resort are throwbacks to the early 20’s and 30’s, while others pay homage to a postwar upscale rock and roll milieu.

Exquisite and sublime describes the food and wine served at Muse, one of several in-house dining choices. Part Renaissance high couture, and part Beverly Hills nouveau riche, this gift of extraordinary dining draws on its soft pastels and soothing textures to create the ultimate in culinary and olfactory events. You simply cannot ask for more from this well- oiled machine than the wait staff that serves your every need before you even have one.

The spicy tomato and seafood bisque was unbelievable! Served in an upside-down cup in a wide, shallow soup bowl, the soup is nothing until the cup is removed, revealing tender luscious calamari and squid. Then, the captain pours the soup over the seafood as if bathing it in delicious, explosive flavor sensations. The garlic seared scallops appetizer with the ’97 Freemark Abbey Johannesberg Riesling and the John Dory in a crisp, white wine butter-pepper sauce were complimented perfectly by a bevy of pettifore desserts that sent our taste buds into orbit. Chocolate-chocolate truffle with raspberry partners and peanut butter cheese cake finished off the meal.

In-room technologically advanced features, like control panels for everything in the room at bedside and wireless Web accessibility throughout the hotel, combined with poolside beauty and elegance, offers the discriminating traveler the opportunity to relish in comfort and grace with no need or worry of distraction.
The hotel staff makes you feel not only welcome, but truly appreciated and wanted. Rarely have I felt so valued for staying at a destination, and never have I been so carefully looked after… almost as though they wanted me to stay forever.