SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills

The SLS's logo is four monkeys perched among flickering candles on an ornate chandelier. One monkey is holding a mirror, another a fork, and two others are clutching crystal chalices. It's an apt metaphor for the design conscious hotel: a lot is going on, and not a lot of it makes any sense. To enter the hotel, guests pass an outdoor area replete with white leather seating, illuminated resin deer antlers, and bookshelves, then enter through double glass doors to find an empty desk to the right, a restaurant in front, and a black lacquered concierge desk to the left. The reception desks are located around the corner, tucked away in near-pitch-black darkness.With a design and furnishings by Philippe Starck, restaurants by celebrity chef Jose Andres, curated retail space, and uniforms created by French designer Pascal Humbert, the hotel spares nothing when it comes to style. Everywhere you turn there's something to grab your attention: a pool table on every floor, fireplaces, a lamp with a base shaped like an AK-47 in the lobby. But one person's idea of high design may be another's sensory overload.Opened in October 2008, SLS has a name that stands for … "whatever you want it to mean," a front desk clerk explained. The reserved signs on the tables at the restaurant Bazaar read, "Saved Little Spaces." The shoe bag in the room reads "Shoes Love Shining." You get the point. The hotel has a 6th-floor pool and terrace crafted as an outdoor living room, but outdoor living rooms apparently aren't for swimming -- one of the two pools is no deeper than a puddle and filled with furniture. The all-white spa was probably a good idea when the hotel was new, but bright white doesn't age well. Guests are a mix of hip tourists and locals on staycations. Leave the kids at home.  

The hotel is on the border of Beverly Hills, the enclave of wealthy living and luxury shopping. It's within walking distance of the Beverly Grove and a few minutes' drive from Sunset Boulevard and the Sunset Strip, a fun stretch of clubs, hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. However, the hotel is also located on an unsightly stretch of La Cienega, a loud, busy major thoroughfare with a neighboring Trader Joe's grocery store (not entirely chic).- Within a five-minute walk to the Beverly Grove

• Five-minute drive to Sunset Boulevard and the Sunset Strip
• 10 minutes to Third Street, a quaint stretch of upscale boutiques and cafes
• 10-minute drive to Rodeo Drive and Hollywood Boulevard
• 20-minute drive to Universal Studios theme park 
• 30-minute drive to Santa Monica and the beach 
• 45-minute drive to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 

The sleek Philippe Starck-designed rooms are fairly spacious at 400 square feet, and the beds are super luxurious, but get used to staring at yourself because dark mirrors cover nearly every surface. Bathrooms are exceptionally spacious, but they, too, are lined with mirrors. Yes, even the shower. All in all, design often trumps function: The lighting is poor, the storage space is inadequate, and beware of the sharp corners of the bed. The room design feels more relaxed than the hotel's public spaces, and the rooms have been updated with softer carpet and bold colors to brighten them up a bit. Creative minibars are stocked with everything from gum to Veuve Champagne. Tech amenities include a laptop-size electronic safe, iPod docking stations, and a Sony 40-inch LCD TV with an integrated DVD/CD player that's imbedded into a glass wall. Wi-Fi is free. Bathrooms are separated from the bed area by a sliding glass mirror. Toiletries, robes, and hairdryers are provided. Some rooms overlook the pool, while others face the noisy street. 

The hotel's features are popular with locals, and the hip scene is part of the appeal for tourists. Up on the 6th floor terrace, two beautiful pools sit side-by-side. One is just deep enough for wading and is filled with living room furniture, while the other is about four-feet deep. Still, Avant-Garde design and the full bar with waiter service for food and beverages is the reason guests hang out here. Seven private cabanas are also available for rent. The hotel's executive chef is Jose Andres, best known for his small plates. At Bazaar, Andres takes the "small" in "small plate" to an entirely new level. The restaurant is several different venues in one -- tapas bar Blanca, another called Rojo, Bar Centro with high communal tables, and Patisserie, the dessert area -- so, like the hotel, kind of confusing. Plus, it houses a massive retail space. The more casual Tres restaurant serves Californian cuisine with Spanish influences. Room service is available 24 hours. The 2,500-square-foot hotel gym is one of the best in L.A. It features a well-equipped, 24-hour fitness center with equipment from Technogym. There are cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, and medicine balls, and a seating area. Personal training is available. The all-white Ciel Spa offers massages, facials, and beauty treatments.Free car service in available a custom Mercedes Jet Van within a two-mile radius -- it drops off, but doesn't pick up. Dogs under 40 pounds welcome for a nonrefundable fee. Turndown service includes a fluffed bed, refilled water bowl, and treats. There's a ballroom and meeting room for events. Wi-Fi is free. Expect to pay a nightly rate for valet, which is the norm in Los Angeles.