Photos: The Beverly Hills Hotel

No matter where you set up for the day, there isn’t a bad view of this pool. Grab a lounge chair and soak up some sun or sit down for a snack in the Cabana Cafe, with palm trees and bougainvillea swaying in the breeze.

Along with the legendary bungalow rooms, the suites at The Beverly Hills Hotel are highly sought after. Many of them come with large balconies and patios that overlook the secluded gardens, offering private outdoor space and bringing this suite in at an enormous 780 square feet.

The Beverly Hills Hotel is known for its rooms with a view, which can be garden-facing or overlooking Beverly Hills. We don’t think there is a better spot in the neighborhood to sit on a balcony to catch golden hour and take in the scenery.

Immediately recognizable, the Martinique banana leaf wallpaper was created by CW Stockwell and introduced to the hotel in 1949 by decorator Don Loper. It’s as much a part of the iconic decor as the green and white stripes or the pink walls themselves.

Many of the bungalows have been linked to celebrity guests over the years, and we were lucky enough to tour the 1A, always the favorite of Marilyn Monroe. The bombshell famously posed on the bench just outside the door, and now guests can recreate her pose when they stay in her favorite room.

Written in Paul Revere William’s signature handwriting, the hotel’s logo and name has become a status symbol in and of itself. The pink neon sign, nestled in the gardens outside the pool, is enough of a tourist attraction that you’ll usually spot guests taking photos with it.

Power lunches and celebrity hangouts are just part of the appeal on the sprawling brick terrace of The Polo Lounge. We hear that the burger, the McCarthy salad and the excellent caviar service are all favorites of the Beverly Hills set.

Though historic diners are rapidly disappearing from the restaurant scene, this counter-service spot has been perfectly preserved in the basement of The Beverly Hills Hotel. Our tour ends at the Fountain Coffee Room, an excellent place for both a weekend nightcap or an early weekday coffee.