by Ondine Cohane

Here's yet another luxury property expansion to add to our watch list. Following on the heels of Montage's very successful property in Laguna Beach--known for its excellent service and great spa, not to mention its spectacular location on the Pacific--is a new hotel debuting next month in Los Angeles. The Montage Beverly Hills has a swanky address just north of Wilshire Boulevard. The building keeps to the area's design aesthetic, mixing Spanish Colonial Revival with 1920s California old-school glamor. I am most looking forward to trying the spa, a 20,000 square foot space "inspired by the 9th-century Andalusia region of Spain," with a large co-ed mineral pool, a yoga and pilates studio, herbal steam rooms, a full-service salon, and treatments like hot stone massages and anti-aging facials. I also plan on lounging at the resort's centerpiece, a rooftop pool and conservancy restaurant with expansive views over Tinseltown. The latest property is part of a larger plan to launch properties in Cabo, Deer Valley, and the Bahamas, all slated to open in 2010.

Further reading:
* The Montage Beverly Hills Web site
* Word of Mouth