A relatively new hotel, the Beverly-adjacent Mr. C is chic and possesses an old world quality, welcoming guests with black and white portraits of stars from a bygone era at its entrance. The check-in desk, discreet, behind a sunken bar is the best welcome weary eyes (and parched throats) can get.
The ‘C’ in Mr. C stands for Cipriani, the very same behind the renowned Harry’s Bar and Rainbow Room. Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani, both fourth-generation Ciprianis launched the Hotel in 2011 with one sole purpose – to extend their unique brand of tailored hospitality from restaurant to hotel. Managing the property is Sam, who shares a last name with Mick Jagger and is as much of a rock star, as this editor discovered. We were checked into a Deluxe City View Room after a round of Bellinis. Outfitted with a sleek study corner and an old-fashioned powder room, besides the comfiest chesterfield sofa and matching bed set, it was 365 square feet of chic.
Here, the tremendous attention to detail is apparent – hardwood floors compliment the chesterfield furniture, and the black-and-white photos theme continues from the lobby into the bedrooms, oozing old Hollywood glamour. Each of the 137 spacious guest rooms and suites in the boutique hotel range from 365-1,165 square feet and feature private balconies; ours offered sweeping views of the city and was large enough to accommodate chairs and a table, ideal for an espresso in the morning or a cocktail in the evening watching the sun set.
Speaking of cocktail, the bar comes perfectly well equipped, overflowing even, with Tanqueray gin, Patron and everything in between. The Ciprianis know how to throw a good party (or help you start your own)! If your kind of party involves a good book and a nice soak, though, a basic bathroom at Mr. C looks something like this – Carrera marble, rain shower, double vanity sink with Waterworks bath fixtures, Casa Rovea Bathrobes and generous tub, of course. Toiletries are in keeping with the hotel’s signature style and provided by the London-based and luxury travel-inspired T-London. The whole thing just screams 1950’s Hollywood and a powder room only adds to that.
Outside the confines of your plush accommodations lie the 1,000 square foot fitness center and Mr. C Spa & Beauty featuring ESPA. The latter might be somewhat compact with two massage and beauty treatment rooms but retains every bit of elegance accented with wood much like the rest of the hotel. A trip there is best followed by a jaunt to the poolside. Ideal for people watching and with the most inviting wooden deck, Mr. C’s poolside offers a slick setting for a relaxing dip as well as comfy lunch spot with Sutherland lounge sofas and teak banquettes. But nothing reflects the property’s old school glamour as well as the Cipriani restaurant.
Accessed from the hotel’s lobby or through the dedicated restaurant entrance off the main driveway, the mainstay of this wood-paneled, trattoria-style affair remains the stellar Italian cooking, which includes but isn’t limited to traditional Cipriani dishes like Carpaccio and baked tagliolini, grilled specialties, artisan pizzas and garden-fresh salads. Our top recommendations include the Pizza Mr. C with Burrata, Prosciutto Crudo di Parma & Rucola and the Crème Brulee for dessert. The adjoining Lobby Lounge Bar is just as swell and the ultimate temptation for a cocktail. If you haven’t gotten enough of it upon check-in, which you probably haven’t, swing by Friday and Saturday evenings to experience live classic American music along with sublime service and excellent drinks.
A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Mr. C, simply put, is a rather different boutique hotel that is modern yet successfully takes you back in time; service is good, staff well trained and sharp looking, the Hotel’s only flaw being that the breakfast could use some improvement.
Note- The critic was invited by Mr C Beverly Hills on behalf of the Leading Hotels of the World. But all the opinions expressed herewith are his own.
Where: Mr. C Hotel Beverly Hills
1224 Beverwil drive, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone: 310.277.2800
