DESIGN : HOTEL BEL-AIR
A marble-clad hearth fireplace flanked by glass wine towers displaying more than 2,400 bottles serves as the centerpiece of the restaurant Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air .
The centerpiece of the new lobby lounge is a hanging bronze fireplace with natural stone hearth , distressed hardwood floors and
French Deco furnishings paired with eclectic contemporary chairs . hotel was still without a permanent general manager at press time , with Mady covering those duties .
The hotel also faced some negative press related to a dispute with its former union workers , who were laid off when the property closed . Hotel management has said workers were offered a severance package that they rejected and told they could reapply for jobs upon the hotel ’ s reopening . New workers now have the right to vote to unionize again , Mady maintains , but the reopening was still marked by a protest by about 300 activists and former workers . Nevertheless , Mady says the dispute has not had any negative impact on business levels .
Rates at Hotel Bel-Air start at US $ 535 for guestrooms and skyrocket from there for the hotel ’ s suites , culminating in the 6,775-sq-ft ( 630-sq-m ) Presidential Suite — featuring amenities such as a chef ’ s kitchen , private dining for 10 , grand piano and private pool — priced from US $ 15,000 . Mady says initially the hotel chose not to sell at full inventory to ensure expected service levels for guests , but adds , “ I believe that we will achieve our goal of being the rate and occupancy leader in the city during 2012 .”
What is not a concern , however , is reaction to the hotel ’ s new look . “ The wonderful feedback we have received from the overwhelming majority of guests validates our efforts to remain authentic ,” Mady confirms .
Sullivan adds , “ I ’ m hoping the privacy of this property is embraced and amplified and guests see the original character of the building come through .”
50 HOTELS January / February 2012 www . hotelsmag . com