It may conjure visions of Paris, but nonetheless The Beverly Hilton is a class act, with its own wine and chocolate shop, a year-round heated pool, and rooms with a view all the way to Hollywood.

The backdrop for almost 200 red carpet events each year, including the Golden Globes and the Oscar nominees’ luncheon, The Beverly Hilton concluded its three year, $80 million makeover at the end of 2006. For half a century, celebrities and international royalty have made use of the hotel's warm and homey penthouse suites, complete with private balconies that look out at Beverly Hills and beyond. The popular cabana rooms, reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour when leisure time was spent by the pool instead of on the BlackBerry, are only a few steps from the revitalized desert oasis-inspired restaurant, Circa 55, and adjacent bar, C55. They’ve got a state-of-the-art fitness room, which allow access even in the off-hours, and a full-service salon and spa, but the jewel in the crown is the friendly staff, who can lug a dozen Louis Vuitton suitcases upstairs without so much as a grunt.—Tara Tyson