Not so long ago, it seemed this Pasadena bastion of wealth and elegance couldn't be more picturesque. Then it got a $19 million renovation.

Though it's supposedly just 15 minutes from Downtown (cough cough), the city feels worlds away. The lush grounds are filled with restored gardens originally designed by the landscape architect who also shaped the Huntington Library and Gardens. All 392 rooms, including seven cottages, offer twice-daily maid service, refrigerators and fully stocked bars. There is a full-service spa and salon, two great restaurants (The Dining Room for more formal dining and the more relaxed Terrace Restaurant, which has one of the best Sunday brunch spreads in town), a business center, 24-hour room service and a gift shop. There are three tennis courts, a fitness center, bikes for rent, and paths for riding and jogging. The aforementioned $19 million added Egyptian sateen cotton sheets, Viennese lamps and chaise lounges to the main building's guest rooms, fabric wall coverings to the spruced-up ballrooms, new landscaping in the gardens, and a bar on the second floor of the lobby lounge to bookend the afternoon-tea service with espresso and cocktails. If that sounds too luxe (though we can't imagine why) there are plenty of day-only packages involving cooking classes or spa sessions that are offered to non-guests. During the summer months, everyone's welcome to indulge in martinis by the pool, accompanied on Wednesday and Thursday evenings by manicures. Who needs Downtown?