Latest news with #upscale
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The very exclusive 'hidden away' Beverly Hills diner that Kylie Jenner, Timothee Chalamet and the Biebers love
There is an old-school Hollywood hangout that is both private and upscale that hipsters love to frequent. It's where Kylie Jenner holds hands with Timothee Chalamet over pancakes and scrambled it's where Justin Bieber takes his supermodel wife Hailey for bagels and cream cheese with a side of coffee. It's also where Kim Kardashian meets pals like La La Anthony, and Tom Cruise broke bread with Leonardo DiCaprio. Ashley Benson and her oil heir husband Brandon Davis took their newborn child there for lunch. Other famous stars who have sat at the counter include Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Bruce Willis, Victoria Beckham, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Lucille Ball. It is The Fountain Coffee Room located downstairs at the luxury Beverly Hills Hotel, and directly underneath the much more famous Polo Lounge. It is also not to be confused with the poolside Cabana Cafe. 'Stars love to come here because it's hidden away,' a frequent diner told 'I am here every week and I have seen tons of A-list star. I saw Kim here in a sweat outfit. It's fun and the star let down their hair, it's like pass me the salt, no one cares, no one takes photos or pitches scripts, it's chill.' It has 1950s style counter service at the hotel which has been nicknamed 'the pink place.' 'The iconic diner has been serving Hollywood stars since 1949 and you still never know who you might find yourself eating a slice of apple pie next to,' it says on the hotel's website. The menu offers a $32 healthy eggs benedict, $32 avocado toast, $34 Scottish salmon bagel with cream cheese, a $36 FCR Cobb salad, a $29 breakfast burrito and a $22 banana split, along many other things. For the budget-minded there is cereal for $9. Freshly squeezed orange juice is $14 and a cup of coffee is $7. It's open seven days a week from 7am until 4pm. The story of The Beverly Hills Hotel is almost like a fairy-tale, for where this hotel of legend now stands, there used to be a field of beans. Hollywood movie stars including Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich and Rita Hayworth used to hang out there. So did Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. The iconic property on Sunset Boulevard was built in 1912, with architect Elmer Grey, for $500,000 ($13million in today's money). At that time, the city of Beverly Hills did not exist and the hotel was built in open fields and billed as a destination 'halfway between Los Angeles and the sea'. Two years after the hotel opened, Beverly Hills was incorporated as a city and by the 1920s it was one of the smartest addresses in the world. The hotel became known for making its famous guests feel at home, and indulging their desire for privacy. Among the first well-known guests were silent film-era stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, who shot movies at the hotel. By the 1940s, the hotel switched hands. The new owner was Hernando Courtright, the vice president of Bank of America. He renamed El Jardin Restaurant the Polo Lounge in honour of a celebrity band of polo players who toasted victories at the restaurant after matches in the bean fields. Towards the end of the decade, the hotel had its first major facelift, and in 1947 it opened the Crystal Room and the Lanai Restaurant (later renamed The Coterie). The hotel is known for its pink exterior, and this hue first appeared in 1948 to complement LA's famous sunsets and the country club style of that time. That year also saw the addition of the Crescent Wing, named after the hotel's location on Crescent Drive. The hotel's name is written in huge letters on one of its outer walls - and this section is now one of the most photographed. In the early 1950s, Detroit real-estate magnate Ben Silberstein purchased the hotel for $5.5 million and its popularity with royalty and celebrities continued to escalate. New guests included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, King Albert of Belgium, the Crown Prince of Monaco, John Wayne and Henry Fonda. The menu offers a $32 healthy eggs benedict, $32 avocado toast, $34 Scottish salmon bagel with cream cheese, a $36 FCR Cobb salad, a $29 breakfast burrito and a $22 banana split, along many other things Another regular, the androgynously elegant Marlene Dietrich, convinced the hotel's Polo Lounge restaurant to change its 'no slacks for women' dress code in the 1940s. In 1956, the hotel's pool and cabana club were backdrops for Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall in Designing Women, while Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the rest of the Rat Pack engaged in prodigious drinking bouts in the Polo Lounge. Liz Taylor honeymooned in the hotel's lavish bungalows with six of her husbands, including Richard Burton. Bungalow Five was one of their favorite hangouts. Reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes not only lived in the bungalows on and off for 30 years but, starting in 1942, he parked his Cadillac in front of the hotel for so long that plants started growing out of it. He also had hotel staff leave late-night meals, including roast beef sandwiches, in a nearby tree. Marilyn Monroe stayed in bungalows 20 and 21 in 1960 while reportedly having an affair with her Let's Make Love co-star Yves Montand. John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed in bed for a week in another bungalow in the 1970s. The Beverly Hills Hotel went through several ownership changes in the 1980s. The Boeskys gained control in 1986 for $100 million, and later that year, the hotel was sold for $136 million to Denver oilman Marvin Davis. In 1987, Davis sold the hotel to its present owner, the Dorchester Collection, which is run by the Sultan of Brunei. This link recently became controversial when Brunei rolled out its interpretation of Islamic laws, or sharia, punishing sodomy, adultery and rape with death, including by stoning. Actor George Clooney led a global backlash and the Southeast Asian country extended a moratorium on the death penalty to the legislation. On December 30, 1992, the hotel closed for a complete restoration, with the project lasting two and a half years. The hotel reopened on June 3, 1995, with upgrades and custom-designed furniture and fittings. And in 2016, the hotel began a restoration of its historic bungalows, with work conducted on all 23 bungalows in phases throughout 2018.
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane Marks Six-Month Milestone
Strategically located next to The Gabba, the 110-room property affirms Swiss-Belhotel International's growing footprint in Australia BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 July 2025 - Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane has successfully reached its six-month milestone, affirming its position as a key player in the city's upscale hotel segment. Since opening in December 2024, the property has demonstrated robust performance and consistent guest satisfaction, reflecting Brisbane's strong market fundamentals and the group's strategic positioning in Australia. Located in the vibrant inner-city suburb of Woolloongabba, adjacent to the iconic Gabba Stadium, Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane features 110 contemporary rooms and suites designed for both short and extended stays. Each room includes a kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave. The hotel also offers pet-friendly accommodation, catering to a growing trend. Swiss-Kitchen™ Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, located on Level 12, provides panoramic views of the Brisbane skyline and Gabba Stadium. The rooftop venue serves a variety of breakfast, daytime, and evening options, while leisure facilities include an open-air plunge pool and fitness centre. Strategically situated near South Bank and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, the hotel is well-positioned to cater to both leisure and corporate travellers. "Reaching this six-month milestone is an important achievement for Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane. Brisbane is a growing hub for business, events, and tourism, and we are proud to contribute to the city's evolving hospitality landscape with a product that offers quality, flexibility, and value." said Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International. Brisbane continues to see a surge in travel demand. The city welcomed 8.8 million overnight visitors, spending AU$10.7 billion in the year ending June 2024. Brisbane Airport recorded 22.6 million passengers, reaching 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels, highlighting its recovery and popularity. Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane is part of Swiss-Belhotel International's portfolio in Australia and New Zealand. With a global presence spanning 20 countries and more than 150 hotels and projects, Swiss-Belhotel International remains committed to delivering internationally branded hospitality solutions. This commitment to excellence and innovation has earned the group notable industry recognition. In 2024, Swiss-Belhotel International received the Legacy Family Business Award Asia Pacific at the Family Business Association Excellence Awards, and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year – New Zealand Family Business Award, presented to Chairman and President Gavin M. Faull, honouring his visionary leadership and the brand's global success. Hashtag: #SwissBelhotelBrisbane #SwissBelhotelInternational #SwissBelhotel #SBEC #SBECBenefits #BrisbaneHotel #TheGabba #BrisbaneStay #BusinessAndLeisure #TravelQueensland The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane Marks Six-Month Milestone
Strategically located next to The Gabba, the 110-room property affirms Swiss-Belhotel International's growing footprint in Australia BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 July 2025 - Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane has successfully reached its six-month milestone, affirming its position as a key player in the city's upscale hotel segment. Since opening in December 2024, the property has demonstrated robust performance and consistent guest satisfaction, reflecting Brisbane's strong market fundamentals and the group's strategic positioning in in the vibrant inner-city suburb of Woolloongabba, adjacent to the iconic Gabba Stadium, Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane features 110 contemporary rooms and suites designed for both short and extended stays. Each room includes a kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave. The hotel also offers pet-friendly accommodation, catering to a growing Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, located on Level 12, provides panoramic views of the Brisbane skyline and Gabba Stadium. The rooftop venue serves a variety of breakfast, daytime, and evening options, while leisure facilities include an open-air plunge pool and fitness situated near South Bank and the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, the hotel is well-positioned to cater to both leisure and corporate travellers."Reaching this six-month milestone is an important achievement for Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane. Brisbane is a growing hub for business, events, and tourism, and we are proud to contribute to the city's evolving hospitality landscape with a product that offers quality, flexibility, and value." said Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel continues to see a surge in travel demand. The city welcomed 8.8 million overnight visitors, spending AU$10.7 billion in the year ending June 2024. Brisbane Airport recorded 22.6 million passengers, reaching 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels, highlighting its recovery and Brisbane is part of Swiss-Belhotel International's portfolio in Australia and New Zealand. With a global presence spanning 20 countries and more than 150 hotels and projects, Swiss-Belhotel International remains committed to delivering internationally branded hospitality commitment to excellence and innovation has earned the group notable industry recognition. In 2024, Swiss-Belhotel International received the Legacy Family Business Award Asia Pacific at the Family Business Association Excellence Awards, and the EY Entrepreneur of the Year – New Zealand Family Business Award, presented to Chairman and President Gavin M. Faull, honouring his visionary leadership and the brand's global #SwissBelhotelBrisbane #SwissBelhotelInternational #SwissBelhotel #SBEC #SBECBenefits #BrisbaneHotel #TheGabba #BrisbaneStay #BusinessAndLeisure #TravelQueensland The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Telegraph
20-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
‘Spoiled children' of chic Paris neighbourhood block budget supermarket
A chic neighbourhood in Paris has been described as a 'village of spoiled children' over protests against the arrival of an inner city supermarket. News that a Carrefour City mini-market is set to open on the corner of one of the city's most upscale neighbourhoods has drawn the wrath of residents and business owners who say they fear the deterioration of their wealthy community in the sixth arrondissement. Simon Benbaruk, the president of the local shopkeepers' association and a children's hairdresser, told French newspaper Le Monde: 'When you're paying more than €20,000 (£17,300) per square meter, you don't want to have scum downstairs.' Several petitions have been launched to protest the opening of the mini grocery store on the corner of streets Vavin and Bréa, a prime patch of real estate that overlooks a small, shaded, cobblestone square. The neighbourhood is also just steps from one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, the Luxembourg Garden. But Jean-Pierre Lecoq, the Republican mayor of the sixth arrondissement who signed off on the deal last year, lashed back at the petitioners, accusing them of hypocrisy. Signatories include bankers, publishers, lawyers, politicians and personalities from the French media, music and film industry. Mr Lecoq said: 'A large number of the petitioners have worked or work in finance.' 'They have contributed to financialising the economy and therefore killing the least profitable local businesses. It's a village of spoiled children who believe that everything belongs to them.' The current protest is a case of déjà vu. In 1996, residents revolted against the opening of a McDonald's on the same corner. But back then, Mr Lecoq, who had been newly elected as mayor of the arrondissement, lent his support to the protesters who eventually succeeded in blocking the arrival of the fast-food giant to their neighbourhood. Céline Hervieu, a Socialist deputy for the 11th constituency, lent her support to the protesters and said residents are 'fed up' with the homogenisation of neighbourhoods. She said: 'In the 6th, we are different, we want to keep our specificities, the cultural aspect of Montparnasse, access to beauty, a quality of life... Not to be part of this forced march.' One of the petitions launched in April warns that the opening of a corner shop will change the 'face of the neighbourhood forever'. Along with threatening small businesses like greengrocers, butchers, bakers and wine shops, residents are warned that they will have to put up with the arrival of delivery trucks, increased safety risks with the sale of alcohol, and the accumulation of waste in the square that will lead to 'the encouragement of begging'. Lénaïc Dufour, who launched the campaign, also points out that the neighbourhood is home to a heritage Art Deco building designed by 20th-century architect Henri Sauvage and should be managed as a 'protected zone'. Another petition spearheaded by a former economic journalist has garnered more than 3,000 signatures from high-profile French personalities, including Jacques Toubon, a former culture and justice minister, Alain Souchon, the singer, Ruth Elkrief, the TV journalist and Alain Finkielkraut, the essayist. Bruno Segré, a journalist, told Le Monde: 'Our neighbourhood is constantly under threat from people who want to change our ecosystem.' Counter petition launched On Saturday, a counter petition was launched in support of the corner shop opening, as a means to 'improve integration at all levels of local society' in one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in the city. It said: 'Over 40 per cent of households in this arrondissement are liable for wealth tax, a proportion well above the national average of 7 per cent – clear evidence of the significant inequality that persists in this area. 'By making basic necessities accessible to more people, we can help reduce this disparity.'
Skift
14-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Dusit Launches 9th Hotel Brand in Push for Scale
Dusit is best known for its luxury hotels and skill at channeling Thai hospitality. Its new brand is one-tier down in affordability and is more flexible for conversions. That should help the group scale more quickly. Dusit International has added a ninth brand to its expanding portfolio, launching Dusit Hotels to target the upper-upscale segment, with properties tailored for both urban and resort markets across Asia and the Middle East. The Bangkok-based conglomerate launched the new brand on Monday for three hotels in Doha, Hanoi, and Chengdu, with a fourth planned for Manila in 2026. The launch reflects Dusit's challenge in expanding beyond its small base. The company operates just 55 hotels across all brands. Back in 2023, it had said it was seeking to double its hotel count worldwide to around 100 by this year. The group said Monday it had more than 60 properties in its
