The hotels of Beverly Hills are renowned for their five-star service, recognizable designs and illustrious heritage. But beyond the prestige is a commitment to upholding the safety of both their guests and our city. The Beverly Hills Courier spoke to several of Beverly Hills’ top hotels about how life has changed since the wildfires broke out, as well as their ongoing commitment to fire relief efforts.
As the fires which started on Jan. 7 escalated in both size and number, the number of Los Angeles residents who lost their homes continued to grow. By Jan. 16, over 170,000 people were placed under evacuation order or warning from the destructive wildfires. As a result, several displaced residents flocked to safety in our city’s hotels, and they were graciously welcomed.
“I always say one thing, this hotel is iconic, not just for its history but because of the people that work here and the experience they create. Whether you’re a superstar in Hollywood or somebody unknown—you are all stars for us. And that’s the beauty of this hotel,” David Ecija, general manager of the Beverly Hilton told the Courier.
Frederic Zemmour, general manager of L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, said, “When the fires started, a lot of people were in emergency mode, and hotels were their first thought. So, we saw an uptick in demand.”
Leslie Lefkowitz, communications representative from The Beverly Hills Hotel, noted, “Many of our guests and employees have experienced unimaginable loss and our primary focus is to provide the best care possible for everyone staying with us and working at the hotel.”
A statement to the Courier from the Peninsula read, “The Peninsula Beverly Hills remains in full operation and is available to those who have been affected by fires. We continue to extend our heartfelt care to our guests who have been impacted by the fires, and our thoughts are with everyone in our beloved community during this tragedy.”
For many residents, these hotels have quickly become a home away from home, with hotels making much-needed accommodations in this unique situation.
Ecija said, “I’m really proud of our team. They’re pretty amazing in how they’ve organized things.”
Shortly after hosting the Golden Globes, the Beverly Hilton adapted seamlessly to the needs of displaced guests. They set up a private office area for people busy taking calls with insurance companies as they attempt to rebuild their lives, as well as a recreational area and movie theater complete with a popcorn machine and a putting green for children.
“We have a lot of pets staying here now too, so we offer complimentary food for cats and dogs and have set up an area where people can take their dogs for a walk,” Ecija said.
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills has made extra accommodations for guests, too. A spokesperson from the hotel told the Courier, “We’ve taken steps to offer amenities and services to help our guests feel at home with us, including waiving pet fees to ensure furry friends can stay comfortably by their side, as well as added amenities including phone chargers, extra linens and toiletries.”
L’Ermitage has also seen an increase in the number of pets staying at the hotel. “It was easy for us to accommodate them—we have dog beds, dog bowls and dog treats. We also like to find out the names of the pets and gift a handkerchief with their name on it as a souvenir of the hotel,” Zemmour said. “The goal throughout the hotel is to make sure that everyone feels at home and try to help our guests as much as possible.”
While some guests have left the hotel for second homes in Palm Springs, Arizona or Florida, others are unsure how long their stay will last.
“We’re taking it day-by-day,” Zemmour said. “We have some people that are going to be here two weeks, some that are going to be here a month, and some that just don’t know.”
Alongside housing displaced residents, the hotels of Beverly Hills have also undertaken a variety of measures to support the wider community during this time.
“Whether welcoming firefighters who have been working tirelessly in our communities, taking part in a variety of food and clothing drive initiatives, or donating meals to emergency response workers, The Beverly Hills Hotel will continue our efforts to support those in need as we navigate these very trying times,” said Lefkowitz.
A spokesperson for the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills said, “Our commitment extends beyond our in-house guests, as we are engaging in activities to donate essential items for affected communities including baby formula, diapers, toiletries and non-perishable food. In addition to these efforts, Hilton and The Hilton Global Foundation are also supporting first responders heroically fighting fires in the Los Angeles area with contributions to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the International Fire Fighters Association Foundation.”
The Beverly Hilton donated 1,000 dental kits and over 3,000 toiletry items to the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills and Beverly Hills Fire Department’s Heart of the Hills donation event on Jan. 19. They have also been collecting daily donations for children’s clothing, toys, personal hygiene products, pet food and canned food from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the hotel’s Wilshire Boulevard entrance on 9876 Wilshire Blvd.
“We donated all the clothes that we received—more than 60 big boxes—plus toys, games, and so much more to the fire department,” Ecija said.
Since 2022, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills has charged a Community Impact Fee equal to 1% of the total of each booking. These accrued fees are then donated to an organization of choice by the hotel each year. On Jan. 10, L’Ermitage decided to donate $35,000 of Community Impact funds to World Central Kitchen to support in their fire relief efforts.
The Maybourne Beverly Hills is also running a daily donation drive for toiletries, canned food, toys, games, pet necessities and other essentials. Donations are accepted every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the hotel’s location on 225 N. Canon Drive.
