HotelChatter

Champalimaud’s design creates a new generation of Bel-Air aesthetic; contemporary, fresh and extremely comfortable while evoking a lifestyle inspired by themes of past Los Angeles eras. The glamorous decades of the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s are represented through an eclectic selection of furnishings and color. Relaxed residential style interiors set within Spanish Colonial architecture call to mind graceful living with international flair.

Guestrooms will feature custom limestone floors and natural wood ceilings with rich finishes and textures melded to create a confident style that is clean, full of light and elegant. A new lobby lounge nestled next to the familiarly fragrant orange tree overlooking Swan Lake will be warm and inviting, a perfect spot for tea or conversation, the heart center of the Hotel.

As for the in-room amenities, the hotel promises "state-of-the-art-technology" with a new high-speed WiFi network (which we presume will cost you per day), strengthened mobile phone reception, a voice over IP system where guests can get their own dedicated phone number, a TV system that will allow guests to control everything in the room and even order room service from, plus it looks like there's going to be an iPhone app to use on property as well. And where there are iPhones these days, we expect iPads as well.

But the TV might be the star of the room here, which is only fitting in LA. The hotel promises to have Bang and Olufsen high-def flat screens in every room, the first time these sets will be seen in the U.S. (If you're staying in the Presidential Suite, you'll get to use the massive 65" version.)

Meanwhile, the Rockwell Group updated, upgraded and extended most of hotel's bars, lounges and ballroom spaces as well as The Dining Room which will have a wine cellar storing over 2,400 bottle of wine, thus ensuring you don't need to step out into the wilds of Beverly Hills to have a good time.

Oh and about those famous Bel-Air swans? Swan Lake was given a new circulation pump allowing them to "glide" in clear water while saving Los Angeles about 50,000 gallons of water a year.

As for the hotel rates, it's still too early to tell. When the hotel closed, rates were averaging about $400-$500 a night. Now that the place will have a new look, we bet that will increase a touch. As always, we'll keep you posted.