I went to Los Angeles with every intention of seeing friends, taking a few meetings, and checking out a few restaurants on my West Coast to-dine list.
Then, I met Hotel Bel-Air.
The tucked-away, renowned-and-awarded getaway — part of The Dorchester Collection — has been the playground of everyone from Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly to Nancy Reagan and a countless list of glitterati from the worlds of film and fashion. Eighty years (the U.S. isn’t the only one with an anniversary this year) after Texas developer Joseph Drown converted a stable and a real estate sales office into a hotel, the 12-acre property still runs on one idea.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Luxury Travel Advisor.


