The Peninsula Beverly Hills earns a five-pearl rating, but as one of the best hotels in Beverly Hills, and perhaps in all of Los Angeles, that may be an understatement. Thanks to its attentive staff that discreetly caters to the rich and famous, its status as a luxury Hollywood destination has been steady since its opening in the early '90s. The dining is top-notch, the rooftop pool is an A-list playground, and the spa uses massage oils infused with diamonds. The 194 guest rooms have a floral decor that isn't for everyone, and the management may think it's too pedestrian to have in-room coffeemakers, but at these rates the lack of an Italian espresso machine seems like an oversight. On the plus side, a chauffeur and a Rolls-Royce come included with the rates. For a trendier look, the luxury Mr. C Beverly Hills provides a good alternative, but despite its name that property is located in West LA.

This mid-sized upscale hotel is the definition of five-pearl. Classy yet understated, the property draws a chic celebrity clientele, and guests will also feel like celebs staying here. Tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood just blocks from exclusive Rodeo and Robertson Drives, the hotel has 285 beautifully decorated rooms -- each with French doors and private balconies, plus iPads and ultra-cushy beds. There is a marked focus on doing things al fresco, thanks to the property's open-air restaurant/lounge and 24-hour fitness center, and fabulous outdoor heated pool with cafe and private cabanas. The on-site restaurant and bar are also popular with the glitterati, yet the overall vibe of this hotel is somehow still serene. 

On 12 acres of lush grounds, this historic hotel is a serene, luxurious escape five minutes from Rodeo Drive. Its formal service and aura lend it a stuffier feel than the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire, but it also has anachronistic charms, like an old-fashioned soda fountain, plus a great pool and (pricey) restaurants. The historic rooms, which are the most standard, are smaller and not as luxe, but all other rooms are spacious with fresh decor, amenities such as massive flat-screen TVs, and marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs.

This luxury retreat in ritzy Bel-Air is one of Los Angeles' -- indeed, one of the country's -- poshest and most romantic getaways. The 12 acres of landscaped gardens allow it to feel secluded and private, even though it's only a 10-minute drive from the designer shopping in Beverly Hills. The 103 sophisticated rooms and suites blend Spanish Colonial and French Deco influences; some have fireplaces and patios. Gourmet California cuisine is available from Wolfgang Puck, while the lounge has live music performances and light Mediterranean fare. Free treats such as popsicles are served at the chic, heated outdoor pool, and there is small luxury spa with seven treatment rooms.

The Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills is an all-suite luxury hotel set in a relatively secluded spot in exclusive Beverly Hills. A regular hideaway for A-listers (especially during Oscar season), the 114 suites are sober, stylish, and spacious, with glam touches like dressing rooms, marble bathrooms, and Italian furniture. A swish, bistro-style restaurant serves excellent fare, and room service is outstanding. While pleasant, the rooftop terrace and pool feel less polished, though the zen-inspired spa features a simple workout room with a selection of modern cardio and weight machines. Perks like free local car services and a dedicated concierge round out the luxe offerings. Overall, while it's good enough for Hollywood glitterati, this isn't an ideal spot for party seekers, who should try the SIXTY Beverly Hills.

Less stuffy than the Beverly Hills Hotel, more glam than the Beverly Hilton, this iconic Beverly Hills hotel is a top luxury pick for business or leisure, families or romance. With beautiful guest rooms, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, and a great spa, pool and fitness center, plus doting Four Seasons service, it's hard to find fault.

This 201-room luxury hotel located in the heart of upscale Beverly Hills is elegant in every way, from the Spanish Colonial-inspired architecture to the spacious, sumptuous rooms to the perfectly manicured courtyard. Highlights include a luxury spa, renowned Italian restaurant, and a heated rooftop pool. Only the Peninsula and the Beverly Wilshire hotels can compare.

The 49-room Mosaic Hotel Beverly Hills is an upscale boutique property conveniently located amid all of the prime shopping and dining of Beverly Hills. Contemporary interiors are elegant, while a lovely pool area offers a chic space to relax in outside. The restaurant serves fresh California cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and there's a small but lovely lobby bar as well. The fitness room is tiny and has just three machines, but guests can buy passes to a nearby Equinox. Guest rooms are fresh and contemporary, equipped with modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and minibars, as well as thoughtful touches catering to business travelers like large work desks, free Wi-Fi, and free stationary supplies. Bathrooms are small, however, and some guests complain of noise due to loud ACs and thin walls. Travelers might also want to consider the cheaper Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, which offers free passes to a nearby gym, but lacks a pool or restaurant.

The Philippe Starck-designed SLS, opened in 2008, may dazzle -- and possibly overwhelm -- the senses with capital-D design. The rooms are sleek, luxurious, and spacious; its gym is enormous, and restaurants by Spanish chef José Andrés are praiseworthy. But the high-design elements sometimes get in the way of comfort and practicality -- neither of its two pools, for example, is deep enough for swimming.

Sirtaj Hotel is a stylish upscale hotel with a slight Indian aesthetic in the center of Beverly Hills, a 15-minute walk from Rodeo Drive. The 32 pleasant guest rooms are decorated in an eclectic and colorful contemporary style and are equipped with luxury amenities like tablet computers, espresso machines, and minibars, while the upper-category rooms have the added bonus of iHome docking stations. Room rates are competitive when compared to other four-pearl properties in the area, but amenities usually expected of an upscale hotel are absent: There is no on-site swimming pool, spa, or gym, and breakfast is charged extra at its trendy P.S. Beverly Hills restaurant. For only moderately higher rates, the boutique hotel SIXTY Beverly Hills offers a rooftop swimming pool and bar overlooking the Hollywood Hills.

While the Avalon lacks some of the glamour of better-known Beverly Hills hotels, it is equally convenient and the price tag is substantially lower. Tucked in a modest residential section of the neighborhood, the 84-room hotel is a 15-minute walk to the shops and restaurants of legendary Rodeo Drive. The hotel has three buildings –- the Olympic, the Beverly, and the Canon -- hidden behind palm trees. Light-filled rooms are decorated in a retro-modern style with geometric marble bathrooms. The restaurant, Viviane, spills out into the pool area and delivers gourmet cuisine to Hollywood producers holding court in poolside cabanas.

The 107-room four-pearl SIXTY Beverly Hills has an intimate feeling and touches of Hollywood glamour. Located just five blocks from Rodeo Drive, the SIXTY is well-positioned for tourists and business travelers, with plenty to see and do within walking distance. The hotel has a chic rooftop pool and lounge with panoramic Los Angeles views, and a clubby restaurant and bar downstairs. The compact spa has a sauna and offers massages. Upscale but not uptight, the SIXTY allows children, but isn't overly kid-friendly. Guest rooms are small but elegant, with sophisticated marble bathrooms and minibars stocked with Dean & DeLuca snacks. For similar features and prices, plus extras such as Mercedes Benz shuttle service and flexible check-out, guests should also consider Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills.

This tiny, 43-room boutique makes up in style what it lacks in size and amenities. Granted there's no pool, real business center, or even a restaurant -- but the unique Chinoiserie and Parisian-inspired rooms, cozy lobby bar with nightly absinthe happy hours, and central Beverly Hills location lure in a loyal crowd. Guest rooms were completely renovated in May 2011 by Kelly Wearstler, as well as certain furnishings in the lobby.