A City Landmark Recreated | The Maybourne Beverly Hills
We caught up with Eugene Leonard, the General Manager of The Maybourne Beverly Hills who shares his insider intel on this newly renovated gem.
General Manager Eugene Leonard hails from Co. Clare, Ireland and has been a longstanding member of the Maybourne family. He worked across the group’s legendary London hotels for over a decade before being appointed General Manager of The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
What makes your property special?
Our people. We pride ourselves on exceeding a standard of service to look after each and every guest as a member of our family and providing them with an experience uniquely tailored to them. We believe we are heralding the future of luxury hospitality through our warmth, spirit and expertise, and our ambition is to be the greatest hotel in North America.
What is your favorite place to have coffee in the morning on property?
That would have to be our Maybourne Café. Reminiscent of the all-day café culture in Europe, The Maybourne Café features homemade pastries, small plates featuring farmer’s market produce, and an assortment of beverages. Our menu also offers specialty items authentic to the LA area including Maru Coffee, bread from Bub & Grandma’s and Sqirl jam. You’ll see guests and locals stopping in for a coffee to-go, settling in with their laptops, or catching up with friends and colleagues.
How would you describe the hotel in just a few sentences?
The Maybourne Beverly Hills is the first North American property from Maybourne Hotel Group, owners and operators of London’s most legendary hotels — Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley — as well as The Maybourne Riviera, recently opened on the Côte d’Azur, France. From our landmark location, mere steps from Rodeo Drive, to the cabana-lined rooftop pool and patio overlooking the Hollywood Hills, our property emulates the quintessential southern California lifestyle.
Do you have any secret spots around the hotel? What makes them special?
Our Cigar and Whiskey Bar is a hidden speakeasy style spot located on the 2nd floor and one of just three destinations in the city of Beverly Hills where smoking is permitted. It’s home to a library of over 200 bottles of rare spirits to pair with a selection of over 1,000 of the most sought-after cigars in the world.
What are you most excited about with the newly opened borders?
I am delighted to welcome friends of our iconic Maybourne Hotel Group sister properties in London, Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley. The Maybourne Beverly Hills embraces the legacy of Maybourne Hotel Group’s renowned service standards and creative energy while blending authentic Californian spirit with European style.
Where is the postcard shot on property?
Definitely the view from our rooftop pool. On one side, you can catch the sunrise and views of the Hollywood Hills and sprawling cityscape all the way to the skyline of downtown Los Angeles. On the other, you can watch one of our magnificent California sunsets and hints of the Pacific Ocean.
What’s your favorite activity on property?
Having lunch at our buzzing Terrace restaurant where hotel guests, neighborhood locals, and LA’s biggest power players float in and out to dine al fresco among the Beverly Canon Gardens. The only thing more impressive than the crowd is the food, where our executive chef has curated a menu of fresh, vibrant flavors showcasing our local produce.
What do you want Four Hundred members to know about the property?
As with every Maybourne property, art is central to the design and guest experience at The Maybourne Beverly Hills. We have an ever growing and evolving collection throughout our guest rooms, suites and public spaces, celebrating the Californian artist, with key works by Kort Havens, Jennifer Guidi, Ed Ruscha, Mary Weatherford and more. In addition, several international names can be found including works by Damien Hirst, Petra Rös-Nickel, Nelson Makamo, Brian Clarke, JR and Harmony Korine.
What new things can we expect from the hotel in 2022?
We have the largest luxury spa in Los Angeles, and recently launched a new spa menu aimed at customized wellness experiences tailored to the guest’s individual needs. We’ve also renovated our fitness center with advanced, technical machinery including Woodway treadmills, Peloton bikes, a Pilates reformer, dumbbells by Pent and functional training sets from TRX. We’re excited to begin the introduction of a variety of new food and beverage offerings throughout the hotel including our rooftop, a standalone outpost of Maru Coffee, and a lobby foyer for afternoon tea. We’re also cultivating an offering of exclusive experiences for our guests to enjoy, including “only-at-The-Maybourne” activities as well as special access throughout the city, all designed to create meaningful memories during their stays with us.
