Take The American Girl Dolls On A Luxury Family Vacation To Beverly Wilshire

“We’re running late. Can you please hold the car?” I asked as we navigated through Beverly Hills to the iconic Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. We were in jeopardy of being tardy to our lunch at American Girl Place (a coveted and hard-to-get reservation) and had intended to use the hotel Mercedes as our ride.

While it sounds absurd to park at such an opulent hotel for a 6-year-old’s American Girl-themed birthday celebration, it was the perfect choice. Why? The Beverly Wilshire offers a special American Girl Package that sends girls riding the wave of this doll craze into complete bliss while pampering the rest of the family in Four Seasons style. It’s a win-win luxury family vacation.

Why Book The Beverly Wilshire American Girl Package?

Those American Girl doll beds in the photo above? They’re provide by the Beverly Wilshire along with blankets and turn-down service at bedtime. I’m not sure if our girls received official turn-down service or if my daughter did it, but either way, she was over the moon about them receiving such posh treatment.

The package also includes a welcome amenity and use of the hotel car to visit American Girl Place, about 10 minutes away at The Grove mall. In the end, we arrived on time as doors to the cafe opened late (all guests are seated simultaneously) and our driver was expert at avoiding Beverly Hills traffic. Do make a reservation for lunch or tea and know that  between the doll hair salon, photo studio and more, you really could spend a half-day there.

Read about our experience booking the American Girl birthday package (we’ve done it twice). The birthday cake is actually very good and from a well-known bakery that I can’t recall the name of.

Beverly Wilshire Location: A Shopper’s Paradise

Located in equidistant from downtown Los Angeles and the beach, at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, Beverly Wilshire offers proximity to the area’s major attractions. Step out the front door to the world-famous Rodeo Drive to shop every designer label imaginable. Though my daughter is a shopper, I could only convince her to leave the BW with the promise of chocolate upon return.

By the way, another reason why Beverly Wilshire was such a hit with my 6-year-old? We were up to our elbows in chocolate (can’t complain about that).

The Hollywood film reel pictured here is impressive, solid chocolate.

Luxury Hotel Rooms And Suites

With Grandma in tow, a Wilshire Suite was in order. A separate living room and bathroom with comfortable furnishings made it feel like a home versus a hotel room. (Celebrities including John Lennon, Elvis and Warren Beatty have actually called the BW home.)

The suite’s living room has a desk, seating area, sofa with a pull-out bed, and a large TV. The bedroom and bathroom offer up Four Seasons-style comfort complete with monogrammed sheets and designer bath amenities.

I always appreciate that I can find little things from corkscrews to Q-tips in my Fours Seasons rooms. And, if I forget things (like a hairbrush) I can ring housekeeping for a replacement. Our room had all the utensils and comforts of home (except in-room coffee).

The Delicious Food

Now, these are my kind of cupcakes. Fact: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts do food well from the restaurants to in-room dining. We didn’t have a chance to try the award-winning steakhouse, CUT, by Wolfgang Puck. However, we ate ourselves into a food coma at The BLVD where the big windows and patio dining allow for prime people watching.

I ordered salmon with curry vegetables and the ahi tartare as a starter. Even my daughter was photographing the food up until she got busy inhaling the birthday cake and ice cream they sent her.

Don’t forget to hit up the homemade candy cart. I hadn’t devoured Jordan almonds in ages.

Equally impressive was the in-room dining menu where we noshed on curries, more ahi tartare, breakfast and much more.

The Pool Bar & Grill serves up bento boxes, smoothies and other healthy poolside fare best enjoyed from the comfort of a reserved cabana. The pool itself was designed after Sophia Loren’s Italian villa.

Spa At Beverly Wilshire: So Many Treatments For Kids

My 6-year-old isn’t a stranger to luxury spas, but neither of us had ever seen a spa menu with so many kid-friendly options. She opted for the Pop Star treatment which they were able to adjust to her needs as she preferred a pedicure versus a manicure. She took home a lip gloss and a trophy. Just look at the spa menu for kids, will you? It seems over-the-top, but your young jetsetter will love it.

Seriously, how fancy are these toes with the glitter border? My mom and I both enjoyed glowing skin after a hydrafacial, but this treatment deserves its own post. Stay tuned.

Other Kid-Friendly Amenities

BW Larry (the dog in the photo above) of the book Larry Gets Lost in Los Angeles keeps kids company thoughout their stay. Each kid receives a plush BW Larry and coloring menus featuring him in the restaurants. Of course, BW Larry even has his own namesake spa treatment.

Good To Know

The hotel is busy so if you need your car in a hurry, ring for it in advance.

Yes, this is the hotel where Pretty Woman was filmed along with various scenes from the HBO series Entourage.

The opulence and location may suggest stuffiness, but we experienced zero from the staff. Everyone was outgoing, friendly and extremely helpful.

We can’t wait to return, and we will. The Beverly Wilshire oozes luxury, but it is certainly kid-friendly. Plan your next luxury family vacation here.

*Thanks to Beverly Wilshire for hosting our stay, my hydrafacial and dinner at The BLVD. Opinions (and hefty incidentals bill) are my own.
**Pool photo credit: Beverly Wilshire